Deciding whether to use fresh or dried flowers for your wedding is down to personal choice.
Dried lasts forever but can be expensive due to the drying, storing and bleaching process involved. Fresh will give you a heavenly scent but have a life that will only last as long as mother nature intends. Dried will be around forever and you can repurpose the flowers into vases arrangements around your home after the wedding. This is good but fashion changes and you will probably end up moving the dried flowers into the loft or somewhere similar.
Some couples choose to go with artificial flowers and again this is down to personal choice. These can sometimes work out cheaper but have regularly been used so can be slightly damaged or discoloured at times. This is why I choose not to provide artificial flowers as every couple deserves amazing blooms for their special day.
The most environmental choice is fresh flowers. Yes some are grown in greenhouses and imported so have a carbon footprint but they will end up in compost. Artificial has a carbon footprint due to plastic, dyes and more but will ultimately end up in landfill and dried uses many chemicals and bleaching agents which end up in our water supply.
As with everything in life, there are positives and negatives but the choice is yours.
Here is a quick comparison of Fresh Flowers vs Dried Flowers
Aesthetics
Fresh Flowers: Fresh flowers offer vibrant colours, fragrance, and a sense of liveliness. Their delicate texture and freshness can enhance the beauty of any space.
Dried Flowers: Dried flowers have a more rustic, vintage look, with muted colours that evoke a natural, bohemian charm.
Longevity
Fresh Flowers: Fresh flowers last for a short period, generally between a few days to two weeks, depending on the type and how they are cared for.
Dried Flowers: Dried flowers, if stored properly, can last for months to even years without needing any special care. They retain their form and shape far longer than fresh flowers.
Maintenance
Fresh Flowers: Fresh flowers require regular care, including trimming the stems, changing the water, and ensuring they’re in the right temperature and light conditions.
Dried Flowers: Dried flowers are very low maintenance. They don’t need water or sunlight and require minimal care, though they can gather dust and may become brittle over time.
Environmental Impact
Fresh Flowers: Fresh flowers are often flown in from different regions, which contributes to carbon emissions. They also require a significant amount of water and resources to grow. After their short lifespan, they often end up as waste.
Dried Flowers: Dried flowers are more eco-friendly in the long run because they last much longer, reducing the frequency of replacement. If sourced and dried sustainably, they have a lower environmental impact.
Cost
Fresh Flowers: Fresh flowers can be expensive, especially for exotic varieties or when bought regularly.
Dried Flowers: While some dried flowers may have a higher initial cost, they tend to be more cost-effective over time since they last much longer.
If you would like some help and advice, then please get in touch.
