Silk Bridal Bouquet

Fresh flowers are beautiful, no one can say otherwise. But, the quality of silk flowers nowadays are so high that sometimes you cannot tell that which is the real thing and which is fake. Which is why, some brides consider silk bridal bouquet for their wedding.

Apart from the resemblance, silk bridal bouquet is easy to handle. When packing to go to your wedding place, you need not worry about the flowers getting ruined due to mishandling. They can also be prepared in advance, no worries about moisture absorption.

Another point to consider, is that after the wedding, the bouquet flowers can be kept for future projects. You can make a corsage out of it, a wreath, or maybe decorate a wicker basket with it. There are so many uses of it.

With all these advantages, it wil be no surprise if you choose silk flowers for your bridal bouquet. When you buy your own silk flowers at the flower shop, there are many kinds available.

There is the bush type, where several flowers and its leaves are from a single stem. They can be of the same type of flower or different type. Then, they are also have the stem type, where one flower with its long stem and some leaves is available.

The spray type, is often one big flower and few smaller flowers of the same kind. And the bundle type, is several stems of flower tied together and sold as a bunch. For foliage, the branch type is available. You can pick any of these to make your silk bridal bouquet.

How to clean silk flowers

The methods to clean silk flowers can be divided into 2. The traditional method and the modern method.

The traditional method, of course, is to clean silk flowers using a damp cloth. You just damp a piece of cloth with water, then

wipe away the dust on the petals or leaves of the silk flowers.

Another way is to use a feather duster to get rid of the dust stuck onto the silk flowers. But the downside is, it is hard to remove those stubborn dust that has been accumulated for a long time.

Some homemakers also use a hair-dryer to blow off the dust. This way also might not be effective if the dust is difficult to get rid of.

Overall, the traditional method of cleaning silk flowers is inexpensive but considered time consuming and not effective for stubborn dust and dirt.

The modern method uses a special chemical spray. If you spray onto silk flowers, it will dissolve away the dirt and grime, leaving the silk flowers looking fresh.

Using a chemical spray is fast and effective for accumulated dust. But some also fear that the chemical might change the color or texture of the silk flowers.

Furthermore, cleaning silk flowers using chemicals is expensive and exposure to chemical might not be good to health.

Should I dismantle the arrangement?

 

 

Depends really. Of course cleaning one flower at a time when the flower is still inserted is quite a hassle. But if you see that the arrangement is out of shape, it is better to rearrange and revive your arrangement.

How will cleaning affect my silk flowers?

 

Cleaning may have an effect to your silk flowers but if you take these precautions, maybe your silk flowers can last longer.

 

After you clean your silk flowers, avoid drying the flowers in the sun. The sunshine may cause the color to fade.

Do not use hot water for cleaning. The hot temperature may melt the glue of the silk flowers and make the flowers fall out.

Also, during cleaning, do not wipe the petals vigorously. Some silk flower materials are very delicate and need gentle care.

Always handle the silk flowers with care. They can last longer than they should be.

Benefits of Silk Flowers

More and more people choose silk flowers over fresh flowers in many of their flower arrangements.
Why?

Nowadays, the flower industry has evolved so much that silk flowers are beginning to look like the real thing. The shape is almost similar and the colours are perfectly blended to resemble the real flower.

There are many advantages of choosing artificial flowers. Here are some of them.

• Be it spring, summer, fall or winter, silk flowers will always be available to you. And, you need not worry about the price. Unlike fresh flowers, the price does not depend on its season.

 

 

• You will feel easier carrying a silk flower bouquet because of its light-weight.

 

 

• You will not have bees flying around you when you carry a silk flower bouquet. Fresh flowers will attract insects.

 

 

• If you have allergy to fresh flowers, you will be safe with silk flowers.

 

 

• When you are in contact with silk flowers, you will not have green stains from the stems. The colours of the silk flowers will not transfer to your garment. A good reason for choosing silk flowers over fresh flowers.

 

 

• Silk flowers will never dry up. Therefore, they last longer. They do not need water to keep them fresh, unlike fresh flowers. If you’re working on a project using silk flowers, you can stop, have a few days break and continue with your project the next week.

 

 

• They are easier to be shaped. In flower arranging, sometimes we need to define the shape of the bouquet and silk flowers are the best in that sense. The petals and leaves are easily bent to get the shape we want.

 

 

• Because of its flexibility, silk flowers can be transported anywhere without worrying that the arrangements will get out of shape. When reaching the final destination, it can be easily re-structured.

 

 

• Due to its durability, flower arrangements made from silk flowers can be made early. For example, if your wedding bouquet is made from silk flowers, you can see your bouquet a week before your wedding day.

 

 

• When you are working with silk flowers, you do not have to worry about petals dropping. This can be a big problem sometimes when working with fresh flowers. Another reason for choosing silk flowers over fresh flowers.

