The Wonders of Balloon Arches for Event Design

Arches are a fantastic way to create a certain vibe or ambiance by drawing the eye and introducing colour to an event. They are particularly ideal for outdoor occasions such as sporting events, grand openings, and as indicators to signal where an event is taking place. Indoors, they are frequently used as entrance decor, intending to greet guests and setting the tone for the function. At themed parties, arches make a big splash and usually look great for backdrops and photo opportunities to create memorable moments.

Organic Style Balloon Arch by Anne McGovern, CBA of Elegant Balloons in  Pearl River, New York, USA.

Before beginning a balloon arch project, it is important to determine which style of arch to create. There are two main styles of arch when working with latex balloons: Classic and Organic. 

Classic Balloon Arch by Zoe Adam-Jones, CBA of JAZ Trading, Gold Coast. Australia

Classic Balloon Décor is typically the starting point for most decorators and balloon artists. Classic style balloon Arches are constructed using balloons that have been inflated and sized to a specific dimension These balloons are then added to an arch frame or line to create the arch. 

Classic balloon arches are a popular choice for corporate events due to their versatility and ability to suit a variety of themes and colour schemes. They are a cost-effective way to create a statement piece that are used to highlight an entrance, stage, or photo backdrop. Balloon Arches can be customised to match a company's branding and logo colours, creating a cohesive look and feel throughout the event. They are also a great way to add visual interest to a space without taking up too much floor space. Additionally, balloon arches are easy to set up and take down, making them a convenient option for event planners and organisers.

Fabulous Race Arches by Dave Saker, Balloon.co.uk

Organic décor embodies the beauty of nature through balloon styling. When different sizes of balloons are placed strategically throughout a design, an elegant and cohesive look is achieved, setting the mood for any event space.

It is important to note that organic décor isn't simply a matter of using a variety of different sized balloons. Rather, it requires intentional sizing and arrangement of balloons to create a natural flow while adhering to the principles and elements of design. This ensures that the design maintains rhythm, balance, and harmony. 

An organic balloon arch is the ideal decorative addition for weddings, birthdays, and other festive events. These arches are soft and whimsical in appearance, and they add a touch of charm to any setting. One thing is for sure, organic balloon arches create a stunning backdrop for photographs and are a popular choice for social media posts.

Organic Balloon Arch by Sarah Courtney, Belle Balloons, Melbourne, Australia

Typically, an Arch is freestanding, meaning it can be strategically placed for maximum impact. For a freestanding Arch, heavy base plates and an Arch form are necessary to secure the balloons, whether it's a Classic or Organic Arch.

A lot of balloon companies often design their own Arch frames utilising metal or plastic conduit, while the bases are made from materials like steel, concrete, or other dense substances. This process requires technical expertise to create an Arch that is user-friendly. For indoor Arches, lighter materials can be used, but safety must always be prioritised. Be mindful that in the event of an Arch collapsing and causing damage or injury, you are accountable for any harm it may have caused.

The Aeröpole System®. 

The Aeröpole system was specifically designed for the balloon professional to help them achieve the perfect Arch. The system is flexible, it will perform (move) outside in the same way a helium filled arch would,  and it is not ridged like an arch that is built on a conduit frame.

What Makes the AeroPole System Stand Out?

• The AeroPole System uses lightweight, flexible poles made of composite fiberglass to create both outdoor and indoor Arches and Columns without the need for helium.
• Different sizes can be achieved by adding or removing poles, which are so flexible that they bend dramatically in strong winds without breaking.
• The AeroPole System is the only product that can achieve this level of performance in the market.
• The base plates of the AeroPole System are 24" squared, weigh 28 pounds each, have raised feet, and a powder-coated finish that gives them a clean and professional look.
• Each base plate has a center hole for the 6" steel pin to attach, and they are stackable for outdoor jobs on windy days.
• The combination of the unique base plates and poles allows you to create various sizes and shapes of Arches and Columns ranging from 5' to 15' tall.
• This system is quick and easy to set up, and is well worth the price. By using an AeroPole System to make a 35' arch, you can save on helium costs in just 2-3 uses.

Black & Gold Embellished Balloon Arch by Avital & Nir Shechter, CBA of Balonir, Israel.

White and Coloured Embellished Balloon Arch by
Avital & Nir Shechter, CBA of Balonir, Israel.

