Frequently Asked Questions
Where is your service area?
We are proud to serve all of Knoxville and Knox County, Tennessee, and also surrounding counties. We often travel to Blount County (Maryville, Alcoa), Anderson County (Oak Ridge, Clinton), Lenoir City, Loudon, Kingston, Sevier County (Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.)
We’ve decorated in Chattanooga, Cleveland, Bristol, and Nashville, TN, as well as out of state.We are happy to travel to your destination. Travel expense fees apply and a $5,000 minimum required for out of state service.
How do I contact you?
There are 4 easy ways:
- Order delivery items at our home page and pay online.
- Complete our “Event Inquiry” form for custom events, larger designs, or fabric. Feel free to upload inspiration photos or a photo of your logo or invitation.
- Please leave a message or text at (865) 719-8110. Include your name, phone number, and date of your special event. We’ll call you back as quickly as possible.
- Send an email to: dianna@abovetheresteventdesigns.com. Feel free to send inspiration photos or a photo of your logo or invitation.
What is the minimum order?
Pick up designs start at $49.97. (Order online)
Delivery designs start at $69.97. Delivery service fees is based on zip code of delivery address. (Order online)
Balloon event decor minimum is $295. Delivery/breakdown service fees apply.
Wedding decor, the minimum is $1,000 – $2,500.
How do I order?
Deliveries – You may order delivery items (for birthdays, baby, etc.) on our home page by clicking the type of delivery you desire. Then choose the design you want and pay on line. You will receive confirmation of the order. We will make the delivery and send you a photo.
Balloon Event Decor – We are happy to consult with you at your venue to get a vision of what you desire. (Consult fee applies for in-person consultations.) We can talk via phone or Zoom, or email to help you plan. We’ll ask you several questions to better determine what will work best for your event and budget.
Next, we either show you photos or create drawings for your approval. Then send you pricing with the drawings or meet with you again to go over the designs. An invoice and service agreement is sent to you for your approval and payment.
Every event has its own special needs based upon the venue and type of event. We work with you to create the biggest “bang” possible within your budget. Event decor starts at $295 up to several thousand dollars for large-scale events. We often expertly handle 5-figure events with ease.
Fabric/Weddings – The process is the same as for balloon events. There is a $250 design fee for wedding décor. This is credited toward your event after you place your order. This is payable in advance. The deposit allows for one wedding design and one revision. There is a separate design fee for a major revision to bridal decor after the first. The design deposit is non-refundable.
What are your payment policies? When is my event on your calendar?
Deliveries – Payment for all deliveries are due at time of placing order. Pay online. Once payment is received, you receive a confirmation and the order is placed on our calendar.
Wedding decor – 50% retainer is due at time of placing order. Balance is due 30 days before wedding date. Your event is put on our calendar once the approved Service Agreement and 50% retainer are received. Special payment plans are available upon request for wedding services.
School & College – We know that school policies require P.O. and payment by check after event. When you give us your written approval for your event decor, your calendar is placed on our calendar.
All other events – 50% retainer and approved Service Agreement are due in advance of event and due at time of placing order. Balance is due prior to event.
What type of payments do you accept?
We do not accept first or last born children—have our own to love thanks. However, we offer on-line shopping and payment for many designs. Cash, check and credit cards are accepted, including American Express & Discovery. There is a 3.5% processing fee for credit card use.
What time do you deliver?
Event decor deliveries vary according to the time of the event. We start when you need an event set and stay until we complete setting the decor. For early a.m. sets or breakdown, there is a premium service charge, which varies according to time and location of event.
Typically, for 7 a.m. events, the minimum for decor is $697.
Outdoor events that require set up before 6 a.m. are possible, ($1,500 minimum) This is premium delivery/set up service.
Arrangement deliveries normally take place between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday thru Saturday.
Closed on Sunday.
What can you make out of balloons and fabric?
We can create almost anything using balloons from classic columns and arches to flowers, organic designs of all sizes, large-scale sculptures, murals/walls, ceiling decor, drops, and logos.
With fabric, it’s easy for us to create canopies, drapes, walls, and swags.
Just ask, you’ll probably be surprised what we can create for you.
Do you do lighting?
Absolutely! When lighting is added to balloon décor, the look is amazing! Lights can go inside balloons, around them, hang from them, or shine up on them. We also have twinkle and bistro lights for fabric.
