Creating A Carnation Wedding Bouquet: A Step-By-Step Guide

Carnations are a versatile and durable flower, making them an excellent choice for wedding bouquets. They are a cost-effective option that can add depth to your colour palette with their beauty, texture, and strength. Carnations are available in a variety of colours, including pink, red, purple, white, green, yellow, and even stripes, making them suitable for any wedding theme and colour scheme. They are also long-lasting and easy to care for, making them perfect for DIY wedding flowers. In this guide, we will explore the different ways to incorporate carnations into your wedding bouquet, including mono-floral designs, accent flowers, and creative pairings to make your bouquet stand out.

Colour options: from peach to pink, red, purple, white, green, yellow, and blue

Carnations come in a variety of colours, making them a versatile choice for wedding bouquets. Here are some ideas for colour options to consider when making a carnation wedding bouquet:

Peach

Peach carnations can add a delicate and subtle touch of colour to a bridal bouquet. For a spring or summer wedding, combine peach carnations with peony roses and greenery for a bright and cheerful arrangement. Alternatively, for a more refined and modern look, opt for a bouquet with peach carnations, white and blush roses, and greenery.

Pink

Pink carnations are an excellent choice for a spring or summer wedding, especially if you're looking for a minimalist or refined aesthetic. For a bolder statement, pair pink carnations with pink orchids, fillers, berries, succulents, and greenery. You can also create a romantic, feminine bouquet by combining different shades of pink carnations and roses.

Red

Red carnations can be a striking and romantic choice for a wedding bouquet. Combine them with blue delphiniums and eucalyptus leaves for a unique and vibrant arrangement. Alternatively, for a more classic look, pair red carnations with white flowers and greenery.

Purple

Purple carnations, especially in darker shades, can be a bold and regal choice for a wedding bouquet. To lift the colour and add brightness, combine purple carnations with lime green and white flowers, or try adding yellow flowers, the complementary colour to purple.

White

White carnations are a classic and elegant choice for a wedding bouquet. They symbolise purity and innocence and go well with all dress colours. For a simple and sophisticated look, opt for an all-white bouquet, or add some greenery to make the bouquet stand out against a white dress.

Green

Green carnations can be a unique and dramatic choice for a wedding bouquet. Pair them with pink flowers for a romantic Victorian look, or combine them with black bridesmaid dresses for a bold contrast. Green carnations can also be used as a filler flower in a cascading bouquet for a lush and iconic arrangement.

Yellow

Yellow carnations are bright and sunny, and they will bring a smile to everyone's face. For a softer, more romantic look, opt for lemon or paler shades of yellow. Yellow carnations can also be used as a colourful accent in a bouquet, pairing well with other flowers such as sweet peas, garden roses, and peonies.

Blue

Blue carnations are a unique and eye-catching choice for a wedding bouquet. You can create a monochromatic bouquet by combining different shades of blue flowers, or try pairing blue carnations with white flowers for a classic and elegant look.

Carnations as the main attraction: how to make a bouquet using only carnations

Carnations are a versatile and durable flower, making them an excellent choice for wedding bouquets. With their full blooms, textured petals, and vibrant colours, carnations can be used to create a stunning and unique bridal bouquet. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make a bouquet using only carnations:

Choose Your Carnations

Select the carnations that are fresh and have fully bloomed. Carnations come in a variety of colours, including white, cream, yellow, peach, pink, red, purple, green, and even stripes. Choose the colours that match your wedding theme or express a specific meaning. For example, red carnations represent deep love and affection, while white carnations stand for purity.

Prepare the Carnations

Remove the leaves from the carnation stems, leaving only the flowers and about 6-8 inches of stem. Using a sharp knife or flower shears, cut the stems at an angle to allow for better water absorption. Place the stems in water for a few hours before arranging to ensure they are well-hydrated.

Create the Bouquet

Gather 10-12 carnation stems for a bridal bouquet. Start by crossing two stems at their base to form an "X" shape. Hold the stems in one hand, and continue adding stems one by one, turning the bouquet slightly with each new stem to create a rounded shape. Secure the stems with floral tape or a rubber band as you go.

Finish with a Wrap

Once you have achieved the desired size and shape, finish the bouquet by wrapping the stems with ribbon or lace. Start at the base of the stems and tightly wrap the ribbon upwards, covering the floral tape or rubber band. Secure the end of the ribbon with hot glue or a pin. You can add a decorative brooch or other embellishments to the ribbon for extra sparkle.

Care for Your Bouquet

To ensure your carnation bouquet stays fresh and beautiful, keep it in a cool location, out of direct sunlight, and away from heat sources. Change the water in the vase daily, and recut the stems every few days to promote water absorption. With proper care, your carnation bouquet will last for up to 10 days.

By following these steps, you can create a stunning and cost-effective wedding bouquet using only carnations. Their durability, colour variety, and textured blooms make carnations a perfect choice for a DIY bridal bouquet that will be the main attraction on your special day.

