Our easy to follow descriptions will allow you make a decision what balloon decorations are the most ideal solution for your special party.
We felt overwhelmed with the large variety of displays we came across when we started with balloon decorating. Yet along our learning process, we found out that everything boils down to three simple concepts:
Balloon Bouquet
Generally used as a main feature for counters, the balloon bouquet truly is the heart of a balloon display. Between two and nine balloons, tied to curling ribbons, are arranged in different heights and attached to a table bottom.
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 lifespan of your balloon decorations. Whereas mylar balloons will float as much as 14 days, even the best latex balloons will never keep up much longer than for about 12 to 24 hours. Having said that, by utilizing a product called 'hi-float', it's achievable to make them survive 10 to 25 times as long!
Balloon Arch
Typically, balloon arches carry out their function best when you can walk through them! So they are excellent balloon decorations for a doorway or exit. Frequently they are also used to frame the head or cake table at a wedding event or to create a spectacular stage decoration.
Unlike with bouquets you get the choice between helium or air-filled balloon arch.
A hovering arch is composed of single helium-filled balloons organized like pearls throughout an unnoticeable nylon string, hence the name "String of Pearls". Both ends are fixed to bases, similar to the table bases for bouquets, just a bit heavier and usually basing on the floor. A brick or sand stuffed balloon will get the job done and can easily be decorated nicely.
With a "String of Pearls" - commonly used for wedding balloon arches - you produce an amazing outcome with reasonably little effort. The only downside is the short life-span, due to the nature of helium-filled latex balloons, as explained above.
If the decorations for your unique occasion must last longer, you may either utilize mylar balloons as opposed to latex or you go for an arch with air-filled balloons.
Having said that, with these kinds of balloon decorations, there is a bit more constructional work required, as an air filled balloon arch requires some supportive components:
a frame crafted from a sturdy, flexible material such as conduit, PVC piping or aluminium rod and
a sturdy bottom at either end to anchor the arch.
The pipe or rod is shaped into the actual arch and the balloons are attached to it, usually in bunches of three to five balloons. By using various colors and placing the balloons in a specific way you'll get this great spiraling effect presented on the photo. Don't worry, we'll explain in detail and with lots of photos how to do that!
Basing on the size of the arch you'll need to blow up plenty balloons! So, get your family and friends ready! You could use a hand pump or even rent or buy an electrical inflator. This investment, obviously, only makes good sense if you are preparing to do much more balloon decorations.
A read more much easier way to make an air filled balloon arch is by using so named 'Link-o-Loon' balloons.
Balloon Column
Positioned as impressive eye-catchers at either side of an entry or head table at a wedding, balloon columns are excellent for wedding balloon decorations. They also make exceptional balloon decorations for marking out an area of your wedding venue, for example the dance floor or the stage decoration.
As columns are usually made of air filled balloons, supportive materials are needed:
a solid aluminum or plastic pole and
a sturdy base as anchor for the stick.
The balloons are tied to bunches of often three to five balloons and fixed to the pole, layer after layer. By utilizing a bigger size 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 place a stuffed giant balloon on top of the balloon column.
Like with the air filled arch, each of these balloon decorations imply you'll have to blow up a great deal of balloons! Getting an inflator would be a really good idea, in particular for blowing up the giant balloon that crowns your column.
Alternatively you might fill just the balloons at the bottom with air and the rest with helium. By doing this you would not need a sturdy base and a pole, as the balloons will support themselves. Utilize a nylon line to affix the balloon bunches to.
If you need to have the display just for one evening, a helium filled balloon column will do fine. It saves you the headache of setting up a frame and getting an inflator. Yet, helium costs more than air and the lifespan of the balloon decorations will be much shorter.