Three general principles for balloon designs



Our quick and easy to follow explanations will assist you make up your mind what balloon decorations are the right choice for your special occasion.
We felt overwhelmed with the huge variety of displays we came across when we started off with balloon decorating. Along our studying process, we figured out that it all boils down to three primary designs:

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, tied to curling ribbons, are laid out in different heights and attached to a table base. In the instances under the base is either a weighted flower basket or a sand-filled balloon. It can be pretty much any decorative item that is heavy enough to hold the balloons in position and where the ribbons can be tied up 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 have 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 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! So they are optimal balloon decorations for an access 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 use mylar balloons as opposed to latex or you choose an arch with air-filled balloons.
However, 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 frame made of a solid, flexible material such as conduit, PVC pipe or aluminium rod and
a strong foundation at either end to secure the arch.

The pipe or rod is formed into the actual arch and the balloons are connected to it, usually in sets of three to five balloons. Utilizing a variety of colors and putting the balloons in a specific way you'll get this wonderful spiraling result displayed on the photo. Do not worry, we'll describe in detail and with numbers of here photos how to do that!

Depending on the size of the arch you'll have to blow up quite a few balloons! Get your family and friends ready! Alternatively you could use a hand pump or even rent or buy an electrical inflator. This investment, of course, only makes sense if you are planning to do many more balloon decorations.

A much basic way to make an air filled balloon arch is by making use of so named 'Link-o-Loon' balloons.

Balloon Columns


Positioned as amazing eye-catchers at each side of an entry or head dining table at a wedding and reception, balloon columns are great for wedding balloon decorations. They also make exceptional balloon decorations for defining an area of your wedding venue, for instance the dance floor or the stage decoration.

As columns are usually crafted from air filled balloons, supporting materials are needed:
a solid metal or plastic pole and
a sturdy base as anchor for the pole.

The balloons are tied 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.

You may fill only 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 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 solely 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.


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