Balloon Blog & News

Greetings one and all

It's nearly that time of year where red hearts are seen all over the place as Valentines day arrives on the 14th of February. This year we are proud to announce that we have teamed up with Prima Donna Bridal and their fantastic shop on Timberhill Norwich, where we will be decorating their shop window for the season. The folk there are experts in their field and the wedding dresses they have are truly amazing. so, for all those ladies out there looking for the dress for your special day, Look no further than Prima Donna Bridal!

Facebook Competition

There is still time to enter our Facebook competition where you can win a valentines balloon bouquet. Just go to our Facebook page Balloons by Danny Marino
Like AND share the post to be added into the draw.

All the best

Danny

Balloons vita nostra est

There are divided opinions regarding balloon decor at weddings In Norfolk. We have actually heard people at wedding shows calling balloons “cheap” and there are occasions that we understand why they think this when décor and colours are not done by professionals or artistically, but we are here to try and change that opinion and champion balloon décor for all occasions.
When you walk into a traditional style wedding there is normally one colour that dominates – White! White table covers, place settings, Chair covers and the Room or Marquee itself. When colours are introduced, they need to be added carefully as to not stand out like a sore thumb, we add the accent colours to enhance the decor but not dominate. These can be various shades of one colour using techniques to lighten or darken the balloon. We have 80 standard colours to choose from which then leads to 100’s of variations to use for the brides Wedding Decor.
Wedding Decor doesn’t have to just be 3 balloons on a weight in the middle of the table, in fact we as an industry are experiencing a helium shortage and are trying to introduce more air filled creative designs where we can. We design our entire decor to suit the needs of you the customer. Elegant table centres with real or imitation flowers incorporated within, to entrance columns and arches wrapped in tulle of organza to soften the design (examples of which can be found on our website or facebook page). Balloons also give you the height that flowers alone cannot and can be used decorate the ceiling of the venue to give added interest in high rooms or marquees.
However, there are a few couples to be that want that change from the traditional approach and go for a theme for their wedding. Over the years, we have done many of these themed weddings, ranging from Alice in Wonderland, Superheroes to a Back to the Future wedding complete with a Delorean! Our ethos is if you can dream it, we will have a go to make it a reality! Another on trend item is the “Selfie” wall/picture frame for your guests to take pictures of themselves at the reception and post (after the big day) to show everyone what a great day your wedding was. Also don’t forget any children that will be there a gift of a character balloon for the younger ones makes them feel like a special part of your day. Or you may consider hiring a balloon artist for your wedding reception to do balloon modelling to entertain children and adults alike!
On the big day itself, we will arrive early and set up everything as discussed, ready for the happy couple and their guests to walk into the reception and enjoy best day of their lives.
We hope to see you at the Sprowston Manor Wedding show in September where you can check out our latest designs and ask either Lesley or Danny any questions about having balloons at your wedding.
All the best
Dan Whitham CBA
Balloons by Danny Marino

Our 2019 Valentines Day Competition is nearly upon us. This year it will be launched at the Sprowston Manor Wedding Show and our Facebook page on Sunday 20th January. The prize is a fabulous bouquet of balloons worth £25.00 which will be delivered on the day.
Keep watching Balloons by Danny Marino or pop down to the show and see our two fantastic new designs for your special day.

Preparations for the show are going swimmingly with two large boxes of balloons that arrived directly from Qualatex on Tuesday. (we do feel sorry for the poor FedEx man who struggled up our path with all the boxes)
One of the colours we have chosen for our display is this years Wedding Colour of the year which is Coral. We think that with this colour and the two others we have chosen along side will create a very stylish and contemporary wedding colour scheme.

See you all soon

Danny

Happy New Year to all our customers past, present and future from us all here at Balloons by Danny Marino

2019 is already starting to look like a big year for us both in the balloon world and personally.
January will see us making our return to the Sprowston Manor Wedding Show where we plan to show off a couple of our new designs and wedding hire items. Come along and have a look at all the top wedding suppliers in the county.

February will see the release of some news that we've been sitting on since the beginning of December.

July sees Danny supporting the East Coast Truckers at the Forum in the City. Pop along for your balloon models and support the charity.

