Our very simple to follow descriptions will allow you decide what balloon decorations are the optimal option for your special occasion.
Once we started with balloon decorating, we felt overwhelmed with the massive variety of displays we discovered. Yet along our learning process, we discovered that it all boils down to three simple concepts:
Balloon Bouquet
Mainly used as a centerpiece for tables, the balloon bouquet actually is the heart of a balloon display. Between two and nine balloons, tied up to curling ribbons, are organized in various heights and affixed to a table base. In the examples beneath the base is either a heavy flower basket or a sand-filled balloon. It can be almost any decorative object that is weighty enough to hold the balloons in place and where the ribbons can be attached to.
A balloon centerpiece can be made from latex OR mylar (also named foil) balloons OR you can combine them.
As the balloons need to be helium filled this choice determines the life-span of your balloon decorations. Whereas mylar balloons will float around 14 days, even the highest quality latex balloons will not stay up much longer than for about 12 to 24 hours. But, by using a product called 'hi-float', it's possible to make them last 10 to 25 times as long!
Balloon Arch
Naturally, balloon arches carry out their function best when you can go through them! So they are ideal balloon decorations for an entrance or exit. Usually they are also utilized to frame the head or cake table at a wedding or to create a magnificent stage decor.
Unlike with bouquets you get the choice between helium or air-filled balloon arch.
A hovering arch is made of single helium-filled balloons lined up like pearls along an unnoticeable nylon line, hence the name "String of Pearls". The two ends are fixed to bases, quite similar to the table bases for bouquets, just a bit heavier and usually standing on the floor. A brick or sand filled up balloon will get the job done and can easily be decorated quite nicely.
With a "String of Pearls" - oftentimes utilized for wedding balloon arches - you create an amazing result with reasonably little effort. The only downside is the short longevity, as a result of the nature of helium-filled latex balloons, as described above.
If the decor for your special occasion need to last much longer, you may either work with mylar balloons in place of latex or you go for an arch with air-filled balloons.
With these types of balloon decorations, there is a bit more constructional work involved, as an air filled balloon arch needs some supportive components:
a structure constructed from a sturdy, flexible material like conduit, PVC piping or aluminium pole and
a tough support at either end to secure the arch.
The pipe or rod is formed into the actual arch and the balloons are connected to it, mostly in clusters of three to five balloons. By using different colors and placing the balloons in a special way you'll get this nice spiraling effect presented on the photo. Don't panic, we'll explain step by step and with lots of photos how to do that!
Depending upon the size of the arch you'll need to blow up plenty of balloons! Get your family and friends ready! Alternatively you might use a hand pump and even rent or buy an electrical inflator. This investment, of course, only makes sense if you are preparing to do a lot more balloon decorations.
A much easier way to create an air filled balloon arch is by using so called 'Link-o-Loon' balloons.
Balloon Column
Placed as impressive eye-catchers at either side of an entrance or head table at a wedding, balloon columns are ideal for wedding balloon decorations. They also make great balloon decorations for marking out 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, getting an more info inflator would be a fantastic 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 sturdy base and a pole, as the balloons will support themselves. Work with a nylon line to secure the balloon bunches to.
If you need to have the display only for one evening, a helium filled balloon column will do fine. It saves you the headache of constructing a frame and renting an inflator. On the other hand, helium costs more air and the life-span of the balloon decorations will be much smaller.