If you think balloons are just for children’s parties and cheesy prom photos, think again. This fun and highly versatile party essential is actually a DIY bride’s best friend (and also happens to be very affordable). With a little creativity, you can take a balloon that cost a few cents and make it look like a million bucks – isn’t that what being a DIY bride is all about?! Step up your balloon game on your wedding day with these 15 crafty ideas guaranteed to make your balloons pop.

Tulle

Cover balloons in colored tulle and secure with ribbon, flowers, tassels or any other craft item you have on hand.

Photography, concept & creative direction: @hipster_mum / Balloons: @borntopartyshop / Found on: Poppy Talk.

Flowers and Greenery

Attach fresh or artificial flowers to balloon tails for an instant romantic, boho upgrade.

Found on: Style Me Pretty.

Photo: Max and Friends.

Ceremony Arch

Tie balloons together and anchor at each end for an affordable and easy balloon arch.

Photography: Beck Rocchi Photography / Flowers: Raven and The Rose / Balloons: Belle Balloons / Wedding Dress: Bridal Atelier / Makeup: Shae Cara Makeup / Hair: Ally Jenkins Makeup / Found on: Lenzo.

Balloon arch: @art_petrov and @floral_style / Planning: @cranberryevent and @marina_buryndina / Photography: @lk.photo.

Text

Turn your balloons into save the dates, Mr. and Mrs. balloons, or even a wedding menu by writing on them with a Sharpie. For a full tutorial on how to do this, click here.

Found on: A Merry Thought.

Glitter (Inside)

Fill transparent balloons with glitter, confetti, or tissue paper to get them glitzing from the inside out.

Photo: Twigs and Twirls.

Tassels, Cloth, and Ribbon

Make your own fringe balloons by attaching pieces of cloth, tassels, and ribbon to balloon tails – bonus points if they are your wedding colors.

Photo: Bubblegum Balloons.

Photo: SweetTealPaper.

Pompoms

Glue pompoms to balloons in alternating or monochrome colours to give them texture, depth, and style.

Photography: Annie Parish Photography / Found on: Design Improvised.

Garlands

A garland is one of the more complicated balloon DIYs, but is truly worth the effort for the end result.

Photography: Max & Friends / Found on: Urban Palate.

Styling and Photography: Amy Moss and Naomi Julia Satake / Crafting: Naomi Julia Satake and Justine Pon / Found on: Oh Happy Day.

Escort Cards

Turn balloons into escort cards by tying photos or names to helium-filled balloons.

Found on: Wedding Chicks.

Glitter (Outside)

No wedding is complete without some sparkle, so dip balloons in glitter for instant glamour.

Found on: Studio DIY.

Centerpieces

Forget elaborate floral centerpieces – use balloons instead.

Found on: @boutique_balloons_melbourne.

Paint

Paint your balloons in different patterns like ombre, marble, brush strokes, or stripes. If you’re feeling really creative, try using metallic, matte, or glitter paint.

Photography: Jeff Mindell / Found on: Studio DIY.

Cake Topper

Make an easy DIY cake topper with mini balloons and a few cake supplies.

DIY and Photography: Lisa Tilse for We Are Socut.

Table Numbers

Use your balloons as table numbers by tying numbers to the string of the balloons and filling them with helium.

Found on: Bubblegum Balloons.

Photographer: Sarah Gawler / Venue: Aynhoe Park / Flowers: Euphoric Flowers / Found on: Bridal Musings.

Photography: Fuller Photography / Flowers: Constance Rose / Found on: Whimsical Wonderland Weddings.

Ceiling Feature

Sometimes the best ideas are the most simple ones. Create a unique ceiling feature by covering the ceiling with various balloons in different shapes, sizes, and colours.

Styling and event management: Styled by Coco / Photography: My Little Company Photography / Balloons: Belle Balloons / Venue: Nshry Cafe – Albert Park / Found on: Lenzo.

Project: Jesi Haack design for designlovefest / Photography: Brittany Wood / Found on: DesignLoveFest.

Kendra Hagerman is a fashion, beauty, and lifestyle writer who had a dreamy DIY backyard brunch wedding. She and her husband are now the proud fur parents of Mona, a chiweenie rescue that is still getting used to the Canadian climate. You can find her on Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, and Facebook.