Click to Call: 
Super Bowl LIV (or 54 to non-Romans) might be headed to Miami, but tropical tailgaters could learn a thing or two from Southern fans. In fact, there’s nothing like a little football rivalry to get us in the mood. That is, in the mood to start designing a party. So, when the UGA Alumni Association called on WM Events to gussy up its tailgate event for a matchup between the University of Georgia Bulldogs and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, we huddled up and pulled out our best plays.
Choosing the theme color was easy – we made the most out of UGA’s Bulldog Red and paired it with Chapel Bell White to make it pop and keep the atmosphere fresh and uplifting. Under massive tents set up on the front lawn of UGA’s Tate Center, we created a variety of seating areas, blending casual and high-end furniture in that special way Southern folks are known for.
The event kicked off with entrance signage and a perimeter created from double-sided hedge walls that offered privacy. Additional hedge walls were used to hide back-of-house areas for a seamless event atmosphere. We strung 300 feet of greenery garland from the tent structures and supports and created chandeliers from 4-foot diameter hoops using red spandex.
Wood Adirondack chairs met white leather banquettes with white oatmeal linen slipcovers. We added white ottomans and linen banquettes, providing plenty of comfortable seating options. All of these were decorated with bright accent pillows in red or those with bold red-and-white stripes.
We kept the bold theme in the table linens, which were either solid red or red and white striped, and included a variety of large and small rounds, as well as low rounds and highboys. Near lawn table seating, we added umbrellas to provide shade on the warm September afternoon. To the wooden cocktail bars, we added red, silhouetted UGA graphics to brand them in a fun way.
Next, we topped tables with a combination of centerpieces and table lamps. Buffet tables received oversized smilax centerpieces in large wine jugs, while floral centerpieces featured bursts of red in short, glass vases.
Nobody does tailgates like Southern schools, and we knew we could count on the UGA fans to enhance the décor with their spirit wear, which they did. We brought the red “Dawgs” and football helmet Krazy Straws to keep them motivated.
Final score – Bulldogs 23, Fighting Irish 17. WM Events for the win!
