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What do the Georgia Aquarium, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Ponce City Market and the Atlanta History Center have in common? These were just some of the sites visited by 100+ attendees at the Simon-Kucher & Partners annual meeting. If you know anything about Atlanta geography, you understand that these important cultural institutions are located throughout the city, and in between, there are many miles of pavement topped with the infamous Atlanta traffic.

So when an international corporation brought our WM Events team on board to plan and coordinate a variety of excursions and events for participants, spouses and families, we knew we needed a detailed road map. We planned an exclusive, three-day tour of some of the city’s most iconic attractions and hotspots that catered to a variety of ages and interests.

With a pool of coaches, minibuses and vans, we began the sightseeing extravaganza with a Behind the Seas Tour of Georgia Aquarium. This excursion brought more than 100 guests to the downtown attraction, and to manage the flow, we created smaller tour routes to both stagger the progression and create more intimate experiences for our guests. We managed this by giving guests pre-scheduled reservations to go on the exclusive tours that were staggered by 15 minutes. With this tour structure, we accommodated the large size of the group, but we sure had to time and plan their routes carefully to keep everyone on schedule!

It was a challenge to coordinate many groups at the same time and ensure smooth circulation, but we knew visitors would benefit from personal attention and the improved views offered by a small-group configuration.

After getting up close and personal with the residents of the aquarium’s 6.3-million-gallon habitat, guests were taken to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where they enjoyed beer and wine, hors d’oeuvres and a dinner buffet in the exclusive Delta Sky360 Club before heading to the field for a competitive PPK experience – that’s punt, pass and kick. We worked with the stadium to organize this special challenge and created a scoring system. Guests liked the competition so much that many stayed on the field the entire evening. Touchdown, WM Events!

The next morning, as part of the “Spouse Program,” visiting family members got the opportunity to tour the Georgia Aquarium for their own Behind the Seas ocean encounters. Then at mid-day, guests hopped into the coach to head to the Irwin Street Cooking School and take part in a Southern cooking experience. We were given specific allergy restrictions and worked with the cooking school to create a quintessentially southern menu that was also gluten free. This was definitely a HUGE hit with the group. After learning new skills from an experienced chef and lunching on the fruits of their labor, attendees returned to the Loews Hotel in Midtown to rest before another big night.

Next, we took them to Ponce City Market, where we finally had the chance to show off our décor skills. Guests partied on the Skyline Park rooftop, partaking in passed apps and cocktails before heading to dinner at the adjacent private event space RFD Social’s Roebuck Room, which offered an exciting view of the city. We topped round tables with designer linens in a cool palette of blue, gray and shimmery white and added silver votives and fresh, garden-inspired white floral centerpieces featuring herbal, fruit and floral elements honoring the character of an authentic Southern garden. Blue uplighting lined the perimeter to add a pop of color to the historic setting. Within the room’s industrial splendor, guests dined family style before being transported back to the hotel.

We could not let these mostly European visitors leave without learning a bit more about our city, so on the final day of the weekend, we took them to the Atlanta History Center. In addition to viewing the museum’s exhibitions, guests visited Cyclorama with senior military historian Dr. Gordon L. Jones and explored the Swan House with a knowledgeable docent. The long walk through time worked up an appetite, and we ended the day’s sights with lunch at Empire State South, where our road-weary travelers revived with celebrated chef Hugh Acheson’s menu of modern Southern fare.

For our WM Events team, this three-day experience offered us the chance to highlight some of the features that make our city an amazing place to live. It also challenged us to find the ideal activities and locations, then fit them within a strict timeframe and budget. While this client’s previous events had taken place in walkable cities, on-foot transportation was not a viable option in Atlanta. We met the challenges of traffic, summer heat, surprise afternoon thunderstorms, and last-minute changes head on. Thanks to our careful planning and constant communication with our vendors, our group enjoyed a seamless experience. And as for our logistics skills – they were sharply honed.

Operations expert Brittany Dahlgren is one of the behind-the-scenes team members who goes into the venue before the big day to get all of the elements set up and running, then comes back afterwards to deinstall the décor, making the whole process seamless. When she’s not hanging ceiling installations and laying out floorplans, Brittany spends her time in other active pursuits – hobbies that have a clear influence on her ideal event.

If I were an event, I would be … an obstacle race with an outdoor festival of fun.

My purpose would be … to raise money for a charity providing prosthetics for children.

