Valentine’s Day has always been one of my favorite holidays! I mean, who doesn’t love a day devoted to all things pink, red and chocolate?
But going out on Valentine’s Day… NOPE. It’s a mess! Even if you make reservations, it’s insanely busy at every restaurant with “special” (translation—smaller) menus and higher prices… I’m not into it.
Early in our relationship, we started a tradition of staying in on Valentine’s for a romantic, cozy dinner at home. We like to go crazy buying fun groceries and fancy cocktail supplies rather than gifts. It’s more about the experience and the time spent together. One of my favorite homemade traditions.
Anyway!
Today we’re teaming up with Balloon Time! We thought it would be fun to teach you how to make a fancy balloon arch. It’s easier than it looks and packs a lot of visual wow factor! I’m definitely going to do this next time I host a shower as well. I love that you can swap out the colors and do this for nearly any occasion.
Supplies:
–Balloon Time Helium Tank
–balloon decorating strip
–mini balloons (I used one pack of 30)
–various pink balloons (40-45 regular sized ones)
-greenery
–glue dots or tape
-balloon string
First, use your Balloon Time tank to blow up your balloons and tie the bottom closed. For a project like this, having your own helium tank seems like the only way to go so you can fill up balloons to various sizes. And the Balloon Time tank is so, so easy to use! If you want to blow up all your balloons at once before attaching them, put them into large garbage bags as you blow them up so they don’t float away, or do it in a room with a low ceiling so you can reach up and grab them as you need one.
Next, slip the knot of a regular sized balloon through one of the holes in the decorating strip. Skip a few holes and place another balloon into the strip facing the opposite direction. Keep alternating balloon colors and sides until you have a balloon strip as long as you want your arch to be. You can add a few more balloons if needed into some of the holes you skipped if it feels too skimpy, but make sure to leave some room to add the small balloons in later.
Once you have your main balloons attached to the strip, cut the balloon decorating strip just past where the balloons end on either side. Tie a piece of balloon string or twine onto each end, and tie those strings onto the piece of furniture you want the arch to go over (or have the strings go to the floor and use balloon weights at the bottom of each).
Use your glue dots to stick the mini balloons into the gaps and crevices until you have an arch that is completely filled in.
We also made a fancy scalloped border for our table out of folded sheets of tissue paper and fringed each layer with scissors to give it more texture. So cute and not at all difficult to whip up!
If you want to add a little greenery to your arch, you can either stick sprigs of greenery right into dense areas of the arch, or tape the stem in a hidden spot if it won’t stay on its own.
There you have it! An extra special party table idea for your next fancy occasion.
Now that I’ve shared our Valentine’s tradition, I want to hear about yours! xx- Elsie
Credits//Author: Elsie Larson, Photography: Elsie Larson and Laura Gummerman. Project Assistant: Laura Gummerman. Photos edited with A Beautiful Mess Actions.
49 Comments
So cute!! I love balloons and this works for so many occasions! As for Valentines Day traditions….mine basically consists of saying, “oh s***! It’s Valentines Day!” Then whipping up a homemade card that I pretend wasn’t made last second:)
This is so pretty!! And where can I find that tiered serving platter with the donuts?!
Oh how easy you make it look!! Love this! The color of the balloons can make this for any occasion!!
This is amazing! The balloons look so pretty! It’s such a great idea to decorate the house for any celebration!
This will look awesome for my Galentines Day Party in a few weeks!!
I love this! It’s so pretty and would be fab for any party. Also, how cute are those doughnuts?! xxx
That is so cute!!! I love valentines day, it is like my most favorite celebration!! Hey, Elsie! Do you happen to decorate your nails any special way for valentines day?
This is absolutely adorable, but I think my fiancé would be a little weirded out if he came home to this…
I have the same question! Love it!!
how fun! I agree- staying in is the way to go! Last year, my husband and I made our own sushi and home and it was a blast! We plan on doing it again this year
I got it from Oh Happy Day! http://shop.ohhappyday.com/products/three-tier-cake-stand
xx- Elsie
Fun theme!!!
