Our easy to follow explanations will allow you figure out what balloon decorations are the perfect solution for your special occasion.
We felt overwhelmed with the large variety of displays we came across when we kicked off with balloon decorating. Along our learning process, we figured out that it all boils down to three basic designs:
Balloon Bouquet
Generally used as a main feature for desks, the balloon bouquet truly is the heart of a balloon display. Between two and nine balloons, tied to curling stripes, are arranged in various heights and secured to a table base.
A balloon centerpiece may be crafted from latex OR mylar (also referred to as foil) balloons OR you can blend them.
As the balloons have to be helium filled this choice determines the life-span of your balloon decorations. Whereas mylar balloons will float up to 14 days, even the best latex balloons won't 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 survive 10 to 25 times as long!
Balloon Arch
Generally, balloon arches fulfill their function best when you can go through them! So they are ideal balloon decorations for an entrance 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 have the choice between helium or air-filled balloon arch.
A hovering arch is composed of single helium-filled balloons lined up like pearls along an invisible 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" - often used for wedding balloon arches - you make an incredible result with quite little effort. The only problem is the short lifespan, due to the nature of helium-filled latex balloons, as explained above.
If the decoration for your unique function have to last a lot longer, you could either utilize mylar balloons in place of latex or you go with an arch with air-filled balloons.
However, with these types of balloon decorations, there is a bit more constructional work involved, as an air filled balloon arch needs some supportive elements:
a structure constructed from a solid, flexible material such as conduit, PVC pipe or aluminium rod and
a stable support at either end to secure the arch.
The pipe or rod is formed into the actual arch and the balloons are attached to it, mainly in clusters of three to five balloons. By using a variety of colors and putting the balloons in an unique way you'll get this good spiraling effect shown on the photo. Do not worry, we'll explain step by step and with numbers 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, obviously, only makes sense if you are intending to do many more balloon decorations.
A much easier way to build an air filled balloon arch is by making use of so called 'Link-o-Loon' balloons.
Balloon Column
Positioned as superb eye-catchers at either side of an entry or head dining table at a wedding celebration, balloon columns are perfect for wedding balloon decorations. They also make great balloon decorations for defining an area of your venue, as an example the dance floor or the stage decoration.
As columns are website normally made from air filled balloons, supportive materials are needed:
a sturdy metal or plastic pole and
a sturdy base as support for the pole.
The balloons are secured to bunches of usually three to five balloons and fixed to the rod, layer after layer. By utilizing bigger balloons for the top and the bottom, 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 put a stuffed giant balloon above the balloon column.
Like with the air filled arch, get more info each of these balloon decorations imply you'll must blow up a lot of balloons! So, renting out an inflator would be a great strategy, especially 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. That way you would not need a sturdy base and a pole, as the balloons are going to support themselves. Work with a nylon line to connect the balloon bunches to.
A helium filled balloon column will definitely do fine if you need the display only for one evening. It saves you the struggle of constructing a frame and getting an inflator. On the other hand, helium costs a lot more than air and the life-span of the balloon decorations will be much shorter.