Our very simple to follow descriptions will let you figure out what balloon decors are the best solution for your special event.
Once we kicked off with balloon decorating, we felt overwhelmed with the impressive variety of displays we discovered. Along our learning process, we figured out that it all boils down to three general designs:
Balloon Bouquet
Mainly used as a centerpiece for tables, the balloon bouquet really is the heart of a balloon display. Between two and nine balloons, attached to curling stripes, are arranged in different heights and attached 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 almost any decorative object that is weighty enough to keep the balloons in position and where the ribbons can be tied up to.
A balloon centerpiece may be crafted from latex OR mylar (also known as foil) balloons OR you can combine them.
As the balloons need to be helium filled this choice determines the life expectancy of your balloon decorations. Whereas mylar balloons will float as much as 14 days, even the best quality latex balloons would not keep up much longer than for about 12 to 24 hours. By working with a product knowned as 'hi-float', it's achievable to make them last 10 to 25 times as long!
Balloon Arch
Generally, balloon arches perform their function best when you can go through them! They are excellent balloon decorations for an entry or exit. Frequently they are also used to frame the head or cake table at a wedding event or to design an incredible 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, very similar to the table bases for bouquets, just a bit heavier and generally standing on the floor. A brick or sand filled balloon will do the job and can easily be decorated quite nicely.
With a "String of Pearls" - quite often utilized for wedding balloon arches - you generate an amazing effect with relatively little effort. The only problem is the short longevity, 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 special event should last even longer.
With these kinds of balloon decorations, there is a bit more constructional labor involved, as an air filled balloon arch needs some supporting elements:
a frame constructed from a good, flexible material such as conduit, PVC pipe or aluminium pole and
a stable base at either end to anchor the arch.
The pipe or rod is formed into the actual arch and the balloons are connected to it, mainly in bunches of three to five balloons. By using various colors and putting the balloons in a special way you'll get this great spiraling effect displayed 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 have to blow up quite a few balloons! This investment, of course, only makes sense if you are planning to do many more balloon decorations.
A much less complex way to make an air check here filled balloon arch is by utilizing so named 'Link-o-Loon' balloons.
Balloon Column
Placed as impressive eye-catchers at each side of an entrance 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 strong aluminum or plastic pole and
a solid base as anchor for the rod.
The balloons are secured to bunches of generally three to five balloons and fixed to the rod, layer after layer. By utilizing a larger size balloons for the bottom and the top, and smaller balloons in between, the balloon column takes the characteristic contour of its model in the "real" world. To crown your work you could position a stuffed giant balloon on top of the balloon column.
Like with the air filled arch, each of these balloon decorations imply you'll will need to blow up a lot of balloons! So, renting out an inflator would be a pretty good strategy, particularly for blowing up the huge balloon that crowns your column.
Additionally you might fill just the balloons at the bottom with air and the rest with helium. That way you won't need a strong base and a pole, as the balloons will support themselves. Make use of a nylon line to secure the balloon bunches to.
A helium filled balloon column will definitely do alright if you need the display solely for one evening. It saves you the struggle of setting up a frame and renting an inflator. On the other hand, helium costs more than air and the lifespan of the balloon decorations will be much lower.