How to Successfully DIY Calla Lilies
Should you go Fresh or Faux?
Calla lilies have long been a favorite in wedding bouquets, but their popularity grew exponentially in 2025 and continues growing into 2026. Their trumpet-shaped blooms have a smooth, sculptural shape and timeless elegance that can make even the most casual backyard wedding feel sophisticated. But while fresh calla lilies are beautiful, they aren’t always practical for a long, busy wedding day, and they certainly aren’t the most budget-friendly option for those watching their costs. In this article, we will talk about the cost of fresh calla lilies compared to the cost of faux lilies, and we will review some of the other critical things to think about if you are planning to DIY your calla lily bouquet, in faux or fresh.
Fresh Calla Lilies
How much do fresh calla lilies cost?
Calla lily stems can run anywhere from $3-$8 per stem at wholesale pricing, and your florist will charge three to four times that to cover their labor costs and account for damaged stems. The price of fresh calla lilies can be affected by:
- Color – unique colors cost more than traditional white blooms
- Season – prices go up around major holidays like Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, etc.
- Stem Length – longer stems are considered premium and will increase cost. A standard calla lily stem is 20-25 inches, and mini calla lilies may have stems of only 12-15 inches. For a bouquet, shorter stems may be fine, while for large floor arrangements, longer stems are needed to get an appealing height and visual volume.
- Size – surprisingly, mini calla lilies often tend to be more expensive per stem than larger calla lilies because they are typically sold in smaller quantities. Extra large blooms will also run you a few dollars more per stem
What are the downsides of fresh calla lilies?
There are few downsides to fresh lilies, other than cost. Fresh calla lilies have only a slight fragrance, which many couples appreciate, but many brides forget that callas produce a dark yellow pollen on their pronounced stamen that may stain your hands and dress.
Other than the above, calla lilies are actually quite resistant to browning and wilting if watered properly ahead of time. Their thick stems can hold the moisture they need for up to twelve hours. Hot sun may still cause some browning, but the blooms themselves are not overly delicate.
Faux Calla Lilies
Fortunately, you can achieve the same timeless look with artificial calla lilies! Unfortunately, realistic faux calla lilies will run you almost as much – or sometimes more – than real lilies. We’ve sourced a few lilies at different price points to demonstrate the difference between a low quality and high quality faux calla lily stem.
What are the most realistic artificial calla lilies?
Let’s discuss how to get the most realistic calla lilies that will completely fool your guests! Consider the petal color, stamen color, size, and material.
PETAL COLOR
The first thing to consider is petal color. Choose an artificial lily that matches a naturally-occurring variety. Calla lilies come in white, all shades of pink, red, orange, yellow, muted purples, and burgundies. Avoid colors like blue, bright green, and bright purples. Black should also be avoided, although there are calla lilies in very deep purples that can look black in dim lighting. It may be tempting to replicate your color scheme colors in your flowers, but a blue calla lily does not exist in nature and will not fool your guests!
STAMEN COLOR
Real lilies have a large stamen, ranging in color from bright yellow to pale yellow. Many silk calla lilies have white stamen, or the stamen matches the color of the petals. This won’t significantly detract from the realism of your bouquet, but if your aim is to replicate a fresh calla lily as close as possible, stick with a faux lily that has a yellow or pale yellow stamen.
SIZE
Real calla liles range in blooms size from 1-4″ in diameter. When sourcing your faux blooms, keep this in mind and select a flower that is not significantly larger or smaller than this.
MATERIAL
Artificial calla lilies are typically made of plastic, fabric, or latex. Plastic lilies are sturdy and will not discolor, but they tend to look less realistic and can often be too shiny. Fabric lilies come in a range of qualities, but the main thing to note is how much the fabric frays around the edges with use. Latex or foam calla lilies are often the best choice for realism, but they can also be the most expensive. Latex will also discolor over time, particularly when exposed to sunlight for more than a few weeks (see image below of yellowed latex).
Note also how the green stem is attached to the white petal. Lower cost stems will have a sharper attachment, whereas a more natural graded connection point will be more expensive.
How Many calla lily stems should I order?
When planning your calla lily DIY, you’ll need to know how many stems to order. The fullness of your bouquet will depend on whether you plan to use mini, regular, or large calla lilies.
A bridesmaid bouquet of 8-10” in diameter will require 7-10 regular lilies or 12-15 mini lilies.
A bridal bouquet 10-14” in diameter will require 15-20 regular lilies or 20+ mini lilies.
However, there are plenty of bouquet options that use fewer stems. A 3 or 4 stem posy can be a simple minimalist bridal bouquet, with bridesmaids carrying a single lily stem
In the end, whether you choose fresh or faux calla lilies for your wedding comes down to your priorities for beauty, budget, and practicality. While fresh calla lilies have long been treasured for their natural elegance, high-quality artificial versions can offer similar sophistication, especially if you select stems with realistic colors, proportions, and materials. Most importantly, since high-quality faux blooms have a similar cost to fresh, consider renting your calla lily bouquet instead! You’ll get the same sophistication at less than half the price.
