Our simple to follow explanations will assist you make a choice what balloon decorations are the most ideal solution for your special event.
We felt overwhelmed with the large variety of displays we came across when we started off with balloon decorating. Along our learning process, we figured out that it all boils down to three primary designs:
Balloon Bouquet
Primarily used as a main feature for counters, the balloon bouquet really 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 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 up to 14 days, even the best latex balloons would not keep up longer than for about 12 to 24 hours. By using a product called 'hi-float', it's feasible to make them last 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. Frequently 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.
If the decoration for your exclusive party should last longer, you could either utilize mylar balloons instead of latex or you go for an arch with air-filled balloons.
Having said that, with these styles of balloon decorations, there is a little more constructional work involved, as an air filled balloon arch needs some supportive elements:
a mounting crafted from a good, flexible material like conduit, PVC piping or aluminium pole and
a sturdy base at either end to anchor the arch.
The conduit or rod is shaped into the actual arch and the balloons are attached to it, mainly in bunches of three to five balloons. By utilizing a variety of colors and putting the balloons in a specific way you'll get this wonderful spiraling result shown on the photo. Don't panic, we'll explain 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 preparing to do many 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 marking out an area of your wedding venue, as an example the dance floor or the stage decoration.
As columns are commonly composed of air filled balloons, supporting materials are required:
a sturdy aluminum or plastic pole and
a sturdy base as anchor for the pole.
The balloons are secured to bundles of often three to five balloons and fixed to the rod, 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 contour of its model in the "real" world. To crown your work you could put a stuffed giant balloon on top of the balloon column.
Like with the air filled arch, both of these balloon decorations mean you'll will need to blow up a ton of balloons! So, getting an inflator would be a pretty good strategy, particularly 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. This way you won't need a sturdy base and a pole, as the website balloons are going to support themselves. Work with a nylon line to affix the balloon bunches to.
A helium filled balloon column are going to do well if you need the display only for one evening. 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.