Note: For the best whole room lighting, we have a list of awesome lighting experts we recommend.
What is delivery/set up service & charge?
It’s what it says. We deliver and set up your order so you don’t have to. Easy-peasy. We take care of it all.
For smaller items like birthday deliveries, the delivery fee starts at $20 and varies according to zip code where the delivery is located.
For event decor, delivery/set up service starts at $65 and varies according to time of day, venue, and the amount of items to be delivered.
Minimum delivery fee to Gatlinburg, Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Morristown is $250 with a minimum order of $1,797 – $2,500, depending upon time of year and location of event.
How much notice do you need to create decor?
It depends upon the time of year. Are you calling in a high “season” like New Year’s Eve, Valentine’s, Prom, Graduation, Back to School, Wedding, Football, etc.?” If so, we need more time than normal to consult, design, and create. We suggest 3 weeks to a month during those times, but the more notice we have, the better. Many of our clients rebook their annual events immediately after the current one.
Typically, we are able to create event decor within a 1-2 week period, depending on the event’s size. We’ve also pulled off same day events. (with a big rush fee)
For smaller events or deliveries, we offer same day service (rush fee applies). 2-7 days is greatly appreciated however.
We are experts at serving you with your “Balloon Emergency,” rarely saying “No” to your request for balloons. After all, every event and celebration needs balloons, right?
What about “no balloon” venues?
The Knoxville Convention Center, Knoxville Museum of Art, and The Foundry do have a charge for balloons that float to the ceiling. However, if you want balloons at those venues, Above the Rest is permitted to use helium because we guarantee our balloons will not go to the ceiling or we will get them down. The Knoxville Zoo does NOT permit balloons of any type.
95% of our decor is done in air and on framework so it’s really not an issue and those venues regularly refer their clients to us so we can do the decor.
How long do balloons last?
Longevity of balloons is dependent upon location and climate. Inside, décor can easily last 1-2 weeks if not handled a lot. Outside, latex décor is only meant for one day. We’ve had clients tell us they’ve had our balloons last much longer, but we don’t guarantee it.
Foil balloons will far outlast latex balloons, up to 2 weeks with ease. Plastic balloons can last well over a month. We’ve actually had clients say they still have had their balloons after 6 weeks! We’ve even had one client have a pig sculpture we made last for 2 1/2 years! That’s crazy!
We create décor as close to your event as possible giving it its optimum appearance. If you need décor to last several days, we use Hi-Float, to extend the life by several days or weeks. We use the best professional grade of balloons on the market and many techniques that make your balloons last a long time to give you a quality experience.
Do you do balloon releases?
Did you know that it is ILLEGAL to release balloons in Tennessee? Yep, we are one of a handful of states with a law against balloon releases. There is a fine of up to $250 per balloon that is released. Yikes! DON’T RELEASE BALLOONS OUTSIDE.
It is our policy at Above the Rest to NEVER do a balloon release. We are a member of the Pro Environmental Balloon Alliance (PEBA), an international organization who believes in educating people about the best way to use and dispose of balloons. Please do NOT ask us to do a balloon release or promise you won’t release balloons into the atmosphere, when you know you will. Most definitely, NEVER EVER release foil balloons outside. For more information, you can read our blog about proper disposition of balloons.
Do you use biodegradable balloons?
Yes, indeed. We use 100% biodegradable latex balloons of the highest professional grade. Bet you didn’t know that latex balloons biodegrade at the rate of a maple leaf when placed into the ground. There is a lot of research that proves that latex balloons are NOT amongst the environmental problem that they are claimed to be. We have a blog about this and you can read more at peba.com.au.
Foil balloons are a different story. They are not biodegradable. We recycle and reuse as many as we can. We cut them up to create confetti, cover sand weights, etc. Some are recycled or given away for others to use. We ask you to recycle as well. Again, NEVER release foils into the atmosphere.
Will you donate to….?
We are happy to donate to nonprofit organizations. We receive donation requests 2-3 times a month. Thus, our staff chooses organizations we wish to support on an annual basis. We always include Honor Air and Emerald Youth. If you are seeking a donation, feel free to call and we’ll see what we can do. A 3-week advance notice is requested please.