Our simple to follow explanations will aid you make a decision what balloon decors are the best choice for your special occasion.
When we kicked off with balloon decorating, we felt confused with the huge selection of displays we came across. Yet along our learning process, we found out that all of it 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, connected to curling stripes, are laid out in various heights and connected to a table base. In the instances below the base is either a heavy flower basket or a sand-filled balloon. Yet it may be practically any lovely looking item that is heavy enough to keep the balloons in position and where the ribbons may be tied to.
A balloon centerpiece may be crafted from latex OR mylar (also referred to as foil) balloons OR you can blend them.
As the balloons need 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. However, by utilizing a product called 'hi-float', it's achievable to make them last 10 to 25 times as long!
Balloon Arch
Generally, balloon arches fulfill their function best when you can walk through them! They are ideal balloon decorations for an entry or exit. Usually they are also used to frame the head or cake table at a wedding event or to create a magnificent stage decor.
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 throughout an unnoticeable nylon string, 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 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" - quite often used for wedding balloon arches - you generate an incredible effect 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 in place of latex or you go for an arch with air-filled balloons if the decor for your special occasion should last even longer.
With these types of balloon decorations, there is a bit more constructional effort required, as an air filled balloon arch needs to have some supportive components:
a mounting crafted from a strong, flexible material such as conduit, PVC piping or aluminium pole and
a sturdy foundation at either end to secure the arch.
The pipe or rod is shaped into the actual arch and the balloons are attached to it, usually in sets of three to five balloons. By using various colors and putting the balloons in a specific way you'll get this nice spiraling effect presented more info on the photo. Do not worry, we'll explain step by step and with lots of photos how to do that!
Depending upon the size of the arch you'll will have to blow up quite a few balloons! So, get your family and friends ready! As an alternative you may use here a hand pump or even rent or buy an electrical inflator. This investment, obviously, only makes good sense if you are planning to do a lot more balloon decorations.
A much simpler way to create an air filled balloon arch is by utilizing so named 'Link-o-Loon' balloons.
Balloon Columns
Positioned as impressive eye-catchers at either side of an entryway or head dining table at a wedding and reception, balloon columns are ideal for wedding balloon decorations. They also make great balloon decorations for marking out an area of your venue, for instance the dance floor or the stage decoration.
As columns are oftentimes made of air filled balloons, supportive elements are needed:
a solid aluminum or plastic pole and
a stable base as support for the stick.
The balloons are tied to clusters of typically three to five balloons and fixed to the pole, layer after layer. Using a larger size balloons for the top and the bottom, and smaller sized balloons in between, the balloon column takes the characteristic shape 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 mean you'll must blow up a bunch of balloons! Renting an inflator would be an excellent idea, primarily for blowing up the giant balloon that crowns your column.
You may fill only the balloons at the bottom with air and the rest with helium. By doing this you would not need a stable base and a pole, as the balloons are going to support themselves. Use a nylon line to attach the balloon clusters to.
If you need the display just for one evening, a helium filled balloon column will do fine. It saves you the trouble of constructing a frame and leasing an inflator. However, helium costs much more than air and the life expectancy of the balloon decorations will be much lower.