Weddings probably seem like a constant business — after all, people are always getting married — but those close to it know better. Every year, there is always downtime — usually Christmas until February. And the recession isn’t helping matters either — spending on wedding reception flowers is down to an average of $369 in 2009 from $385 in 2008, according to the Wedding Report.

Flickr photo by onedeuxthree

But unlike the wedding industry, which I’m sure is going to try and figure out ways to make brides come back to vendors, I’m going to suggest another way to save money on decorating your reception. How about balloons?

Flickr photo by Epochend

Balloons were actually the first thing I learned when I began decorating with my mom, some 15 years ago. Balloons are not difficult, but there is a technique to the more complicated pieces. Florists and balloon artists also employ special machinery when doing a lot of balloons for big parties — like measured helium distributing machines and wire frames to create balloon shapes. However, you can create a pretty festive atmosphere by just blowing up a lot of balloons, enough to cover the ceiling, and tying them with extra long streamers, like in the photo above.

Flickr photo by cheerfulballoons

This type of balloon arrangement, an arch, is also very simple and easy to do. In most of the work I did with my mom, I usually used one or two alternating colors for balloon arches. I did not usually use printed balloons either. The trick with a balloon arch like this one is to make the spacing even, which can be difficult for a novice (which I was).

Flickr photo by JPhilipson

(Heehee, what a great photo!) This balloon heart, with the spiral — see it? — is built around a wire frame. The construction of the balloons is very similar to the way you construct a balloon pillar or the thick balloon arch — four balloons of two colors twisted together and put on so that they create that spiral effect. You don’t even need helium for pillars or hearts. With a pillar or the balloon arch (not like the single arch I pictured earlier), I twisted the balloons around fishing line. Constructing these types of pillars or arches are actually pretty easy, if you know what you’re doing. However, I did find one example on Flickr of a balloon heart with lights — very pretty, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Lights can overheat and pop the balloons.

Flickr photo by cheerfulballoons

Another lovely photo and arrangement by cheerfulballoons on Flickr (and they have a lot of great pictures if you need inspiration). This arrangement is a bit more complicated, as you can tell, but it is an example of what you can do with balloons if you want to get more elaborate.

Flickr photo by AZmitch

Here’s another example of what you can do with balloons at your wedding reception. I’m not sure where this is or who did the decorations, but it looks pretty nice to me and not plain at all.

In the Los Angeles area, my mom often went to Conwin’s in Glendale. We got helium tanks, balloons and all sorts of related accessories and books you can buy. You can also get those rental tanks there.

And, for fun, check this out:

Flickr photo by LP<321

Awwwwwyeahhhhh! Who’s the brave bride that will sport a balloon bridal gown???? Who? Who??? Hehehhe.