Wedding Budget and Artificial Flowers - Fake Flowers Really Tacky?

1. 81

   GmaGoldieposted 14 years ago

   My wedding budget was set with my belief that prices were still in the 1980's - wow!  It is 30 years later and I have a budget that simply wouldn't work.
   
   For my flowers, I chose silk - to save money.  I was able to buy more flowers for more of the guests to wear but everything is fake.
   
   Is this too tacky?
   
   It is a small wedding simply with a handful of friends.  I have no family.  My fiance's family will be there.
   
   Is this an offensive act that I committed?

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   1. 0

      irisheleeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I didn't do either.  I got married in the Fall so I did Fall colors.  My mom found a page with a how to make a bouquet out of leaves.  It was free and gorgeous.  I've always been the type to think outside the box though.  My sister was the same way.  She did a Winter wedding and found these glass containers you stick in the ground (to make a trail). She just wrapped them up in a Tiffany's blue ribbon.  They looked gorgeous.

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      1. 83

         rebekahELLEposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         I love this! those are both beautiful ideas.

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   2. 54

      yenajeonposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      As someone who does events, I think fake flowers are like the ultimate sin. But... if you're on that tight a budget then.. what can you do?
      
      
      Happy Planning!

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2. 80

   TamCorposted 14 years ago

   Of course not!  Silk flowers are beautiful, and will be around for years as a keepsake--live flowers won't.
   
   I used silk at my wedding, and we had a woman we know do crepe paper flowers for my daughter's--they were unusual, but incredibly lifelike!
   
   
   Good luck!!!
   
   
   Tammy

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3. 83

   rebekahELLEposted 14 years ago

   no, not at all. it is your wedding and you should do whatever is within your budget and your wishes. I think it sounds lovely.
   
   it is perfectly acceptable. I think I've seen some hubs about silk flowers for weddings. check sufidreamer.
   
   best wishes for a beautiful day and marriage!

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4. 0

   Precious Williamsposted 14 years ago

   I had a mixture of fake flowers and real 17 years ago and they worked really well together.  I had silk roses, and fale golden pairs and then white gypsifilia and they looked beautiful.  I also had a headdress with the fresh and fake flowers.
   
   Do not worry what anyone else thinks.  Do it for you and your intended - but most of all enjoy it and I hope you feel enveloped by the love of both friends and family on your special day.

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5. 65

   Three-Legged Dogposted 14 years ago

   It's your wedding! Do what ya want!
   
   Silk flowers will last... you'll have a keepsake!
   
   You could also look into renting flowers if you're looking for decorations for the ceremony site... I used to work for a florist and we had quite a few set ups that people rented, and it was much less expensive than having real centerpieces/decorations made!

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6. 62

   prettydarkhorseposted 14 years ago

   is it a church or outside wedding, like gardens, if gardens you can do without fresh flowers or no flowers at all is ok that's my own opinion,
   fake flowers is not nice for me though.
   
   Happy Wedding in advance!

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7. 51

   Bleach1posted 14 years ago

   I think is not.

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8. 90

   DzyMsLizzyposted 14 years ago

   You do what you have to do to work within your own budget.
   
   IMO, the whole 'wedding experience' thing has goten way out of line, and too many people start their wedded life deep in debt because of an elaborate affair, not to mention pricey honeymoon trips.
   This sets the stage for battles over money right from the gate, and is not an auspicious beginning.
   
   Naturally, people who "do events"  will disagree, for it is the very ostentatious, showy weddings that keep them in business.  Sorry if that offends anyone, but I call it as I see it.
   
   I'm all for thinking outside the box.  Real flowers wilt and are a waste of money, if you ask me.  You will have your silk flowers virtually forever, as a beautiful reminder of your special day.
   
   Tacky?  No!  Tacky are the people who try to manipulate others' weddings to suit their own ideas, and live vicariously through the current bride and groom.  To them, I say, "myob, go get a life--preferrably your own!"
   
   You do what you want, what makes you happy and comfortable.  It is your day ; don't let anyone tell you differently, or dictate to you what your styles or choices should be. 
   If you wanted to wear a black leather gown and put the groom in purple silk, that would be no one's business but your own.
   
   Congratulations, and have a wonderful wedding, and many, many years of wedded bliss!

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9. 81

   GmaGoldieposted 14 years ago

   Thank you all very much!
   
   I ended up with both - only because I ran out of the silk.  The heat melted the real flowers and my photos are great and my wallet while daunted from wedding glee has survived.
   
   Loved all the posts!

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10. 53

    traderstoneposted 14 years ago

    not easy to keep fresh flowers for a long time, but the fake flowers can be kept forever, so i don't think the fake flowers are tacky.It is a good idea to decorate  your wedding with fake flowers.

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11. 59

    basaltbezelposted 14 years ago

    Congratulations on your special day.
    
    At our wedding we used silk flowers. They were a quarter of the price of fresh flowers, they still look the same today and in the photos you cannot tell that they are not real.

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