Our simple to follow explanations will help you make a choice what balloon decorations are the optimal option for your special occasion.
We felt overwhelmed with the huge selection of displays we came across when we kicked off with balloon decorating. Yet along our learning process, we found out that all of it boils down to three fundamental styles:
Balloon Bouquet
Most commonly used as a centerpiece for dinner tables, the balloon bouquet really is the heart of a balloon display. Between two and nine balloons, attached to curling stripes, are arranged in different heights and affixed to a table base. In the instances below the base is either a heavy flower gift basket or a sand-filled balloon. It can be basically any decorative object that is heavy enough to hold the balloons in position and where the ribbons can be tied up to.
A balloon centerpiece may be crafted from latex OR mylar (also known as foil) balloons OR you can combine them.
As the balloons will have to be helium filled this choice determines the longevity of your balloon decorations. Whereas mylar balloons will float up to 14 days, even the finest quality latex balloons will never keep up longer than for about 12 to 24 hours. By using a product called 'hi-float', it's feasible to make them last 10 to 25 times as long!
Balloon Arch
Generally, balloon arches perform their purpose best when you can walk through them! So they are optimal balloon decorations for an access or exit. Frequently they are also used to frame the head or cake table at a wedding event or to design an incredible stage decoration.
Unlike with bouquets you have the choice between helium or air-filled balloon arch.
A floating arch is made of single helium-filled balloons arranged like pearls throughout an unnoticeable nylon string, hence the name "String of Pearls". Both ends are fixed to bases, very similar to the table bases for bouquets, just a bit heavier and generally basing on the floor. A brick or sand stuffed balloon will get the job done and can easily be decorated nicely.
With a "String of Pearls" - commonly used for wedding balloon arches - you generate an incredible outcome with relatively little effort. The only disadvantage is the short life-span, because of the nature of helium-filled latex balloons, as described above.
If the decorations for your exclusive event should last longer, you can either utilize mylar balloons as an alternative to latex or you go with an arch with air-filled balloons.
With these options of balloon decorations, there is a little more constructional labor required, as an air filled balloon arch needs some supportive elements:
a frame made from a solid, flexible material such as conduit, PVC pipe or aluminium rod and
a strong bottom at either end to secure the arch.
The pipe or rod is formed into the actual arch and the balloons are connected to it, typically in sets of three to five balloons. Utilizing a variety of colors and putting the balloons in a specific way you'll get this nice spiraling effect shown on the photo. Don't panic, we'll explain step by step and with lots of photos how to do that!
Depending on the size of the arch you'll have to blow up quite a few balloons! Get your family and friends ready! Alternatively you could use a hand pump or even rent or buy an electrical inflator. This investment, of course, only makes sense if you are planning to do many more balloon decorations.
A much simpler way to build an air filled balloon arch is by using so called 'Link-o-Loon' balloons.
Balloon Columns
Positioned as amazing eye-catchers at each side of an entry or head dining table at a wedding and reception, balloon columns are great for wedding balloon decorations. They also make great balloon decorations for defining an area of your wedding venue, as an example the dance floor or the stage decoration.
As columns are oftentimes composed of air filled balloons, supporting materials are required:
a solid aluminum or plastic pole and
a strong base as anchor for the pole.
The balloons are tied to clusters of usually three to five balloons and fixed to the pole, layer after layer. Utilizing a bigger size balloons for the top and the bottom, and smaller sized balloons in between, the balloon column takes the characteristic look of its model in the "real" world. To crown your work you could put a stuffed giant balloon at the top of the balloon column.
Like with the air filled arch, each of these balloon decorations mean you'll have to blow up a lot of balloons! So, renting an inflator would be a good strategy, specifically for blowing up the huge balloon that crowns your column.
You may fill only the balloons at the bottom with air and the rest with helium. This way you will not need a strong base and a pole, as the balloons will support themselves. Use a nylon line to secure the balloon bunches to.
A helium filled balloon column will do fine if you need the display solely for one evening. It saves check here you the headache of creating a frame and leasing an inflator. On the other hand, helium costs more than air and the life-span of the balloon decorations will be much smaller.