Flowers are a huge part of wedding day decorations. Whether they’re used in centerpieces, the bridal bouquet, or on a backdrop, florals are a wedding must-have. Until the last few years, there weren’t many options to choose from when it came to real or fake flowers. Live florals were the only way to go for many reasons, but mainly because fake flowers weren’t as available as they are now.

The good news is, you can find realistic looking fake flowers all over the place these days, even in department stores! There are many awesome online resources for faux florals as well. Overall, there are so many more options to choose from than in the past. However, I’m well aware that sometimes options can be overwhelming. That’s why in this blog post, we’re discussing the pros and cons of real vs. fake flowers and whether or not to DIY them.

Real flowers

There’s no question that real flowers have a definite draw to them. They are the most natural looking option as well as the easiest to hire out. Most florists are more comfortable working with real flowers over fake ones. When it comes down to it, one of the biggest reasons why people choose real florals for their wedding is their personal preference. Some brides would just rather have live flowers for their bouquet, and that’s totally okay. Real flowers also smell beautiful, and who doesn’t love that?

A definite drawback to choosing real florals is the cost. Depending on the amount of flowers you’re planning on using, buying live flowers can take up a big chunk of your budget. Options for real flowers are also subject to the time of year in which you get married. Obviously, flowers are seasonal, so they may not be available during the month of your wedding. You can sometimes have them imported from other countries, but again, the cost for that can get pricey.

Fake Flowers

Using faux flowers for weddings has gotten more and more popular over the last few years. For some brides, the cost factor is enough to sway them towards using fake stems. Fake florals can be bought in bulk and prepared ahead of time. With this option, there are no restrictions for time of year or color, allowing brides to really get creative with the style of flowers they use. Another obvious draw is that you can keep your bouquet as a beautiful reminder long after the wedding day is over.

There are some downsides to choosing fake flowers as well. In general, the cheaper they are, the less natural they look. At the same time, there are faux stems out there that are expensive, like silk flowers. You can definitely achieve a stunning bouquet without breaking the budget on expensive flowers, whether they are real or fake. Don’t be afraid to get a little creative with it!

To DIY or not to DIY

Speaking of getting creative, many brides debate about whether or not tackling “do it yourself” wedding flowers is worth it. Like I mentioned, flowers can be a huge cost in your overall wedding budget. Making your own wedding bouquet will save you money, but it may cost you some time and stress. If you have some experience in floral design or you’re just a girl who’s up for the challenge, then DIY florals may be perfect for you! However, if you’re concerned about time limits or your abilities, then maybe hiring it out is your best option. Either way, try to pick something that won’t add too much stress to your wedding day preparations.

I hope this blog post helped ease some of your worries or helped you make up your mind! What flowers did you use at your wedding? Should we add any other information to this list?