Getting Creative with Carnations // Hostess with the Mostess®

Getting Creative with Carnations

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Carnations seem to get a bit of a bad rap when it comes to the floral “status quo” – but the truth is that there are plenty of beautiful – and even cool – looks you can achieve with this budget-friendly flower.

Because of the price point and shape of carnations, they allow you to create soft, lush, and substantial floral arrangements – and just like anything else, it’s all about playing up their strengths and “packaging” them the right way. Here are a few great examples from floral designers who did just that….

Pictured at top – pretty carnation design ideas from InstyleWeddings.com.

carnation centerpiece ideas

Pictured above, clockwise from top left: Mini carnation bouquets from Brides.com; Todd Oldham™ Triple Scoop bouquet from FTD; a budget-friendly idea from Martha Stewart with a contemporary, yet feminine flair; and Todd Oldham™ Sweet Scoops Sundae bouquet from FTD.

Pictured below: This gorgeous “dome” design featuring all-white carnations & crystal strands is the epitomy of glam, but a similar arrangement works just as well at a casual beach wedding when paired with a simple, chic cake stand and “best wishes” notes from guests.

carnation centerpiece ideas

Pictured below… going beyond the centerpiece: This California bride had her bridesmaids carry pomanders of red carnations (which also hung from chairs lining the aisle) instead of the usual bouquets.

carnation centerpiece ideas

Last but not least… how cool is this(!): floating styrofoam balls covered with red, fuchsia and yellow carnations made a colorful splash in the pool at this St. Helena, CA reception.

carnation centerpiece ideas

35 Comments

elle denise March 4, 2009 at 10:09 am

This is great!
DayOldNews March 4, 2009 at 10:22 am

I love the look from Martha Stewart. Those white vases look really great with the color of the carnations!
amy @ stem March 4, 2009 at 10:51 am

Jenn –

I love this so much. I used to be a total carnation snob but now they are one of my favorites. I love working with them en masse. (Still not a fan of them as “filler” in your everday boring arrangement but still….)

I just sent a photo of the carnation balls atop a tray of wheat grass to a friend planning an event yesterday. I’ll have to send her this post!

I’m sure you have, but have you (and your readers) seen this? I have been dying over Eddie’s simple cake and use of the candlestick as of late.

http://eddieross.com/eddie_ross/2009/01/beauty-in-numbers.html

I think one of the best parts of this post is that EVERYONE can recreate these designs. Don’t be intimiated to try them!

Gorgeous eye candy! Thanks!
nat March 4, 2009 at 10:52 am

eddie ross recently posted a great how-to for arranging carnations in bunches like this: http://eddieross.com/eddie_ross/2009/01/beauty-in-numbers.html
nat March 4, 2009 at 10:52 am

wow, amy beat me to it by one minute! :)
Leika March 4, 2009 at 10:53 am

Love it! I’m glad that carnations are finally started to get some recognition — I hated them forever, but finally came around to seeing the possibilities…in fact, my bridal party will be carrying them at my June wedding!
jenn s. March 4, 2009 at 10:56 am

The Martha look is one of my favorites too – budget-friendly AND super easy… love it :)

Amy – I actually hadn’t seen that post of Eddie’s yet and it’s fabulous! Thanks for sharing! :)
Taylor March 4, 2009 at 11:00 am

Love ice cream cone and sundae. I just love!
Trina March 4, 2009 at 11:49 am

These are beautiful! I’ll admit i’ve never been a fan of carnations, they’ve always been considered “cheap”, but these absolutely change my mind.

I’ll have to pick some up for myself tonight!

Trina
Caitlin March 4, 2009 at 11:59 am

I used bunched white carnations for my bridesmaids to carry in my November ’07 wedding – they ended up looking like a mass of peonies (which is what I would have LOVED to have if it wasn’t for the pesky fall/winter season). Really beautiful and my bridesmaids loved them!
Kim O. March 4, 2009 at 12:02 pm

Wow! I thought that I hated carnations, but these are really cool! :)
Gabreial March 4, 2009 at 12:37 pm

Wow, these are gorgeous. What a fabulous idea.

