Should you choose artificial flowers for your wedding? Times are changing, and more brides-to-be are choosing to deck out their nuptials in fake flora. To find out the benefits of silk flowers versus fresh, we spoke with florist and party supplies merchant, Wendy Smith
In between the pressures of finalising a guest list, sampling alternative menu options and attending last-minute fittings for ‘the dress’, many brides-to-be find picking out their flowers a much needed reprieve from the mammoth task of planning a wedding. After all, they can’t talk back, you don’t have to consider others when picking them out, and they don’t require that you eschew dairy and gluten for six months. However, there is one matchup that online wedding forums and Pinterest boards the world over have been poring over of late: to pick fresh flowers, or their lesser-documented cousin of the silk variety? Someone who would know about this is Wendy Smith, owner and manager of eponymous florist supplies company, W & M Smith in Middlewood Green, who assures me that artificial flowers are not only what put her business on the map, but lay claim to a whole host of benefits that fresh flowers don’t.
1. When choosing artificial flowers you can also rest assured that you’re evading a litany of issues you’d otherwise be left stressing over. Firstly, they are allergy resistant and so the ideal choice for a bride who suffers from hay fever.
2. Silk flowers do not require constant watering on a hot summer’s day where real ones would threaten to wilt; and if you’re planning on marrying overseas, artificial flowers are all but weightless for those pesky luggage restrictions!
3. But the case for choosing silk flowers isn’t purely based around practical gains. For those looking to immortalise the day with ‘something old’ or ‘something new’ such as commemorative jewellery or coquettish accessories, keep in mind that silk flowers never die and will instead serve as a touching keepsake.
4. Opt for a duplicate version of the Bride’s bouquet so the custom tossing of such can remain on the agenda. (Only, the bride will keep hers forever!)
5. You can choose any flower, no matter the season. Wendy’s is a thorough approach to customer service; if she can’t supply what you’re looking for, she’ll try and source a contact that will. ‘Flowers should be the least of your worries for this special day and that’s why we strive to fulfil any order and every requirement for our clients’ she says. Whether your theme requires a wild or vintage, modern or traditional bouquet; W & M Smith supplies the A-Z of wedding flowers counting roses, lilies, peonies, hydrangeas, orchids, sunflowers and gerbera daisies among their bestselling stems.
6. Glamorous extras such as diamantes and ribbon can embellish the already stunning perennials, with some customers going as far as ordering lavish ‘brooch bouquets’ to really up the glamour ante and keep pace with the evolving wedding styles that fresh flowers are not so adaptable to. ‘Florists often have to manage the expectations of clients that ask for pearl or diamante accents in their bouquets because fresh flowers are very delicate and their petals will tear and spoil quite easily.’ This is where W & M Smith’s treasure trove of silk flowers - locally hailed as the ‘best selection around’ - really come into their own.
If one thing’s for sure, you’ll be spoilt for choice in Wendy’s store located just outside of Stowmarket. The exhaustive stock of artificial flowers are not all listed on their website, so don’t be disheartened if you don’t see the type you’re looking for. Plus, a visit in person is worth it if only to absorb the gallery of colour and texture celebrating real flowers in their immortal form.
Visit wandmsmith.co.uk or call 01449 711014
Pightle Barn, Middlewood Green, Stowmarket, Suffolk, IP14 5EU
