As you start to plan your wedding, flowers become an important part of the preparations. One decision that you have to make is whether you want to use fresh or silk wedding flowers. Often a bride will decide to use both.

A fresh bridal bouquet can sometimes be accented with realistic silk wedding flowers, especially when the bride wants a particular type of flower in her wedding bouquet that simply won't hold up throughout the day. That's when a silk substitute can blend in perfectly and no one even notices!

Here's an example. Suppose you want the following flowers in your wedding bouquet:

* Lavender spray roses
* Purple status
* Purple pansies

Your florist explains that purple pansies simply won't last in the bouquet. Before you accept the fact that you can't carry your favorite flowers, shop around for silk pansies that look just like fresh ones. Ask your florist to work the silk pansies in among the fresh spray roses and dried status. The effect will be stunning and you'll be quite happy with the results.

Another appropriate time for using silk flowers in your wedding bouquet would be if you plan to marry outside on a day that will likely be very hot and sunny. Using silk flowers relieves you of the stress of worrying about wilted bouquets.

Today's silks are so realistic that it's sometimes nearly impossible to tell the difference between the silks and the fresh flowers. If you're planning on carrying a hand-tied wedding bouquet, obviously silks will hold up better than fresh flowers that will be out of water all day! A grouping of calla lilies looks elegant when hand-tied with ribbon, whether the lilies are fresh or silk.

Another good example of a wedding bouquet that lends itself to silk flowers is when the colors that you want aren't standard colors for fresh flowers. You can't walk into your local florist's cooler and find navy blue roses or carnations. Of course floral spray can be applied to any flowers, but an easier choice that will guarantee that you get the exact shade of blue that you're looking for, is to opt for silk wedding flowers.

If you're planning an early spring wedding, a bridal bouquet of brightly colored crocuses would be darling. But the only way that you'll get one is if you decide on silk! A silk crocus and fresh tulip combination is one way to celebrate this new beginning. Be aware, however, that fresh tulips can be tricky too, so you might want to make it an all silk wedding bouquet.

The scent of the flowers is sometimes missed with a silk arrangement, so why not spritz them with a floral-scented spray, or with the perfume or cologne that you wear that always brings compliments from your fiance? Not only will you stand before him looking more beautiful than ever, but you'll surround him with the aroma that he can't seem to get enough of. Consider it an early wedding present and I'll even let you take the credit for the idea!

Bonnie Goodwin Ray has more than sixteen years experience in the wedding industry. She is the author of Wedding Planning Made Easier and has become a leading expert in silki wedding bouquets. Visit her site at http://www.mysilkweddingflowers.com