Wedding Planning Advice and Tips from the Experts in share their knowledge

There is nothing better than the romance of a room filled with fresh flowers. Fresh flowers have been a staple at weddings for generations. These days, our options are so broad that we have the opportunity to think more outside of the box and beyond the standards of “tradition”. Florists have figured out ways to add new levels of ambiance to any wedding by taking their talents beyond the bouquets and onto bold centerpieces and eye catching floor arrangements. They have also introduced us to a new world of practicality by incorporating artificial pieces in with the fresh. Here are a few points to consider while gathering flower ideas.

Fresh Flowers..Things to consider Florists are suggesting that choosing flowers in season isn’t so important these days. That almost everything can be imported all year round as long as you are willing to pay for it. Some of the most common cut flowers, such as roses, gerberas (Gerber daisies) and orchids, and baby’s breath are available all year round. So you don't have to worry about seasonality with these flowers. But others like peonies, lily of the valley and ranunculus (commonly known as “Buttercups”) have a definite season. Be sure to stop by our "Flower Gallery" under the “Bridal Tips” link, to see different types of flowers and their availability.

Silk Flowers: We all know the benefits of using fresh flowers on your wedding day, but have you really stopped to consider going Silk? Just like most everything else in the world, the quality of silk flowers has greatly improved over the years. There are some silk flowers that are difficult to distinguish from its real counterpart without close examination. Most girls know whether or not silk flowers are something that they would even think twice about, but for those of you who are on the fence, here are a few points that might just help to make this decision a little easier.

• You can still use a florist! When people think of using silk flowers that this automatically means they have to do it themselves. Not the case. Most Florists will arrange all silk bouquets and or table arrangements or use them in combination with fresh flowers.
• Can be incorporated with fresh flowers which in turn can save you money and even leave you with a great souvenir to decorate your home
• Have the advantage of not wilting, which is something to consider if you are having a warm-weather wedding or if you are partial to very delicate flowers that tend to droop quickly. Likewise, they won't freeze in cold weather.
• Silk flowers are very lightweight, making bouquets much easier to handle and to transport.
• They don't need watering and are much more durable (you won’t have to worry about the petals falling off at the worst possible moment)
• Keep in mind that silk flowers can be scented to smell like the real thing, without the drawback of sneezing!
• A silk bridal bouquet will retain its beauty and look just as gorgeous on your 25th anniversary as it did on your wedding day.
• They are always in season, no matter the type of flower or the color!
• Your florist can arrange them long in advance which will leave time if there are any last minute changes.
• If you chose to decorate with greenery with miniature tress at your reception, using a silk tree might be more affordable. They can always be used to decorate your home afterwards.
cons
• Stigma - There are some naysayers that might look down upon fake flowers. This would be the time for you to politely remind them that they have greatly improved the quality of Silk flowers in recent years AND that this is your wedding and whatever you say goes! ;)
• No fresh flower smell - One thing that will be absent is the smell of fresh flowers on your wedding day.
• They may not look real - There are different levels of silk, so shop wisely. Also, some flowers just don't look as good in silk.
• Finding good quality Silk flowers - Depending on where you live you may have difficulty locating high-quality flowers. Shopping online is an option, but do extensive research.
• When you take close-ups of artificial flowers, it can be pretty obvious that the flowers aren't real. But this depends a lot on the quality of the artificial flowers you've used. Keep in mind that shiny surfaces may cause the camera flash to "bounce," which looks pretty unnatural for flowers. The common off-the-shelf flowers can be pretty shiny.
• Silk flowers can be just as expensive as Fresh flowers.

The fact is that the silk versus real dilemma is more confusing than ever, thanks in part to the increasing sophistication -- and accompanying cost -- of silk and latex flowers. It's true that artificial flowers have improved, but the quality varies widely from brand to brand. Remember that while silk flowers can be more practical in some ways than real flowers, they can also be just as expensive, if not more so. Remember to ask for pricing up front. In the end it comes down to personal choice and budgetary concerns. Always remember that this is your big day, so do what makes you happy!