One of the most common items used for wedding decor are flowers. From the wedding ceremony arbor to the reception centerpieces, flowers have traditionally been a focus point in all types of weddings. In recent years floristry has become a huge part of a growing wedding industry, with both fresh and artificial flower options available. So you may come to wonder what is the difference in cost between real and artificial wedding flowers. This article will discuss everything about that in detail.
Generally real wedding flowers will cost around $1500 to $5000 for small to large size weddings. In contrast, the average cost of fake flowers for a wedding is from $700 to $2500 for small to large weddings.
Artificial, or fake wedding flowers have become a popular option in recent years. It’s a fantastic method to save money without sacrificing attractiveness compared to using real, or fresh flowers on your wedding day. Both strategies, though, have advantages and disadvantages. Continue reading to find out whether real or artificial flowers are the perfect fit for your wedding concept!
Why Should You Choose Artificial Flowers For Your Wedding?
Choosing flowers for your wedding can be tough as you want to ensure you do not use too much of your budget while still having pretty decorations. Artificial flowers are more economical if you want to host a wedding on a low budget. Here are some reasons you should consider artificial wedding flowers over real ones during your wedding planning:
Real Flowers are Expensive
Flowers are a major expense in every wedding event. As they have a relatively short lifespan from the time they are cut to when they will begin to wilt, the costs to transport flowers around the world makes up a large portion of what you’ll be paying in your florist bill.
The majority of flowers sold in the United States are actually not grown here, but flown from places such as the Netherlands and Colombia.
Flowers will typically arrive at their final destination only 24 hours after leaving the location where they were cut, which adds to their cost.
Artificial Flowers Are Available At All Times Of The Year.
The ability to have whichever flower your heart wishes is probably the most significant advantage. Yes, those difficult-to-find peonies, pricey orchids, and delicate roses can all feature in your display at any time of year.
If you have your heart set on a specific flower design to complement the theme of your wedding, you no longer have to consider seasons when deciding your wedding date.
Artificial Flowers Don’t Cause Allergies
Allergies can be a significant issue for some couples or their guests, causing significant discomfort if triggered.
Artificial flowers are allergen-free, so there will be no wheezing, sneezing,or itching. Just lovely flowers for everyone to enjoy!
You Can Keep These Flawless Artificial Flowers Indefinitely.
When using fresh blooms you are limited to only a few days of enjoying their beauty, even less if you leave for a Honeymoon straight away!
While there are some options to preserve bridal bouquets, such as drying or resin ornaments, they cannot retain the same look as when they were fresh.
Fortunately, your artificial flowers will resist any type decay allowing them to look great for years to come.
Rent artificial Flowers Online
Renting artificial flowers for your wedding is an alternative to buying them. Real wedding flowers do not allow for this option.
There are various wedding boutiques specializing in silk wedding flower packages. You can look through a catalog of pre-designed bridal bouquets and other arrangements made of silk flowers and select the one you want. The flowers will then be packaged and shipped to you by the store.
This option may allow you to have a much bigger floral display, also arranged professionally rather than needing to do it yourself.
Types of Artificial Wedding Flowers
Silk Wedding Flowers
Most silk flowers are now crafted of nylon or polyester materials rather than real silk. The most significant benefit of silk/fabric flowers is that they come in virtually any color, size, or form, and you can find most flower varieties in silk, including popular bridal flowers like roses, peonies, and lilies.
Silk flowers are also quite lifelike in appearance, as each head appears to be somewhat different, just as you find with fresh flowers, so they’ll look great in a bouquet.
Wax-Coated Wedding Flowers
Wax-coated artificial flowers are silk flowers that have been coated with a particular wax to simulate real flowers’ feel (and appearance). These are among the most expensive artificial flowers available due to the level of detail on the petals, such as veining or small imprints, as well as the real-touch feel.
Foam Wedding Flowers
The foam flower is the cheapest type of artificial flower: it’s lightweight and resilient, and the dye won’t bleed if you choose colorfast blooms.
Foam flowers, however, can be more easily identified as being artificial when used in large quantities, so they’re best used as fillers in a much larger bouquet.
Fresh Touch (Polymer) Flowers
Fresh touch or authentic touch artificial flowers are the most expensive. Flowers are created to resemble and feel as closely as possible to the real thing. They’re constructed of a foam and latex mix.
Best Online Stores To Buy Artificial Flowers That Look Real
We spoke to a number of brides who found the following to be the best places to buy artificial flowers for a wedding:
Etsy
Etsy is a terrific marketplace for obtaining inexpensive artificial flowers and floral arrangements that seem remarkably real. Furthermore, the available solutions are typically handmade, and you’d also be supporting small companies. You can also work directly with the seller to create unique bouquets that compliment your home or special occasion.
Pottery Barn
Another great location to get artificial flowers is Pottery Barn. While the plants and flowers aren’t as cheap as some other options, their handcrafted beauties are some of the most realistic-looking artificials on the market, and many come with pots or vases that would look great at a wedding.
Afloral
We’ve yet to encounter a better collection of artificial and dried flowers than Afloral’s. The brand’s arrangements can transform your home into a fairytale castle or a sun-drenched cottage in a picturesque English village.
You may feel good about supporting the brand because the dried and preserved flowers are acquired from small farms that practice sustainable farming, resulting in minimal environmental impact.
IKEA
Who else but IKEA could turn polyester, not silk or fabric, into a plant that looks almost natural (and costs very little)? The stems are made of steel and can be bent or shortened with cutting pliers to fit your needs. These artificial eucalyptus sprigs won’t give off the same relaxing scent as the real thing, but they’ll add a subtle pop of color to your home decor.
Aliexpress
One of the cheapest sources for artificial flowers is Aliexpress, where you can buy individual blooms and branches for very low costs. As these are shipped direct from China, however, you do need to make sure you allow plenty of time for shipping.
FAQs:
What Does a Bridal Bouquet Cost on Average?
A bridal bouquet costs between $100 and $350 on average. However, as you’re probably aware, the upper echelon of weddings has no bounds. This estimated price range is suitable for most weddings; however, it may vary depending on the season, location of the wedding, source, and scheduling.
How Much Should I Set Aside For Wedding Flowers?
The typical cost of wedding flowers depends on your wedding size. Large size weddings require more flowers than small weddings. Whatever your wedding budget is, it’s a good idea to set aside 8% to 10% of your entire budget for florals.
What Is The Price Of An Artificial Bouquet?
Depending on the size and number of flowers used, a bouquet of silk bridal flowers can cost anywhere from $20 to $100. More expensive, realistic bouquets can cost upwards of $300.
Conclusion:
The cost of your wedding flowers will be determined by the number of pieces you purchase. Depending on what you desire, artificial flowers may be a cheaper option. Couples have a lot of choices, but hopefully, with the help of our article, you now know more about what real and artificial wedding flowers cost!