Real or fake?

nouveau_hobo

What is the better way to go for centerpiece arrangements?  I'm not a fan of the look of fake, but is it worth the hassle for real? 

Is there a price savings for one or the other?

Help me!

jagore08

I hate fake flowers.  If you're doing it to save money then they will just look cheap (especially since they're going to be right in your guests faces on the table).  If you get the flowers that look real (which I still don't think they do) then you'll end up spending the same amount if not more than if you just did real flowers.  I gave my florist a small budget and told her to work within it, not a penny more.  She gave me more than I ever thought I could get. 

There's also the DIY route.  You can purchase grocery store flowers or bouquets and make your own centerpieces. 

Crazyfrog23

Im sooo in the same boat!! We dont wanna spend a small fourtion on flowers and I dislike the look of fake flowers and the ones that even seem to be close are close to the cost of real ones... Fake flowers are a nice keep sake but who really wants to keep bridesmaids flowers?? 

bidge24

i was just in a wedding where all the flowers were fake, and completely cheap looking for that matter.  now i'm suck with a bunch of plastic smelling flowers that i dont know what to do with! 

Midgetth

Honestly I think the fake flowers are more expensive or if you get the really bad looking ones then they are cheap. And fake flowers aren't in style anymore really. And all they are going to do after the wedding is collect dust. Get the real flowers & enjoy them while you can.

cgeorge1220

I completely agree with PPs. Fake flowers do always look tacky and fake. No one will be fooled. I found my way around this issue of cost though, by only doing real flowers for the bouquets and boutonniers. I found the inspiration for my centerpieces on the knot of course, and found the materials to make them at Hobby Lobby. My centerpieces are one stem of submerged phaelenopsis orchids in a tall cylinder vase with river rocks. The only reason I decided to do fake flowers for these was because in the water, they look REAL and amazing, and there is no chance of them wilting like real flowers would. They are a kind of waxy flower rather than a fabric...which is why they look so real underwater. In total, my reception centerpieces cost me $160 since all the materials were half off at Hobby Lobby. I think if you can find a way to really make them look nice, go for it. If not...real flowers are totally worth it and make the venue look so romantic and pretty.

CA2MT4EveR

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_flowers_real-fake?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:28Discussion:69e0dcf7-ed25-49b4-82a6-5d8cb1d5894ePost:fbdb704d-f4f2-4726-80f7-8700d589faf5">Re: Real or fake?</a>:
[QUOTE]i was just in a wedding where all the flowers were fake, and completely cheap looking for that matter.  now i'm suck with a bunch of plastic smelling flowers that i dont know what to do with! 
Posted by bidge24[/QUOTE]

This!  I was in a wedding with fake flowers and kept the bouquet.  After about 3 years of wondering what the hell I should do with it, I tossed it.

SarahSmile23

i'm not a fan of fake flowers, either. i prefer low cost real flowers like carnations or mums if money is an issue.

clna0801

Like many others, I also think that fake immitation flowers look cheezy. Alternatives to flowers like paper or fabric flowers can look really pretty though. Instead of looking like you went cheap, it gives a unique look and feel to whatever you use them for. Depending on your wedding theme or location, these alternatives can be quite a compliment and often cheaper- depending on where you buy them and if you choose to diy any of them.

Check out some of these ideas...

http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/photogallery/paper-and-fabric-flowers

http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=5425