Peony Passion

Peony Passion

April 15th, 2009 @ 2:42 pm by Mrs. Labrador
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When I first started planning for our wedding, flowers were the least of my concerns. I’m not a big flower person (they die quickly, so what’s the point?), but I do want to have bouquets for all the girls in my wedding. Because I’m not a big flower person, it took lots of research and time to find a flower I would like to carry in my bouquet down the aisle. I finally decided on an all-white (technically, cream) bouquet of peonies. The more I looked at pictures of them, the more I fell in love.

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*SWOON.* If flowers were celebrities, the peony would be Brad Pitt. MANY women want them in their weddings. But like Miss Cowboy Boot, I found out that the peony is not in season in November. I was devastated.

I briefly entertained the idea of similar flowers, but I’m not giving up on my new favorite flower that easily! You fight for true love, right? So now I’m considering making my own bouquet using fake peonies. I’ve found a few sites that offer the “true touch” faux flowers, but I’m a little nervous about actually trying this. I would love to get some feedback, suggestions, and helpful websites on making your own bouquet (I will be digging through Bee archives for DIY bouquets!). I still have no clue what I’m doing for my bridesmaid’s bouquets, but I do know I want theirs to be deep red flowers that complement the peony. Help on that will be much appreciated, as well!

Maybe when it’s all said and done I will have my dream bouquet AND save tons of money in the process! I found a site that provides incredibly realistic fake peonies. They sell them as bunches of cupped or full-blown blossoms, which I think adds to the realism. Here’s an example:

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At $36 for a set of six stems, this choice seems a bit high, since I’ll probably have to buy 3 or 4 sets to make a full, lush bouquet. And that doesn’t include tax and shipping! Although I’m no florist, I have a feeling that trying to get fresh peonies shipped from some remote place far away for a November wedding would be a tad bit pricier. At least my fake flowers won’t die, and they’ll make a great centerpiece for our home after the wedding!

So what do you think? Should I go through with the DIY fake flower bouquet of peonies, or should I splurge on out of season real peonies? I’d love your feedback before placing my order!

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31 Responses to “Peony Passion”

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Member

bluedec (message) 110 posts, Blushing bee

I think you should get a quote on what it would cost to have a real peony bouquet in November before placing any orders. You should also make sure you can return the fake flowers if they’re not what you were expecting.

4/15/09 @ 2:45 pm (reply)

Bee

Miss Bruschetta (message) 5,565 posts, Bee Keeper

Trust me, I love the idea of all white/cream — but if you’re doing shoes with a pop of color, would you consider the same for your bouquet? Just a thought!

4/15/09 @ 2:49 pm (reply)

Member

JaymeLyn (message) 95 posts, Worker bee

DIY it. I made my own bouquet and my bridesmaids, and I’m quite proud of them. It’s fairly simple, just takes some time. And you will have those flowers around, instead of watching hundreds of dollars die.

4/15/09 @ 2:50 pm (reply)

Member

Miss Pinot Grigio (message) 1,410 posts, Bumble bee

Definitely check with a florist first, before you buy your own fake peonies.

I, too, had a crazy love for peonies…and was heartbroken when told they were out of season in March. My florist said not to worry….she often finds realistic-looking peonies. Which she did! She incorporated them into my bouquet, along with roses and hyacinth.

I’m sure your florist gets her silk peonies at a better price! You’re definitely not the first bride to mix real and silk flowers….

4/15/09 @ 2:54 pm (reply)

Guest

Sakoro

I am also considering fake flower bouquets. Realistic-looking fake flowers are hard to find! Or, if you can find realistic ones, the bouquets are huge 80s style cascading things with lots of baby’s breath. Blah The flowers in that photo look pretty good to me, so I think it’s worth a try.

Why not order one bunch and see what they look like in person? You might find that you only need 6 per bridesmaid because peonies are quite big.

4/15/09 @ 2:56 pm (reply)

Member

iviary (message) 189 posts, Blushing bee

I don’t know what your budget is, but in your shoes with my own budget, I’d do my darnedest to find other in-season flowers I could be content with.

