Concerning Returns, Refunds and Exchanges, please see our
Return Policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are your flowers real/fresh?
All the flowers/plants you see on SilkSpecialties.com are Artificial(Silk) Flowers. The category of artificial plants and flowers is commonly referred to as "silk flowers", however, the materials used to make the flowers and plants vary greatly by style and type and range from various synthetic fabrics to latex materials.
All the other silk flowers I have seen on the Internet, and at my local craft shop, are really fake looking, what guarantee do I have that you won't use fake-looking flowers?
We don't use a flower that we wouldn't be proud to put our name on - we have recognized the demand for a higher standard in "silk" wedding, event and decor flowers - and we have strived to find the best and most realistic looking silk flowers possible - sure, we still can offer you a blue rose, or a sparkly gold poinsettia, but the quality, both in design and construction, is far superior to cheapy flowers like dew-drop buds and dollar store bushes.
We do our best to find the best flowers you want, to fit your budget - we give you options, choices on the many realistic and high quality flowers available. We don't even consider offering sub-standard items!
If the website product photos do not show enough detail for your 'peace of mind', we can send you photos of the flower - close up, far away, next to an object so you can see it's relative size, etc.. If you still have questions, you can get a sample! Play with it, smell it (you'll be tempted to!!), show it to your mother, tear it apart - whatever it takes to show you we mean it - "Looks so Real, it must be SilkSpecialties!"
The truth is that the more realistic a flower is, the better the material and construction of the flower is. This means it is a little more expensive than one with less petals, unrealistically shaped, in a poorly constructed manner. The same applies to clothing, food, diamonds -- even technology, new house construction and purchasing a vehicle - basically, you get what you pay for!
How are you different from other online and store Florists that use Silk Flowers?
Nowadays, Silk Flowers can be purchased at a craft/hobby, dollar and online stores for next to nothing. This is fine - but the problem here is that once somebody buys the flowers and makes a small wreath or designs their own wedding, they think that they are instant Florists (and that they can be taken seriously with their fresh flower photo "design ideas", budget prices and budget flowers). This is the illusion that exists out there today and is one that brides are suffering from when a "Joe Florist" is hired for their "Special Day" wedding flowers. Sure, getting quality flowers for a fair price is important, but having a cheap bouquet with poor design and construction that will be captured in your wedding photos forever is not. First impressions are extremely important and that is why we tell the truth (photos of our own designed silk flower items and explanation of pricing) from the beginning.
"You know, Mr Prospect, many years ago, our company made a basic decision. We decided that it would be easier to explain price one time, than it would be to apologize for quality forever.
And I'll bet you're glad we made that decision, aren't you?"
Can I order by phone, or mail? Do I have to use a Credit Card? Can I pay with a Personal Check?
There are a number of ways you can order from SilkSpecialties.com
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Use our Secure Webstore Checkout process with your Discover, Visa or Mastercard.
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Place your order as 'usual' but select "Mail in a Check" as your payment method if you wish to pay with a personal, business, cashier's check or money order in US funds drawable from a US bank. These orders will, of course, ship once your check has cleared. Expect your check to reach us in about 2-5 days from the date you mail it (standard postal mail), and for your bank to clear your check in another 2-3days. More information and our Address where to mail your check is provided during the checkout process when you select this option.
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Phone Orders can be placed using the "Mail in a Check" option -- be sure to include your phone number, and a time that is convenient for us to call you, in the Order Notes. You can pay by Credit Card (Discover, Visa, Mastercard) over the phone with us. If you wish to use several credit cards to cover payment for your order, please mention this in the Order Notes.
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Google Checkout or PayPal as your preferred method of payment can also be placed using the "Mail in a Check" option -- be sure to include your Google Checkout / Paypal preference and the email we should request this payment from (must be the same as the email you provided for your Order Details). You can use an American Express card, as well as Discover, Visa, Mastercard, or your Bank Account with this option.
Never send your Credit Card information via email!
What forms of payment do you accept?
Credit Cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover), Google Checkout/Paypal, Checks and Money Orders are our accepted forms of Payment.
Checks may be subject to a waiting period for clearance. Please contact us if you intend to pay by methods other than Credit Cards through our secure (SSL) web store.
(Note: All prices shown do not include sales tax, which may be applicable in certain areas)
Do you have a Payment Plan?
Sorry, Not at this time. You are welcome to purchase your items over multiple orders. Please contact us if you intend to pay for your complete order with multiple credit cards, or combination check/credit card.
Are deposits required?
Full payment of the product and shipping is required at the time you place your order. Placing a verbal or written order is a binding contract and carries the responsibility thereof.
Special orders are due upon acceptance of the quotation, which constitutes an order. We will gladly work with you on the order and delivery schedule depending on your Wedding/Event plans.
How early should I order before the Wedding/Event? How long does it take to make my wedding bouquet/package?
If you are ordering stems/bushes/accessories, and not needing us to make any customizations or modifications, please review each product page for the Estimated Shipping Dates and use this information when planning and as an idea of when to expect your order to ship.
