Dare we say it?: Let them use silk
Monday, July 28th, 2008The Case For Silk Fowers By Patricia McKenzie, all rights reserved
I do a lot of online research. Once-in-awhile I search for articles on silk flowers, just to see what is new. Most of the time my search brings up old articles and old posts which have very little in common with the updated silk arrangements of 2008.
Am I biased? Well I have to be because designing silk bouquets and floral arrangements is what I do. I have to believe in their value and I have to love what I do.
We all know the benefits of “silks”: allergy free, items can be viewed in advance of the big day, flowers are never out of season (well not exactly, I will get to that), can have any flower type and color match, they don’t wilt and can last forever. But there are some unrecognized facts and some myths that should be dispelled.
Myth 1. Silk flowers are cheaper (as in cheap).
Beautiful silk flowers are not cheap. Cheap flowers are cheap. Can quality silks be less expensive than fresh flowers? Yes and no. Certainly if you live in the North and you want tropical flowers in winter you will not only save a bundle by going with silk, but it is much more likely that your choice of flower will be available.
Myth 2. Silk flowers are never out of season.
Not exactly. When I am doing an entire wedding I travel to an out-of-town wholesaler where I can purchase large quantities in bulk. However, when I am doing small orders I use local suppliers, and of course the prices are higher. Although some common flowers can be found year-round, such as roses, even silk flower suppliers tend to stock seasonal merchandise: fall flowers in Fall, Spring flowers in Spring.
However, although it takes more work on the part of the designer, you are much more likely to get the flower you want when using silk. Fresh flowers which are out-of-season would have to be imported and are extremely costly.
Myth 3. I can have any silk flower I want, in any color, with a moments notice to my designer.
No and no. Unless we owned our own warehouse, a very big warehouse, floral designers could not possibly stock every flower known to man (or woman) in every color. I personally make an all out effort to give all of my customers exactly what they want, which often involves visiting many suppliers. However, if you really want what you want, then you are more likely to get it if you plan ahead and book ahead.
Myth 4: Silk flowers do not look real, I want them to be real.
Maybe if you took some silk flowers and tied them with a ribbon they would not look “real”. However, Floral Design is, well, design. Floral Design is an art. A good designer does not just purchase flowers and stick them into a bouquet holder and add some ribbon. A good designer uses techniques to create bouquets and arrangements which are comparable and can often exceed the quality of designs using fresh flowers.
Fresh flowers are indeed beautiful and there are many, many fresh floral designers who are masters. However, silks can be more easily manipulated into unique designs: They bend, don’t break, don’t wilt, can be worked on longer because they don’t die.
My full-size bridal bouquets require about 15 hours to create. My large arrangements can take anywhere from 30 to 40 hours.
In Favor of Silk: Just The Facts
Fact 1. Silk flowers are not always silk.
Although they are still referred to as “silk flowers” modern-day silks are also made from composite materials which adds to the realistic look.
Fact 2. You can get a design which is totally unique
Silk flowers allow room for creativity. For example: A bride on a tight budget could probably get a unique bouquet for the same price she would have to pay for a simple bunch of fresh flowers.
Fact 3. Not wilting is a big deal
I often record the series, “Platinum Weddings”, on the WETV channel. I watch the episodes when I have time so I can keep up with the new trends in wedding flowers. Of course, the couples on this show have unlimited amounts of money to burn but its a good chance to see some beautiful flowers and settings.
I was struck by two episodes regarding fresh flowers. In one episode the bride spent $250,000 on fresh floral arrangements, causing the groom to exclaim, “250,000 and tomorrow they’ll all be dead”. In another episode the ceremony arrangements at a hefty price of $500 each, arrived wilted, with some flowers dead. The wedding planner had to turn the flower arrangements to their best side so the dead flowers wouldn’t show so much.
As I said, Not wilting is a big deal. Consider a beach wedding in the hot, hot sun. If you had planned to use your ceremony flowers for your reception, they might not make it.
Fact 4. They really can be exquisite.
A master designer can make a bouquet or floral arrangement that can exceed your expectations. And you can preview them ahead of time to make changes or design other decorating elements around them.
