When we were kids, balloons were a sign of a party – a birthday bash, pep rally, school dance, you name it. Now that we’re adults, why aren’t they a thing for weddings (aka, the single greatest party of our life)? One thing’s for sure: Balloons are popping up everywhere in the party circuit – from the engagement shoot and bridal shower to the wedding ceremony – and they’re not showing any sign of slowing down.
Basically, all the cool now-adult kids are embracing wedding balloons, and it’s time for modern brides to get onboard. “We love the option of balloons for weddings because they make a huge statement without breaking the bank. For example, if you had a floral piece the same size, you’d be looking at a much higher cost. And they’re more unique than flowers – not as many weddings use them for décor. And every piece is different. So no matter what, your balloon décor will be one-of-a-kind,” says wedding planner Bree Denman.
The Expert
Bree Denman is the owner of The Indigo Bride, a creative wedding planning and design company for modern couples in Central Oregon.
From covering a statement wall with mini pink balloons to hanging them from the ceiling, there’s no limit to your creativity. “When it comes to thinking outside of the box, I like to build installations in unexpected places,” Denman says. “You may picture doing an asymmetrical display over the doorway, as so many installations have been done before, but I can recommend something grander, like an installation that starts at the floor, climbs the wall, and ends overhead. Or an installation that hangs entirely from the ceiling. We have so many ways to attach these installations that we can create really large show-stopper pieces almost anywhere.”
Lucky for you, we’ve got you covered with 25 innovative ways to incorporate balloons into your wedding décor.
Carry A Train Of Balloons
balloons in desert
Take your portraits to the next level by posing with a celebratory cluster of balloons. (A gorgeous desert setting certainly doesn’t hurt either). While this couple opted for a train of peach-colored balloons, you can customize the color and size of your balloons to match your wedding theme and décor. “My favorite brand is Qualatex because they are amazing quality and last a really long time. They come in all different sizes,” Denman says.
Go Bright With A Rainbow Installation
rainbow balloon arch
This rainbow of an installation is truly a work of art. Take cues from Geronimo Balloons’ signature clustered look and check décor off your to-do list. If you really want to wow guests, have a balloon arch installed right above the reception table – it’ll be the talk of the night!
Try A Balloon Garland
balloon table garland
If you didn’t know already, garlands are having a major moment. Take it a step further by throwing mini balloons in the mix for a conversation-starting accent that won’t go unnoticed. Feel free to combine muted and bright tones with eucalyptus, flowers, or foliage.
Make A Chic Getaway
pink, white and gray balloons attached to a getaway car
Next to your grand entrance, you’ll want your exit to be just as impactful. Add balloons to the back of a vintage car or tie them to a vespa for a chic getaway. Now would be a good time to put those jumbo-sized balloons to use – this arrangement of pink, white, and gray balloons is simply breathtaking.
Get Creative With A Balloon Wall Backdrop
wall of pink balloons
Go big or go home with a wall covered in balloons. To keep it from overwhelming guests (and taking away from your shining moment), stick to a singular palette, like the pale pink ones here. But feel free to mix up the balloon sizes; it’ll look like you blew up each one yourself (even if you didn’t).
Dress Up A Pool With Balloons
white balloons floating over a pool
A summer wedding isn’t complete without a pool of levitating white balloons. This idea is simply perfection for a modern poolside bash with an open bar. Tip: Add lighting or floating candles to make sure the display shines after dark.
Go Ombré For A Balloon Backdrop
orange ombre balloon garlands hanging on a wall
Now, if you look closely, you’ll see that these are actually paper lanterns – but don’t fret. You can easily DIY this design using balloons. We love the ombré-like colors and asymmetrical design as a backdrop for your photo booth or entire reception.
Match Your Balloons To Your Theme
blue balloons hanging over reception tables
If you and your groom are known as party animals, this is the look for you. (We’re going to assume this wedding reception was a ball). To achieve a similar aesthetic, tie tassels to balloons and let them float to the ceiling. Just be sure to pick a palette that matches your décor. Here, the assortment of blue balloons corresponds perfectly with the striped linen tablecloths for a seaside theme.
Pop ‘Em Up Over The Dessert Table
white balloons over the dessert table
Be sure to point guests in the right direction (ahem, the dessert table) with an extra sweet balloon display. How charming is this rustic-chic setup featuring a white vintage dresser and matching balloons? For an ethereal touch, intersperse a greenery garland and voilà.
Ceremony Backdrop 2.0
multi-colored balloon backdrop shaped like an upside down-shaped v
Do it for the ‘gram! Follow in this happy couple’s lead by taking a moment to goof off in front of the camera. Whether you recreate their colorful V-shaped balloon backdrop or install a ceremony arch, the options are endless.
Make A Splash With A Colorful Hanging Installation
colorful balloon installation at brasada ranch
While weddings are often associated with a more muted palette, don’t be afraid to embrace all colors of the rainbow. This bountiful balloon garland for a wedding at Brasada Ranch is one that can be admired up close and from afar. The way it frames the doorway of the venue makes it perfect for photos.
Tip: If the forecast is calling for strong wind gusts, don’t forget to add solid attachment points so that the balloons don’t float away on their own. “Outdoor installations are beautiful, but they oxidize quickly in the sun, making the balloons look more cloudy than vibrant,” Denman says.
Make A Memorable Exit
peach-colored balloons attached to a getaway car
Now, this is how you exit in style. Go out with a bang by attaching a train of balloons in varying sizes to the back of a sporty convertible for a panache-packed send-off. Talk about a picture-perfect photo-op to celebrate your newlywed status.