I would take place … at an outdoor setting near a lake so that the obstacles could include water events. Reynolds Lake Oconee would be an ideal spot.

My theme would be … friendly competition. In the spirit of Tough Mudder or the Spartan races, participants would be challenged with completing a daunting course, but my event would be family friendly, so the competition style would be too.

My format would be … an obstacle course within a larger festival atmosphere. While the course would remain open throughout daylight hours, participants would be welcome to come early and stay late in order to enjoy a variety of other playful activities like games, face painting, a rope swing, tie-dying and more.  A hose-off station and several misters would help keep everyone cool. To remind participants about the important reason for the day of competitive fun, an open tent would feature displays and educational elements about the latest developments and achievements in prosthetics.

My décor would be … relaxing and outdoorsy. Above a picnic area, market lights would put a twinkle in the sky, while rustic elements would create the overall style of the event.

My florals would … complement the Southern style of my décor with lots of greenery, succulents and wildflowers virtually everywhere!

My entertainment would be … a kid-friendly DJ for an ongoing dance party – all ages welcome, of course. Later in the day, local musicians and talent would be stationed throughout the event grounds to provide a variety of entertainment experiences.

Guests would dine on … relaxed fare from onsite food trucks. There would be plenty of ice cream and frozen treats – what better way to cool off after completing a challenging obstacle course?

Refreshing beverages would include … everything great from a traditional concession stand. That means slurpees, slushies, lemonade and root beer floats. Water would be available throughout at all times to keep everyone hydrated.

My guest count would be … hopefully thousands of participants who like to get active in the name of a good cause.

I would invite guests with … a promotional campaign combing media coverage, social media sharing and partnerships. This special day of competition would also be included on Active.com.

I would incorporate the latest technologies with … innovative timing chips for race bibs for all of the participants so that the obstacle course could serve as a qualifier for other races. I would have fun technology focused on capturing the day in photos. Multiple photo booth options would give attendees the chance to pose and automatically upload to social media, while other photographs would be printed onsite for keepsakes. An Instagram Stories campaign would feature guest’s personal competition stories filmed onsite.

My guests will go home with … a medal! Racing for charity deserves this automatic thank you, do everyone gets one. As far as the competition, individuals and teams of at least six participants could also win for best time in various categories.

Having worked with manufacturing giant Doosan on the corporation’s biennial national meeting in Georgia multiple times, we were thrilled to be called to the Windy City to plan two events the company hosted during ProMat. If you are not familiar with ProMat, it’s a huge exhibition that brings together solution providers and some of the highest profile buyers in the manufacturing and supply chain world. With all of the industry movers and shakers in the vicinity, it was clear that these events would be high stakes for Doosan, and we would need to develop appealing ways to convey brand messaging without being redundant.

A Gem of an Awards Dinner
At the “Game Changers” Diamond Awards Dinner, held in LondonHouse’s Juliette Grand Ballroom, guests enjoyed views of the nightlife along Chicago’s Riverwalk as they dined and celebrated the evening’s honorees. We created a subtly branded space with tables featuring designer linens in metallic orange paired with washed-denim-look napkins that felt just right for this manufacturing industry event. We topped the round tables with low centerpieces of orange pincushion protea and roses mixed with green trick dianthus and blue thistle within metal bowls. Place settings floated on golden grid placemats, and metallic votives completed the rich but subtle look.

The stage was set on a low riser, which made it easy for the evening’s many honorees to ascend and accept their award. Silver satin drapery created a backstage wall, and behind the stage, a tiled backdrop with a Doosan logo in the center had just a few squares of green and blue within a crisp, white background. We used uplighting to add a bit more color. Nearby shelves held several dozen crystal awards, and we decorated these with small floral arrangements designed from the same flowers found in the table centerpieces. Adjacent to the stage, a photo wall offered guests the opportunity to snap a picture with their award.

In the pre-reception area, guests had enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres within a similarly styled room with subtle effects like translucent window clings in Doosan blues and green that offered limited but clear branding. Floral arrangements of red curly willow, orange makara orchids, orange pincushion protea and green pittosporum in tall vases of ombre smoke glass enhanced the bar and were joined by votives that cast a soft glow. Highboy tables with bud vases and smaller flora included large Doosan logos.

