A baby shower balloon garland is usually 3–4 metres, in a soft three-colour palette with one chrome accent, built from 12" balloons for the body, 5" minis for the gaps, a few 18" for shape and a single 36" at one end. For a 3-metre garland that's about 30 × 12", 40 × 5", 7 × 18" and one 36". Below are the five palettes clients book most, the exact Stylex shades for each, and a shopping list you can order straight from.
What colours work for a baby shower?
Three colours plus an accent, with the main colour about 60% of the balloons. The five we build most:
| Palette | Main (60%) | Support (30%) | Third (10%, in 5s) | Accent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Girl, classic | Baby Pink | Pearl White | Blush | Chrome Rose Gold |
| Boy, classic | Baby Blue | White | Pastel Blue | Chrome Silver |
| Gender-neutral boho | White Sand | Pastel Dusk Cream | Avocado Green | Chrome Champagne |
| Gender-neutral modern | Pastel Dusk Blue | Grey | Pastel Dusk Cream | Chrome Silver |
| Gender reveal (before the reveal) | White | Baby Pink | Baby Blue | Chrome Champagne |
If the client sends a theme — "sage and cream", "dusty pink", "cloud" — the 12 palettes guide maps the common ones to shades.
How many balloons for a baby shower garland?
| Garland | 12" | 5" | 18" | 36" | Chrome 12" (accent) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 m (above a dessert table) | 20 | 25 | 5 | 1 | 4 |
| 3 m (backdrop or wall) | 30 | 40 | 7 | 1–2 | 6 |
| 4 m (full backdrop frame) | 40 | 50 | 10 | 2 | 8 |
Split the counts 60/30/10 across your three colours. One pack each of 12", 5" and 18" in the main colour, plus a pack of 36", covers a 3-metre garland with change — the counts guide has the full tables.
Shopping list: 3-metre girl's shower garland
- Baby Pink 12" × 100 (use ~18), 5" × 100 (use ~24), 18" × 25 (use 4), 36" × 2 (use 1)
- Pearl White 12" × 100 (use ~9), 5" × 100 (use ~12), 18" × 25 (use 2)
- Blush 5" × 100 (use ~4) — or borrow from stock
- Chrome Rose Gold 12" × 50 (use 6)
- Garland tape, glue dots, command hooks
Everything left over is the start of the next job — these four colours are in most shower palettes.
Where does the garland go?
- Backdrop frame behind the mum-to-be's chair or the dessert table: a 3–4 m garland running up one side and across the top, 36" at the top corner.
- Wall arch over the table: 3 m, mounted with command hooks, 18s clustered at the centre top.
- Half arch on a stand: 2.5 m, for venues that won't allow wall fixings.
Add a few 260 curls in the main colour for movement, and a floating 36" on a weighted ribbon beside the cake if the brief wants helium (treat it — see float times).
Build and timing
Build the day before, air-filled, and store in a cool room; air-filled latex holds for days. Install 1–2 hours before guests arrive and fill any gaps with 5s on site. The build order is in how to build an organic balloon garland.
Quick answers
What balloon colours are good for a gender-neutral baby shower?
White Sand, Pastel Dusk Cream and Avocado Green with Chrome Champagne, or Pastel Dusk Blue with Grey for a modern look.
How many balloons do I need for a baby shower arch?
A doorway-sized arch (about 4 m) is roughly 45 × 12", 55 × 5", 10 × 18" and two 36".
Baby Pink or Pastel Pink?
Baby Pink is a clean, classic light pink; Pastel Pink is cooler and more powdery. For a classic shower, Baby Pink; for a pastel rainbow, Pastel Pink.
Can I buy these colours wholesale?
Yes — every colour here is stocked in every size for trade accounts. Register; approvals are usually same day.
Evra is a Sydney balloon stylist and the founder of Stylex Balloons, a wholesale latex balloon range made for organic decor.