Typically we recommend that wedding orders should be placed a minimum of 6-8 weeks prior, with 10 or more weeks preferred. This allows time for you to review our quote & confirm your order, and time for us to send photos for approval and make any minor changes if requested. In some cases, we may need to ship your items rapidly to meet your deadlines or requests. Please contact us as soon as possible after receiving the photos if you wish to have changes made before this shipment occurs.
We reserve the right to substitute a flower for a like-or-better quality substitute if the original becomes unavailable due to manufacturer/supplier backorder or discontinuation. In the case of a back-order, and your wedding date allows sufficient time, we will hold your order until the original flowers are available again. In the case of discontinuation, or a back-order date that does not fit with your date, we will substitute a like-or-better quality flower. We do suggest you make a decision "fairly quickly" upon receiving your quote, or sample flowers to avoid disappointment.
Depending on order volume, and product availability, we can sometimes accept rush orders up to 1-2 weeks before the Wedding, so please contact us even if you are getting close and we'll gladly try to assist. (Note, additional charges may apply for processing rush orders to cover added handling and express shipping charges. Contact us for more details on rush options.)
Do you sell Samples? I want to see the quality of your products first hand.
Samples are available on Custom Design Orders only. For Standard Store Products (the ones you find on the website), feel free to order stem lengths or a small bouquet or corsage in the colors you are interested in seeing.
Custom Design Quotes: Please remember: Samples are Samples - If you want a full length stem of any item, please see our Stems/Bushes area or consider buying a small bouquet, corsage, or stems, bush from the collections you desire to see.
Order Full-length Stems
We strongly recommend you order full length stehms, or entire product (ie, not a "sample/swatch/petal/snippert/etc) for your own peace of mind that you are getting what you wish for. Different monitors do display colors differently, and many colors/fabrics display differently under different light conditions. We cannot be held responsible if the "deep red" color you ordered looks black-purple in the candle-lit church or your photography.
Are other styles of Arrangements, Bouquets, Boutonnieres and Corsages available?
Many of the most common styles have been included in our site, however we realize your dream may be unique. Please fill out a Checklist or contact us and tell us what you are interested in; we look forward to helping create your Wedding, Event or Decor Florals.
Can I have some fresh flowers in my Bouquet/Arrangement too?
Yes you may. You will have to organize the fresh flowers from your local florist. Just let us know where in the item you'd like fresh flowers, and we'll arrange room for them. Silk Specialties uses a floral foam for dried and silk flowers, so you will need a water pick for your fresh flowers.
Another option is to order your flowers as single stems or by-the-box and ask your fresh florist to create your bouquet using her 'fresh' flowers and your 'silk' flowers.
Why are the arrangements/bouquets not as expensive as I expected?
Silk Specialties would like to keep you and your budget as happy as possible. We pass along the great prices as much as we can, and are always very happy to re-examine quotes, and suggest more cost-saving ideas when putting together, or adjusting your quote! Today's 'Permanent Botanicals' look as real as their fresh counterparts, without costing as much.
Unlike other florists, we do not mark up our items 300-500% like the Industry norm.
Can I order one of your "standard website premade" items with different Flowers?
Absolutely.
Just tell us what changes you would like. There will be a price increase when substituting flowers (the cost of the premade arrangement, plus the cost of the flowers you wish to use instead. We ship you all the flowers, after all, you paid for them all - you may be able to recover the cost of your unused flowers via ebay, giving as gifts, etc), we will let you know of these differences before processing your order. We will also be happy to help you decide on Flowers and colors, consistent with your Wedding color scheme and style. There are some bouquets and arrangements that come "as pictured" - these are noted as such and are not customizable without additional cost of the products (ie. adding or exchanging items in any of the Seasonal Selections)
Can I order individual Silk Flowers without having them in an Arrangement or Bouquet?
You can order Silk Flowers from us by the stem/bush or in their unbroken bulk boxes. Please browse through our
Stems & Bushes section, or our
Sale section.
Will I receive the same service if I order an 'as pictured' or a website item than if I custom order my bouquet/arrangement?
Yes.
All items are custom created after you order them. You will receive a personal Silk Specialist whether we are designing a custom quote or a website order. Every order is equally important to us.
I have a tight budget! Can you still make me something beautiful?
Yes! We want you to have your bouquet, at your price. Please let us know what your budget is, and we will do our best to create your bouquet for that price (without having to suggest cheapy flowers)! Your Silk Specialist will go over all the options with you, and offer suggestions, alternatives, and ideas. We will not be satisfied until you are!
Do you also provide arrangements for the Church?
We have arrangements for decorating the Church. As each Altar area is different, and the arrangements in our store may not fit perfectly, please do not hesitate to add comments such as "width to be no more than 30inches" or other instructions that may help us.
(Check with requirements for your church - many require live flower arrangements for the altar.)
