Our easy to follow explanations will help you figure out what balloon decors are the ideal pick for your special event.
When we kicked off with balloon decor, we felt overwhelmed with the massive variety of displays we discovered. Yet along our learning process, we understood that it all boils down to three simple designs:
Balloon Bouquet
Mainly 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 attached to a table base. In the examples beneath the base is either a heavy flower basket or a sand-filled balloon. Yet it could be essentially any lovely looking object that is heavy enough to maintain the balloons in place and where the ribbons may 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 keep up 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
Generally, balloon arches perform their purpose best when you can walk through them! So they are optimal balloon decorations for an access or exit. Frequently they are also used 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 floating 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 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" - commonly utilized for wedding balloon arches - you build an incredible outcome with relatively little effort. The only drawback is the short life-span, because of the nature of helium-filled latex balloons, as discussed above.
You could either use mylar balloons in place of latex or you go for an arch with air-filled balloons if the decorations for your specific event should last longer.
With these options of balloon decorations, there is a little more constructional labor required, as an air filled balloon arch needs to have some supportive elements:
a frame made of a solid, flexible material such as conduit, PVC pipe or click here aluminium rod and
a strong bottom at either end to secure the arch.
The pipe or rod is formed into the actual arch and the balloons are connected to it, typically in sets of three to five balloons. By using different colors and placing the balloons in a special way you'll get this nice 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! Alternatively you might use a hand pump and 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 using so called 'Link-o-Loon' balloons.
Balloon Column
Placed as impressive eye-catchers at either side of an entrance or head table at a wedding, balloon columns are ideal for wedding balloon decorations. They also make great balloon decorations for defining an area of your wedding venue, as an example the dance floor or the stage decoration.
As columns are oftentimes composed of air filled balloons, supporting materials are required:
a solid aluminum 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 pole, 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, each of these balloon decorations mean you'll have to blow up a lot of balloons! So, getting an inflator would be a fantastic strategy, specifically 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. 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 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 air and the life-span of the balloon decorations will be much lower.