Fake orchids for manzanita branch CP... Need Help...

peaches85

I just posted this on the DIY board, but someone suggested posting it here as well...

I know this is a long shot, but I'm planning on making manzanita branch centerpieces with some orchid flowers glued to the branches.  I've looked at the fake ones at Michael's and they look REALLY fake and I don't want to use fresh ones.  Then, I found the preserved ones at http://www.save-on-crafts.com/ but they don't have samples, so the only way I'll be able to tell if I like them and if the colors will go with the rest of my wedding is if I spend $11.  Right now, I'm between three of the colors on their website, so that would be $33 down the drain if I don't like any of them.  I like the Preserved Red Orchid, the Preserved Dyed Orange Orchid, and the Preserved Dyed Yellow Orchid.

Does anyone have any real-to-life pictures of any of them?
Does anyone have extras of those colors that I could pay a small charge to have mailed to me?
Did anyone use the preserved orhicds from save on crafts and love/hate them?
Does anyone have any other suggestions for places to get decent orchids that don't cost a bundle?

TIA!

pengy_wi

I just discovered those preserved ones over the weekend and was curious myself. Our florist quoted $75 a table for manzanita with orchids and flowers so DFI finally agreed I could DIY those. Where did you get your branches?

peaches85

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_flowers_fake-orchids-manzanita-branch-cp-need?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:28Discussion:3ecfa5f6-7f4c-42ef-a537-d59ba8ef0927Post:f6891863-02f6-41d1-a21a-b6f3ab304fc2">Re: Fake orchids for manzanita branch CP... Need Help...</a>:
[QUOTE]I just discovered those preserved ones over the weekend and was curious myself. Our florist quoted $75 a table for manzanita with orchids and flowers so DFI finally agreed I could DIY those. Where did you get your branches?
Posted by pengy_wi[/QUOTE]

I haven't purchased the branches yet.  I just ordered a sample from <a href="http://www.bloomsandbranches.com/index.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.bloomsandbranches.com/index.html</a> to decide which size I like best.  Right now they have a sale where you can get 18 of the 18"-24" branches including shipping for around $130.  <a href="http://www.nettletonhollow.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.nettletonhollow.com/</a> has a similar deal for the natural manzanita called "Project Grande."  Have you found any branches for cheaper?

trees05

I know that Pier 1 sells artificial orchids in a couple of different colors and they look really nice. hope it helps

chasegl

I have the preserved orchids from save on crafts.  They are beautiful, but they are very very fragile and look/feel more like dried flowers.  I love how they look on my manzanita branches, but we're looking at other options because they just won't work.