Farewell Chicago
The following evening, Doosan hosted a farewell event at the Signature Room, welcoming 150 guests. At 95 stories high, this event space called for luxury décor and pops of color. We started by posting white Doosan logo window clings to the perimeter and adding uplights for splashes of color throughout. Champagne satin drapery created a luxe feel while also cleverly hiding some unused elements of the room.

For seating, we paired highboys with reflective, black tempered-glass tops and legs in rose gold finish with lower cocktails rounds. Both had centerpieces featuring a pave of orange roses and green trick dianthus in a modern, black cube vase or black cylinder or bubble bowl vase surrounded by a pair of cobra-pattern votives.

Here, the Doosan colors appeared in the lounge seating, which included velvety sofas and chairs of royal blue, aqua and emerald green. We placed soft carpets to delineate seating areas and added coordinating toss pillows and golden, glass-topped tables with orange floral centerpieces.

At this farewell event, guests enjoyed mixing, mingling, light hors d’oeuvres and cocktails. We also incorporated an element of fun with a billiards table. And it wouldn’t be Chicago without “all that jazz,” so we made sure to have a three-piece band on hand to set the mood.

Florals: Flowers for Dreams
Rentals: AFR Furniture Rental, Bowery & Bash, Hall’s Rental Service, Quest Events
Entertainment: Castle Party Rentals, New Stand Music

A new and integral part of the WM Events team, Aaron Barba’s official title is interim General Manager. He helps us focus on the business of our business and has been spearheading internal re-organization while expanding external relationships. We were thrilled when Aaron joined WM Events; he has more than a decade of experience with some of the most enduring event companies in the Atlanta as well as his own consulting firm. Considering his passion for serving others, we are not surprised to learn about Aaron’s ideal event…

If I were an event, I would be … a charity fundraiser.

My purpose would be to … raise funds for nonprofit organizations that help people living in a less-privileged country. The event would educate guests about the presented charities and celebrate their philanthropic achievements and goals for the upcoming year.

My venue would be … an open-area, such as Serenbe or a similar site that is removed from the city and offers limited cell phone reception. Part of the event would be under the open sky. The dinner/program portion would take place under a clear tent with lighting help from the full moon and the stars.

My theme would be … an evening under the stars.

My décor would feature … Tuscan colors throughout the different areas. Florals would mirror this with pale tones of mint, yellow, sand and peach. Dim lighting would provide wayfinding for the various areas of the event, and each area would be lit with different light hues.

The event would include … a seated buffet with a program, a silent auction, and a big-ticket raffle – a travel package to a country benefited by the event.  A tour of the fundraiser’s areas of impact in that country would be part of the package. The dinner would be followed by live music played in different areas of the outdoor space offering live music – jazz and bossa nova under the moon-lit sky.

My food and drink offerings would include … cuisine specific to the countries the event’s proceeds would benefit. Signature drinks would also relate to these global areas.

The guest list would include … 300 top charity sponsors and 75 of the newest sponsors, randomly selected. They would enjoy the opportunity to network while having a memorable educational experience to thank them for their in-kind contributions.

My invitation would … be printed on recycled linen paper made by volunteers in the underserved areas. Each invitation would be a one-of-a-kind piece and include key information about the presenting charities.

I would incorporate the latest technologies by … providing each guest with a smart watch that would give them access to event details, such as menu, entertainment and auction information. The watch would also provide them with pointers to each of the different areas. Guests would use this technology to have access to digital, paper-free information about the event but not the outside world.

My guests will go home with … custom crafts from the sponsored countries featuring an individualized dedicatory of appreciation.

They say that it takes a village, but when it comes to planning a wedding, we’d say it takes a family. When WM Events Creative Synergist Sarah Sadlock (née Meltzer) asked for help with her big day, our team made a vow that it would it be the celebration she had always dreamed of.

Sarah was already engaged when she joined WM Events, and like many brides, she brought lots of ideas and a well-established Pinterest board to the table. We set about helping to bring her bohemian glam vision to life. Her style is a mix of the new and the old, so wanted to design the perfect look by combining natural textures with ultra-glam metals and gemstones, as well as layering and overlapping patterns and colors.

The tricky thing about planning a bohemian look is that it’s modeled after an unconventional, unplanned lifestyle. Sarah rose to the challenge with enthusiasm and did not shy away from mixing colors, linens, centerpiece styles, votives and metallics. She incorporated pieces from the home she shares with Joe, pieces her truly bohemian dad had collected, family heirlooms and even handmade items. In keeping with the idea of mixing colors, Sarah even chose multiple hues in a favorite rose palette for the bridesmaid dresses (gasp!). Using all of these personal touches led to a truly one-of-a-kind wedding – the perfect expression of Sarah and Joe. 

