Our quick and easy to follow descriptions will aid you make up your mind what balloon decorations are the right choice for your special occasion.
Once we started with balloon design, we felt confused with the huge range of displays we came upon. Yet along our learning process, we figured out that everything boils down to three basic styles:
Balloon Bouquet
Typically used as a centerpiece for dinner tables, the balloon bouquet actually is the heart of a balloon display. Between two and nine balloons, connected to curling stripes, are laid out in different heights and connected to a table base. In the instances under the base is either a weighted flower basket or a sand-filled balloon. Yet it may be practically any decorative object that is heavy enough to maintain the balloons in place and where the ribbons may be tied to.
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 need to be helium filled this choice determines the lifespan of your balloon decorations. Whereas mylar balloons will float as much as 14 days, even the best latex balloons would not stay 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 last 10 to 25 times as long!
Balloon Arch
Generally, balloon arches perform their purpose best when you can walk through them! So they are optimal balloon decorations for an access or exit. Frequently they are also utilized to frame the head or cake table at a wedding event or to create a spectacular 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 organized like pearls along an invisible nylon line, hence the name "String of Pearls". The two 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 filled up balloon will do the job and can easily be decorated quite nicely.
With a "String of Pearls" - oftentimes utilized for wedding balloon arches - you create an amazing result with reasonably little effort. The only downside is the short longevity, as a result of the nature of helium-filled latex balloons, as explained above.
You could either use mylar balloons instead of latex or you go for an arch with air-filled balloons if the decor for your special occasion should last a lot longer.
With these types of balloon decorations, there is a bit more constructional work involved, as an air filled balloon arch requires some supportive components:
a structure constructed from a sturdy, flexible material like conduit, PVC piping or aluminium pole and
a stable 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, mostly in clusters of three to five balloons. By utilizing various colors and placing the balloons in an unique way you'll get this good spiraling effect presented 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 will have to blow up plenty balloons! So, get your family and friends ready! As an alternative you may use a hand pump or even click here rent or buy an electrical pump. This investment, of course, only makes sense if you are intending to do much more balloon decorations.
A much simpler way to create an air filled balloon arch is by utilizing so named 'Link-o-Loon' balloons.
Balloon Columns
Placed as excellent eye-catchers at each side of an entry or head table at a wedding ceremony, balloon columns are excellent for wedding balloon decorations. They also make wonderful balloon decorations for defining an area of your wedding venue, for instance the dance floor or the stage decoration.
As columns are often made from air filled balloons, supportive elements are needed:
a strong metal or plastic pole and
a sturdy base as anchor for the stick.
The balloons are secured to bundles of generally three to five balloons and fixed to the rod, layer after layer. Using larger sized balloons for the top and the bottom, and smaller sized balloons in between, the balloon column takes the characteristic look 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, each of these balloon decorations mean you'll need to blow up a lot of balloons! Leasing an inflator would be an excellent idea, particularly for blowing up the giant balloon that crowns your column.
You may fill only the balloons at the bottom with air and the rest with helium. By doing this you will not need a strong base and a pole, as the balloons will support themselves. Use a nylon line to secure the balloon bunches to.
If you need to have the display simply for one night, a helium filled balloon column will do fine. It saves you the struggle of creating a frame and getting an inflator. However, helium costs much more than air and the lifespan of the balloon decorations will be much shorter.