Our research found that “silk flowers” searchers often had queries for “wedding flowers” while “artificial” searchers often had “outdoor” in their top queries. 

The middle of the country favors “fake flowers,” the southeast “silk flowers.” There is a relatively equal usage nationwide of the term “artificial flowers,” while only half the USA ever used “faux flowers.”

It is important to remember that this is just one lens. This is what people are typing into their search bar. Is it how they talk? How would they explain their wedding to others? Earlier this year, the Knot published an article on “artificial flower” usage and attempted to explain their benefits while explaining the different materials used to make them. Brides magazine also frequently writes about “artificial wedding bouquets,” so the term may not be as faux pas as we think!

While “faux flowers” scored far fewer searches, it is often the term used by home décor and midrange retailers. These catalogs and retailers also use words like “botanicals” to distinguish and elevate their offering.  Budget stores and craft stores are choosing the term “artificial.”

This information helps to set the stage to understand the terms that consumers are familiar with and why. But what are other floral and event professionals calling them? Stay tuned for Part 2!

A collaboration between writer Laura Vitale and Sarah Botchick of Pioneer.