If you want the look of a luxury wedding but you’re working with a tighter budget, you are not alone. Almost every couple must prioritize a few elements during the planning process and many couples choose to put a majority of their budget towards the venue, catering, and photography. That doesn’t always leave much left for wedding flowers.
Sola Wood Flowers vs. Silk Flowers
Trying to get a luxury look on a tight budget can be stressful and challenging but with flower alternatives any couple can get affordable, beautiful wedding decor.
These alternatives include many different creative ideas like brooch bouquets, paper flowers, or dried flowers but the most popular fresh floral alternatives are sola wood flowers and faux flowers. These options typically cost up to 70% less than a traditional florist…. That’s some significant savings!
But can you still get a high-end look with wooden or silk flowers? We think yes! Below we will investigate the pros and cons of each option and tips for choosing products that will give you a unique, stunning look even on a tight budget.
Sola Wood Flowers
What are sola wood flowers?
Sola wood flowers are an affordable and sustainable alternative to fresh flowers. They are made from thin, lightweight pieces of wood similar to balsa wood (think of the material used to build a model airplane). The thin pieces of wood are cut into petals and fashioned into flowers. They are a beautiful and durable option that offer a whimsical, unique look.
Where do you purchase sola wood flowers?
Sola wood flowers can be purchased in their natural wood color or already dyed. DIYers interested in saving some money or creating a unique design often choose to purchase undyed flowers and do the dying or painting themselves. Both options can be purchased at many different online retailers including solawoodflowers.com.
Sola wood flowers are available at varying levels of assembly. Some flowers for purchase already have stems attached. Even complete bouquets are available for purchase on craft sites like Etsy for couples not interested in spending the time on DIY.
What are the benefits of sola wood flowers?
The main benefit of choosing sola wood flowers is cost savings. Even purchasing an already dyed and assembled sola wood flower bouquet will offer at least 50% in savings over a fresh. If you are willing to put in the time to assemble and dye the flowers yourself the savings can be even greater.
Sola wood flowers are also a great option for couples with a very specific color palette. Because the flowers can be dyed by hand, the color possibilities are endless.
Unlike fresh flowers, sola wood is durable in tough outdoor conditions like heat and humidity. While fresh flowers wilt in a day, sola wood flowers can be kept as a keepsake or sold to another couple.
Do they look real?
Not really. Sola wood flowers are not meant to replicate the look of fresh flowers. They have their own unique, often rustic look. In photos sola wood flowers can look like fresh flowers but in person the texture of the wood and the color difference between sola flowers and fresh flowers is noticeable. For many couples, the beauty of sola wood flowers is enough even if they don’t replicate the look of fresh.
Silk flowers
What are silk flowers?
Like sola wood flowers, silk flowers are an affordable alternative to fresh flowers. Silk flowers, or more generally known as faux flowers, are typically made of silk, plastic, or other fabrics. The quality of the flowers will depend on the material in which they are made. Most people think of the floral aisle at their local craft store or their grandmother’s table centerpiece when they think of faux flowers, but more realistic and luxurious options are coming onto the market.
Silk flowers are an affordable and often sustainable alternative to fresh flowers. They are a beautiful and durable option that will outlast even the freshest of flowers.
Where do you purchase silk flowers?
Many retailers sell faux flowers, but the quality will depend on the retailer.
Lowest quality – the lowest quality and least expensive silk flowers can be purchased at a local craft store in the floral aisle. Oftentimes these florals will look unrealistic and plastic even from a distance.
Medium quality – many couples choosing to DIY their own silk flowers will look to online silk floral retailers. Many online retailers offer affordable yet beautiful options often sold by the stem. For purchasing completed bouquets, we recommend Etsy for decent quality fake flowers at a very reasonable price. Be warned: many silk flowers will be shipping internationally. Be sure to leave enough time before your event to find a different option if you end up hating the flowers you order.
Highest quality – purchasing high quality silk flowers is often as expensive as fresh flowers averaging about $15 per flower. However, renting high quality silk florals is becoming more and more popular. Faux floral rentals like Silk Stem Collective mail the flowers to you a few days before your event and then you ship them back when you are done.
What are the benefits of silk flowers?
Like sola wood flowers, the main benefit of choosing silk flowers is cost savings. Renting high quality faux flowers will offer up to 70% savings over fresh flowers. Even if you choose to purchase medium quality florals and assemble them yourself you will still save 30-50% over fresh.
Unlike fresh flowers, silk flowers are durable in tough outdoor conditions like heat and humidity. While fresh flowers wilt in a day, silk flowers can be kept as a keepsake or sold to another couple. Silk flowers are not as durable as sola wood flowers, but they will still last years longer than fresh.
Do they look real?
High quality faux flowers do look real! And medium quality will look real in photos. Unlike sola wood flowers that have a harder texture, the texture of silk flowers closely mimics that of real flowers. For couples looking for a realistic looking alternative to fresh flowers, silk flowers are the best option.