Carnations as filler: combining carnations with roses, daisies, or baby's breath

Carnations are versatile flowers that can be used in a variety of wedding bouquet styles, from classic and elegant to rustic and bohemian. Here are some ideas for combining carnations with roses, daisies, or baby's breath as a filler:

Carnations with Roses

The combination of carnations and roses in a wedding bouquet creates a romantic and elegant look. The fullness of carnations complements the delicate beauty of roses. You can choose a variety of colours for your carnations and roses, such as red and blue, or opt for a more classic approach with white carnations and roses. For a bold statement, consider a yellow bouquet with canary yellow carnations and roses. If you're looking for a more subtle approach, blush shades of carnations and roses add a soft pop of colour.

Carnations with Daisies

Daisies and carnations create a cheerful and vibrant look. You can mix and match different colours of daisies and carnations to create a colourful bouquet or stick to a specific colour palette. For a rustic charm, combine carnations, daisies, and greenery. Add sprigs of fresh greenery, such as eucalyptus leaves or fern fronds, to provide a vibrant contrast and add depth to the arrangement.

Carnations with Baby's Breath

Baby's breath adds volume, texture, and whimsy to any floral arrangement. For a classic and elegant look, pair carnations with baby's breath and traditional flowers such as roses or peonies. The delicate clusters of baby's breath complement the full petals of roses or peonies. If you're looking for a more rustic or bohemian style, combine baby's breath with wildflowers and greenery. The airy baby's breath will provide a soft, dreamy backdrop to the wildflowers and greenery. For a unique twist, incorporate fairy lights into the bouquet for a whimsical touch.

Cost-effectiveness: why carnations are a good choice for those on a budget

Carnations are an excellent choice for those planning a wedding on a budget. They are known for being highly cost-effective, allowing you to create beautiful bouquet arrangements without breaking the bank. Here's why carnations are a budget-friendly option without compromising on aesthetics:

Affordability

Carnations are significantly more affordable than many other popular wedding flowers, such as roses, peonies, and orchids. With individual stems costing around $1, incorporating carnations into your bouquet or floral arrangements will be relatively inexpensive. This is especially true if you opt for mono-floral designs or use carnations as accent flowers alongside other blooms.

Versatility

Carnations come in a wide range of colours, both natural and dyed, and there are hundreds of different varieties to choose from. This versatility means you can find carnations that perfectly match your wedding colour palette or theme, whether you're aiming for a classic all-white bouquet or a vibrant rainbow arrangement. Their ruffled petals also create a naturally layered effect, adding texture and dimension to your bouquet.

Durability

Carnations are exceptionally durable and can last an entire wedding day without water. This makes them a reliable choice for your big day, ensuring your bouquet stays fresh and beautiful throughout the festivities. Their durability also means they can be a focal point in your bouquet design without the worry of wilting.

Availability

Carnations are typically in season from spring to summer, but due to their hardiness, they may also bloom in fall or winter in certain areas. This availability gives you flexibility in planning your wedding and ensures you can count on their availability when making decisions about your floral arrangements.

Design Impact

Despite their affordability, carnations create a lush and exuberant look in floral designs. Their fullness and vibrant colours add depth and texture to your bouquet. Carnations can be used as the main flower or as accent flowers, and their versatility extends to various wedding styles, from luxury to boho-chic. With carnations, you can achieve a high-impact, elegant design without a hefty price tag.

Longevity: how to care for your carnations to make them last

Carnations are hardy flowers that can last a long time with proper care. Here are some tips to help your carnations last longer:

Preparing the Carnations

When you get your carnations, try to put them in water as soon as possible. If you don't have time to cut and arrange them, place the entire bouquet in a vase with a little water to keep them hydrated. When you are ready to arrange them, fill a vase about two-thirds full with room-temperature water. You can add flower food to the water, either using a packet that came with the bouquet or by making your own. To make your own flower food, mix about 1 tablespoon of sugar, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, and 1/2 teaspoon of bleach into the water. You can leave out the bleach if you prefer. Alternatively, you can use a non-diet lemon-lime soda, which already contains citric acid and sugar, and add bleach if desired.

Cutting the Stems

Cut the stems of the carnations at an angle, creating a larger surface area for the flowers to absorb water. Keep the stems long enough to nearly reach the bottom of the vase, as you will need to trim them again in the coming weeks.

Removing Leaves

Remove any leaves from the stems, especially those that will be submerged in water. Leaves in the water can cause bacteria to grow and shorten the life of the flowers.

Ongoing Care

Change the water in the vase every two to three days, or when it starts to look cloudy. Each time you change the water, add more flower food and trim the stems again, cutting off about 1/4 inch. Keep the flowers away from direct sunlight and heat sources, and put them in the refrigerator overnight if possible. With this care, your carnations should last about two weeks or possibly longer.

Frequently asked questions