How to Not Regret Using Faux Florals at Your Wedding

I was browsing Reddit recently, and this post asking whether anyone has actually regretted using faux florals at their wedding sparked my interest. The gist of it is, the bride-to-be was leaning heavily towards using faux florals for her upcoming wedding to save on cost, while her mom and aunt were convincing her that she was about to make a decision she’d regret forever. 

I'm Jackie, Owner of Party Propz CA. I'm a Wedding Decorator and Floral Designer, and I wanted to share my honest opinion on how to not regret using faux florals at your wedding. 

The truth is, the decision to use or not use faux florals for your wedding will always have supporters and opposers. It is almost as important as choosing your wedding dress. Why is this so important? Because, like the dress, your florals will have a place in all your wedding photos and videos.

To ensure you’re not struggling with this decision, whether you’re choosing real or faux florals, here are a few things I recommend thinking about before making a choice. 

The Benefits of Using Faux Florals

Before I dive into how to use faux florals so you don’t end up with regrets, it’s important to first explore why some couples use faux florals to begin with:

Budget Consideration

In the Reddit post, the bride-to-be noted that the difference between her faux and real floral quotes was $3,000. This might be negligible to some couples, but for others, this could be the difference between going to Cuba or Kenya for their honeymoon.

When you choose faux florals, you can have a beautifully designed wedding venue, a gorgeous bouquet, and tastefully decorated aisles at a much lower cost.

I rented faux floral decorations for my daughter's photoshoot, and this company's decor was amazing. I really loved how colorful and vibrant the florals looked. I am very pleased with their work. If you are looking to rent artificial florals for your wedding or event, I promise this company will be your best and safest bet. Happy Event planning! - Wendy

Allergies

While cost can play a huge role in a couple's choice of faux florals, another is prioritizing their health and comfort. I’ve worked with couples who chose faux florals due to their allergies or concerns from their guests. 

Location

Faux florals have a longer lifespan, since they neither wilt nor bruise. You can have your wedding in the most unfavorable weather conditions and not have to worry about how the flowers will look in your photos. 

This is especially true if you’re having a destination wedding and wish to have florals that are not locally grown or easily sourced. 

Statement makers

If you’re looking to have large-scale floral designs at your wedding, faux florals are often a great option. You essentially replicate inspiration from the Dubai Miracle Garden, and with faux florals, without draining your entire wedding budget. 

In other words, Faux florals allow you to go big without going broke.

Sustainability

The growth of climate change awareness has also caused a similar increase in the number of couples choosing eco-friendly approaches to their weddings. Faux florals now serve a large community of eco-minded couples because they can be rented, resold, or repurposed as home décor.

It’s worth noting that the idea of spending thousands on fresh flowers that last less than twenty-four hours does not appeal to every couple.

With all of that said, if you choose to use faux florals for your wedding, how can you ensure they look stunning and that you have no regrets? Keep reading. 

If you're in the GTA and looking for faux floral options, check out our wedding decor packages and rentals.

How Not to Regret Using Faux Florals at Your Wedding

1. Prep your faux florals

One of the most common reasons why couples end up regretting using faux florals is that they look nothing like they envisioned. Ever seen one of those “What I ordered vs. What I got” type situations? This can happen if what you order from a website and what you receive look different in person. But it can also result from a lack of prep. 

There are different types of faux florals, such as silk flowers, and they might just need to be fluffed or steamed. To avoid this, ensure you’re checking the reviews of vendors you plan to purchase from, or hire a professional florist if needed.

2. Invest in quality faux florals.

Almost all faux florals are budget-friendly compared to fresh flowers, but not all faux florals are created equal. Don’t go for the cheapest option, just because it’s faux flowers.

Think about what it would cost you to spend the next few years after your wedding thinking, “If only I knew…”

Before you decide on cost, look for realistic stems and leaves, how the florals look to the naked eye vs. in a photo, etc. If there are attachments or embellishments, do they look cheap or oddly placed? A good rule of thumb is if it’s stiff and unrealistically shiny, keep looking.

3. Blend fresh and faux flowers strategically.

If you’re going for a large floral arrangement for your wedding, faux florals are the best option. They are lower cost, but the risk of damage is also lower. But for clients who might be worried about the appearance, one of the things I recommend is blending faux and fresh florals for an even more realistic look. This works especially well in bouquets and boutonnieres.

4. Inform your photographers/videographers

An experienced photographer will know how to adjust lighting and angles in a way that highlights the beauty of your faux florals. Therefore, it’s always recommended to let your photographer and/or videographer know what to expect, so they can prepare and adjust their settings accordingly.

5. Work with a Professional Florist.

I share this one based on experience. DIY is great, but your wedding is one of the few events that you reflect on for years to come. There are lots of professional Florists like myself who specialize in creating faux floral arrangements that couples can rent or have delivered to their venue. Does it cost more than DIY-ing? Yes. Is it worth it to save you time and any regrets? Absolutely. A professional can identify high-quality faux florals from miles away. They can, as well, set up and take down the arrangements as required.

At Party Propz we work with GTA couples and hosts to design custom faux floral arrangements for their weddings. Check out our wedding decor packages and rentals.

6. Own your decision

You’re not the first, and certainly won’t be the last person to use faux florals. Your family and friends will no doubt have their opinions. Just remember that a lot of their feedback is coming from a lack of familiarity with faux florals, not based on facts.

If you’re DIY-ing your arrangements, just ensure you set aside time to practice your design skills before you set up. If you’re hiring a professional, research them and check reviews to ensure you’re hiring the best one.

Conclusion: How to Not Regret Using Faux Florals at Your Wedding

Faux florals are budget-friendly, easier to move from one spot to another, and they come in many types, shapes, and colors. If you’ve made a choice to use faux florals, it’s important to ensure you’re following all the steps to get the best outcome for your wedding. 

Have a question about how you can incorporate faux florals at your wedding? Contact us to ask.

Frequently Asked Questions about Faux Florals

Is it common to use fake flowers for a wedding?

Yes! When faux flowers are done right, most people don’t even notice. Those statement ceiling arrangements and flower backdrops you’ve swooned over at a wedding or party are more than likely all faux flowers. 

Is it cheaper to do fake flowers for a wedding?

Yes. Compared to fresh flowers, faux is significantly cheaper. Especially if you’re looking for specific flowers that might not be in season or need to be flown in. 

Are faux flowers tacky or stylish?

This all depends on the ones you choose. High-quality faux flowers are often not even identifiable as fake. Low-quality, cheaper versions will usually have a shiny, stiff, plastic look, which is evident that it is fake.