Our very simple to follow descriptions will let you determine what balloon decors are the ideal pick for your special party.
When we kicked off with balloon decor, we felt overwhelmed with the massive assortment of displays we discovered. Along our learning process, we figured out that it all boils down to three essential designs:
Balloon Bouquet
Generally used as a main feature for tables, the balloon bouquet really is the heart of a balloon display. Between two and nine balloons, linked to twisting ribbons, are arranged in various heights and secured to a table support.
A balloon centerpiece can be made from latex OR mylar (also called foil) balloons OR you can blend them.
As the balloons have to be helium filled this choice determines the life expectancy of your balloon decorations. Whereas mylar balloons will float approximately 14 days, even the greatest quality latex balloons won't stay up much longer than for about 12 to 24 hours. But, utilizing 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! They are excellent balloon decorations for a doorway or exit. Often they are also used to frame the head or cake table at a wedding event or to design a spectacular stage decoration.
Unlike with bouquets you get the choice between helium or air-filled balloon arch.
A hovering arch is made of single helium-filled balloons aligned like pearls along an unnoticeable nylon line, hence the name "String of Pearls". Both ends are fixed to bases, similar to the table bases for bouquets, just a bit heavier and generally basing on the floor. A brick or sand stuffed balloon will do the job and can easily be decorated nicely.
With a "String of Pearls" - usually utilized for wedding balloon arches - you create an amazing result with reasonably little effort. The only problem is the short lifespan, because of the nature of helium-filled latex balloons, as described above.
You could either use mylar balloons alternatively of latex or you go for an arch with air-filled balloons if the decoration for your special occasion should last much longer.
However, with these types of balloon decorations, there is a bit more constructional work required, as an air filled balloon arch needs to have a couple of supportive components:
a mounting crafted from a good, flexible material like conduit, PVC piping or aluminium rod and
a durable base at either end to anchor the arch.
The pipe or rod is formed into the actual arch and the balloons are connected to it, usually in bunches of three to five balloons. By utilizing different colors and placing the balloons in a special way you'll get this nice spiraling result displayed on the photo. Do not panic, we'll check here 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! 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 Column
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 exceptional balloon decorations for defining an area of your wedding venue, as an example the dance floor or the stage decoration.
As columns are usually crafted from air filled balloons, supporting materials are required:
a solid metal or plastic pole and
a strong base as anchor for the pole.
The balloons are tied to bundles of often three to five balloons and fixed to the rod, layer after layer. Utilizing a larger size balloons for the top and the bottom, and smaller sized balloons in between, the balloon column takes the characteristic contour of its model in the "real" world. To crown your work you could put a stuffed giant balloon on top of the balloon column.
Like with the air filled arch, both of these balloon decorations mean you'll will need to blow up a ton of balloons! Renting an inflator would be a good idea, especially for blowing up the giant balloon that crowns your column.
As an alternative you may fill just the balloons at the bottom with air and the rest with helium. That way you won't need a sturdy base and a pole, as the balloons are going to support themselves. Work with a nylon line to affix the balloon clusters to.
A helium filled balloon column are going to do alright if you need the display only for one evening. It saves you the trouble of constructing a frame and renting an inflator. Yet, helium costs more air and the life-span of the balloon decorations will be much lower.