Creating A Balloon Arch For Your Wedding Day

Wedding arches are a great way to make your special day stand out. They can be used as a beautiful ceremony backdrop or to welcome guests to the reception. In this article, we will discuss how to make a wedding arch with balloons. We will cover the materials needed, the steps to follow, and offer some tips and tricks for creating a stunning and unique arch that reflects your style and personality. Whether you're looking for a basic balloon arch or something more floating and whimsical, we've got you covered!

Prepare the balloons

The first step to preparing your balloons is to decide on a colour scheme. You can either opt for a single colour, using different shades to add depth, or choose a few colours that complement each other and your wedding theme. For instance, you could go for a romantic combination of pink, white and burgundy, or a classy all-white look with black, burgundy or any other colour accents. If you want to add some extra glamour, include some glitter balloons in metallic shades.

Next, you'll need to inflate your balloons. You can do this with an air pump, a hand pump or a helium tank, depending on the type of arch you want to create. If you use helium, your arch will float upwards, whereas air-filled balloons will hang down. You can also vary the sizes of your balloons, from 5" to 18", to add interest and dimension to your arch.

Once your balloons are inflated, tie a tight knot to prevent air leakage, and then tie the balloons together in pairs. You can use string or ribbon if you're having trouble tying them together. Twist the pairs together to make a clover shape, and then tie or twist them to your wire frame.

If you're using helium balloons, you'll need to attach them to a fishing line. Measure about 12 inches from the balloon weight and wrap the string around the balloon a few times before tying a double knot to secure it. Continue doing this, placing the balloons close enough together that their sides touch, until you reach the end of the string. Leave a space of about 12-14 inches at the end of the string, and then anchor it to the balloon weight.

Now, you'll need to fill in any gaps in your arch with smaller balloons. These can be attached directly to the other balloons with glue dots.

Attach balloons to the frame

Now that you have your arch frame set up, it's time to attach the balloons!

Before you start, decide on the colour scheme for your arch. You can use a single colour or a combination of colours. If you opt for a single colour, consider using different shades to create depth and interest. For example, if you choose blue, use both light and dark shades of blue. You can also add some sparkle by filling clear balloons with confetti.

Next, inflate your balloons with an air pump and tie a tight knot to prevent air leakage. It's a good idea to inflate all your balloons before you start attaching them to the frame. You can also tie the balloons together in pairs to make it easier to attach them to the arch.

Once your balloons are ready, it's time to start attaching them to the arch frame. Use ribbon to secure the balloons to the frame, creating a beautiful, festive display. If you're using a wire frame, you can twist the balloons together to form a clover shape and then tie or twist them onto the wire. For a floating balloon arch, tie a fishing line to a balloon weight and then attach the inflated balloons to the line.

When attaching the balloons to the frame, vary the sizes and colours to create a visually appealing display. Add larger, lighter-coloured balloons towards the bottom of the arch for a balanced effect. Fill in any gaps with smaller balloons to add depth and completely cover the arch frame.

Continue attaching balloons to the frame until you've achieved the desired fullness and coverage. Stand back and admire your handiwork! Your balloon arch is sure to be a stunning focal point at your wedding, whether it's used as a ceremony backdrop or to welcome guests to the reception.

Add flowers and foliage

Now for the fun part: adding flowers and foliage to your wedding arch! You can purchase artificial flowers and foliage, or fresh flowers and foliage. If you're using fresh flowers, it's best to add them to your arch on the day of your wedding to avoid wilting.

If you're going for a natural, organic look, you might want to use silk flowers and foliage. Afloral is a popular silk flower partner for wedding arches. You can choose flowers such as hanging bamboo, ginger, orchids, birds of paradise, white anthurium, monstera leaves, frangipani, split-leaf philodendron, hibiscus, and orange needle protea.

When adding flowers and foliage to your arch, start with the greens first and then fill in with flowers. Play around with the placement until you're happy with how it looks. You can attach flowers and foliage to your arch using a glue gun or glue dots, or by wrapping wire stems around the balloon decorating strip. If you're using heavier flowers or foliage, attach them directly to the strip with string for extra support.

If you want to add flowers and foliage to a balloon garland, you can weave them through the garland or attach them to the balloons using glue dots.

If you're using fresh flowers, you can repurpose them as reception decor, wedding favours, or a memento of your big day.

Use a balloon pump

Using a balloon pump is a great way to ensure your balloons are inflated to the same size, which is important for a neat and consistent look for your wedding arch. Here is a step-by-step guide to creating a beautiful balloon arch using a balloon pump:

Firstly, decide on your colour scheme. You can choose balloons all in the same colour, or in different colours, depending on the look you want to achieve. If you opt for a single colour, consider using different shades to add depth and interest. For example, if you choose blue, use a mix of light and dark blue shades.

Next, gather your balloons and your balloon pump. Inflate four balloons to the same size, and tie a knot at the end of each balloon to prevent air leakage. It is important to ensure the balloons are all inflated to a similar size, as this will make it easier to create a neat arch.

Now, take two of the inflated balloons and tie them together in a double knot. Repeat this step with the remaining two balloons, so that you have two pairs. Then, twist the pairs together to create a clover shape. Cross the first set of balloons over the second set, and then pull the bottom balloons up and move them to the opposite sides.

Once you have your clover shape, pull it up against the wire frame of your arch and twist the two balloons in the centre to secure them to the wire. You can also use ribbon or string to attach the balloons to the frame if you prefer.

Continue this process, blowing up four balloons at a time, tying them into pairs, and then twisting the pairs together to create clover shapes. Slide each clover shape onto the wire, placing them just above the previous row of balloons, and securing them with a twist. Make sure to space the balloons out, allowing the second row to fill the gaps between the first.

Keep repeating this process until your balloon arch is complete! You can add extra decorations, such as flowers or foliage, to your arch if you wish.

Customise the arch's shape

Customising the shape of your wedding balloon arch is a fun way to make your special day stand out. Here are some tips and ideas to help you create a unique and memorable arch:

Firstly, decide on the shape you want for your arch. Do you want a traditional curved arch, or something more unique like a hanging arch or multiple swoops? You could even create a stretched S-shape or outline an entryway with your arch. If you're feeling creative, you can use a wire cutter to cut a long, robust piece of wire to your desired length and height, creating a custom frame for your arch. Just remember that wire becomes flimsier the longer it is cut.

When it comes to the balloons themselves, using different sizes and colours can add dimension and interest to your arch. Play around with 2-3 sizes of balloons and 2-4 different colours to create a gradient effect or a colour cluster design. You can also fill clear balloons with confetti or use glitter balloons to add some sparkle. If you want to create a more natural look, consider using air instead of helium to fill your balloons, as helium will make your arch swing upwards.

Another way to customise the shape of your arch is to add extra decorations like flowers, foliage, or ribbons. You can use lightweight flowers and long vine greens to fill in the gaps in your arch, attaching them directly to the balloons or the balloon strip. Ribbons or colourful strings can also be used to fasten the balloons to the wire frame, adding a pop of colour.

Don't be afraid to mix and match different elements to create a unique and personalised wedding balloon arch that reflects your style and theme.

Frequently asked questions