Monday, April 10, 2017

Consider Carnations for Your Wedding

The carnation, with a history dating back over 2,000 years, is one of the world's oldest cultivated flower varieties. Immediately recognizable for its ruffled appearance and clove-like scent that is said to be motivating and uplifting, the carnation is appreciated for it's heartiness and extended blooming period.

The carnation's botanical name is Dianthus caryophyllus, which when translated, means "flower of love" or "flower of the gods" depending upon the source. There are many meanings for carnations, but the most widely accepted are fascination, distinction, and love.

There are approximately 300 species in the Dianthus genus. Stems with a single large bloom are called standard carnations. Spray carnations, also called minis, bear several smaller blooms on each stem. Carnations are native to the Eastern Hemisphere, and they are found naturally in the Mediterranean region.

Most commonly seen in pinks, reds, and whites, carnations are also available in yellow, peach, purple, lavender, green, and bi-color varieties. They can also be dyed or tinted to match any color scheme. Because of their beautiful texture, pleasant scent, heartiness, and affordability, carnations are among the most popular cut flowers requested and used for corsages and boutonnieres.


Carnations are very durable and long-lasting, and we especially like to use them massed together to create uniquely-shaped designs items. We frequently use carnations for pomanders and kissing balls, floral initials, and flower girl scepters.

While carnations have lost some popularity as wedding and special event flowers over the past 10 years, the key to keeping carnation designs modern and in-fashion is to select one or more of the newer color varieties, such as vibrant purples and lavenders, developed in recent years or use them as the one and only botanical variety in mass designs.

Carnations can mix beautifully with other larger-bloomed garden flowers, but they look dated when paired with baby's breath (gypsophila) or other tiny bloomed, "filler" flowers.





Advantages of using carnations in wedding/special event flowers:
• Low cost for relatively large size blooms
• Longevity. Carnations will last nearly twice as long as nearly any cut flower, typically ranging from 6-14 days depending on variety.
• Fairly tolerant of heat so they work well for summer or warm climate weddings/events
• Available from florists year-round • Hearty, durable flower that can be used in a variety of designs • Can be dyed or tinted to any color
• Their unique texture add extra dimension to bouquets and other floral designs

Interesting facts about the carnation:
• The birth flower for January
• A scarlet carnation was designated as the state flower of Ohio in 1904
• It is the national flower of Spain and the provincial flower of the Balearic Islands
• Its history dates back to ancient Greek and Roman times when the flower was used in art and décor
• Carnations were known as "Jove's Flower" in ancient Rome as a tribute to one of their beloved gods
• Carnations were one of the flowers used in Greek ceremonial crowns, and some scholars believe the name "carnation" comes from "coronation" or "corone" (flower garlands)
• The founder of Mother's Day, Anna Jarvis, used carnations at the first Mother's Day celebration because they were her mother's favorite flower
• In the early part of the 20th century, carnations became the official flower of Mother's Day.
• In many parts of the world, carnations are more popular than any other variety of flowers, including roses



Friday, May 8, 2009

From Our Design Studio - All Rose Bridal Bouquet

This all rose, hand-tied style, silk/artificial bridal bouquet was custom created for Sabrina in Evansville, Indiana. Sabrina will carry this beautiful, classic and elegant, rose bouquet down the aisle when she marries her fiance, Keith, in Danville, Illinois, this June.

Sabrina's bridal bouquet is just over 10 inches in diameter and contains classic tea roses in shades of light pink, medium pink, hot pink, fuchsia, and cream to coordinate with her ivory bridal gown and her azalea and petal pink maid of honor and bridesmaid dresses. The bouquet also contains rose foliage and the stems are wrapped with a coordinating hot pink satin ribbon that is finished with pearls.

We're confident Sabrina's bouquet will garner many compliments from she and Keith's wedding guests, and since it's entirely comprised of faux/artificial blooms and foliage, it will be a lasting momento of their special day. Congratulations and best wishes, Sabrina and Keith.

If you would like more information about our award-winning, high quality, silk/artificial or fresh floral artistry for weddings and special events, call us at 586-778-4624 or visit our websites at http://www.somethingspectacular.com and http://www.somethingfloral.com.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Vendor Feature - Creative Custom Cardboxes

Something Spectacular (and Something Floral) has been in business since 2001. Over the years, we've had the pleasure of meeting and working with a wide variety of wedding and special event service providers. Recently, we became acquainted with Marni Gold of Creative Custom Cardboxes (http://www.creativecustomcardboxes.com/) in New Jersey.

Marni creates and ships beautiful wedding, shower, and special event card boxes that are customized to every client's preferences (size, shape, colors, design, theme, etc). Card boxes can be designed to replicate a wedding cake or match details on the bride's wedding dress, groom's tuxedo, bridesmaids' dresses, or to incorporate special touches that convey the wedding theme.

One of our favorite ideas is a card box that matches or coordinates details with the bride's bouquet and wedding floral decor. To demonstrate how well the two can compliment one another, pictured below are a few of Marni's beautiful card box creations paired with our recommendations for coordinating bridal bouquets.

The first card box is silver and is highlighted with purple satin ribbon. This coordinates nicely with the silver bridal bouquet holder and variety of purple, lavendar, and periwinkle blooms in the bouquet.

The second combination is perfect for an Autumn wedding. The card box is a deep, rich, chocolate brown accented with a ripe pumpkin orange ribbon.

The third card box is a pretty blush pink highlighted with creamy satin ribbon. This looks lovely coupled with a blush pink, cream, ivory, and white bridal bouquet of roses, peonies, tuberose, and stephanotis.

The lavendar color of this card box looks fantastic combined with a feminine and romantic lavendar rose and tulip bouquet.

A classic white and ivory bridal bouquet gets a modern twist with an updated silhouette and pearl detailing. Notice how the pearl details on the coordinating white and ivory card box reinforces the classic elegance of an all-white wedding.

Pink and brown has been an extremely popular color combination for weddings over the past 3 years. The pink and brown card box below not only coordinates well with a pink, latte, and brown bridal bouquet, but it also mirrors the wedding cake. This is an example of one of Marni's cake replica card boxes.

If you'd like to see more card boxes from Creative Custom Cardboxes, visit their blog at http://www.creativecustomcardboxes.blogspot.com. If you'd like to order a card box, contact Marni at http://www.creativecustomcardboxes.com.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Clients - Feature Your Wedding Here!

Calling all past and current clients of Something Floral and Something Spectacular Custom Floral Design!

If you would like your wedding featured on our blog, please contact us for details. It's a quick, easy, and free way to share your "happily ever after" with brides-to-be.

Flowers by Something Floral / Something Spectacular
Photo by Robert Bruce Photography