Going above and beyond: Denise is making occasions special with Beyond The Clouds

HOW you make an occasion special is often found in the detail, and Denise Lang is certainly proving she has the eye for those details.

Denise operates Beyond The Clouds, an event decor and prop hire service which covers Sligo and anywhere up to two hours away.

The Dromore West-based business is named in memory of her late daughter, Mya-Rae, who passed away in 2021.

Denise wanted the name to be a subtle but fitting tribute to Mya-Rae as she explained how an event in her memory inspired her to pursue this new career.

“This all started in October 2021, a few months after our daughter passed away. In August of that year we held an event in the community as a fundraiser for the Jack and Jill Foundation which was a great help for us, but we also wanted to do it to give back to so many people who helped us when we needed it and the way the day panned out it gave me an idea going forward.”

Denise explained the events she has been prominently covering since then as word of Beyond The Clouds has grown from a local base of clients to a regional base.

“I have been covering social events like birthdays and of course this is a busy time now for communions and confirmations. The work takes me all over Sligo, you have to enjoy being constantly on the move when you are offering a service like this and I do like the travel and it has introduced me to so many different places and people I'd never have been to or met otherwise.”

In her line of work, many clients know exactly what event decor they want for a big occasion while others want to make the day special but need guidance on how to do it. Denise caters to both sets of clients to ensure everyone can have the special occasion they deserve.

“I offer a mix of custom and set designs. It’s often just a matter of choosing colour patterns but I was also conscious that not every client knows exactly what they want which is why there is room for custom design. If a client wants to sit down and chat about what they want for the occasion, I am happy to sit down with them and go over everything so we can come up with the most suitable design.”

It has been all go for Denise with Beyond The Clouds only going from strength-to-strength since 2021 as she makes her way through a packed schedule and discussed the value of feedback in her line of work.

“I was more or less fully booked for April before the month started. Clients are very good for giving me plenty of notice when booking Beyond The Clouds as it helps a lot with planning.

“I have been receiving a lot of regular feedback as well and it is nice to get it because when you work involves your own creativity bringing an idea to life you are always anxious that all goes well on the day, so it is nice to get that feedback afterwards.”

In a word of thanks to family, friends and clients who have supported since first starting this venture, she said: “I appreciate all the support I get, I can assure anyone who supports me that it doesn't go unnoticed. A lot of work goes into creating a fun day for people and there is always people offering to help me set up anywhere I go so I want to acknowledge them for that as well.”

Denise can be contacted by calling or texting 087 619 8763 or by emailing Beyondtheclouds@gmail.com.