Put balloons in the hands of a professional decorator, and they can transform an event.
We asked Dianna Glandon, the owner of Above the Rest Balloon & Event Designs and a certified balloon artist, to write a guest blog for EventCheck Knox about the beauty of balloons.
From the air used to the addition of fabric, Glandon is an expert on balloon art and design. Enjoy her blog entry.
I am now in my eighth year of business and welcome the development of a new trend for planners: Balloons have surpassed being just decorative and can create a signature experience at events.
Balloons are so much more than you think. They’re not necessarily latex, and they’re not necessarily filled with helium. In fact, we use air to inflate 90 percent of our balloons because air-filled balloons are better to work with, last longer and look better. We like to use foil and plastic balloons because they far outlast latex balloons.
Foil balloons last up to two weeks, and plastic balloons can last well over a month. We’ve actually had clients call to say they still have their balloons after six weeks. We once created a balloon pig sculpture that lasted two-and-a-half years!
I see balloons as the medium for my art and cringe at the notion that balloon decorations involve nothing more than bunches of balloons stringed to weights.
We placed 5-foot foil chandeliers in the showroom at Mercedes-Benz of Knoxville for an elegant touch at the holidays. Similar designs were used for the University of Tennessee’s Haslam College of Business gala held at the Knoxville Convention Center.
Champagne bubble designs used at the Knoxville Chamber’s Pinnacle Awards lowered the ceiling at the Knoxville Convention Center and created an intimate feel in the ballroom. Dramatic results can be achieved by combining balloons and lighting.
Event planners recognize the potential of balloons. I’m seeing more clients who want my balloons to create a fun, interactive experience. Huge balloon frames for photo ops are popular, as are balloon arches that tell a story. We handle everything from those arches to sculptures.
Fabric, another component of my business, has tremendous design potential. Fabric decor adds a soft, elegant touch to events. When combined with lighting and balloons, the look becomes magical. I used fabric to add a wow factor to a poolside wedding reception in Jamestown, Tennessee.
Aside from adding pizzazz to events, I believe one of the most important aspects of our business is that we relieve stress from clients who are planning events. When someone hires professional artists, they get far more than balloon or fabric decorations; they receive time savings, labor savings and stress relief.
What I’ve discussed is really just the tip of the iceberg. The possibilities are endless. If you’re looking for a way to add sparkle to your event, consider balloons and/or fabric. They are not just a children’s thing and they’re transformative in the hands of a professional decorator.
Dianna Glandon is the owner and founder of Above the Rest Balloon & Event Designs. Email her at [email protected] or call 865-719-8110.
Thanks Event Check for taking the time to talk to me about Above the Rest Balloon & Event Designs. I loved every minute spent with you and appreciate you taking the time to learn more about the power of balloons and what a professional designer can do using the art medium! Appreciate you!
Thank YOU, Dianna for participating with the site. You do amazing work with balloons. I can barely tie one closed and you make them come to life!