Our simple to follow explanations will aid you make a decision what balloon decors are the best solution for your special occasion.
We felt overwhelmed with the large variety of displays we came across when we started off with balloon decorating. Along our studying process, we figured out that it all boils down to three general designs:
Balloon Bouquet
Mainly used as a centerpiece for counters, the balloon bouquet really is the heart of a balloon display. Between two and nine balloons, linked to curling stripes, are organized in different heights and secured to a table base.
A balloon centerpiece may be made of latex OR mylar (also called foil) balloons OR you can blend them.
As the balloons need to be helium filled this choice determines the longevity of your balloon decorations. Whereas mylar balloons will float as much as 14 days, even the best quality latex balloons won't keep up much longer than for about 12 to 24 hours. By working with a product called 'hi-float', it's achievable 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! 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 design a spectacular stage decor.
Unlike with bouquets you get the choice between helium or air-filled balloon arch.
A floating arch is composed of single helium-filled balloons organized like pearls along an unnoticeable nylon line, hence the name "String of Pearls". Both ends are fixed to bases, quite similar to the table bases for bouquets, just a bit heavier and usually standing on the floor. A brick or sand stuffed balloon will do the job and can easily be decorated nicely.
With a "String of Pearls" - oftentimes used for wedding balloon arches - you make an incredible effect with fairly little effort. The only downside is the short lifespan, because of the nature of helium-filled latex balloons, as described above.
If the decorations for your special function needs to last longer, you can either work with mylar balloons instead of latex or you choose an arch with air-filled balloons.
However, with these kinds of balloon decorations, there is a little more constructional work required, as an air filled balloon arch needs a couple of supportive components:
a mounting made of a solid, flexible material like conduit, PVC piping or aluminium rod and
a durable support at either end to anchor the arch.
The conduit or rod is formed into the actual arch and the balloons are connected to it, mostly in clusters of three to five balloons. Using a variety of colors and putting the balloons in a special way you'll get this good spiraling result displayed on the photo. Don't panic, we'll explain in detail and with numbers 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 preparing to do many more balloon decorations.
A much less complex way to make an air filled balloon arch is by using so called 'Link-o-Loon' balloons.
Balloon Column
Positioned as superb eye-catchers at each side of an entrance or head table at a wedding celebration, balloon columns are excellent for wedding balloon decorations. They also make exceptional balloon decorations for defining an area of your venue, for example the dance floor or the stage decoration.
As columns are generally crafted from air filled balloons, supporting materials are required:
a strong metal or plastic pole and
a strong base as anchor for the rod.
The balloons are linked to bundles of often three to five balloons and fixed to the pole, layer after layer. By using even bigger balloons for the bottom and the top, and smaller sized balloons in between, the balloon column takes the characteristic look of its model in the "real" world. To crown balloon decorations diy your work you could position a stuffed giant balloon above the balloon column.
Like with the air filled arch, both of these balloon decorations mean you'll must blow up a bunch of balloons! So, getting an inflator would be a good idea, especially for blowing up the giant balloon that crowns your column.
As an alternative you may fill just the balloons at the bottom with air and the rest with helium. By doing this you won't need a sturdy base and a pole, as the balloons will support themselves. Use a website nylon line to attach the balloon clusters to.
A helium filled balloon column will certainly do great if you need the display only for one evening. It saves you the headache of creating a frame and leasing an inflator. However, helium costs a lot more than air and the life-span of the balloon decorations will be much smaller.