Artificial Flowers & Plants for Events and Weddings

Why event businesses use artificial florals

Fresh flowers for an event are bought, arranged and thrown away within days, and their price and availability move with the season. Artificial florals can be designed weeks ahead, installed without water, and used again at the next booking, which is what makes them the basis of most hire collections. They also let you offer a look out of season: blossom in November, sunflowers in March.

What to use where

• Arches, ceilings and backdrops: wisteria and long garlands hung in layers, with foliage stems to fill gaps. Buy in multiples: a full arch or ceiling uses far more trails than a single photo suggests.
• Entrances and aisles: pairs of flowering trees such as the 150cm light pink wisteria tree or the 150cm white cherry blossom tree, in matching planters. Our flowering trees run from 60cm to 180cm.
• Centrepieces: single flower stems in glass vases. We hold 110 flower stem lines, from 30cm to 130cm, all sold individually, with 20% off when you take 6 or more mixed multibuy items. Gypsophila, delphinium, larkspur, dahlia and berry sprays are the core of most palettes. See the flower stem finder.
• Top tables and sweetheart tables: low, dense arrangements and orchids.
• Stands and corporate events: trees and trailing plants give a stand height and colour; see exhibition guidance in the guides below.

Planning quantities

Count by the unit you install, not by the photo. For centrepieces, decide stems per vase (typically 5 to 9 for a full look) and multiply by tables; stems are sold individually, and 6 or more mixed multibuy items earn 20% off. For arches, measure the frame and decide the spacing of trails; for ceilings, work in square metres. Then add spares of 10 to 15% for damage in transit. Use the stock filters in the finder to shortlist lines with 50 or 100 or more units, which matters if you want the same design for a season of bookings. We do not reserve stock or publish restock dates, so order a season's hire stock together.

Building hire stock that lasts

• Keep to a core of neutral lines (white, blush, green) that work across most weddings, and add accent colours in smaller quantities.
• Store stems flat or upright in labelled boxes by colour and SKU, away from damp and direct sun.
• Dust and reshape after every booking. A cool hairdryer lifts dust from petals; a soft brush works for foliage.
• Check pieces before each event and retire any that have faded or frayed.

Outdoor ceremonies

A single day outside does little to artificial florals, but stock used outdoors all season will fade over time. Our UV-stabilised range is mostly green topiary, grasses and palms, with a small number of UV-stabilised flowering bushes such as the 30cm white flower bush.

UV-stabilised lines contain UV inhibitors that slow colour fade in bright and outdoor positions. All artificial foliage fades gradually in prolonged direct sun; UV-stabilised stock fades far more slowly than untreated stock. We don't publish a lifespan, so plan to inspect exposed pieces each season and rotate or replace them when the colour drops.

Venues, marquees and fire

Venues and marquee suppliers often ask what decorative materials are made of, especially for ceiling installations and anything near lighting. For those positions, the lines flagged fire-retardant include a 210cm fire-retardant cherry blossom tree, palm garland and trailing plants; the full list is in the fire-retardant finder.

Our fire-retardant lines are made from fully tested fire-retardant materials. Testing is carried out at material level to EN 13501-1 (reaction to fire, classification B-s2, d0) and NFPA 701, and the same tested material is used across the range's styles. Test reports are available to trade customers on request, and your venue's fire risk assessment decides what is acceptable in a given location. Only lines flagged fire-retardant carry this material. Whatever you specify, keep all planting clear of heaters, candles, cooking equipment and naked flames.

Never place florals, fire-retardant or not, close to table candles, festoon lamps that run hot, patio heaters or fire pits.

Register online, log in to see trade prices. The minimum order is £150 ex VAT and UK mainland delivery is free on orders of £300 ex VAT or more; full terms are on ordering and delivery. Register online to see trade prices, or email sales@leafdesignwholesale.co.uk to book a visit to our Louth trade showroom (by appointment).