My FMIL just went and started making CPs for me and ordered the flowers without really checking with me. They are pretty, asides from her being pushy and not listening to what I say. But now I'm thinking some guests may think it's tacky. To make it a little more complicated, she is paying for the wedding. Sooo, question is do I go with the artificial CPs, or go for real ones? This is only for CPs. Bo-ks will be real.
MJDoc12
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Re: Artificial vs. Real Flowers (Poll)
that's a toughie....you don't want to offend FMIL, but it's pretty clear that you aren't too happy with the idea of artificial flowers.
to be honest, i'm not a fan of silk flowers...but everyone is different. to save $$ we just have hurricane lamps, pillar candles, and had the florist sprinkle some rose petals around it. that was it.
maybe you should ask your FMIL to hold off on the CP's and let her know that you very much appreciate her enthusiasm but that you would prefer to pay for the CP's yoruself?
jenn122397
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Re: Artificial vs. Real Flowers (Poll)
if its not what you want you shoudl definitely say something! i dont like most artificial flowers but there are some that look very real. take a look at the finished product and if its not you, then definitely change it
HamptonsBride
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Re: Artificial vs. Real Flowers (Poll)
i am doing silk for my Cp's because I am doing sand, and can't have water in it to keep real flowers alive with the design I am doing...i think people will like the fact that it's something that will last when they take it home!
cookiemonster
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Re: Artificial vs. Real Flowers (Poll)
I say do whatever will keep the peace. If you can switch to real flowers without FMIL getting offended, it might suit your tastes more. But if she's going to be hurt because she's done all this for you and you don't think it would be good to make waves about it, artificial would be ok too. In the end, the guests pay far less attention to these things than we do!
The silver lining is that you would be able to keep a centerpiece from your special day without worrying about it dying and falling apart...
portjeffbride
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Re: Artificial vs. Real Flowers (Poll)
ok, I confess, I voted 'tacky'... BUT, let me amend my vote, now that I read your post...
Sorry anyone who's doing this, but I personally find it tacky if you're paying a florist to do silk arrangements instead of real flowers.
HOWEVER, in your case, it's a sweet sentiment that transends tackiness if your FMIL is making them all by herself. It's an act of love, and I would accept it graciously.....
Pencils
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Re: Artificial vs. Real Flowers (Poll)
I think it really depends on what the flowers look like. I've seen silks or latex flowers that it would be very hard to tell the difference, but they're really expensive, I think. To the point that it wouldn't be all that different from getting real flowers. If this were an arrangement you'd have in your home forever, that would be fine, but since it's only for one day, I'd say get the real flowers if that were the case.
I'd personally rather see CPs that weren't artificial flowers if you don't want to spend for flowers--I've seen lovely CPs of lanterns, candles, rocks, bird's nests, lots of things.
So, I guess I'm saying get real flowers, or some other kind of CP. Real flowers in a centerpiece don't have to be one of these gigantic arrangements. A lot of tables don't have the room anyway. Mine are going to be very simple: 24 bridal white roses in a plain cylinder, surrounded by votives. Costing about $25 a table, as I'm doing the flowers myself. (I don't recommend that for everyone.)
MrsQ-in2007
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Re: Artificial vs. Real Flowers (Poll)
Question - if your FMIL had not bought the silk flowers, what would you have originally wanted? Were you trying to decide between silk and real or did you just want real?
This will help you with deciding what to do at this point. I think that if she's paying, she might feel that she should be able to choose what to do with the flowers, but it still is YOUR wedding. I think that if you decide you really want real flowers, maybe you can offer to pay the difference between what she paid for the silk and what the real would cost.
There are some great florists out there that can pull together nice flowers/CP's for a low price.
diva7531
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Re: Artificial vs. Real Flowers (Poll)
I would probably let her do it, if it not horendous (sp?) But only because she is paying. I say keep the peace.
DrWho
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Re: Artificial vs. Real Flowers (Poll)
We're using silk petals as a runner down the table with white votives and a fake pumpkin. As long as they look good, it's fine. There are other practical reasons to go with silk, don't forget: 1) You can set them up CRAZY early and not have to worry about them until you leave. 2) Allergy-prone guests will absolutely love you for it. 3) You won't have the scent of flowers interfering with the taste of the food (also something to consider if you're using candles). 4) You have a much wider range of flower choices in your budget, since they're no longer priced according to availability.
portjeffbride: My entire bridal party has allergies, so my florist spontaneously offered silk flowers as an alternative while she was giving me the list of more allergy-friendly real-flower options. I don't know if it's common or if it's just the way she does things, but she didn't seem to think it was odd.