4/15/09 @ 2:58 pm (reply)

Bee

Miss Crab Cake (message) 834 posts, Busy bee

I’d have to touch them… I wanted peonies as well, so I bought silk for the centerpieces and I’ll have real in my bouquet (but only mine!)

4/15/09 @ 3:03 pm (reply)

Hostess

rosychicklet (message) 2,606 posts, Sugar bee

Why not use the fake peonies in a bouquet with other real flowers? That way the other flowers can fill it out and you won’t have to buy lots of the fake ones.

4/15/09 @ 3:05 pm (reply)

Guest

lou

I don’t know, to me one of the loveliest things about flowers is their scent. Plus, flowers are just so … natural, and it seems strange to me to have unnatural natural flowers.

I think I’d rather choose different real flowers than a fake version of my favourite flower, but that’s just me.

4/15/09 @ 3:06 pm (reply)

10.

Bee

Mrs. Shortcake (message) 465 posts, Helper bee

Peonies were part of the plan for our October wedding - but the quality of the South American second season ones can be sketchy. In order for us to have them, it would have been $1000/box, quality regardless!

4/15/09 @ 3:07 pm (reply)

11.

Member

ali925 (message) 112 posts, Blushing bee

i heart peonies too! peonies are part of the reason why we’re getting married in May! i think the mix of fake versus real is great. otherwise, have you considered ranniculus?

4/15/09 @ 3:12 pm (reply)

12.

Member

purpleHaze79 (message) 874 posts, Busy bee

I’ve been saving this video, too!! In case I venture to DIY my bouquet. I’m happy to share the wealth

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid271521142?bctid=1711770819

4/15/09 @ 3:12 pm (reply)

13.

Member

Shay (message) 438 posts, Helper bee

I think that you should get a quote also of the real deal from a few flower shops and also look into silk flowers.

I wasnt sure if I wanted real or silk so I also got a quote of both. I decided on real becuase I got a really good deal. But the place that I went to for silk does an AMAZING job and they ship worldwide.

If you would like their information PM me and I can get you their information.

4/15/09 @ 3:14 pm (reply)

14.

Member

sambasoo79 (message) 76 posts, Worker bee

If you’re dead set on peonies then I’d go with the DIY fake ones. I don’t think it’s worth the splurge - unless maybe just for your own bouquet! I love the idea of being able to decorate your home with the fake DIY ones!

4/15/09 @ 3:39 pm (reply)

15.

Guest

sally

go with in season flowers.

4/15/09 @ 4:28 pm (reply)

16.

Guest

Miz K

I think I’m in the minority here about peonies - I love them in illustration, but in person, they look a bit rumpled and messy and old fashioned. Give me a batch of islandy looking flowers with big clear silhouettes any day!

4/15/09 @ 4:36 pm (reply)

17.

Member

JennyBryde (message) 1,168 posts, Bumble bee

Droooll….I love peonies…but I would also go with in season flowers. I just can’t bring myself to accept faux flowers for my bridal bouquet regardless of how badly I want peonies! But those are very pretty!

Have you considered large peony garden roses? They look similar…just an option…

4/15/09 @ 4:54 pm (reply)

18.

Member

MrsSl82be (message) 7,970 posts, Bee Keeper

I would do the silk ones, they keep forever and are easy on the pocket book. that’s what we’re doing for ours

4/15/09 @ 5:24 pm (reply)

19.

Member

sweet august (message) 6 posts, Newbee

I think really good fake flowers will be nice. But like JennyBryde say….have you considered garden roses? Sometimes called cabbage roses. They look just like peonies.
http://www.justourpictures.com/roses/imgs/raubritter.jpg

4/15/09 @ 5:34 pm (reply)

20.

Bee

Miss Gloss (message) 1,222 posts, Bumble bee

Check some online flower wholesale sites sometimes depending on where they are based out of you can catch seasons of flowers that different from what your local season is.

4/15/09 @ 5:41 pm (reply)

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