The couple welcomed 80 guests to their wedding and reception at The Brickyard Marietta, a historic and hip 1920s venue with barreled wooden ceilings and original brickwork that offered an ideal setting for the quirky style they wanted. To add the touches Sarah was looking for, we constructed copper columns, which were laid against the walls, and created a hoop backdrop for the altar. The moss-covered altar piece was accented with greenery and flowers. Below lay a trio of layered rugs, while an antiqued mirror created by Sarah’s dad and a pampas grass-lined aisle completed the bohemian ceremony.

Sarah’s oversized bridal bouquet deserves a special mention. It was lush and resplendent with burgundy, cerise, raspberry and blush florals, that stood out against verdant ferns and bohemian eucalyptus.

Following the ceremony, the guests enjoyed an outside cocktail hour while we flipped the room for the reception. Although Sarah had been highly involved in the planning, she was strictly off the clock for all aspects of setup, so she was as surprised as any bride when she saw the room for the first time. She tells us it was exactly what she had envisioned!

Converting the ceremony space for the reception allowed us to maintain foundational décor elements like the copper columns and cocktail tables already draped with velvety and metallic linens. We added a long farm table for the bridal party and smaller rounds for guests. Specially designed centerpieces were placed on each guest table, while the bridal table received a runner topped with bleached greens reminiscent of Sarah’s bouquet accented with blush and white roses. We repurposed the altar hoop as a cake table accent, and antique seating areas welcomed guests with plush toss pillows. Within a room of distressed wood and muted colors, metallics added that bit of glam Sarah wanted and showed up in the table linens, napkins, groom’s cake and side tables, not to mention the bride’s shoes.

We knew how much Sarah and Joe loved Refuge Coffee and hoped to have an espresso cart at the wedding. But when an unexpected home repair cut into their budget, the dream of the cart was derailed. Rather than letting this disappointment rain on Sarah’s wedding, we made that happen too as our gift to Sarah and Joe. What a fun surprise!

If it was extra special for us to help Sarah plan her wedding, for her it was an extreme departure from her experiences working on client events. Like a chef who plans her own dinner party, Sarah had to grapple with the overwhelming amount of choices she was familiar with based on her professional event design savvy. While she loved the opportunity to create the exact event she wanted to, she also felt pressure to make it perfect – and if you’ve met Sarah, you know that she’s a perfectionist.

Even though she struggled with not being at the warehouse to help build the florals or onsite the day of the wedding to be part of the production, all elements were easily executed because Sarah had sat down with us and talked through each piece of the design – hoop, columns, centerpieces, and other features. At one point, Sarah and WM Events Floral Designer Mark Good held an entire meeting to draw up every aspect of the floral and table design. Thanks to the extensive communication and planning efforts, the wedding turned out to be flawless, seamless, and, well, perfect.

Sarah & Joe got hitched without a hitch, thanks to our extended family, including: The Brickyard Marietta (venue); Monte Carlo Productions, Peachtree Tents & Events, and Collection Event Furnishings (rentals); BBJ (linens); Southern Crust (food truck and bar); Santini Mini Sweets (cakes); Refuge Coffee Co. (espresso cart); Mike Zarin (DJ); Luke Lambertson (photography and video); and William Fogler, Principal + Founder, WM Events (train fluffer).

Operations Manager Brett McDaniel recently joined WM Events to lead the many logistical aspects of production. That means, he organizes transportation, labor and the smooth functioning of the warehouse. Clients might never get the opportunity to see Brett in person, but they will all benefit from his efforts. Without him, the team could not execute the quality and quantity of events we do. He’s our behind-the-scenes guy, but if Brett were to host a party, it would be a real splash…

If I were an event, I would be … a pool party. Kowabunga!

My purpose would be to … to hang out and hang loose with close friends.

My venue would be … a large private home with a spacious lawn, a large outdoor kitchen, and a really terrific pool. Everyone would enjoy a simple cookout in the backyard with dogs free to run around and play too.

My theme would be … tacky tourist.

My guests would be entertained by … a DJ playing all of today’s top hits to get everybody up and dancing.

My food and drink offerings would include … burgers and hotdogs hot from the grill and a serious make-your-own tacos bar. Guests would wash down these outdoor faves with my signature whiskey and coke in a lowball glass.

