While few things are as lovely and fragrant as real flowers and plants, artificial flowers and artificial plants do have their advantages in some situations. If you are planning an event, or need to send a remembrance, sometimes artificial flowers and artificial plants make the best sense. When many people think about artificial flowers and artificial plants, they think of those awful plastic arrangements found gathering dust on discount department store shelves. But things are quite different today and realistic silk orchids or flowers have replaced the tacky plastic flowers and plants of the past. Weddings Artificial flowers and artificial plants can be great for extending a wedding budget. Silk flowers can be used in place of real flowers, and with a drop of scented oil applied in the very center, most people can't tell the difference between the two. Silk flower wedding arrangements are also perfect for high traffic areas where real flowers would take a bruising. Artificial flowers and artificial plants make perfect pew decorations. Guests may accidentally brush up against them as they are seated, but the petals will look as lovely as ever. You never need to worry about silk orchids or flowers wilting. Scrapbooking, Crafting, and Cake Decorating Artificial flowers and artificial plants are the perfect way to add floral accents to scrapbook pages and crafts. For example, a copy of the wedding invitation is usually saved by the bride for a keepsake. Silk flowers, whole or with petals and leaves separated for convenience, can be used to decorate the pages of a scrapbook or keepsake frame. You can also decorate a cake with realistic silk flowers that are far more beautiful and dramatic than piped frosting creations, and you can save them afterward in a keepsake box. Bereavements Sending flowers in times of sorrow is a time honored tradition, and real flowers are both lovely and fragrant, but they fade away all too soon. Many families have a custom of offering bereavement floral arrangements to friends and family as a poignant remembrance of a loved one's passing. Silk flower arrangements make a lasting gift that will bring back fond memories of absent friends and family for years to come. Artificial flowers and artificial plants made today are just as beautiful and nearly identical to the real thing. If you want the beauty of flowers in your life, why not add some permanence with lovely silk flowers and plants.