Our simple to follow explanations will assist you make up your mind what balloon decorations are the most ideal 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 it all come down to three general designs:
Balloon Bouquet
Generally used as a centerpiece for dinner tables, the balloon bouquet actually is the heart of a balloon display. Between two and nine balloons, tied to curling ribbons, are laid out in various heights and attached to a table base. In the instances under the base is either a weighted flower basket or a sand-filled balloon. Yet it could be essentially any decorative object that is heavy enough to keep the balloons in position and where the ribbons can be tied to.
A balloon centerpiece may be crafted from 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 finest quality 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. 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 invisible 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 do the job and can easily be decorated nicely.
With a "String of Pearls" - commonly used for wedding balloon arches - you generate an incredible outcome with relatively 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.
With these options of balloon decorations, there is a little more constructional labor required, as an air filled balloon arch needs to have some supportive elements:
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 more info arch.
The pipe or rod is formed into the actual arch and the balloons are connected to it, typically in sets of three to five balloons. Utilizing a variety of colors and putting the balloons in a special way you'll get this nice spiraling effect 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! So, get your family and friends ready! Alternatively you might use a hand pump or even rent or buy an electrical inflator. This investment, of course, only makes sense if you are preparing to do many more balloon decorations.
A much simpler way to build 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 entry or head dining table at a wedding, 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 normally composed of air filled balloons, supporting materials are required:
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 pole, 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 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 have 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.
Alternatively you could fill just the balloons at the bottom with air and the rest with helium. This way 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 leasing an inflator. However, helium costs more than air and the lifespan of the balloon decorations will be much smaller.