Fresh or Faux? Choosing Flowers for Your Dream Wedding

Imagine it’s your wedding day. You’re walking down the aisle surrounded by lush, cascading blooms -- romantic roses, delicate peonies, or vibrant dahlias. Each table in the reception room displays a tower of unique and eye-catching blooms. Maybe exotic proteas or whimsical ranunculus set the tone for a celebration that feels magical.

Wedding florals create unforgettable moments, transforming ceremonies and receptions into stunning visual experiences. But when it comes to choosing between fresh and faux flowers, how do you decide?

Each option has unique advantages, and some couples are even blending the two for the best of both worlds. Here’s a guide to help you decide what’s right for your celebration.

Fresh Florals

For many couples, fresh flowers are the ultimate choice for adding fragrance, vibrancy, and natural beauty to their big day. According to Kirsten Palladino, founder of Kiraflora, fresh florals provide a sensory experience that faux flowers can’t replicate.

"Fresh flowers are meant to be seen, smelled, and experienced," Kirsten says. "There's a difference in the beauty of a peony in its natural season — the scent, the strength, the farm-fresh look is unmatched."

Fresh florals are ideal for couples who want blooms that are naturally hearty and robust. Choosing seasonal flowers can make a big difference in quality and budget. Kirsten notes that dahlias, for example, are particularly popular right now but are more readily available from May through October. Likewise, peonies and poppies shine brightest in spring and early summer.

For environmentally conscious couples, fresh flowers can also be sustainable when sourced responsibly. "We compost throughout the process to reduce waste and give back to the earth," Kirsten adds.

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Faux Flowers

While fresh florals offer undeniable charm, faux flowers are growing in popularity thanks to their flexibility, affordability, and durability. Jennifer Mayfield, owner and designer of FauxReal Flowers explains that faux florals have become a game-changer for Georgia weddings, especially during the state’s hot outdoor wedding season.

"If you're dreaming of peonies in November, you’ll pay extremely high prices to import them," Jennifer shares. "With faux flowers, you can have those lush blooms any time of year without the added cost. Plus, in the southern heat, fresh flowers can quickly wilt. Faux florals maintain their beauty all day."

Many couples are surprised by how realistic today’s faux flowers look. Jennifer notes that Faux Real Flowers specializes in "real touch" or silk blooms that move naturally, making them almost visually indistinguishable from fresh flowers.

Cost savings are another major advantage, especially for large installations like arbors and backdrops. Faux florals can cost 70% less than fresh. When you consider repurposing florals from ceremony to reception, the costs lower even more.

While many professional faux floral designers rent blooms rather than sell them, brides who dream of keeping their bouquet forever can get a keepsake-sized replica that features the same mix of blooms, greenery, and fillers as the original.

Repurposing Fresh or Faux Flowers

One of the smartest ways to stretch your floral budget is by repurposing arrangements from your ceremony to your reception. Whether you choose fresh or faux blooms, moving décor elements throughout the day can enhance multiple spaces while minimizing waste.

Aisle markers can double as table centerpieces, altar arrangements can frame your sweetheart table or photo backdrop, and floral arches can become stunning entryway pieces. By strategically reusing florals, couples can achieve a lush, cohesive design that feels extravagant without overspending.

Rented faux flowers can be reused by multiple couples as part of their unique floral designs. Meanwhile, fresh flowers can have extended lives through composting after the weekend or by donating your wedding arrangements to brighten hospitals, treatment facilities, nursing homes, or community centers. Thoughtfully planning how your flowers are used and repurposed can minimize environmental impact while still delivering breathtaking results.

Mixing Fresh and Faux

Can you blend both fresh and faux florals? The short answer is yes. But make sure that you have strong communication with both floral professionals. "Once you know your colors and style, confirm with your florist that they can match fresh blooms to your faux selections during your wedding season," she advises. "This ensures your overall floral design looks cohesive and costs stay contained."

What's Right for You?

Choose Fresh Florals If:

•  You want the fragrance and sensory experience of real flowers.
• Supporting local flower farms or sustainable practices is important to you.
• Your wedding date aligns with your favorite flowers’ peak season.

Choose Faux Florals If:

• You’re planning an outdoor wedding in warm weather where fresh blooms may wilt.
• You’re working with a tight budget but still want lavish floral displays.
• You want to secure out-of-season flowers without paying premium prices.

Choose a Mix of Both If:

• You want fresh blooms in high-visibility areas (like bouquets) but are happy to save with faux flowers for larger décor pieces.
• Your wedding aesthetic requires specific blooms that aren’t available in your chosen season.
• You want to reduce waste by combining rental faux flowers with compostable fresh arrangements.

Choosing between fresh and faux flowers comes down to your priorities, budget, and vision. If scent and natural beauty are essential, fresh florals may be the way to go. If sustainability, reusability, or cost savings are key concerns, faux flowers might be the better fit.

Or why not embrace both? With the right design partners, you can create a wedding plan that combines the best qualities of fresh and faux florals for a breathtaking result that suits your style, your values, and your budget.

Ready to find your floral partners? Come to the next Atlanta Wedding Extravaganza and check out the AWE floral and décor specialists who can make your design dreams a reality.

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