Our easy to follow explanations will assist you make up your mind what balloon decorations are the optimal option for your special occasion.
Once we started with balloon design, we felt confused with the substantial selection of displays we saw. Along our studying process, we figured out that it all boils down to three basic designs:
Balloon Bouquet
Mainly used as a centerpiece for desks, the balloon bouquet truly is the heart of a balloon display. Between two and nine balloons, linked to twisting stripes, are arranged in various heights and secured to a table support.
A balloon centerpiece may be crafted from latex OR mylar (also named foil) balloons OR you can blend them.
As the balloons have to be helium filled this choice determines the life expectancy of your balloon decorations. Whereas mylar balloons will float as much as 14 days, even the best latex balloons will never keep up much longer than for about 12 to 24 hours. But, 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 function best when you can go through them! They are best balloon decorations for a doorway or exit. Usually they are also utilized to frame the head or cake table at a wedding event or to make a magnificent stage decoration.
Unlike with bouquets you have the choice between helium or air-filled balloon arch.
A floating arch is made of single helium-filled balloons organized like pearls throughout an unnoticeable nylon line, hence the name "String of Pearls". Both ends are fixed to bases, similar to the table bases for bouquets, just a bit heavier and usually standing on the floor. A brick or sand stuffed balloon will get the job done and can easily be decorated quite nicely.
With a "String of Pearls" - usually used for wedding balloon arches - you make an amazing outcome with quite little effort. The only downside is the short life-span, because of the nature of helium-filled latex balloons, as described above.
You could either use mylar balloons in place of latex or you go for an arch with air-filled balloons if the decoration for your special party should last a lot longer.
However, with these types of balloon decorations, there is a little more constructional work involved, as an air filled balloon arch needs to have some supportive elements:
a mounting made from a sturdy, flexible material like conduit, PVC pipe or aluminium pole and
a stable base at either end to secure the arch.
The pipe or rod is shaped into the actual arch and the balloons are attached to it, usually in clusters of three to five balloons. By utilizing a variety of colors and placing the balloons in an unique way you'll get this great 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! 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 called 'Link-o-Loon' balloons.
Balloon Column
Placed as impressive eye-catchers at each 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 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 check here 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 a pole, as the balloons will support themselves. Work with a nylon line to secure the balloon bunches to.
If you need the display only for one evening, a helium filled balloon column will do fine. It saves you the headache of creating a frame and renting an inflator. On the other hand, helium costs more than air and the life-span of the balloon decorations will be much lower.