Our simple to follow explanations will assist you make a choice what balloon decorations are the most ideal solution for your special event.
Once we kicked off with balloon decorating, we felt confused with the impressive variety of displays we came upon. Along our learning process, we figured out that it all boils down to three common designs:
Balloon Bouquet
Mainly used as a centerpiece for dinner tables, the balloon bouquet truly is the heart of a balloon display. Between two and nine balloons, tied to curling stripes, are organized in different heights and attached to a table bottom.
A balloon centerpiece may be made of latex OR mylar (also known as foil) balloons OR you can combine them.
As the balloons will have to be helium filled this choice determines the longevity of your balloon decorations. Whereas mylar balloons will float up to 14 days, even the best latex balloons will never 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! They are best balloon decorations for an entrance or exit. Often they are also used to frame the head or cake table at a wedding event or to design an incredible 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 arranged like pearls throughout an unnoticeable 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 get the job done and can easily be decorated nicely.
With a "String of Pearls" - frequently used for wedding balloon arches - you generate an incredible outcome with quite little effort. The only disadvantage is the short lifespan, because of the nature of helium-filled latex balloons, as discussed above.
You could either use mylar balloons alternatively of latex or you go for an arch with air-filled balloons if the decorations for your specific event should last longer.
However, with these types of balloon decorations, there is a little bit more constructional work involved, as an air filled balloon arch requires a couple of supportive components:
a frame made of a solid, flexible material such as conduit, PVC pipe or 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, usually in sets of three to five balloons. Utilizing a variety of colors and putting the balloons in a specific way you'll get this wonderful spiraling result displayed on the photo. Do not worry, we'll describe step by step and with lots of photos how to do that!
Depending 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 simpler way to build an air filled balloon arch is by using so named 'Link-o-Loon' balloons.
Balloon Columns
Positioned as amazing eye-catchers at each side of an entry or head dining table at a wedding and reception, balloon columns are great for wedding balloon decorations. They also make exceptional balloon decorations for defining an area of your wedding venue, as an example the dance floor or the stage decoration.
As columns are usually crafted from air filled balloons, supporting materials are needed:
a solid metal 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 rod, 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, both of these balloon decorations mean you'll have to blow up a lot of balloons! Leasing an inflator would be a great idea, especially for blowing up the giant balloon that crowns your column.
Alternatively you may fill just the balloons at the bottom with air and the rest with helium. This way you will not need a sturdy base and get more info a pole, as the balloons will support themselves. Work with a nylon line to secure the balloon bunches to.
If you need to have the display only for one night, a helium filled balloon column will do fine. It saves you the headache of creating a frame and leasing an inflator. On the other hand, helium costs more than air and the life-span of the balloon decorations will be much smaller.