Balloon decor and event styling in Bedford
Postcodes covered
MK40, MK41, MK42, MK43, MK44 and MK45
Events and styling
07584 653282The Balloon Shop, Kempston
07799 021533
01
The rooms Bedford parties actually happen in
Bedford is a town of three housing types and each one changes the job. The Victorian terraces around Castle Road and Queens Park have high ceilings and narrow through-rooms, which suits a garland running up a chimney breast far better than a wide backdrop nobody can stand back from. The 1930s semis in Putnoe and Brickhill have the opposite problem: usable wall width, lower ceilings, so displays want to spread sideways rather than climb.
Then there are the newer estates at Great Denham and Wixams, where the open-plan kitchen diner has become the party room. Those have the space for a full backdrop and a light up number, but almost never a plain wall to put them against, so the display has to work with bifold doors and an island in the way.
Knowing which of the three you are in before we quote is why we ask for a photograph of the room rather than a description of it.
02
The shop is here, which changes what is possible
Every other town on this list is a drive. Bedford is not. That means small orders are worth doing here in a way they are not elsewhere: a single number balloon, a bouquet for someone's desk, a personalised bubble balloon written that morning.
It also means late changes are survivable. If the colour scheme moves the week before, or you need three more balloons on the day, being ten minutes from the shop is the difference between yes and sorry.
We have also worked on school events in the town, including Bedford Modern School, so if you are organising something for a school, a club or a company rather than a family party, that is familiar ground.
Where events happen in Bedford
A few of the places people book locally. We are not tied to any of them, and we are not claiming a job at every one. It is here so you can see we know the town.
The Bedford Swan Hotel
An eighteenth century building on the Great Ouse in the town centre.
Bedford School
Around forty acres a short walk from the centre, with a Grade II listed chapel.
Bedford Corn Exchange
The town's main hall for larger functions and civic events.
Bedford Modern School
We have styled an event here, and the photograph on this page is from it.
Village halls across the borough
Bromham, Clapham, Wootton and Elstow all have halls that take family parties.
If your venue is not on this list it makes no difference. Tell us which one it is and we will speak to them about access times and what they allow to be fixed to what.
03
Collecting, or having it built. Bedford is the one place you can do both
Everywhere else we work, the question is what we bring to you. In Bedford there is a second option, because the shop is here. A run of helium balloons, a number, a bouquet or a hand written bubble balloon can be made up in Kempston and collected, with no installation involved at all.
The rough dividing line is whether anything needs building. Balloons that sit on a table, tie to a chair or get carried in are a shop order. Anything that has to be constructed against a wall, hung from a ceiling or stood on a floor is the events side, because it goes up on site.
Plenty of Bedford jobs end up as both: a garland and a light up number at the venue from the events side, and a bunch of helium balloons collected that morning for the car or the breakfast table. If you are not sure which you need, ring either number and we will sort it out on the phone.
What to send us if you are in Bedford
It saves a round of emails, and on a local job it often means we can answer the same day.
- A photograph of the room, taken from the doorway
- Which end of the room people will actually gather at
- Whether it is a terrace, a semi or a newer open plan house
- The date, and roughly what time guests arrive
- Whether you also want anything to collect from the Kempston shop
- A colour you like, ideally as a photograph rather than a name
What we bring to Bedford
The whole kit travels
- Arches and garlands
- Light up numbers
- Sequin walls
- Flower walls
- Venue styling
- Prop hire
- Helium balloons
- Personalised balloons
- Themed displays
- Event staff
- Linen hire
- Table decor
- Soft play
- Workshop parties
Neighbourhoods and villages we cover
Kempston, Brickhill, Putnoe, Goldington, Queens Park, Castle Road, Biddenham, Bromham, Clapham, Wootton, Elstow, Great Denham and Wixams, across MK40, MK41, MK42, MK43, MK44 and MK45.
Photographed on the day
Work we have photographed
What people said afterwards
4.7 out of 5 on Add To Event
Was a great service. Would highly recommend. With beautiful attention to detail. Really beautiful balloons. And no hassle at all. Thanks so much.
Questions
Asked often
Where is The Balloon Shop in Bedford?
The shop is at 210 Bedford Rd, Kempston, Bedford MK42 8HP. Call the shop line on 07799 021533 before you set off if you want to check an order is ready.
Do you cover the whole of Bedford?
Yes, across MK40, MK41, MK42, MK43, MK44 and MK45, which takes in Kempston, Brickhill, Putnoe, Goldington, Biddenham, Bromham, Clapham, Wootton, Elstow, Great Denham and Wixams.
Can you do a party at home rather than at a venue?
Most of the Bedford work we do is at home. Send a photograph of the room and we will tell you what will fit and where it should go, which is not always the wall people expect.
Can I collect balloons rather than have them delivered?
Yes. That is exactly what the Kempston shop is for. Helium balloons, numbers, bouquets and personalised bubble balloons are made up and ready to collect on the day.
Do you do school and corporate events in Bedford?
Yes. We have worked on school events in the town including Bedford Modern School, and with companies including Wells & Co. Retail and office installs are usually done before opening or after closing.
Do you charge extra to come to my part of Bedford?
Tell us the postcode when you enquire and we will confirm the cost for your job. We will not quote a travel figure here that might be wrong for your address.
Can you do a last minute booking in Bedford?
Being in the same town makes late bookings more possible here than anywhere else we cover, but it depends entirely on what is already in the diary for that date. Ring rather than email if it is urgent.