Wedding at home · Flowers
Fresh or Artificial Flowers for a Wedding: Fragrance, Colour, Cost, Season and Rituals, and Which Flowers Go Where (Taze Ya Artificial Phool)
The first question about flower decoration is always the same: fresh flowers or artificial? Nothing beats the fragrance and real colour of fresh flowers, but artificial flowers decorate far more for the same budget and stay the same for days. In the end most families mix the two. The only question is which goes where, and this guide is for that decision. Bharat Tent & Light House, Khorra does both kinds of flower decoration.
1. A straight comparison
| Fresh flowers | Artificial flowers | |
|---|---|---|
| Fragrance | Real fragrance | None |
| Colour and photos | Natural, beautiful up close | Bright, look full from a distance |
| Cost | Higher; rises further on saava dates | The same money decorates more space |
| How long | Put up on the day; wilt fast in heat | Stay the same for days |
| Multi-day function | Need replacing every day | Put up once, last the whole function |
| Puja and rituals | Needed for the varmala and puja | Decoration only, not for rituals |
2. Which flowers go where
The sensible rule: fresh where people look closely, touch or pray, and artificial where a big display has to read from a distance:
- Varmala: always fresh, because it's a ritual and worn around the neck
- Mandap and near the havan: fresh flowers and marigold strings; the pheras happen up close and so do the photos
- The front of the couple's stage: fresh, so close-up photos look real
- The big stage backdrop: artificial flowers and drapes; a large wall looks full for less
- Welcome gate and path: artificial or marigold strings; a mango-leaf bandanwar on the gate looks good too
- Pandal ceiling and poles: artificial strings, drapes and jhalar
- The groom's car: fresh flowers look best, since the car is decorated on the day
- Jagran or mata ki chowki darbar: fresh flowers and garlands around the Mata, the rest of the darbar with artificial flowers and lights
3. Which fresh flowers for what
- Marigold (genda): the most used; strings, torans and the mandap; lasts a long time
- Rose: varmala, the front of the stage and the car; colour and fragrance
- Rajnigandha: for fragrance, in the mandap and varmala
- Mango leaves: for the bandanwar and kalash, considered auspicious
4. How the season matters
- Summer (April-June): fresh flowers wilt fast in strong sun and heat; at a daytime function keep fresh flowers in the shaded part and do the big decoration with artificial ones
- Winter: fresh flowers last longer, so it's a good season for them
- Saava dates: with many weddings on one day, fresh-flower prices rise; keep fresh flowers to the essential spots then
5. Multi-day functions
For a katha, rituals running several days, or a mandap that stays up two days, artificial flowers do better; fresh ones need replacing daily. The middle way: all the decoration artificial, and a few fresh flowers and garlands for the daily puja.
6. How to split the budget
- First decide where fresh flowers are a must: the varmala, the mandap, the front of the stage
- Everywhere else, artificial flowers, drapes and lighting
- Lighting doubles the beauty of flower decoration; at an evening function, focus lights on the flowers give the best photos
More ways to decorate on a small budget are in a good wedding on a small budget, and stage decoration in how to decorate the wedding stage.
You can visit Khorra and see the flower decoration designs and items yourself. Tell us your budget on 99918 64283; we'll suggest where fresh and where artificial flowers suit, and do the work to your satisfaction within your budget.
FAQ
Are fresh or artificial flowers better for a wedding?
Each has its place. Fresh for the varmala, mandap and the front of the stage; artificial for big backdrops, the gate and the ceiling. Most families mix the two, which keeps the fragrance and controls the cost.
Can the varmala be made of artificial flowers?
The varmala is part of the ritual, so have it made of fresh flowers. Artificial flowers are fine for decoration only.
How long do fresh flowers last in summer?
In strong sun and heat fresh flowers start wilting quickly. At a summer daytime function, use fresh flowers only in the shade and at the essential spots, and do the rest with artificial ones.
Which flowers are used in the mandap?
Usually marigold strings, roses and rajnigandha, with mango leaves. The pheras happen up close, so fresh flowers look best in the mandap.
Which flowers for a multi-day function?
Artificial, because they stay the same through the whole function. Keep a few fresh flowers and garlands aside for the daily puja. Bharat Tent & Light House, Khorra arranges both.