Thanks!
Cheers!
Coupon Queen March 4, 2009 at 1:08 pm

those are really great decorations for weddings.
Anyone have any good wedding gift coupons?
Jennifer March 4, 2009 at 2:02 pm

Stunning ideas! Thank you!
Sandra @ Ribbons and Favors March 4, 2009 at 6:36 pm

I have always loved carnations an felt they got kind of bum wrap – until now. At times even the florist looked at me like I was crazy when I said “Carnations please” – so who’s crazy now….these are beautiful. Finally this simply little flower is “showing off” !
Kendra @ My Insanity March 4, 2009 at 7:05 pm

These are beautiful! I made carnation kissing balls for my sister’s wedding several years ago in citrus colors. They looked fantastic, but they took more flowers than I thought they would for that lush look. Don’t underplan (cause the grocery store might not have a bunch of extra carnations hanging around in the right color in the middle of the night. :-))
jomygoodness March 4, 2009 at 10:25 pm

i love this post! it’s funny because I was going to post something about carnations today too since they’re showing up everywhere… instead, I posted about orchids! =)
Jess March 5, 2009 at 6:27 am

You know, I’m not usually a huge fan of carnations, but these arrangements make them look ultra-appealing. Nice finds :)
Andrea March 5, 2009 at 6:47 am

I’m gonna have to echo everyone else…until I saw these pictures I have always disliked carnations. Receiving a single long stemmed carnation always seemed like a bit of a disappointment [i.e. in school].

I love the creativity shown here and the way you reminded us to play up the strengths…
THAT’S GREAT ADVICE [for many situations]!!!
Andrea March 5, 2009 at 6:50 am

The deep fuchsia in the first picture looks delicious!
celeste March 5, 2009 at 9:33 am

I love these! I plan on using a few of these ideas this summer!
Julianne March 5, 2009 at 2:19 pm

I love carnations, they are totally underated and always look so much better bunched together!

Cheers!

http://www.amodernproposal.com
Caroline @ Bubbly Bride March 5, 2009 at 7:15 pm

I adore this post!! The carnations look FABULOUS in every picture!! Great flower inspiration!!
Sugar and Spice Event Design March 5, 2009 at 8:04 pm

You know… I have been running from carnations for a long time. This has shown me that you can really add flare with these under represented flowers! Cheers to the Carnation!
Kendall @designbykendall March 6, 2009 at 9:03 am

Our sorority flower is the “wine carnation” and we were always bummed to have such a plain jane flower. You really show how carnations can look beautiful@!

I love this, I’m going to send it to all my Pi Phi sisters! thank you!
My Wedding Concept March 6, 2009 at 10:02 pm

i’m amazed of how carnations can look so pretty and classy. very nice done :)
Kelley Lee Gin March 9, 2009 at 8:43 am

Very well done. I love all the colors too!
Heather March 9, 2009 at 2:36 pm

I have always liked the look of carnations, even when everyone told me they were funeral flowers! I especially love them when clumped together in a ball-type bouquet. Those bridesmaids bouquets are gorgeous! Thanks for sharing the carnation love.
Sarah March 27, 2009 at 10:39 am

This is fantastic…and welcome back carnations! They smell wonderful and are truly beautiful.
lea April 17, 2009 at 3:02 pm

i agree that carnations get a bad wrap. these look really beautiful and I think you can get really creative with them.
ana March 25, 2010 at 10:26 am

Hi ! I love your blog you have such great ideas, and this in particular is fantastic, I’m just wondering how to make the carnation balls ??? I’m going to help a friend decorate her party and I would like to do this carnations balls myself could you help me???

thanks a lot
Ana
from Mexico
Chantel Bosch May 15, 2012 at 12:36 pm

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING I LOVVEEEEE IT =- FLORIST JBAY.
Ayesha Siddiqa December 2, 2012 at 9:48 am

awsome

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