Three fundamental methods for balloon decorations



Our simple to follow explanations will help you make a choice what balloon decorations are the best solution for your special event.
We felt overwhelmed with the large variety of displays we came across when we started off with balloon decorating. Along our learning process, we figured out that it all boils down to three common designs:

Balloon Bouquet


Generally used as a centerpiece for tables, the balloon bouquet actually is the heart of a balloon display. Between two and nine balloons, tied to curling ribbons, are organized in various heights and attached to a table base. In the examples under the base is either a heavy flower basket or a sand-filled balloon. It can be pretty much any decorative item that is heavy enough to keep the balloons in position and where the ribbons can be tied to.

A balloon centerpiece may be made of latex OR mylar (also referred to as foil) balloons OR you can blend them.

As the balloons will have to be helium filled this choice determines the lifespan of your balloon decorations. Whereas mylar balloons will float as much as 14 days, even the best latex balloons would not stay 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 excellent balloon decorations for an access or exit. Frequently they are also utilized to frame the head or cake table at a wedding celebration or to design a spectacular stage decoration.

Unlike with bouquets you have the choice between helium or air-filled balloon arch.

A hovering arch is composed of single helium-filled balloons organized like pearls throughout an invisible 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 often basing on the floor. A brick or sand filled balloon will do the job and can easily be decorated nicely.

With a "String of Pearls" - commonly utilized for wedding balloon arches - you build an incredible effect with relatively little effort. The only drawback is the short life-span, because of the nature of helium-filled latex balloons, as described above.

If the decorations for your exclusive event must last much longer, you can either utilize mylar balloons in place of latex or you go with an arch with air-filled balloons.
However, with these kinds of balloon decorations, there is a little bit more constructional work required, as an air filled balloon arch needs to have a couple of supportive components:

a structure made 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 website in clusters of three to five balloons. By using different colors and placing the balloons in a special way you'll get this good 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 upon the size of the arch you'll need to blow up plenty of balloons! Get your family and friends ready! You could use a hand pump or 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 utilizing so called 'Link-o-Loon' balloons.

Balloon Column


Placed as outstanding eye-catchers at either side of an entrance or head table at a wedding event, balloon columns are perfect for wedding balloon decorations. They also make great balloon decorations for marking out an area of your venue, for example the dance floor or the stage decoration.

As columns are commonly made of air filled balloons, supportive elements are required:
a sturdy aluminum or plastic pole and
a stable base as support for the rod.

The balloons are connected to bunches of normally three to five balloons and fixed to the pole, layer after layer. By using larger balloons for the bottom and the top, and smaller balloons in between, the balloon column takes the characteristic look of its model in the "real" world. To crown your work you could position a stuffed giant balloon above the balloon column.

Like with the air filled arch, each of these balloon decorations imply you'll need to blow up a great deal of balloons! So, renting an inflator would be a great idea, especially for blowing up the huge balloon that crowns your column.

You could fill only the balloons at the bottom with air and the rest with helium. By doing this you would not need a strong base and a pole, as the balloons will support themselves. Utilize a nylon line to attach the balloon bunches to.

A helium filled balloon column will do great if you need the display only for one evening. It saves you the hassle of building a frame and getting an inflator. Yet, helium costs a lot more than air and the life expectancy of the balloon decorations will be much shorter.


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