When most people think of artificial flowers they naturally picture a silk flower arrangement or the ubiquitous Christmas poinsettias but these fake flowers are actually made from a huge variety of different materials. In fact, there are literally hundreds of factories in Guangdong, China that are devoted solely to making various forms of fake flowers that are then exported to dozens of countries!
Let’s consider some of the different types of apocryphal flowers out there:
- Glass Flowers – These are usually much more expensive than other types of faux flowers and this has a lot to do with the fact that it requires a glass blower to make each individual piece. This is a pretty specialized craft and the workers are typically well-paid.
- Silk Flower – These are the most ubiquitous in the fake flower bunch and are made from various types of silk that lends the plants a rather believable look.
- Plastic Flowers – These are usually mass produced; the kind you’d see in a crafts store.
- Clay Flowers – Like glass flowers, clay flowers require a good bit of personal handling. They are assembled from unique molds with clay or porcelain and then painted. These can look very real.
- Nylon Stocking Flowers – Strange as it may seem, flowers made from nylon stockings can be quite beautiful and intricate and the process is fairly easy to master.
- Paper Flowers – Paper flowers obviously aren’t appropriate for important events but they add a nice touch of personality to any room for the home. Making these involves cutting up various fabrics and pasting them together with a stem. These can be worn beautifully in a lady’s hair.
- Real Touch Flowers – These flowers are produced by Floramatique® and feel absolutely real! They’re polyurethane-based and look stunning.
While silk flowers are certainly the most well-known among the diverse plethora of fake flowers, polyester materials dominate the market for artificial flowers internationally.
If you have an unlimited budget and simply HAVE to have real flowers, then I guess you have to, Queenie, but silk flower arrangements might be a much better choice for you. Here’s why:
One thing to keep in mind for your big day is that some of the flowers you want in your bouquets and are inevitably going to be out of season which means they’ll be WAY more expensive than if they were actually in season. That’s because you’ll have to get them shipped overnight from a location where they’re blooming which may be across the country or even across the border!
Now with silk flowers you really only have to worry about getting the arrangements perfect in terms of the look and feel you’re trying create for your wedding day. Well, here you’re in luck because silkies are incredibly versatile and come in just about every color, every shape and every type of flower you can imagine, including orchids, roses, leaves, vines, sunflowers, calla lilies, bouquets and floral arrangements. They can often be bought cheap at a discount.
Another thing to think about is if you’re holding any part of your wedding outdoor, real flowers can wilt or get disheveled while silk flowers will not only keep their form and appearance but have the added benefit of being able to hold various signs and cards and ornaments!
Sure, when you’re tying the knot, it’s the one time when you can let yourself splurge but there’s nothing fun about running around freaking about dead flowers and if you’re at all prone to worrying about stuff like that, silk flower arrangements may keep you sane through the hectic day.