Our very simple to follow descriptions will let you determine what balloon decors are the ideal pick for your special party.
We felt overwhelmed with the large selection of displays we came across when we started with balloon decorating. Along our learning process, we figured out that it all boils down to three general designs:
Balloon Bouquet
Usually 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 gift 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 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. By applying a product knowned as 'hi-float', it's possible to make them last 10 to 25 times as long!
Balloon Arch
Naturally, balloon arches carry out their objective best when you can go through them! So they are ideal balloon decorations for an entrance or exit. Usually they are also used to frame the head or cake table at a wedding or to make a magnificent stage decor.
Unlike with bouquets you get the choice between helium or air-filled balloon arch.
A floating arch is made of single helium-filled balloons aligned like pearls along an unnoticeable nylon line, hence the name "String of Pearls". The two ends are fixed to bases, 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" - frequently used for wedding balloon arches - you build an amazing effect with fairly 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 must last much longer, you can either work with mylar balloons in place of latex or you go with an arch with air-filled balloons.
Having said that, with these kinds of balloon decorations, there is a little more constructional work required, as an air filled balloon arch needs to have a couple of supportive components:
a structure constructed from a sturdy, flexible material like conduit, PVC piping or aluminium pole 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, mostly 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 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 prepared! You might use a hand pump or even rent or buy an electrical inflator. This investment, obviously, only makes good sense if you are intending 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 Columns
Positioned as impressive eye-catchers at either 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 normally composed of 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 clusters of usually three to five balloons and fixed to the rod, 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 contour 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, both of these balloon decorations mean you'll have to blow up a lot of balloons! Leasing an inflator would be a great idea, especially for blowing up the giant balloon that crowns balloon decorations wedding your column.
Alternatively you may fill just 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 than air and the life-span of the balloon decorations will be much smaller.