 

It is amazing how much silk flowers can do for you. You can save money because they are cheaper and you can save time because working with them is less hassle. Maybe silk flowers texture and smell have not resembled the real thing yet but there is nothing that science can’t do.

In a few years time, silk flowers will look like fresh flowers and you won’t be able to tell the difference. All the more reason for you to choose silk flowers over fresh flowers.

Star Signs

Aries

• Aries are a Fire Sign which means they are passionate, enthusiastic, adventurous
• Flowers & Plants for an Aries: Opuntia cactus (prickly pear), celosia (cockscomb), thorn-bearing shrubs, red roses, tulips, red peppers, amaryllis

TAURUS

• Taurians are Earth Signs which means they are home-loving, conventional, gourmand
• Flowers & Plants for a Taurus: sweet William (Dianthus barbatus), scented stock, fruit-bearing trees, lavender, lilac, aster, lily of the valley, sweet pea

GEMINI

• Gemini is an Air Sign and they are talkative, lively, intellectual
• Flowers & Plants for Geminis include: Solanum (Winter cherries), ranunculus, maidenhair fern (Addiantum), solidago (goldenrod), acacia (mimosa, wattle), daffodil, nut-bearing trees, cactus

CANCER

• Cancerians are Water Signs meaning they are secretive, protective, caring
• Flowers & Plants for the Cancerians are: cornflower (Centaurea cyanus), Ammi (Queen Anne’s lace), delphinium, ferns, plumbago, passionflower, hydrangea, iris

LEO

• The mighty Leo is a Fire Sign, they are extrovert, faithful, larger than life
• Leo’s Flowers & Plants are: safflower (Carthamus), croton, Joseph’s coat (Codiaeum), marigold, gerbera, crocosmia, dahlia, clivia, sunflower

VIRGO

• Virgo comes under the Earth Sign and they are generally practical, modest, perfectionist
• Virgo Flower& Plant choices include: monkshood (Aconitum), hypericum ( St John’s wort), chrysanthemum, eucalyptus, veronica, violet, ivy, thistle

LIBRA

• Librans are Air Signs, they are elegant, diplomatic, romantic
• Libran Flowers & Plants are: chincherinchee (Ornithogalum), Moluccella (bells of Ireland), Cymbidium orchid, gardenia, tea roses, tuberose, freesia,

SCORPIO

• The Scorpio is a Water Sign. The Scorpio is sensual, determined, dangerous
• Flowers & Plants for Scorpio include: venus fly trap (Dionaea), Alpinia (pink ginger), Amaranthus (love lies bleeding), red hot poker (Kniphofia), hibiscus, peony, cactus, anthurium

SAGITTARIUS

• Sagittarius is a Fire Sign, they are straightforward, optimistic, playful
• Sagittarian Flowers & Plants include: Eremurus (foxtail lily), eustoma (lisianthus), Liatris (blazing star), carnation, crocus, muscari, berried plants, allium

CAPRICORN

• Capricorns come under the Earth Sign, they are hard-working, ambitious, respectable
• Capricorn Flowers & Plants are: statice, holly, African violet, ivy, philodendron, kentia palm, snowdrop, jasmine

AQUARIUS

• The Aquarians fall under the Air Sign they are forward-looking, unconventional, independent
• Aquarian Flowers & Plants include: Eryngium (sea holly), arum lily (Zantedeschia), bird of paradise (Strelitzia), pitcher plant (Sarracenia), banksia, protea, yucca, aloe

PISCES

• Pisceans are Water Signs, they are intuitive, humorous, compassionate
• Flowers & Plants for the Pisces include: madonna lily (Lilium candidum), Euphorbia marginata, Cyperus (papyrus), stephanotis, jasmine, lilac, narcissus, gypsophila

Flower Color Meanings

Flower Color Meanings

When choosing a romantic gift or flowers to give to your partner, pay attention to the color. You may not realize it, but colors have a significant impact on us and our reactions and behaviors. They also give others an insight into us as people and into our own deep feelings and emotions.

Many colors have deep spiritual and religious meanings (such as black symbolizing evil) or specific meanings to those in the business world (such as green symbolizing money). We specifically focusing on the romantic aspects of colors though and how they can represent your relationships and romantic feelings. The symbolism of flower colors is steeped in tradition.

In fact, every flower color from a deep red rose to a bright yellow daffodil offers a rich and meaningful story dating back thousands of years. The flower colors you choose for a bouquet can be as important as the types of flowers used in an arrangement.

Black - Power, mystery, elegance, farewell

Black is generally associated with negative things, so you may want to reserve this for breaking up. However, it’s also associated with mystery and elegance, so you may want to use it if it’s given with something else, such as jewelry. A great idea would be a black, velvet lined jewelry box, with something special of a different color inside. We’re not aware of any black flowers (other than those that have been dyed or have died), but it’s probably a good idea to not give your partner black flowers unless you’re breaking up.

