Our simple to follow explanations will assist you decide what balloon decors are the optimal option for your special party.
We felt overwhelmed with the huge selection of displays we came across when we started with balloon decorating. Along our studying process, we figured out that it all boils down to three fundamental designs:
Balloon Bouquet
Most commonly used as a centerpiece for dinner tables, 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 base. In the instances under the base is either a heavy flower gift basket or a sand-filled balloon. It can be basically any decorative object that is weighty enough to keep the balloons in position and where the ribbons can be tied to.
A balloon centerpiece can be made of latex OR mylar (also referred to as foil) balloons OR you can combine them.
As the balloons will have to be helium filled this choice determines the life-span of your balloon decorations. Whereas mylar balloons will float around 14 days, even the highest quality latex balloons won't stay up longer than for about 12 to 24 hours. However, by using a product called 'hi-float', it's possible to make them last 10 to 25 times as long!
Balloon Arch
Naturally, balloon arches fulfill their purpose best when you can go through them! They are ideal balloon decorations for a doorway or exit. Usually they are also utilized to frame the head or cake table at a wedding celebration 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 lined up 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 typically standing on the floor. A brick or sand filled balloon will get the job done and can easily be decorated quite nicely.
With a "String of Pearls" - oftentimes 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 alternatively of latex or you go for an arch with air-filled balloons if the decor for your special party should last much longer.
With these options of balloon decorations, there is a little bit more constructional work required, as an air filled balloon arch requires some supportive parts:
a structure made from a good, flexible material like conduit, PVC pipe or aluminium pole and
a strong base at either end to secure the arch.
The conduit or rod is formed into the actual arch and the balloons are attached to it, mostly in sets of three to five balloons. Using different colors and putting the balloons in a special way you'll get this wonderful spiraling effect displayed on the photo. Don't worry, we'll describe step by step 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, obviously, only makes sense if you are planning to do many more balloon decorations.
A much less complex way to design an air filled balloon arch is by making use of so named 'Link-o-Loon' balloons.
Balloon Columns
Placed as impressive eye-catchers at either side of an entryway or head dining table at a wedding celebration, balloon columns are great for wedding balloon decorations. They also make excellent balloon decorations for defining an area of your venue, for instance the dance floor or the stage decoration.
As columns are commonly crafted from air filled balloons, supporting elements click here are needed:
a sturdy metal or plastic pole and
a strong base as support for the pole.
The balloons are connected to bundles of typically three to five balloons and fixed to the rod, layer after layer. Utilizing larger 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 put a stuffed giant balloon above the balloon column.
Like with the air filled arch, the two of these balloon decorations mean you'll must blow up a bunch of balloons! So, renting out an inflator would be a very good strategy, particularly for blowing up the giant balloon that crowns your column.
You could fill only the balloons at the bottom with air and the rest with helium. This way you will not need a stable base and a pole, as the balloons are going to support themselves. Work with a nylon line to attach the balloon clusters to.
If you need the display simply for one party, a helium filled balloon column will do fine. It saves you the trouble of constructing 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.