AS a final touch enhance the look and value of your arches by adding extra details.

Mastering the basic principles of creating arches is just the beginning. Elevate your arch designs to new heights by incorporating extra details. These additional features not only enhance the appearance of your arches but also increase their perceived value to potential customers.

If you are looking to design your own special balloon Arch, whether Classic or organic style, check out this fabulous design tool from Balloonpro.co

A must have for any balloon professional, this digital design tool gives you everything you need to create and calculate balloon décor, giving picture perfect digital renders to quote and market your next sale!

This awesome tool will help you to design: Organic Balloon Décor, Arches, Columns, Duplet Square Pack, Alternate Size Pack, Linking Walls, Volume Calculators, and so much more. 

You can test out this tool for 7 days FREE! https://balloonpro.co/

To conclude:

• Balloon arches are a festive and fun way to add color and excitement to any event.
• They are perfect for creating a photo backdrop or highlighting a special area of your event space.
• Balloon arches can be customised to match your event theme or colour scheme.
• They are great for creating a grand entrance, framing a stage or dance floor, or adding visual interest to a plain wall.
• Balloon arches can be made in a variety of sizes and shapes, from simple single arches to more complex designs featuring multiple arches and layers.
• They are a cost-effective way to add a big impact to your event decor.
• Balloon arches are perfect for birthdays, weddings, baby showers, corporate events, and more.

Happy Ballooning! 

Sue

www.suebowler.com

Follow me @suebowler

Trendy Printed Balloons to add a little Pizzazz to your Decor!

When added to a balloon display, printed balloons can truly bring any decor to life! By simply adding in a few themed balloons, you can easily take an already awesome display to a whole new level! 

Sometimes we look at printed balloons and cannot see beyond what they are. For example, it would be easy to assume that we only use 'cow' prints for children's birthdays and farmyard style decor. However, looking at the decor below proves that we can take a theme and use it in more ways than meets the eye!

Here is a fantastic example: Cam Woody, CBA of Pioneer Balloon Company has used the Qualatex 11" Holstein Cow print balloon along with some 14" Contented Cow head shapes in her traditional baby crescent moon display, to create this adorable cow-theme baby design... what's not to love about this display! 💕

Over the moon with love!

Dreamy pink paired with cow-theme decor makes for a fun and lovely surprise, perfect for all kinds of occasions.

Designer name: Cam Woody, CBA, Pioneer Balloon Company, Wichita, KS, USA

If you would like to learn how to create a Crescent Moon Frame Shape, check out my blog post: 

Part 1. Baby Moon Design - Step-by-Step Tutorial - How to Make the Frame

Sam Jossie, CBA of Pioneer Balloon Company also used the Qualatex Holstein Cow print balloon in his display, this time the display is a trendy, elegant hoop display for a 30th birthday celebration! He also featured double-stuffed latex balloons to create some fabulous pastel tones that complement the Rose Gold Number 30 and the Taper balloons.

Mooove over for #30!

Celebrate your next big birthday in style with trendy Holstein cow print and customised pastel and rose gold tones!

Designer name: Sam Jossie, CBA, Pioneer® Balloon Company

Holstein Cow

Size and shape: 11" Round

Color: White

Package item #: 11633

Package Count: 50

When it comes to creating Jungle Theme decor, we are absolutely spoiled with choices! We of course can use Safari Assortment with Leopard Spots, Zebra Stripes, Tiger Stripes and Cheetah Spots. We could also use Green Rainbow or Black & White SuperAgate and the Tropical Greenery print too! 

Here is another fabulous example of printed balloons used within a display to create opulent themed decor. Anne McGovern, CBA of Elegant Balloons has added Black & White SuperAgates and Leopard Spots printed balloons to her table Arch, along with some confetti-filled balloons and greenery to create this sophisticated decor! 

Wild About You!

This arch is a natural for any occasion!

Designer name: Anne McGovern, CBA, Elegant Balloons

Here is another great example of a table arch. This Panda theme table decor was created by Cam Woody. Cam uses the Tropical Greenery printed balloon to compliment her design with the addition of the 21" Tropical Phildendron leaves! The curly 260Q balloons on the arch gives it great visual movement!

Life is Better With a Panda!

It’s a happy day made better with this lovable bear!

Designer name: Cam Woody, CBA, Pioneer Balloon Company, Wichita, KS, USA.

