Why Balloons & Grad Parties JUST MAKE SENSE

The year was 2020. Yes...that year. After lots of back and forth, our family had decided that we were moving forward with a graduation party for our daughter, who had already been forced to miss out on so much of her senior year as the world was deciding just how serious Covid-19 was (turns out, pretty dang serious!). We decided an outdoor party in our driveway/garage was the way to go. I booked the food truck (La Flama is great, btw!), rented the tables and chairs, and gathered up all the special mementos from her time as a HS student. When it came to the decorations, of course the classic "flowers in mason jars" was our go-to for the tables. I also made some super cute photo runners. I impressed myself with those, to honest, but that was really it. I felt like we needed a little something more.

Off to Pinterest I went and it was where I would discover balloon garlands. Ah, that's it! A cute balloon garland to frame the garage! So then to Google I ran, because one thing about me...I'm going hire it out. Unfortunately, the closest balloon artist was in Des Moines, and she was the only one that came up in Iowa! Okay then...off to Party City to purchase a kit. And well, I assembled it (just barely) and it wasn't great but it wasn't terrible. Ugh, you're right, it WAS kind of terrible. But there was ✨potential✨ but that's a story for another day...

Balloon decor for graduation in the Quad Cities, Iowa and Illinois — Never before seen photo of my very first balloon garland! It went down the side but looking back, I should have made it go all the way across the top! Oof!

All of this to say that balloon garland was, surprisingly, a hit and by the following year, when everyone was back to partying, a balloon garland was THE must have decor item....and guess what? It STILL IS! Why? Because balloons are a timeless classic! Even before balloon garlands, there were (still are) helium balloons! Which are still a staple for ANY party. Need more convincing? I've gathered my top 3 reasons we love balloons for grad parties and a few tips on making booking easy!

Can balloons really make a difference in your event space?

Absolutely! Balloons instantly scream celebration and bring fun to any space. They are big and eye catching and can be such an easy and cost-efficient way of decorating spaces both big and small.

Picture perfect memories

Let’s be honest—no party is complete without a photo op. EVERYONE loves them, young and old! You know what makes the perfect backdrop? Balloons! Paired with a shimmer wall or arches and you have a centralized location that welcomes guests to strike a pose!

Add you own personal touch

The Class of 2025 will be our 5th graduating class to do balloons for. Of course, we do many, many, many more balloon installs in between seasons- and it never gets old. That's because every event is different. We get to customize this especially for YOU! You can make your grad's install incredibly personal by adding details like their name on the backdrop, their favorite colors, or school logos. I've even included wake boards in an install! It represents them.

Tips for Booking Balloon Decor

Now you know the whys-here is the how. To keep things easy and stress-free, here’s what you need to know when booking balloons this graduation season:

Book Early – Grad season is our BUSIEST time of year, so make sure you lock in your order at least 3-4 weeks ahead to get your preferred date. The earlier the better!
Pick Your Theme & Colors – Go with school colors, classic black and gold, or mix it up with a fun combo that fits the grads' personality. If you don't know just yet, that's okay! We can still get you on the calendar and nail down the details later.
Decide Where They Will Go – Think about the best spots for balloons—entrances, dessert tables, or a cool photo backdrop. But also keep in mind the weather. Balloons do not do well in direct sunlight or extreme heat. Oh, and you'll also want to be sure to ask your venue what's allowed as far as decor. We work with several venues in the Quad Cities, and they are pretty awesome about having us. We have a pretty good idea of what they allow, plus we have growing list of stand rentals if needed.
Set a Budget – Balloon decor comes in a range of prices; don't be afraid to let us know what you're working with! The minimum for us to come out and install is $225 ($300 outdoors), but we do have some GREAT budget friendly options, too!

I know, that's all pretty awesome right? So, what are you waiting for?! Book now by completing our inquiry form, and we'll be in touch!! And CHEERS to the Class of 2025!