The guest list would include … just a small gathering of friends who would make big memories.

My invitation would be … a Hawaiian shirt, which everyone should plan to wear to the party.

My guests will go home with … monogrammed coolers. It’s a host gift that could be used for a long time afterwards and remind them of when they had so much fun in the sun.

We love working with our city’s NBA team, especially because the players are even more fun off the court than on. As part of the Hawks Meet the Team event at State Farm Arena in downtown Atlanta, we kept the focus on highlighting the love of sport and putting the play back in the game. Lots of interactive features and opportunities for Instagrammable moments delighted the 1,200 attending fans of all ages.

One cool thing about having a client you work with repeatedly is that some of the really great décor pieces you make get to have a second life. That was the case with the graffiti backdrop, which we had created for the Taste of the Hawks event. We flanked it with model skyscrapers, a chain-link fence and bleachers for that true inner-city court feel. Once again, it made an ideal spot for posing. 

Balloon walls are all the rage right now, and our take on it was to create an 8-ft.-tall structure with inflatable basketballs and balloons in Hawks red and black. We placed funhouse mirrors on the sides of the wall for guests to have fun with while they waited for a turn to pose. 

“Meet the team” was truly emphasized throughout event. Instead of having players do a typical meet-and-greet, we made sure they could interact with fans and take photos in a fun way.

Downstairs on the court, we placed additional photo-taking spots and a variety of hands-on activities, each one hosted by different players. At “In the Paint,” attendees got to pose in front of a cool, oversized white Hawks logo that had been splatter painted à la Jackson Pollock.

Nearby, the “Nothing but Net” photo op had a backdrop with a gold net and a 180-degree photo station to capture guests’ Boomerang pictures as they “swooped” in to make the basket. A share station allowed guests to automatically share their photos on social media or receive them by email. 

The “Double Double Puzzle” photo station featured a giant puzzle piece based on the message that the fans are the “most important piece” of the Hawks puzzle, and a mirror selfie station repeated this jigsaw puzzle theme. 

Social media photos taken care of, guests had plenty of interactive entertainment options to visit. An adult coloring station let anyone with a penchant for staying in the lines to color in a custom Hawks graphic with bright markers. Airbrush painters offered Hawks logos and thematic basketball stencils on red, white, and black baseball caps, while mobile temporary tattoo attendants strolled through the party with custom logos in finite ink. Strolling magicians and balloon artists entertained guests in between activities. And everyone enjoyed drinking sodas from Hawks-branded crazy straws. (image 1036_ , 1057_)

Throughout the venue, we ensured a cohesive look and feel with oversized graphic signs raised on poles for easy visibility. These identified the various activities, food stations and bars. 

Our free throw: Working with the Hawks and dedicated basketball fans puts WM Events back in the paint for the 2020 NCAA Final Four parties next spring in Atlanta!

Photography: PWP Studio

At WM Events, Leigh Clemmons, CMP, holds the title of Event Designer + Communications, but she can literally do it all. Part of the team from the very start, Leigh has also seen it all. With her vast experience and discerning eye, she shares her vision for the ideal event, and all we can say, is how do we get an invitation?

If I were an event, I would be … a New Year’s Eve party!

My purpose would be … to celebrate Night Owls. I enjoy staying up late throughout the year, but this is the one holiday causes everybody to join me. On New Year’s Eve we’re all Night Owls. And because most people have January 1st off, we don’t need to worry about getting up to go to work the next day. So let’s make the most of it and say goodbye to the old year together!

I would take place … at a venue with a rooftop like Ventanas, so that guests could view all of the fireworks going off around the city through the venue’s two-story floor-to-ceiling window. They could also enjoy sitting by the fire on the outdoor patio.

My theme would be … “Bubbling Over into the New Year.” We would play off of champagne bubbles, balloons, calendars and clocks.

My format would be … a cocktail party with everyone wearing their glittery best.

My décor would be … a classic color scheme of black, gold and silver with super-modern furnishings to complement the venue. I would play with textures too and incorporate a variety of shiny, matte, sparkling and sequined elements.

My florals would … mixed textures of classic, white blooms like garden roses, Phalaenopsis orchids, dahlias, ranunculus and agapanthus. All of these flowers resemble fireworks or bubbles and would be perfect with my theme. I would also incorporate a lot of candles and mirror spheres and continue the black and gold pops with vases and votives.