And finally, I wanted to conclude this post with this fabulous mash up of printed balloons! I would never have thought to do this in a million years, but I love it and I think that it works so well! It's bright, fun and very colourful! Well done Bangin Balloons in Ottawa, Canada.

I must confess, when it comes to printed balloons, I have never really experimented or used a print in a random or unexpected way. Seeing all these amazing designs makes me feel inspired to play more, which I will definitely do once I get my new studio set up and ready for some ballooning action! 

I hope that these designs have inspired you as much as they have inspired me! To read more on this topic, check out the Trends & Themes section on the Qualatex Website;

Happy Ballooning! 

Sue

www.suebowler.com

Follow me @suebowler

What do you know about Communions? Here are some Creative Ideas and "Top Tips" for the Communion Season!

Anne Cahill-McGovern, created this beautiful
Communion centrepiece design using the
22" Elegant Greenery Deco Bubble with the
11" First Communion inside.

First Communion is seen as one of the holiest and most important occasions in a Roman Catholic's life. It is the first time that a person receives the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, which is the eating of consecrated bread and drinking of consecrated wine.
When a child experiences their First Holy Communion, it’s a major moment for themselves as well as their families. Like their Baptism, the day of First Communion is one that is filled with family, friends, and feasting after the sacred event has taken place.

Girls typically are adorned to look like little brides, wearing white gowns and veils, while boys wear their Sunday best or new suits and ties bought for the occasion.

Communion season is fast approaching, and as someone who knows very little about this very special occasion, I would like to know more! I'm curious about how communion celebrations vary from country to country, as well as how important the communion season is for trade within the balloon industry? 

My Angel's First Communion

Simple yet elegant, this beautiful design is perfect to celebrate any first communion.

Luc Bertrand, CBA, wAw Balloons in Vichte, Belgium

These adorable 14" Angel Boy and Angel Girls make a great addition to a Communion Centrepiece or arrangement.

I got some different perspectives from industry professionals, Luc Bertrand, CBA of WAW Balloons, Belgium, Tania Torre, CBA of Balloon Express Shop, Terme Vigliatore, Italy, and Anne Cahill McGovern,CBA of Elegant Balloons, Pearl River, New York, USA. It is clear why this celebration is a very important time for some balloon companies.

How important is a child’s first communion in your country?

Luc 

"It is extremely important in the Flemish area but somehow a bit less in the French-speaking part of Belgium. Not only First Communion, but Confirmation would be as important. As for balloons, we will sell for both occasions; albeit that the demand might be different. Then there would be the non-Christians - they want to throw in a party for their kids as well and call it something that can be translated into 'spring-party'.

Tania 

"For us in Italy, it is the most important religious event after the christening."

Anne

 "Communions are very important here in the US. It is a short period - 6 weeks starting the week after Easter. Over the years it has gotten a little crazy - little girls get their hair and nails done, and a top of the range dress can cost in excess of $500.00!  While communions don't tend to have the biggest budgets, they are very important to us and we have done very well over the years marketing to this area."

Communion designs can be totally on-trend with these beautiful
18" Golden Cross and Greenery Microfoil balloons and paired with the
11" First Communion Cross.

Beautiful Table Arrangement by Anne Cahill-McGovern

Can you describe a 'typical' communion celebration?

Luc

"Obviously there will be a celebration in church. This should be the most important moment of the day, but parents see the little kids dress, the party afterwards and the impression they will leave as more important. We call these parties 'the little weddings'.

Nowadays some priests try to boycott the party by having the celebration in church at a time that makes it impossible to organize a full party afterwards.

The party could be at home, a table in a restaurant or renting a whole venue. It all depends on how many guests are invited.

Tania

"The religious ceremony is in church; the party is celebrated in a restaurant with relatives and closest friends."

Anne

"Some people have parties at home but all the venues in my area are completely booked out nearly every weekend during communion season, except maybe Memorial Day weekend which seems to be the slower weekend for communions."

Happy Communion Flower
First communion in any language is a big deal for any little girl! And what better way to show it than with flowers!
 Luc Bertrand, CBA, wAw Balloons in Vichte, Belgium

How important is the communion season for your business?

Luc 

"This is the moment with the biggest sales of the year. From early in the morning we inflate so many balloons that we can barely see the ceiling of the shop any more! We have recently installed three large corral nets to help us to manage the orders better "

Tania

"For us, it's the most important event after the marriage and eighteenth birthday, especially if we consider that it is concentrated in one month only." 