August Bank holiday Sunday sees the East Coast Truckers Convoy Day 2019.
This will be the 11th year that Balloons by Danny Marino have been part of this fantastic charity event. The fun starts at County Hall at 8am with the trucks leaving at 10am. But the fun doesn't stop there. At Joyland Great Yarmouth there is fun and entertainment all day long at the East Coast Truckers stage with the Legend Marc James. Danny will be doing balloons models from midday until the convoy comes along the seafront at 5pm.

Making an entrance with balloons to make you event sparkle
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This time my blog is about why balloons can help lift your event up the the next level.
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All about the balloons.

The story behind Balloons by Danny Marino

So who are Balloons by Danny Marino? Well, they are a husband and wife team based on the outskirts of Norwich who specialise in everything balloon related, parties, Weddings and events
Back in 2010 Danny spotted about balloon education in the back of a catalogue and thought that it might be worth looking into. At the time he was a children’s magician and entertainer and had been making balloon models as part of his act since 1998, so one thing led to another and he brought the kit and signed up to the Qualatex Balloon Network Program which opened his eyes to the world of balloons. 2011 was a very special year, not only was Balloons by Danny Marino founded but it was also when he met is wife to be and Partner in the business, Lesley.
Since then, Balloons by Danny Marino has gone from strength to strength. From the very first customer we have prided ourselves on learning our customer’s needs and advising them on what the best way to go about it with the fantastic array of colours, shapes and designs that we offer in balloons. We are constantly training ourselves in new techniques and inventing new designs so that you can be confident that the balloons you order will be the best ever. Danny is also a CBA (Certified Balloon Artist) which was a very long 4 hour exam and makes him part of only 3000 in the whole world. Lesley hopes to be sitting her CBA exam later in 2017 to create the only Husband and wife CBA team in Norfolk.

Balloons by Danny Marino are also very happy to be involved with the following Norfolk Businesses by either being their recommended suppliers or by sponsoring their events.

Norwich City Football Club Spire Healthcare Norwich Fashion Week
Park Farm Hotel Wensum Valley Hotel East Coast Truckers Convoy
Castle Mall Norwich Shrek the Musical Original Factory Shop

Other than Balloons, Lesley and Danny enjoy Gardening, Their pets Buster and Millie, Fish keeping (koi) Magic, good laughs, Holidays to Scotland and Spain.

So keep your eyes open for our balloon covered van travelling the roads in the east of England and if you comment on our facebook page of where and when you saw it, you might just win a prize

For Immediate Release For More Information
Date 13th November 2015. Danny Marino. 01603 498847
Local Balloon Professional Earns Recognition as Certified Balloon ArtistSM

Dan Whitham of Balloons By Danny Marino in Norwich, Norfolk recently earned Certified Balloon Artist (CBA®) status. Dan was one of a select group of balloon professionals who successfully completed a series of tests, including oral and practical examinations. The certification was administered by the Qualatex
Balloon NetworkSM (QBN®), a professional organization dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in balloon decor and bouquets. There are currently more than 2,000 Certified Balloon Artist professionals worldwide.

“The education I’ve received as a result of pursuing my CBA designation will be invaluable in helping me provide high-quality, professional balloon products and services to everyone in the Norwich area,” said Dan.

To achieve certification, CBA candidates are required to:
1. Satisfactorily complete a series of exams;
2. Apply knowledge of skills and techniques by designing and building professional balloon deliveries, arrangements, and decor;
3. Demonstrate their understanding of design theories, delivery techniques, and business systems through an oral presentation to a panel of industry leaders.

Participants in the CBA Practical Exams are graded according to their knowledge of theory as well as the application of key design elements. In preparation for the CBA exams, Dan was required to study a series of educational DVDs and written materials produced by Pioneer® Balloon Company, manufacturer of Qualatex® brand balloons and developer of the Qualatex Balloon Network.

The CBA certification process is a key program in the Qualatex Balloon Network, which establishes industry standards and guidelines for balloon professionals. QBN supports balloon retailers through education, business systems, and marketing.


The QBN curriculum focuses on all aspects of the professional balloon industry, including balloon arrangements, deliveries, and decor for social expression, parties, and special events. QBN also serves as an international resource of ideas and solutions for its members. There are more than 4,000 QBN members worldwide.

Why use a Balloon Professional.

a brief bit on why it is better to use a company who deal with balloons day in day out rather than a high street card shop or florist.
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