Carnations Reimagined

By Susanne Kane

For those of you who may still think of carnations as a "less than" flower, guess again! Carnations are back on trend!

We're not sure how these colorful, frilly flowers lost footing in some areas, while remaining consistently popular in others...but it ends here! Carnations are resilient, versatile, and affordable, so it's no wonder they've been popping up all over the place in all types of bouquets and colorful floral installations.

The best part about this trend is that it could actually save you money. Carnations are among the most affordable flowers you can buy, and although this has contributed to their slightly dodgy reputation (many still consider them "filler flowers") they're ideal for balancing out the cost of more expensive flowers and using in ambitious decor projects like large-scale installations.

Here are a few ways that carnations can be used as a major pop of color and vitality at your next big event:

• Bouquets - Pair them with high-end flowers or group them together for a splash of color.
• Hair Pieces and Flower Crowns - Mini carnations or standard size, carnations are durable and colorful, perfect for working into an updo.
• Cakes - Carnations don't shed like some flowers, making them great for topping a cake.
• Table Decor - Use carnations to add colorful accents to your centerpiece.
• Hanging Flower Installations - These items can be pricey, so if you have something epic in mind but you're on a budget, swapping carnations for peonies could give you enough wiggle room to add to your floral plan.
• Boutonnieres - If you are keeping it classic with your wedding-day looks, a simple carnation buttonhole is decidedly cool and retro.
• Floral Arches and Ceremony Backdrops - To keep these pricey items looking full and lush (or even showstopping!) carnations may be the solution for keeping price down while increasing the impact.