| Silk or real; what's a bride to do? For many | | | | Well, some of the most common cut flowers, |
| brides, the question is really perplexing -- especially | | | | such as roses, gerberas (gerber daisies) and |
| for those who want to mix a dash of | | | | orchids, are available all year round. So you don't |
| "Do-It-Yourself" into their wedding flower | | | | have to worry about seasonality with these |
| preparations. | | | | flowers. |
| Obviously, silk comes with some advantages -- it's | | | | But others, like peonies, lily of the valley and |
| tough and shelf stable, and the petals won't come | | | | ranunculus, have a definite season. Expect to pay |
| off at the worst possible moment. On the other | | | | more if you buy out of season. And the quality |
| hand, silk flowers don't always look real, and they | | | | may not be as good. |
| aren't always a bargain, either. | | | | Just to illustrate how important season can be: a |
| The fact is, the silk versus real dilemma is more | | | | florist we know planned her whole wedding |
| confusing than ever, thanks in part due to the | | | | around the very brief time in spring when lily of |
| increasing sophistication -- and accompanying cost | | | | the valley was in season, so she could use fresh! |
| -- of silk and latex flowers. To navigate this new | | | | What's your personal feelings on silk vs. artificial |
| terrain, we interviewed Paul Ajao, a professional | | | | flowers? As a professional florist, would you mix |
| florist and cofounder of Pure Botanics, a UK-based | | | | them in arrangements -- for example, use silk for |
| floral designer who specializes in weddings. | | | | the super-pricy flowers like calla lilies or orchids? |
| You keep hearing that silk flowers have gotten | | | | Personally, we love working with real flowers. But |
| "better and better." Yet when you go to the local | | | | it's true that silk definitely comes with some |
| craft store, they look just about as artificial as | | | | advantages. For starters: |
| ever. Where are these super-realistic flowers, and | | | | - They won't wilt. |
| how can a bride get her hands on them? | | | | - They're a lasting memento of your big day. |
| It's true that artificial flowers have improved. But | | | | - They're easy to transport if you're getting |
| the quality varies widely from brand to brand. In | | | | married abroad. |
| addition to craft stores, take a look at which | | | | - You can prepare them long in advance. |
| brands your local florists are using. After all, their | | | | The last point's important if you're preparing |
| reputation depends on delivering a beautiful result. | | | | flowers yourself. By their nature, you have to |
| Also, they might be able to order in artificial | | | | arrange fresh flowers the day before the |
| flowers for you -- ones that you can't get in the | | | | wedding at the earliest -- and usually the morning |
| craftstores. | | | | of. This doesn't leave you much time to switch |
| One brand with a great reputation that florists | | | | gears if you aren't happy with the results. On the |
| use regularly is Sia, which you can find in the UK, | | | | other hand, you can experiment with and arrange |
| US and Australia. | | | | silk flowers weeks in advance. That leaves you |
| Is it true that artificial flowers photograph poorly? | | | | plenty of time to relax and pamper yourself in |
| And does that include the high-end latex type? | | | | the run up to your wedding! |
| When you take close-ups of artificial flowers, yes, | | | | And yes, you can mix artificial and real flowers |
| it can be pretty obvious that the flowers aren't | | | | with great results. A friend of ours loves |
| real. But this depends a lot on the quality of the | | | | ranunculus and wanted them in a mixed bouquet |
| artificial flowers you've used. | | | | with roses and gerberas. Unfortunately, ranunculus |
| Remember that any shiny surfaces may cause | | | | was out of season for her wedding date, and |
| the camera flash to "bounce," which looks pretty | | | | would have cost a lot. So she opted to tuck |
| unnatural for flowers. The common off-the-shelf | | | | artificial ranunculus into a fresh bouquet. The |
| flowers can be pretty shiny. | | | | results, and the photos, were beautiful. |
| One argument for silk flowers is that fresh | | | | Anything else you want to add? |
| flowers are seasonal, but some florists are | | | | Contrary to popular opinion, don't think that silk |
| suggesting that season isn't so important these | | | | flowers are always going to be cheaper than real. |
| days -- that almost everything can be imported all | | | | Many of the quality ones are as expensive as the |
| year round. Are you finding this to be true? | | | | real thing -- if not more. |