Anne 

"Communion Season has always been a very important time for our business. We sometimes have as many as 20-30 communions added onto our regular schedule (bar mitzvahs, birthdays etc.) We know it is a short period and try to take as many as possible to make as much money as possible since the summers tend to be slower for us."

Here are some top tips to make communion season a success for your business.

Give your service plenty of promotion.

• Start your marketing campaign early, as most parties will already be in the planning stages.
• Find and join local Facebook Groups and Town pages in which you can promote your business. Many of these have a specific day that they allow local businesses to advertise, so check with the group admins.
• Visit your local Catholic Churches, see if you can leave some printed literature with photographs of your work that could be offered to families, or maybe offer a special discount Remember CANVA is a fantastic tool for creating professional looking printed literature.

Keep your designs simple and easy to transport

• Many of the parties will be relatively simple affairs that will just require bunches of helium-filled balloons to decorate a room or hall. Keeping your designs simple will enable you to sell multiple arrangements with ease.
• Make sure that you have ready to go - "Cash and Carry" designs available on the day. 

Show what you want to sell

• It is always a good idea to have a selection of designs to offer to clients. This is a great way to test your market and establish what customers are prepared to spend. Take a good photograph of each design to give you the opportunity to promote them in a professional way.

Offer a variety of decor to allow for different budgets.

• Everyone is different, so we should ensure that we cater to the variety of tastes and trends. When you look a Pinterest and Instagram, you will see balloon decor can that varies from organic style decor to balloon bouquets. Some people still want a religious element to their child's event, whereas others have moved to more trending decor.

Use air-filled designs and Deco Bubbles

• Communion season is notoriously busy yet short. To maximise sales opportunities, make sure that you offer decor that can be prepared well in advance. 

A big thank you to Luc, Tania and Anne for their input and the invaluable tips!

Happy Ballooning!


Sue
www.suebowler.com
Follow me on Instagram @suebowler

8 tips to make communion season a success for your business.

As a continuation to our communion season series of blogs, our guest contributors Luc Bertrand, WAW Balloons, Belgium, Tania Torre, Balloon Express Shop, Terme Vigliatore, Italy, Vanessa Moscardini, Balloon Express Shop, Firenze, Italy and Anne Cahill McGovern, Elegant Balloons, Pearl River, New York, USA share some top tips that will help you to make the communion season a success for your business.

Communion Cross design by Tope Abulude 

Make sure to market well

Design by Anne Cahill McGovern CBA

Anne: We market to "mom's groups” on Facebook, 

local parenting groups on 

Facebook, and local business pages and town pages on Facebook.  On Fridays, we list in about 10 different sites and this has been very successful for the communion bookings. (We also do this for graduations).

We visit our local Catholic churches with "communion" postcards and photos of our work with a "special coupon" the churches will hand these out to the CCD classes (religious education) as long as we are offering something special for them.

Do communions vary from country to country and how important are they for balloon businesses?

Communion Butterflies 

First Communion is considered one of the holiest and most important occasions in a Roman Catholic person's life. It is the first time that a person receives the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, which is the eating of consecrated bread and drinking of consecrated wine. 

Illuminated Cross
#38465

When boys and girls make their First Holy Communion, it’s a big occasion for Catholic families. Like their Baptism, the day of First Communion is one filled with family, friends, and feasting after the sacred event has taken place in church.

Cross & Doves available in Pearl White with Gold Ink # 86384
and Pearl White with Silver Ink #84560

Part 6 Beginners Guide to the Elements and Principles of Design - Unity & Harmony

I would like to conclude this series of blogs by taking a look at Unity and Harmony.

Unity

Unity refers to the relationship and incorporation of all the elements in a design or decor such that it imparts a sense of wholeness or 'oneness'.

I find it very easy to create unity when I am working with Qualatex balloons as many of the balloon designs co-ordinate... let me show you what I mean.

Here is a really obvious one to start with. Let's say that we want to create a design with a farming theme for a birthday, look at all the balloons we can use, and there are others too!

Anne Cahill McGovern made a great design using a selection of these balloons, along with added texture with a little raffia added into the base, this design demonstrates perfect unity!