White - Purity, innocence, perfection, hope

White flowers are gorgeous, unique, and non-traditional. They are perfect for a new relationship or for telling your partner how perfect she truly is. These are also the flowers to send when you want her to know that your love is pure. Great ideas for white are white roses, a white orchid, or pearls.
Often associated with innocence, humility, and reverence, white flowers evoke simple beauty. Whether they take their shape as the luxurious, silk petals of fragrant gardenias, the small, white bells of a lily of the valley, or the quiet drama of a dozen white roses, fresh floral arrangement dominated by white blossoms conveys modesty and elegance.

Red - Love, passion, desire, eroticism

Red is traditionally the color of love and romance. A dozen long-stemmed red roses are the classic romantic gift.
There’s an indisputable energy to the color red – an energy that has the power to transform an otherwise unassuming flower into the essence of desire, strength, and passionate love. With beauty, courage and heat as its symbolism, it’s no surprise that a bouquet filled with rich, red blooms knows no restraint.

Dark Red - Beauty and Love

This is the perfect color to send to let your partner know how truly beautiful she is, while still telling her how much you truly love her.

White & Red - Unity, togetherness, long-lasting love, bonding

You can find many flowers that have a combination colors, but one of the more symbolic are those that have shades of white and red (which together make pink). Red and white flowers are a striking combination and they embody all of the feelings and emotions of a true bond.

Pink - Romance, sweetness, playfulness, gladness

Pink is a feminine color perfect for those fun, playful couples. Whether it’s a pink rose or a pink diamond (like Ben Affleck giving to Jennifer Lopez), it’s perfect for the sweet, romantic person in your life.

Think pink and you think of grace, gentility, and happiness. Regardless of the shape of the flower – from the tight, small buds of a pink garden rose to the delicate, open petals of a pink caellia in full bloom – pink blossoms convey youth, innocence, and joy.

Yellow - Friendship, joy, happiness

If you want to slow things down, yellow, the color of friendship, is the color to send. It’s also better to steer clear of roses, traditionally a romantic flower, in this situation. The exception would be if you are sending them to a current friend who you hope would become more, but you want to take it slow.
There’s a good reason why it can feel all but impossible to refrain from smiling when you spot a bouquet of bright daffodils or a pot filled with sun-drenched chrysanthemums–the color yellow evokes feelings of joy and lightheartedness. Also a symbol of friendship, a bouquet bursting with yellow blooms sends a message of new beginnings and happiness.

Yellow & Red - Falling in love, start of a new romance

If you want to let someone know that you’re falling in love with them, send them these flowers. The yellow symbolizes your current friendship and the red shows that you want things to move towards a relationship.

Orange - Fascination, warmth, happiness

Orange is a strong, warm color that shows fascination or intrigue. Send orange flowers, or other orange gifts, to the lady that really makes you feel warm and happy inside.

There’s nothing bashful about the color orange–its message is clear and blatantly proud. Symbolizing energy, enthusiasm, and warmth, an arrangement of blooms in this vibrant color conveys confidence, satisfaction and a passion for life.

Coral - Desire, love

A warm color that is a shade of love, but more importantly, desire. Send coral roses to your partner to let you that know how much you really want them.

Peach - Wisdom, gratitude, appreciation

Peach is a shades of orange and pink that represent both the romance of the pinks and the warmth and gratitude’s of the orange shades. They are a perfect color to show your love and appreciation of your spouse or girlfriend.

Green - Harmony, fertility, richness

Green is a rich, cool color perfect for the harmonious couple. Give her a plant and a note telling her how truly rich she has made your life.

Synonymous with nature–and the perfect complement to any other bloom–the color green represents health, resilience, good fortune and youth. Whether used to throw together a diverse mixture of shapes and hues or as a restful tone-on-tone bouquet, green flowers send a message of optimism and renewal.

Blue - Stability, trustworthy, tranquil

Blue is typically the color of peace and stability. Deep blues tend to be more ‘trust’ based colors, while lighter blues are signs of peace, quiet, and tranquil (think ‘ocean’). If you’re a deep, intimate couple, blue flowers or gifts are perfect.

The pale blue hues of a hydrangea or the deep blues of an iris can calm worries and preoccupation representing peace, openness, and serenity, fresh floral arrangements filled with blue flowers offers a cooling antidote to anxiousness.

Purple/Lavender - Enchantment, unique, noble, devotion

A cooler color perfect for the truly devoted. Send this color to your partner to let her know how truly unique she is. Because purple is often associated with nobility, it’s a perfect color for a long-standing romance.

Purple origins tied to royalty and ceremony, purple flowers represent dignity, pride and success. Whether grouped alone in a bold range of rich hues or mixed in with other colors to provide depth and contrast, an arrangement filled with purple blooms represents accomplishment and admiration.

While purple is the color of royalty, and pink the color of youth, lavender is femininity all grown up.

Representing refinement, grace, and elegance, lavender holds an almost sacred place in nature—with violet flowers often considered the most delicate and precious. An arrangement filled with these genteel blossoms send a message of feminine beauty.