Balloon decorations: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What balloon decorations is

A balloon decorator inflates and arranges balloons into arches, garlands, columns or backdrops for a party, then sets them up at your venue before the guests arrive. People hire one when they want a bold look for a birthday, shower, school event or celebration without spending hours inflating.

Signs you need it

  • You want an arch, garland or column at the entrance or the party table
  • The party needs a balloon backdrop for photos or a centerpiece for the buffet
  • You need balloons that match the colors and the theme of the party
  • The venue has a set time for setup, and you cannot be there to supervise
  • You want balloons that stay full and upright for the length of the party

What the pro does

  • Talks with you about the shape, the colors, the size and the placement
  • Designs a layout for the arch, garland, column or backdrop
  • Inflates the balloons with helium or air and sizes each piece for the space
  • Builds the structure on site, using stands, frames or a sturdy base
  • Checks the display before guests arrive and replaces any balloons that have lost air
  • Removes the balloons and any frame at the end of the party

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Size and shape of the display, such as a single arch or a long garland
  • Number of balloons and how many colors and sizes are needed
  • Whether helium is used, and how long the balloons must stay full
  • Setup location and how far the decorator must travel
  • Whether custom letters, foil balloons or printed pieces are included
  • Whether the decorator also removes the display after the party

What a written quote should spell out

  • The display type and its approximate size
  • The balloon colors, sizes and any custom pieces
  • Setup and removal times, and who is on site for each
  • Whether helium and the frame or stand are included
  • What happens if a balloon pops or loses air before the party

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Can you show photos of the arch or garland you would build for my party?
  • Will you use helium, and how long will the balloons stay full?
  • Where will the display sit, and does the venue allow it there?
  • What is your plan if balloons pop during the party?
  • Who removes the display, and when does that happen?
  • Do you use latex or foil balloons, and do you offer a latex free option?

Red flags

  • Will not say how long the balloons will stay full
  • Plans to attach balloons to ceilings, light fixtures or sprinklers
  • Has no photos of finished displays similar to your design
  • Cannot describe how the display will be secured on site
  • Leaves the removal out of the quote

What you can do yourself

You can make a simple balloon garland yourself with a balloon strip or a small kit, using balloons that are well inflated and tied securely to a flat surface. Do not hang balloons from ceiling fans, light fixtures or any fixture with power, and do not tie helium balloons to small children's hands. Hire a decorator for arches, columns and tall displays that must stand on their own.

Licenses and permits

No license is usually required to decorate events with balloons. Ask for proof of liability insurance, and confirm the decorator's helium handling and display plan meet the venue's rules.

Balloon decorations questions

Are balloon displays safe around children?

They can be, if the display is well secured and the balloons are not left loose on the floor. Ask the decorator how the display is anchored and who removes it at the end.

Can balloons go inside a room with a ceiling fan?

Do not attach balloons to a ceiling fan or light fixture. Ask the decorator to place the display on a stand or against a wall away from fixtures.

How long do the balloons stay full?

It depends on the balloon type, whether helium is used, and the room temperature. Ask the decorator for their plan for the length of your event.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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