My entertainment would be … DJ Mike Zarin because he is the best. And when he needs a 15-minute break, Girl Talk could sub in.

Guests would dine on … ice cream in its many glorious incarnations. I would include a milkshake bar where guests could build their own and pair with my homemade chocolate chip cookies and croquembouche. I would also have an interactive molecular gastronomy station with elements that tie into the bubble theme like margarita spheres and fruit caviar.

Libations would include … a champagne tower, of course! But I would keep it interesting with a variety of champagne cocktails, too. I would draw inspiration from Effervescence, a champagne bar in New Orleans, where you can find splendid bubble cocktails like Pom & Circumstance, made with cimmarón reposado tequila, pomegranate, lime, aperol, torres orange brandy, honey and mestres cava.

I would also be sure to have an espresso and coffee bar with all of the fixings to ensure guests will stay awake for the all-important countdown.

My guest count would be … based on the principle of the more the merrier! But if I had to quantify, a great number would be 321- as in “3-2-1 Happy New Year!”

I would invite guests with … hand-delivered balloons by cute guys and gals in their cocktail best. The invitation would be tied to the balloon string so that guests could keep the balloon at their desk or home in anticipation of the fun to come.

Special features would include …

• A balloon wall for photos and dancers in the disco suits for great photo ops.
• A live artist , like Yoyo Ferro, who would contour draw every guest at the party. Post-event, the images would be used for a follow-up thank you and social media posting.
• A dress-up station where guests could get outfitted with fun NYE- themed decorations like party hats, glasses, tiaras, and boas.
• A roving caricaturist would draw guests from across the room and surprise them with drawings of themselves. These would make great keepsakes from the event.
• A giant disco ball that everyone would help decorate.
• At midnight, our guests of honor Dolly Parton & Charles Barkley would lower the disco ball from the 15th floor of Ventanas to the 14th floor while the whole crowd stood underneath. This would double as a group photo and one heck of a way to remember the evening.
• And last, but definitely not least – helicopter rides around the city straight from our rooftop location.

I would incorporate the latest technologies with … LED screens on the elevator bringing guests to the 14th floor that would impart the impression of being a rising bubble in a champagne glass. I would have an Infinity LED dance floor to keep the guests on their feet.

My guests will go home with … custom champagne glasses or buckets and some funky, cool calendars to keep the memories fresh all year. I would also offer them take-home fireworks and, of course, hangover kits!

Our WM Events team has had multiple opportunities to work with the University System of Georgia Board of Regents and create décor for its annual event. A fundraiser for education hosted by the board’s foundation, this event took place at the elegant St. Regis Atlanta in Buckhead. For 2019, we were provided with storyboards based on the foundation’s 15th anniversary, which as it turns out, is the crystal anniversary.

Armed with the theme “Crystalizing Dreams + Transforming Lives,” we set to work honoring the pastel color palette inspired by rainbows, geodes and gems. We focused on creating an elevated opalescent event as we selected linens, created centerpieces, chose furniture and bar stylings, and developed sponsorship signage. Everything came together as a magical and celebratory experience.  

The 400 guests were welcomed through an elegant registration and entrance area featuring an acrylic welcome sign and luxe drapery. In the pre-function space, we highlighted the theme with cocktail tables featuring rosy and antique blue linens topped with floral and geo terrarium centerpieces. Mimicking the shape of crystals, polygon structures added another take on the theme. We styled the back-bar shelving with vases and small floral arrangements further enhancing the décor. Buffet arrangements were placed in tall, white vases for impact. A pastel rainbow met sophistication from top to bottom. 

In the ballroom, abstract leaves were projected on the drapery with lights, creating an atmosphere of sitting in a mythical, secret garden environment.

Guests were greeted with branded programs and gift bags in their reserved seats. We took care of the signage and sponsor inclusions, too. With blue peripheral uplighting, the room had an understated appeal that made the most of its dramatic chandeliers and otherwise muted tones.

One of our favorite areas was the terrace, where a tent of string lights rose above high communal tables draped with simple, white linens and surrounded with ghost stools. Interspersed with sparking golden votives, we filled rectangular glass vases with pink crystals and iridescent filler, floating candles within.

When it comes to getting events up and running, making sure everything is where it needs to be, and keeping our warehouse in shipshape condition, James is the one we count on. He’s like the wizard behind the curtain, and we couldn’t pull off the remarkable events we do without him. But how would James pull off his ideal event? Let’s find out …

If I were an event, I would be … a sports-themed watch party.

