Mini Carnations: The Perfect Flower for you DIY Wedding
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When it comes to DIY wedding flowers, mini carnations are a great option. They come in so many colors, they’re sturdy and easy to use, and they are super long-lasting. Mini Carnations are a DIY bride’s favorite for their ruffled-shaped bloom, texture, and the fact they are small and similar to a spray rose but a fraction of the cost doesn’t hurt!
In this blog post, we’ll give you some tips on how to use mini carnations in your wedding flowers, as well as some ideas for bouquets, boutonnieres, and centerpieces. Let’s get started!
Tips for Taking Care of Your Mini Carnations
To get the most out of your mini carnations, it’s important to take care of them properly. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
Water: Make sure your mini carnations have plenty of water and that they’re kept hydrated at all times. Use a spray bottle to mist them! You can also use Chrysal Glory Floral Solution! Clear Chrysal Glory solution keeps arrangements fresher and more long-lasting. This easy-to-apply liquid shield holds in moisture which reduces water loss, keeping your mini carnations more vibrant.
Temperature: Keep mini carnations away from direct sunlight and heat. If you do need to move them outdoors, try to keep them in a shaded area with good air circulation. Also, make sure the temperature of your mini carnations’ water doesn’t go above 65°F (18°C).
Why Do We Love Mini Carnations?
Mini carnations are a great choice for DIY weddings, as they come in a variety of colors and sizes, are sturdy, and are easy to use. Here are some more reasons why mini carnations make the perfect addition to your big day:
Variety: With mini carnations, you can choose from so many different colors! They will suit any color palette and are a great way to add volume to your wedding flowers!
Long Lasting: Mini carnations are incredibly long-lasting, meaning they can stay fresh for long periods of time! This makes them ideal for weddings and other special events because you don’t have to worry about replacing or maintaining them throughout the day.
Affordability: Mini carnations are a DIY bride’s dream because they are inexpensive! Love the look of spray roses but they’re pushing you over your budget? Look to mini carnations! They have a similar shape to spray roses but are a fraction of the cost! Mini carnations have several buds that branch off from the main stem making them an ideal flower for boutonnieres, bud vases, corsages, and bouquets!
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Ways to Use Mini Carnations on Your Wedding Day
Boutonnieres
Mini carnations are ideal for boutonnieres because of their small size and ruffled-shaped bloom. To make mini carnation boutonnieres you will need mini carnations, wire, corsage pins, and florist tape. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Snip the buds off of your mini carnation stem (leave a little bit of stem!). Each main stem of mini carnations should have about 3-5 buds. If the buds are closed you can gently use your thumbs to “ruffle” the petals to get them to open faster.
Take your mini carnation bud and add in other snips of greenery or sprigs of flowers to add texture! Using your flexible floral tape wrap the stems of your mini carnation with the additional sprigs to make one little bundle.
Wrap your stems in your desired ribbon to finish it off!
Corsages
Mini carnations are also great for corsages because of their mini size and texture. To make mini carnation corsages you will need mini carnations, wire, florist tape, glue (can be floral glue, E600 craft glue, or low temp hot glue), and your desired wristlet. Here’s how:
Start by snipping mini carnations buds off the stem. You can gently use your thumbs to “ruffle” the petals to get them to open faster. Then, you can cut other snips of greenery or sprigs of flowers like Wax Flower or Baby’s Breath.
Start gluing your sprigs of greenery onto the wristlet (a brass cuff is my favorite to use!), this will create your base.
Start by gluing the largest buds down first and then start adding in additional sprigs of greenery and other small flowers to hide your mechanics!
Voila! You have a beautiful wrist corsage!
Bouquets
Mini carnations are the perfect addition to any bouquet! With mini carnations, you can create a beautiful, timeless look that will last throughout your wedding day. No need to stress about wilting flowers here! Here’s how you can use mini carnations in a bouquet:
- Prepare your mini carnation stems by snipping off the lower branches on the main stem. PRO TIP: Use these buds for your bouts or corsages!
- Integrate mini carnations into your existing bouquet by snipping off the lower branches on the main stem. This will give your bouquet some added volume and texture.
- Group your mini carnations in your designs if you’re only using one or two buds for a bigger impact.
Compote or Mason Jar Centerpiece
With multiple buds stemming from the main stem, mini carnations are an amazing way to create a garden-y and organic look for half the cost of spray roses! With their fluffy and ruffly petals, they offer a romantic feel that will be the perfect addition to your centerpieces! Here are some great ways to use them:
In a compote centerpiece, to create dimension, you will want to let some flowers float above others while sinking others deeper into the arrangement. This creates a layered look that gives you a very petal-on-petal appearance. Since mini carnations have multiple buds that branch from the main stem, you can easily cut the main stem in half and use the sections across your centerpiece. The smaller blooms of the mini carnation will be able to float over your larger blooms to give you that garden-y and organic look!
For a mason jar-sized centerpiece, you can similarly use mini carnations! Split your main stem in half and use the sections in multiple arrangements!
Bud Vases
Mini carnations are so versatile! With their multiple buds, they are a great flower to “spread the wealth” so to speak. Snip the buds off and tuck them into smaller bud vases for a sweet accent to other flowers or add one main stem to a taller bud vase with a sprig of greenery. No matter which way you use them, mini carnations will add a beautiful touch to your bud vase centerpieces!
Mini carnations are the perfect flower for DIY brides because they are affordable, easy to use, and long-lasting. They can be used in boutonnieres, bouquets, and centerpieces to create a beautiful and timeless look that will last throughout your wedding day. Whether your color palette is white and green, citrus-toned, or moody, mini carnations will be the perfect flower to add to your dream wedding flowers!
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About the Author
Jessica has a BFA in Art Education/Printmaking and her MFA in Studio Art with a focus in Non-Toxic printmaking. She brings 10 years of floral experience to her roles at Flower Moxie, having worked in Boston, NYC, and Newport, RI. We still don’t know if she’s a real person or a hologram but work keeps getting done.
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