Carnations..... Cheap? Too tacky?

I love carnations and the way they smell. I think they're stunning and they do come in such an amazing array of colors. I totally would have used them if DH hadn't nixed the idea. Who's husband cares about flowers???? Ugh.

Google carnations and take a look at the new varieties. I never liked them (because I remembe 1980's carnations) -- but I've been compelled to change my opinion. We just heard from a MOB (from a July, 2014 wedding. Her daughter, the bride, had already sent a lovely gift in appreciation, but mom really wanted to have a conversation). She was gushing over the flowers we provided for her daughter's wedding. She said, "Those rose bouquets the BMs were carrying were so gorgeous. I heard about them all night -- the gorgeous rose bouquets. My other daughter was a BM, and I took a good look at those bouquets. I realized it was 6 roses and the rest were carnations. How did you make them all look like roses?". I'm not telling, but we did. Carnations, especially the new varieties, are lovely. They are not tacky. A two-for-one gold poinsettia or electric blue rose from your local dollar store is tacky. A beautifully bred, live flower? Never. Carnations, the newer varieties, are beautiful.

I personally don't think they're tacky but when I mentioned them to my mom she said no way can I have carnations in my bouquet. at the time I didn't know much about flowers so I took her advice & didn't include them. I wonder why they have a bad rep?

I was in my future sister in laws wedding in September and she gave us pink carnation bouquets and they were pretty! Not tacky at all.

I was going to do a brooch bouquet for my girls, but due to cost scrapped that idea and decided on carnations. I found several bouquets on Pinterest.

It's great that they are hearty and will last a long time!

I don't get why people hate on carnations so much. I have always loved them. If we end up doing flower centerpieces they will be all carnations in different shades of blue and white.

My sister wanted carnations, for her centerpieces. They were big white balls, on top of large cylinder vases. She had seen a photo of it done, and sent it to her florist. The florist told her it would be much cheaper to make the balls primarily out of hydrangea, since she didn't need as many stems, so carnations aren't the least expensive flower around. Carnations last way longer, too.

I was wry about using them but I asked my florist and she said they are great. I like the soft textures.

For color she recommended the lavender moon series carnations. Google them and they are awesome!

They are great for bouquets because they are my delicate and don't wilt immediately. I was MOH in a wedding with pink carnation and mason jar centerpieces and they were adorable.

Jessica, your mom is opposed to carnations because she probably remembers when carnations were white ruffly flowers with blue, pink, or green tinted petal edges. They had a reputation for being cheap flowers and they were really overused in the 70's and 80's. The MOB I just mentioned is very close to my age, and when we suggested using carnations to surround the roses in the BMs bouquets, I could see the disgust all over her face. However, it was the bride's choice and that's what she wanted. When we spoke to her last week, the MOB admitted, "I was horrified by the thought of carnations at this very expensive wedding, but you were right. They looked wonderful". And they did.

I feel like carnations may be on the up and up in wedding world

Carnations can be very pretty for a wedding.

I love carnations! I actually keep them in our home because I love flowers and they last so long! I tried bringing peonies and hydrangaeas and they wilted within 3 days! Anywho, back to the original question.. I don't think it'll be tacky at all! You can do gorgeous arrangements/bouquets with them. Like others have suggested as long as they are done tastefully IMO they'll look pretty.

We used carnations in combination with roses and hydrangeas. I love love carnations.

They bloom so beautifully and full. I say go for it.

A lot of brides have been using carnations in their themes.