THE TRUTH ABOUT ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS While they’re undoubtedly becoming more popular, the stigma of the past surrounding artificial flowers still lingers. But Sam Richards from A Touch of Kent believes they’ve evolved and are now more realisticlooking than ever, to a point that from a distance even the most welltrained eye would struggle to tell the difference. We caught up with Sam to find out more. Where do we stand on the sustainability front with faux flowers – aren’t they plastic and therefore more harmful to the environment? “In a world where we focus on sustainability and being environmentally-friendly, we still don’t bat an eyelid at using fresh flowers for our big days and are happy to waste hundreds, sometimes thousands of pounds on real, fresh flowers only for them to go into the bin at the end of the night. “I agree, you can’t beat the smell of a fresh bouquet while walking down the aisle and for this, I support the use of real flowers. Fresh blooms can be preserved and dried to frame after the day to keep as a memento of such a special occasion too. “While I’m hearing that artificial is plastic and these are harmful to our environment, one may argue that these are not single-use plastics. They aren’t thrown away after every use and can be re-used for years and years.” We’re remembering the dusty, silk bouquets of yesteryear that look unreal and plastic... “At a Touch of Kent we specialise in artificial flowers and use them in such a way that they look natural. When we go to wedding fairs and take display bouquets along, most are shocked that they’re artificial or preserved. Bearing in mind we work with faux blooms day in and day out, we’ll only use those we believe are as realistic as we can possibly get, and each goes through rigorous scrutiny prior to any event to be sure that’s the case.” What are the benefits of using artificial versus fresh? “One perk is that you can hire them for a fraction of the cost of fresh, allowing you to recreate the elegant floral displays you see in magazines. Then, at the end of the day, they go back to be reused for another event and you’re left with the wedding photos you’ve always dreamed of. In these harsh economic times, we urge couples to explore the quality of artificial flowers and incorporate them into their weddings as they’re far more cost effective. “They’re hypo-allergenic, so those poor hay fever sufferers won’t need to struggle anymore just to see your big day. Plus, they aren’t seasonal, so you can incorporate your favourite flowers in your wedding regardless of the time of year. “They can be prepped weeks in advance so there’s no last minute rush or worries. What’s more you can keep your bouquet forever and display it in your home. We provide our brides with a modern, stylish vase with our bouquets allowing them to do just that.” Ok, we’re convinced! Learn more at www.atouchofkent.com THE ECO EXPERTS Frasers, a sustainable events venue based on a beautiful private estate and eco farm in Kent, has been announced as a winner at the inaugural 2023 Sustainable Wedding Awards. The awards recognise businesses and venues demonstrating a commitment to environmental sustainability, ethical business practices, and social responsibility. Kent’s very own Frasers scooped the coveted Sustainable Supply Chain Award, reflecting the company’s commitment to reducing its environmental impact and promoting sustainability through its responsible sourcing strategy. In addition, the local lovely was highly commended in the Sustainable Change Maker category in recognition of its efforts to encourage greater awareness and action through advocacy and example of best practice. The venue boasts a range of sustainable features that have helped it to secure this title. They include solar panels, rainwater harvesting and waste recycling. Frasers’ commitment also extends to its catering, which uses locally-sourced produce from artisan Kent and Sussex suppliers and ingredients fresh from the farm and home-grown in the ample on-site kitchen garden. The judges commented, “Frasers has considered its whole supply chain from energy to water to closed loop growing and is clearly aiming to improve further by seeking a Growing Green grant.” Lisa Fraser, the venue’s owner, says, “We’re thrilled to have been recognised in this way. Our team is passionate about creating a venue that not only provides an unforgettable experience for wedding couples and their guests, but also contributes positively to the environment and the local rural economy. This award is testimony to our commitment to sustainability in all that we do, and we’ll continue to strive for excellence in this area.” To discover more about hosting your wedding day at Frasers, head over to www.frasersegerton.co.uk www.whiterabbitltd.co.uk Five minutes with... http://fleurchallisphotography.com 10
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