A little inspiration for Air-Filled Table Arrangements

Creating arrangements and centrepiece designs working with air rather than helium can appear to be a little more challenging. 

However, there are a number of different idea's that we can successfully use to create great designs every time!

Here are a few inspiring idea's that I have spotted on the Qualatex Facebook Group page!

Design by Anne Cahill McGovern

This first design is by Anne Cahill McGovern, and is absolutely beautiful. I love the use of the Birthday Elegant Damask #30986 complimented with the Black Damask 11" latex balloons #33503 (assorted), with 5" Wild Berry. Anne has used a black feather boa for visual texture and movement within the design, along with some added pink feathers and 'pearl' beads. This design for me is fun, elegant, feminine, trendy, fashionable and charming, truly perfect for a birthday celebration!

Design by Nadia Azar

Another truly inspiring design from Nadia Azar. Nadia has very cleverly created this design with a great combinations of balloons. The focal balloon is the Princess Tiara #82027 and complimented with Rose Pink 5, Rose Pink 160Q's and 5" Zebra Prints! The visual lines and movement are very elegant, but this design also evokes a sense of fun and fashion with the use of the animal print, once again perfect for a birthday celebration!

Design by Soo Wheeler

Topiary designs (topiary meaning - ball like shape) also make perfect air-filled centrepiece designs. Above is a beautiful example of a delicate 'Double Bubble' topiary centrepiece made by Soo Wheeler. Soo's topiary creates a feeling of romance, elegance and gentleness, perfect for a wedding or with a slight change of balloons, this same design could be used for a Christening or Baptism celebration. I love the use of the 5" Just Married Flowers-A-Round latex print #39286.

The Topiary technique can be so very versatile, and can be adapted to suit almost any occasion. I have included a few of more of my favourite idea's below.

Design by Laura Serrano

 This stunning Magenta 4" Hearts Topiary is so beautiful and elegant, the organza ribbon and cellophane 'picks' compliment this design perfectly. I can visualise this design in many different colours and being used for many different occasions! 

Design by Linda Bruce 

Here is another topiary centrepiece, this one was created by Linda Bruce. The design is simple yet elegant, the ribbon creates the perfect link between the base and the top, and the raffia ribbon add's a visual texture to the design.

Design by Balloontime Roma.

Here is another beautiful example of a topiary design by Balloontime, Roma. Set in a flower pot, it creates the appearance of a flower or tree. The soft colours would indicate this design is for a Christening or a new baby!

Design by Nadia Azar

Nadia Azar gives us another great take on the topiary technique. Nadia has used 'puffed' Geo Blossoms... the visual texture is great along with the fresh colours of Lime & Pinks!

Below is another great air-filled design created by Anne Cahill McGovern... It's so simple but so very effective! The 6" Qualatex GEO Blossoms look great in these arrangements... just 3 on each of the tables and they look amazing!

Design by Anne Cahill McGovern

Design by Colin Myles

I had to include this fantastic design by Colin Myles! It is packed with visual movement and line!

The 6-balloon cluster base gives perfect visual stability, the 13" Taper balloons add a sense of 'spotlight' to the dancer on the platform along with the 'woven' line guiding light and movement up the column and finally the 'music' guy, dancing on his platform... such a fun and clever design Colin!

Design by Jose Lutman

Jose Lutman has a really modern artistic flair when it comes to balloons, I always love to see his ideas and inspirations. I really like his idea of the 'Queen of Hearts' 30" Playing card at the top of this elegant garland of greenery and the simple addition of carefully placed red balloons!

There is a great 'Designer Showcase' of Jose work in APR/MAY/Jun 2012 balloon Images  magazine. 

Images article featuring Jose Lutman

Finally, I cannot complete this blog without mentioning Idit & Hagai Schwartz from Israel, their business is based round centrepiece designs, there is a great article in Images APR/MAY/JUN 2011 called 'Center of Attention'. Idit and Hagai's work is creative, elegant and inspiring, all the designs featured in the article are air-filled... and very beautiful!

Images article featuring Idit & Hagai Schwartz

I have really enjoyed gathering designs for this blog, it has been wonderful re-visiting many of the photographs that have been generously posted and shared on the Qualatex Facebook Group page. I would like to say a huge thank you to all those I have featured in this blog, your continuous idea's and techniques are a great inspiration to us all!

Happy Ballooning!

Sue
www.suebowler.com