Add Some Festive Flair To Your Party With Decorative Balloon Arches

By Judy Sullivan


Parties and other special events can be brightened up with the whimsical fun of balloon arches. A simple way to beautify any entrance or stage, people have the option of either hiring a professional party decorator to set these delightful arrangements up, or they can do it themselves since it is not difficult or expensive to make.

These festive decorations are versatile and can be used in a variety of settings. They look nice in wedding reception halls, as a photo back-drop for high school proms, and even on parade floats. It may only take at most an hour to make one, and it does not have to cost a lot of money.

Using high quality latex balloons will ensure that the structure stays looking its best for longer. Generally, three or four balloon per each foot of the arch's length is the rule. Sometimes all one color of balloons may be used, but most often a pattern of alternating colors or designs is featured, this is an effective way to create a theme, for instance Valentine's Day or Halloween. Since balloons break easily, it's best to buy more than one needs.

Regular air or helium gas can be used for inflating the balloons. Helium tends to leak out slowly, so it won't last as long, but this shouldn't matter if it is needed for less than one day. Each balloon should be blown up to the same size as the others, and generally a larger arch will call for bigger balloons than a smaller one.

The location of the arch will need to be measured to determine the total length it should be. When the height and width of the space are equal, the arch length needs to be 1/2 the width plus the height. In a case where the location is wider than tall, add the height and width, and if it's taller than wide, add the width to the height multiplied by two.

When helium balloons are used, secure a piece of fishing line across the intended place for the arch. As the balloons are blown up and tied, they can be added to the fishing line in desirable intervals. It may be easier to do this with two people working on it. The entire structure should start to rise. Another way to do this is to tie balloons together in twos and couple these with another two to make groups of four.

A frame for the archway can be fashioned out of PVC pipes, which will act as the side beams, and a curved aluminum rod for the top, all joined together using electrical tape. Once the frame is made, the balloon clusters or chain can get attached to it. After all balloons are in place, bricks or sand bags can be secured to the bottom of the arch behind the lowest balloons.

Lastly, the arch should be wired down to the doorframe, wall, ceiling, or nearby furnishings. As a nice finishing touch, one may wish to intertwine streamers, flowers, ribbons, or tiny decorative lights to the arch, however caution must be taken with lights that they don't touch balloons arches and make them burst.




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