We also have Wreaths and Swags for decorating the Church entry and other areas within the Church. All Church arrangements are in an Altar appropiate vase. Please notify us if your Church already has large vases/urns that you will be using for your arrangements (as we'll use a standard vase - no need to pay extra for something you wont be able to see!)
Is "What I See, What I Get?"
We do our best to represent in photos the exact arrangement and color of the Bouquet, Arrangement or flowers (for selection). Different photographic techniques, combined with different lighting and the settings of your monitor may not precisely display the colors. We have tried to ensure that our Bouquets, wedding florals, and the flowers we have on display are represented as closely as possible. Please contact us if you have any questions about the color likeness of our flowers.
In some cases, we may request a color swatch of the fabric(s) you wish to match to ensure a close/correctly matching flower.
I ordered a "stem" that said it was 14 inches. The stem is more like 12 inches and the flower is 2 inches on top of that. Is there something special with how products are measured?
Measurements indicated on the website are OVERALL HEIGHTS and OVERALL WIDTHS. This is an industry standard and widely accepted.
If your flower stem states it is 21.5" it will be 21.5 inches in overall height/length. Please take into consideration that you may need to ensure the stem is straight, and the flower is "fluffed". Most flowers, like lilies, are measured "facing forward" from the stem, not "facing upwards".
If your bushes state that they measure 31" - be sure to measure the longest strand/leaf/branch in your bush. Ivy, ferns, and many bushes have varying lengths in them to create a realistic and natural look.
If your garland states it measure 5' then measure from beginning to end of the garland. Hooks, loops, and any underlying garland construction pieces count in this measurement.
If your vase states it is 5"w 4"h and has an obvious wider base in it's product photo, then overall, it is 5 inches at the widest point, the narrow opening is not 5 inches. It will be 4 inches high on the outside meaturement, not the inside cavity.
If your bulk ribbon measures 100yds, and you come across a break in the ribbon, this is normal, and we as florists deal with this every day. be assured that there will be 100 yards, if not more, on your ribbon spool, and the ribbon makers may only produce it in 50 yard lengths, etc.
Of course, most of our Silk Specialties floral/greenery pieces are hand-made by hard working people in production factories all over the world, not on precision duplicating machines. Some variation is to be expected. Some glassware/home decor will vary minimally depending on the die and mold used in their creation - or if your order comes from separate batches, etc.
If you have any quations, feel free to email us or order just one as a "sample" to satisfy your questions and see first hand how the product will meet your needs.
Do you have a printed catalog or a store-front I can visit?
No. SilkSpecialties.com is an Internet-based business, we do not have a store front. We also do not offer a printed catalog - our website shows hundreds of the products we commonly sell, but we can custom-create literally thousands of different types of floral arrangements. Eliminating costs, such as printing and distribution expenses or store-related expenditures and taxes, helps keeps our prices low for you and your budget to enjoy.
Can you create my order and send me photos now, but hold the items until closer to the date of the wedding and send them to me then?
Sure, we're happy to hold your items, and even ship them directly to the location of the wedding. This will keep your flowers clean and out of the way, but we cannot accept returns or offer refunds on these items.
Can I rent items?
We are currently working on a line of rental options. We would greatly appreciate your feedback on this topic. If renting your wedding flowers is an attractive option for you, please email us with your thoughts on colors/styles and fair pricing/rental terms.
Can I send you my own Silk Flowers for the Bouquets?
Yes. We will be happy to help create your Wedding Bouquets for you. They are calculated on an hourly basis depening on the size and complexity of your needs.
Contact us before your Silk Flowers/Ribbons/etc will arrive, and include detailed instructions as you can. We can contact you, and email you photos throughout the creation process.
What are your Shipping & Handling rates? What about Insurance?
Shipping charges will be added to your total bill. For each order there is a Shipping, Handling, Insurance and Delivery Receipt (Signature Confirmation) fee depending on weight and complexity of packaging. This is calculated in our webstore as the Shipping: amount in your basket.
Rush Handling & Shipping may also be applicable to some orders and may not be calculated accurately on the web site. Some international orders may be subject to additional tariffs or special shipping considerations.
All orders are Insured in case of damage or loss during shipment. Silk Specialties is not responsible for package(s) once they leave our offices. If your package arrives damaged, please report it to the carrier immediately, and document the damage. For more information about damaged items, please read the relevant sections in our
Shipping Information page. If you suspect your package has been 'lost', please contact the carrier with your Tracking Number for them to locate your package and promtly deliver it. It is important to contact us or the carrier within 48 hours of a loss or damage, in the event insurance claims to be filed.
How & When is my order Shipped?
Wedding Florals or supplies are shipped by ground carrier and in some instances will need to be drop shipped to insure timely delivery to you. Orders if out of stock may carry a 3-8 week delivery time.
In some cases, we may need to ship your items rapidly or substitute like-or-better quality items to meet your deadlines or requests. Please contact us as soon as possible after receiving the photos if you wish to have changes made before this shipment occurs.
Concerning Returns, Refunds and Exchanges, please see our
Return Policy.
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