Behind the Scenes of Our Balloon Training Day with Tuftex Balloons and Bubblegum Balloons at One Marylebone for the Help for Children Charity Ball!
Ever wondered how those breathtaking balloon displays come to life? Join us as we take you behind the scenes of our inspiring training day with the talented teams!
Hosted at the iconic One Events London, we had the joy of transforming this beautiful venue, One Marylebone, with stunning balloon installations that were donated for the annual Help for Children Charity Gala, this gala raises vital funds and awareness to prevent child abuse and support victims across the UK.
Stay tuned, because we’re excited to announce even more training days in 2025, where we’ll be diving into the art of balloon decor with fresh bespoke themes and techniques.
We can’t wait to continue spreading the joy of balloon artistry and raising the bar on event decor – see you in 2025!
For more resources and to continue your learning journey online, visit our Learning Hub.
We began the day by introducing our amazing team of hosts and trainers, each bringing their own wealth of knowledge and unique expertise. Our talented Bubblegum directors – Laura, Sally, and Meg – kicked off the event with a warm welcome, sharing a bit about their own journeys in the industry and the passion that drives their work.
We were thrilled to have two incredibly skilled trainers at the day’s sessions working with our directors!
Claire from the Bubblegum Events Team brought her experience from countless successful events and installations, sharing insider tips on creating visually stunning and stable balloon arrangements. Her expertise and eye for detail gave everyone a new perspective on how to elevate their designs.
Ani, a proud Tuftex ambassador, offered hands-on guidance and a creative approach to using Tuftex products. As a leader in balloon artistry, Ani showed attendees innovative ways to bring balloon decor to life, from large installations to intricate details.
Attendees were also introduced to Megan from Tuftex Social Media, who joined us to share insights. Her expertise provided valuable tips on leveraging social media to showcase balloon artistry.
This event was made even more meaningful by our choice of venue: the beautiful One Marylebone. Not only is this location iconic for us at Bubblegum Balloons, but it’s the event was dedicated to supporting charity, which aligns perfectly with our mission to give back to the community. Being able to use such a special space for a day of skill-building and creativity made the experience even more rewarding for everyone involved.
To ensure each participant could fully immerse themselves in each skill-building session, we divided our attendees into four groups. They rotated through each activity, giving everyone the opportunity to experience the full spectrum of balloon styling skills, from start to finish.
We built in breaks between each session so attendees could relax, connect, and recharge. These pauses created time to share tips, ask questions, and unwind before diving into the next skill set.
It was a day full of creativity, colour, and camaraderie, as we shared balloon decorating tips and tricks with a wonderful group of artists and decorators.
After a full day of balloon artistry, we celebrated with a social gathering at Sixes Bar, where attendees enjoyed drinks, food, and a few lively rounds of cricket! It was the perfect way to unwind, network, and reflect on a day full of learning and creativity.
Giant Balloons: How to Decal, Tails & Giant Stacks!
Our 3ft Giant Balloon session offered attendees hands-on experience with grand balloon elements, providing them with skills to elevate their installations. Exploring how to transform these giants into eye-catching features by adding decorative touches like plumes and intricate snowflake tails, adding a whimsical, festive flair perfect for the season.
We dove into techniques for inflating these oversized balloons, emphasising the use of high float to prolong their fullness and maintain a consistent size. This approach is essential in creating a cohesive look, especially for larger installations where height and fullness makes a huge difference in overall appearance. Participants were able to master consistency in sizing, giving them confidence in working with multiple giant balloons in one display.
We demonstrated the concept of “balloon stacks.” These stacks allow designers to build height and structure within their creations, forming eye-catching centerpieces and dramatic photo backdrops to any event space.
When it came to applying decals to these oversized surfaces, we demonstrated a precise technique. Participants learned how to ensure a flawless, bubble-free finish!
External Garlands: One Marylebone’s Entrance Pillar Wrap!
We led the groups outside to begin the impressive task of wrapping a grand balloon garland around One Marylebone’s iconic pillars, an architectural highlight that brought a unique backdrop to our installation. Our session focused on the technical aspects of securing balloon clusters and adding volume and elegance to the garland, creating a visual masterpiece around the building’s columns.
To enhance the central pillars, we taught attendees how to incorporate additional decorative elements, such as eye-catching starbursts that elevated the overall design. We emphasised techniques for securing and stabilising balloon installations outdoors, sharing tips and tricks for ensuring that these intricate creations could withstand weather, allowing the display to retain its beauty throughout the event.
Excitement grew among the attendees as they watched the transformation unfold. Wrapping around the pillars gradually turning the building’s entrance into a welcoming, show-stopping centerpiece. The group watched in awe as the garland climbed higher and higher. The finished display was a larger-than-life installation that showcased the elegance of One Marylebone, leaving both participants and onlookers in awe of the striking visual effect they had collectively achieved.
Suspended Ceiling: 3ft Giants, Starbursts & Attaching onto line!
This show-stopping session focused on crafting suspended ceiling balloon décor, with an emphasis on the essentials of working with starburst balloons and creating dynamic overhead installations.
Attendees learned the step-by-step process of tying balloons and starbursts onto lines, mastering the technique of achieving that perfect floating effect. The session delved into the art of creating a striking, cohesive overhead display that draws the eye and adds a dramatic flair to any event space.
We covered how to find the ideal line placement, ensuring it blends seamlessly into the space while maintaining an organic, natural look and how to use High Float to extend the longevity of helium balloons for longer-lasting effects.
Participants gained insights into calculating how many lines to use and how to space them evenly for maximum visual impact.
By the end of the session, each attendee was equipped with practical skills and design insights, ready to create sophisticated, larger-than-life ceiling installations that elevate any space, regardless of scale or theme.
Staircase Dressing: Organic garlands, snowflakes and silver foil!
In this session, attendees crafted an organic balloon display that gracefully climbed a staircase, turning an otherwise simple architectural feature into a breathtaking focal point. Working with a range of balloon sizes, textures, and tones, they learned the art of blending these elements into a visually striking arrangement that felt both natural and harmonious.
To enhance the wintery theme, attendees created intricate blue balloon snowflakes using 260 Qs, carefully weaving them into the garland for a stunning contrast against the neutral tones. These seasonal touches brought a sophisticated elegance to the display. Participants were guided in the process of integrating these decorative snowflakes seamlessly into the garland’s organic design, ensuring each addition flowed smoothly with the rest, enhancing rather than disrupting the overall look.
The session also covered essential techniques for securing the garland to the staircase. This involved finding the right balance between stability and flexibility, allowing the garland to maintain its fluid, natural shape. By the end of the session, attendees had not only created a visually captivating piece but had gained the skills to replicate this type of installation for a range of events, transforming any staircase into a show-stopping work of art.
We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who attended, as well as to our talented team whose hard work and dedication made this event such a success.
From start to finish, the day was filled with creativity, enthusiasm, and a genuine sense of community, and it was truly inspiring to watch each participant’s skills and confidence grow with every session. Seeing the excitement as attendees mastered new techniques and built beautiful, large-scale installations was a reminder of why we love what we do – and of the endless possibilities in balloon artistry.
We’re so proud of the progress each of you made, and we can’t wait to see how you’ll incorporate these new skills and ideas into your own projects, bringing a fresh level of artistry and professionalism to your work. Keep an eye out on our training hub and for more training events and to expand your skills – we have some exciting plans in store!
Thank you again for joining us!
We’re excited to keep sharing the joy of balloon artistry and pushing the boundaries of event decor!
– See you in 2025!
For additional resources and to keep learning online, be sure to visit our Learning Hub.