ANd where can you get realistic looking ones for your dummies? Inquiring minds wanna know...

I just get them at Michael's. I think they look really nice in photographs, but of course up close in person you can tell they're fake. There's a couple of my photos with red roses and pink roses -- all silk.

I buy them from Michaels too. I used them for the purple wedding cake in my photos. Sometimes, all a bride can afford is silk. I use whatever is in the budget. I also must say that it is much easier not worrying about what's edible, freshness, etc.

I use silks all the time on my wedding cakes, but my contract stipulates that the bride provides all florals for the cake. We have a store in the Ind/Ohio area called "Flower Factor" (wholesale - open to the public) that has a great selection of artificial flowers.

they have some pretty nice hand wrapped ones at hobby lobby and micheals.

i let the brides bring me what they choose....i tell them to always buy more than they think they'll need.

I've used silk flower a lot. There is no worry about freshness, and you can decorate at the last minute. And no breakage. The only thing I've done is be sure the person knows the flowers are silk and not gumpaste.