-Elsie
I’m on a pink holographic glitter kick! https://www.etsy.com/listing/203440756/champagne-blush-rose-gold-vintage-pink?ref=shop_home_active_4 This is my jam!
xx- Elsie
Haha! It’s pretty elaborate. :)) xx- Elsie
Such a cute set up! This would be a great background for a lookbook or photoshoot I feel! And the donuts look so delicious it’s making me hungry.
Who knew that this decorating strip existed?! Amazing!
http://www.kelseymarie.co
Where do you get the strip from?
Where do I buy the strip from
This is super lovely, I really like the colours used & the greenery looks perfect! <3
Jess xo
Very cute! http://www.hannamarielei.com
Oh my goodness…this is seriously the CUTEST idea ever!! I want to throw a Valentine’s Day party now!
xoxo
Lauren
http://www.dressingdallas.com
@dressingdallas
I’m a total sucker for cute balloons!
Oh my goodness! This is adorable!
http://www.petiteandhungry.com
That looks so cute! Would be wonderful for a Birthday party!
https://www.makeandmess.com/
How lovely! x
http://jessicawoods.fr
This is gorgeous!! I’m also thinking of hosting my best friend’s engagement party and this would be lovely.
This is just amazing!
http://soldenochedecocrochet.blogspot.com.ar
How many tanks of Ballon time was needed?
Sooooo pretty! I agree with staying in on Valentine’s Day, I’m just not into the stress of going out. I didn’t even know that balloon decorating strips were a thing. That makes things much easier. Thanks for sharing!
http://thequirklife.com/
This looks like such a fun party! I’m definitely going to try that balloon arch for our next get together!
Paige
http://thehappyflammily.com
ooHooh I’m having a Galentine’s party too! 3rd annual 🙂
That looks soo amazing! 🙂
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this arch. It’s absolutely beautiful. My heart slightly hurts knowing balloons are a single use item that gets put into the trash and accumulate plastic. I’m SO sorry for being a Debbie Downer. It is gorgeous!
I definitely didn’t know it existed. Now I’m on the hunt for some to use at an event.
True! Valentine is a day that everyone wanna get filled with love and see love all around. I am married and it’s been 3 years. On every valentine, I decorate my home with a loving environment like- candles all around, our favorite cake, and balloons lying on the floor. This makes my hubby more romantic as he just loves surprises. But, after reading your article, seriously, this time I would love to go for balloon arch. Let’s see how successful I get.
What an amazing idea! Looks so pretty. xx
Omg I love you guys you both are my true inspiration and are a big idol to lots of people who look up to you I appreciate your tips and crafts and advice they help me a lot.
Your Number 1 Fan
Lara xx❤️
Love this! Did you end up using all the balloons you bought? Just trying to estimate the qty so I can make my own arch ?
Thank you very much for the explanations! Very clear! I love your work! Thank you so much! Keep up! 🙂
Looks great!! You actually don’t need helium for these which is nice and cheaper! I make these all the time and I use an electric air pump. Attach to strip and hang to the wall with tape or tack, voila! They are such a hit at all the party’s we Do!
Does this work without using helium?
What an adorable and easy way to spruce up party decor!! I did not know balloon decorating strips existed – so useful!!
Woof Xo,
Michelle & Watson
https://www.watsonandwalls.com/
Where do you get the balloon strips from?
Amazon 🙂 https://amzn.to/2JmxeEI
Good morning, here in Brazil, we celebrate as well.
wanted to know the name / brand / manufacturer of decorative ribbon balloons? It does not exist in Brazil, at least I have never seen …
thanks
Hi Aline! We linked the supplies in the post 🙂
Pretty cool!! Balloon are always first preference to plan any party. But it’s more cool if we use these type of cool and beautiful balloons arch which simply add a spark to the decorations.
hi,
this looks amazing! can i ask how long the decorating strip that you used was? i am trying to do something similar but bigger. what do you recommend?
How did the middle stay up?