Use Balloons To Adorn The Reception Table
white balloons on reception table
It just goes to show that a grandiose display isn’t always more. Give your reception tables height by sprinkling oversized white balloons down the middle. We love the simplicity of the balloons juxtaposed with the rustic wood table. If you want to hide the strings, use a fishing line wrapped in foliage.
Decorate Your Entrance
millennial pink balloons decorating the entrance
Let guests know they’ve come to the right place by decorating the entrance to the ceremony with a giant cascade of balloons. Paired with a fun welcome sign, the combo will get guests pumped and ready to party.
Make An Impact With Oversized Balloons
giant light-up marquee letters with oversize white balloons
Roll out the red carpet: We’ve got a chic and modern ceremony backdrop idea for you. Display giant light-up marquee letters in your initials on silver pedestals for a glamorous affair. Add oversize white balloons floating at varying heights for some fun flair.
Get Your Flower Girls In On The Action
flower girls carrying big pink tasseled balloons
Instead of carrying a basket of petals, send your flower girls down the aisle holding a couple of big, tasseled balloons in your wedding color palette. Not only will the gesture pull at your guests’ heartstrings but it’ll make for stunning photos.
Tip: Be sure to incorporate the balloons during the rehearsal ceremony to ensure that everything goes off without a hitch. To prevent any impromptu meltdowns (or worse, lost ballons), don’t forget to tie the tassels around the flower girls’ wrists.
Go Edgy For Cocktail Hour
oversize balloons covered in black tulle
Chic and slightly edgy, oversized balloons covered in black tulle and floating at different heights lend a Gothic touch to this couple’s oceanside cocktail hour. Pair the balloons with black table linens and lounge seating for a dark yet romantic vibe. For a swanky black-tie affair, what more could you ask for?
Mix In Fresh Greenery
hanging white balloons with fresh greenery
Following the ceremony, lead the way to the reception by lining the walkway with dozens of round white balloons hanging from strings and decorated with fresh greenery. Though simple in design, trust us, the result will be magical. “I love incorporating a lot of 36-inch balloons for weddings; those are the really large round balloons that you always see. They always wow guests and make a big impact,” Denman says.
Try A Non-Traditional Centerpiece
floating balloon used as reception centerpiece
Instead of traditional floral centerpieces, opt for simple bud vases of greenery and rows of floating balloons connected by swags of festive gold garland. For a look of pure elegance, we love giant orb balloons or white latex balloons. Once you have your idea sketched out, consult your wedding planner for an estimate of how many balloons you’ll need.
Create A Floor-To-Ceiling Balloon Installation
floor to ceiling balloon installation
This couple made sure guests knew where the sweets were with a floor-to-ceiling balloon installation positioned behind the dessert table. The vibrant sherbet-y shades of bright pink, orange, and yellow were the perfect choice for their modern Palm Springs celebration. We also love the idea of incorporating a wall of balloons into an outdoor cocktail and lounge area with lawn games.
Embrace Summertime Neutrals
a large hanging balloon installation in neutral colors hanging over reception tables
“It sat above the wedding reception tables, and really made peoples’ jaws drop when they walked into the reception,” Denman says of a large hanging balloon installation with a matching outdoor garland that wrapped out in front. The neutral colors were a match made in heaven for this summer wedding. The combination of peach, gray, and white balloons (all of varying sizes) complemented the rustic aesthetic of the space.
Put A Fun Twist On Aisle Markers
white balloons with colorful streamers as aisle markers
Why blend in when you were born to stand out? We can’t decide what we love more about this setup: the colorful tassel streamers, the big white balloons, or the Mr. and Mrs. air-filled gold balloons in the background. These aisle markers are the epitome of fun.
Bold Balloon Art Installations
bold balloon art installations at the reception ballroom
Too many balloons? No such thing… especially when the bride is a balloon enthusiast. In addition to a bold balloon art installation for their ballroom, this couple made sure to sprinkle balloons throughout the entire ceremony. From tying them to the back of ghost chairs to using them to mark tables at the reception, the balloons were a captivating addition.
Create A Ceremony Backdrop With String Lights And Mylar Balloons
string lights and mylar balloons for a simple, yet striking ceremony backdrop
For an enchanting ceremony backdrop, combine a strand of string lights alongside Mylar balloons. If you plan on exchanging vows in front of it, then a word like “love” will speak for itself. Another idea is to spell out your wedding hashtag to encourage guests to tag their wedding snaps throughout the day.
Install A Balloon Chandelier Over The Dance Floor
a massive balloon chandelier over the dancefloor
It’s not every day that you spot a ginormous balloon chandelier dangling above the dance floor but that’s the route this couple took. The artsy installation shown here was created by Janice Lee Kelly of FLOAT. The variety of balloon shapes (from squiggles to itty-bitty spheres) and colors incorporated is astounding.
originally posted on brides.com by Anna Price Olson
About Author: After stints at a stationery store and flower shop in college, Anna Price was formally introduced to the world of weddings – and publishing – as an intern at Atlanta magazine. It was love at first assignment, and she went on to intern at Condé Nast with Brides through the American Society of Magazine Editors internship program. She joined the staff at Brides in 2014 and is now the associate editorial director. In this role, she acts as the brand lead while overseeing the production of trending content and managing social operations. A leader in the wedding industry, she has spoken at industry conferences around the world and shared expert advice with national media outlets such as The New York Times, USA Today, and Inside Edition.