AeroJenn
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Re: Artificial vs. Real Flowers (Poll)
We made our own CPs out of silk flowers. It cost us a lot less, they look VERY real in person, and we were able to afford what we really wanted. If we had gone with a florist, the real flowers would have cost us over $700 more for what we wanted.
Our wedding hasnt even happened yet, but in transporting our CPs around we've had a TON of people come up to us and had to FEEL them to tell if they were real or not. And we've had tons of people say how gorgeous they are.
Here's my honest opinion.....you shouldnt be worried whether or not your guests will think they are tacky. Who cares what they think? Its a freakin centerpiece! Flowers are not the be-all-end-all to a wedding and having artificial flowers instead of real is not going to make your guests think your wedding is tacky. And i find it kind of pathetic that anyone at all would think that fake flowers are tacky -- i would put money on it that everyone of us has either been to a wedding or another type of event at a hall where there have been silk flowers somewhere and you didnt even realize they werent real.
So, my vote goes for....she's paying so s u c k it up.
SuzArtie69
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Re: Artificial vs. Real Flowers (Poll)
I say go with what you want. I'm thinking of doing my own cps, so I would go with artificial. It all depends on the flowers used, the more realistic the better ofcourse.
If you don't like it you should definitely speak up, it is your day afterall.
jessruth9
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Re: Artificial vs. Real Flowers (Poll)
It all depends on what the finished product looks like - some silk flowers look very real!!!
MrsB2BE
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Re: Artificial vs. Real Flowers (Poll)
Posted by jessruth9
It all depends on what the finished product looks like - some silk flowers look very real!!!
I agree - For the church we have flowers on pedastals and they are artificial but they look real. However for my BQuet and other flower arrangements are real.
KRISTYRUSSELL
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Re: Artificial vs. Real Flowers (Poll)
Oh my gosh, Actually since she is paying you have to be careful, but hey, what the heck is she doing, its your WEDDING DAY, not hers, and flowers are a very big thing for a bride, I would tell her in a nice way that you wanted real centerpieces (If thats what you want and it is important to ya) then I would pay for them with my future husband, this way she cannot complain. I dont know why she would bypass you on YOUR WEDDING FLOWERS, THAT IS SAD....AND of course its going to be a sour note, but hey, its your wedding day girl, do what you want....
Guess143xo
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Re: Artificial vs. Real Flowers (Poll)
Now I know the flowers end up dying BUTTT if it was me I would get real flowers, maybe u can use the flowers for your bridal shower or rehearsel dinner. I would just go into my bank account and offer to pay for it. I will say Pedestals wasn't that bad with their pricing and really funny I just went to 1-800-flowers and their wedding flwoers weren't that bad
bettybcafe
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Re: Artificial vs. Real Flowers (Poll)
Posted by AeroJenn
We made our own CPs out of silk flowers. It cost us a lot less, they look VERY real in person, and we were able to afford what we really wanted. If we had gone with a florist, the real flowers would have cost us over $700 more for what we wanted.
Our wedding hasnt even happened yet, but in transporting our CPs around we've had a TON of people come up to us and had to FEEL them to tell if they were real or not. And we've had tons of people say how gorgeous they are.
Here's my honest opinion.....you shouldnt be worried whether or not your guests will think they are tacky. Who cares what they think? Its a freakin centerpiece! Flowers are not the be-all-end-all to a wedding and having artificial flowers instead of real is not going to make your guests think your wedding is tacky. And i find it kind of pathetic that anyone at all would think that fake flowers are tacky -- i would put money on it that everyone of us has either been to a wedding or another type of event at a hall where there have been silk flowers somewhere and you didnt even realize they werent real.
.
I agree
drpepper318
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Re: Artificial vs. Real Flowers (Poll)
My centerpiece flowers will be fake because I just really don't care all that much about flowers and would rather spend my money elsewhere. But if you don't like them, don't use them!
Jennifer907
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Re: Artificial vs. Real Flowers (Poll)
Thanks for the feedback ladies! I think I'm going to let her make them, as long as they are what I WANT! I'm okay with them being artifical for a couple fo the reasons mentioned by you fabulous ladies, so I should just let it go and concentrate on makign sure they look amazing.