My purpose would be to … raise money for charity while celebrating the sports event everyone has gathered to watch.

My décor would reflect … the sports theme and focus on hues of blue, gray and black. The overall masculine vibe would be accented with sporty centerpieces paired with some seasonal florals.

My guests would be entertained by … first of all, watching the game. Go Braves! There would be plenty of other fun activities like virtual reality games, video games, a live band and a dancefloor.

My food and drink offerings would include … a variety of stadium fare from various regions, served buffet style. That could mean anything from 16.5-in. jalapeno cheddar sausages from Dodger Stadium to Buffalo Cauliflower Poutine from the Blue Jays’ Rogers Centre or Frito Pie with Brisket Chili from our own Mercedes-Benz Stadium. These sports-tastic eats would be paired with local craft beers and a signature margarita.

I would incorporate the latest technologies … with Jumbotrons that would allow guests to sit and watch the game as if they were courtside live.

The guest list would be … limited to a hundred or so diehard fans, and I would nominate Sarah to create the invitations and handle RSVPs. (Thanks, Sarah! 😉)

My guests will go home with … game-friendly swag like t-shirts from the competing teams and commemorative beer and margarita glasses. Keeping in mind that this is a fundraiser, guests would also receive prizes and gifts based on their donation levels.

Every year in spring, our royal friends in London host the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. From full gardens to creative installations, participants go all out in the name of florals. It’s an annual reminder that we are not the only flower-obsessed folks around and displays the depth and breadth of what florists and floral aficionados can achieve with them.

But when one of our team recently visited the UK capital, we were pleased to learn that floral décor went way beyond the gates of the flower show. In fact, Londoners seem wild about blooms and covered everything from doorway arches to balconies, windows, and exterior walls with arrangements. Some were bright and cheerful while others favored a more muted quality. And while we appreciate them all, we noticed a few that were in keeping with current trends on this side of the pond.

With the bleached flower trend on the rise, this retail space has it all – coffee, crepes and a beauty bar, plus a doorway framed in dried and faded florals.

We’ve seen a trend in using fluffy pampas grass in floral arrangements, and this quintessentially London balcony draped with pink and white called to mind the South American plant.

Instagram floral feeds lately have been replete with monochromatic floral designs using varying shades of the same color with little or no greenery and a lot of variety in the florals to provide texture. One London eatery took this trend to the max with bright orange and red blossoms backed by just a hint of green.

For a trend anyone can take home – literally – we spotted an abundance of flower boxes done right. Bright flower boxes adorn a mews house in Grosvenor and bring life to the famous Red Lion pub in Westminster near Downing Street, while the Pride of Paddington used nearly every inch as the right place for a few colorful blooms.

Even with the trend toward bleached flowers or lots of color, an appreciation for green was still easy to find. 

Just one final photo – we realize that technically this colorful installation is not made of flowers, but we love the Pride being displayed at Polo!

At WM Events, we have loved watching our team grow through the years – all 15 of them – and are thrilled to announce that events industry veteran Aaron Barba has joined us as inaugural + interim General Manager. Here to help us focus on the business of our business, Aaron is going to enhance operations and expand our internal and external relationships.

We’ve known and admired Aaron for a while – in fact, he previously worked with some of the most enduring companies in the Atlanta events industry, including Proof of the Pudding and Affairs to Remember Caterers. He brings more than a decade of experience in business operations, logistics and event management to our team. Most recently the owner of BarbaSCS a business consulting firm, Aaron has helped clients lower operational costs, increase profitability and grow market presence – exactly what we’re looking for as WM Events continues the trajectory of significant growth experienced the past two years.

With our 15th anniversary this year, WM Events continues to expand, and we have recently increased staff by 30 percent. Our goal is to continue providing the same personal, boutique-like experience to our clients even as we grow. In this effort, Aaron’s assistance is strategic, and it will enable us to build a healthy infrastructure to support our evolution. In his role as interim General Manager, Aaron will establish and develop the new position. He will then recruit and train his successor to re-focus on his consultancy.

In addition to his insight on business operations and the events industry, Aaron enjoys serving others, traveling, and tooling on anything with wheels, gears, or batteries.

See the Special Events magazine inclusion of Aaron in a recent weekly industry news roundup. We have enjoyed welcoming him to our WM Events team and look forward to introducing him to you!