Event Planning Ideas, Trends & Inspiration

MedShare is an Atlanta headquartered non-profit organization that sends medical supplies to suffering countries. Earlier this month, we hosted, designed and planned their fundraising gala: Kaleidoscope. Hosted at The Foundry at Puritan Mill, we pulled decor inspiration from major countries MedShare serves – Nicaragua, Vietnam, Malaysia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, and Niger.

Branded Registration Counters and 10,000 Villages, and a step & repeat were the first things guests experienced when they entered the venue. A silent auction was one way attendees were able to help fund MedShare with their mission.

Before the program begun, guests enjoyed a bourbon tasting bar and a live fashion show paired with African drumming! The beautiful and inspiring fashion came from the fabulous Sorobis by Issa Sorogo.

Tables were dressed in MedShare colors and topped with centerpieces that coordinated with the inspirational countries. Affairs to Remember‘s menu featured items that captured the flairs featured regions of the world.  Large festive hoops representing the Middle East and Central America hung from the ceiling, while African themed perimeter decor helped fill the space. Custom branded and thematic pillows added flair to lounge groupings!

Large well-known companies sponsored Giant Operation and a Balloon Dart games where guests could purchase a ticket in exchange for a prize, with all contributions going towards MedShare’s mission. Signage was displayed around the room, keeping with the theme of Kaleidoscope. A large Kaleidoscope logo hung from the stage and acted as the perfect backdrop to the night’s program.

To top off the incredible night, MedShare Humanitarian Award honoree Dikembe Mutombo topped off the live auction, helping us raise over $100,000 by the end of the night! After the program of speeches, silent and live auctions concluded, guests danced the night away to live music!

Venue: The Foundry at Puritan Mill
Caterer: Affairs to Remember
Photographer: PWP Studio
Entertainment: Lee J. Howard Entertainment
Rentals: Peachtree Tents & Events & Monte Carlo Productions

Earlier this month, William traveled to Boulder, CO to plan, design and consult one of our favorite and most fun client’s 50th birthday! Hosted in his backyard, we put up a twinkle lit tent complete with a variety of high and low seating topped with fresh florals. The yard was full of games from Giant Jenga to Giant Beer Pong, keep the guests engaged in friendly competition all night long. We even produced a slideshow of photos of the birthday boy and projected it on the ceiling! Moscow Mules were the signature drink and instead of a classic birthday cake, we spiced it up a bit with the client’s favorite sweet- a giant chocolate chip cookie in the shape of an “M!”

Catering: KT’s BBQ
Florals: Newberry Brothers
Lighting: LMD Productions
Live Entertainment: AXS Group
Photo Booth: Chipper Booth
Photography: McBoat Photography
Rentals: Event Rents

Last week we hosted one of our favorite clients at one of Atlanta’s newest breweries! Located in Hapeville, Arches Brewing has quickly taken off from being a dream and becoming a reality. The Arches team started brewing in their backyard and now they’re created their very own brewery!

At the Brewery, we put up a tent in the back with bright blue and green tables sprinkled around. The vibrant tables and the picnic tables were topped with mason jar centerpieces, to keep with the theme of the brewery. We brought in lounge furniture and a variety of games for guests to enjoy after a day of meetings! Live music filled the air all night long.

What more could you want with good beer and corn hole, ping pong, darts and giant Jenga? Finger licking good BBQ and Vintage Frozen Custard, of course! Jim ‘N Nick’s catered the event with a smoked hog, ribs, smoked chicken, made from scratch trimmings and delicious homemade desserts!

Early June, we teamed up with L. Events to provide decor and design for a glamorous wedding at the Biltmore Ballrooms. This stunning bride wanted to keep everything simple with elegant pops of neutral colors. Tables were topped with designer taupe and champagne colored linens. Tall, green and luscious centerpieces topped the tables acting as the perfect compliment to the low, bold and white centerpieces. The bars were even full of greenery with custom bar graphics, along with custom glow bars!

Congratulations to the gorgeous couple!

Photography: Harwell Photography

The WM Events Team has just landed back in Atlanta from a week of spectacular events in Orlando, Florida for one of our favorite corporate clients.

These events had everything from custom graphics, specialty artists, and funky centerpieces! Be on the look out for more photos from these events, but for now, here’s a sneak peek!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BIJbiMrARH_/?taken-by=wmeventsinc

The Royal Horticultural Society is back at it again with the gorgeous flowers! Have you seen the immaculate garden designs from this year’s Chelsea Flower Show? We’ve showcased the gardens from 2014 but this year has taken on the trend of rustic, natural and blissful! Take a look!

Last week we designed an eclectic steakhouse themed birthday party at The Stave Room. Guests were welcomed up the steps under a branded awning leading to the hostess stand. The event space was full of rustic leather furniture groupings and farm tables dressed in specialty runners and lush green centerpieces. Cow hide and extensive decor elements dressed the space to fit the theme and even consisted of the birthday boy’s family touches!

Rentals: Monte Carlo Productions
Linens: I Do Linens

Last month, Atlanta hosted the OuterSpace Project– a series of events fusing the public arts, live music, culture and design. The playful name of the series stems from the goal of the event, bringing life to outdoor spaces throughout the city with live art and music.

The WM office was graced with 2 more murals by Atlanta artist Big Teeff and LA artist Matt Gondeck. These murals are sure to grab our guests and clients’ eyes!

Check out more of the incredible art around the city from artists like Arlin Graff, James Bullough, Brandon Salder, and Greg Mike!

Earlier this month, half of the WM Team traveled down to Orlando, FL to produce a high-end modern event for a large corporate hotel management company. With over 1,000 guests, the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts was an ideal location full of pre-existing top of the line audio/visual technology.

The first thing guests experienced when they were welcomed into the space was a live mash up of a marching band and DJ. Simple touches of lanterns with floating candles added to the fusion of the modern and futuristic feel that would encompass the rest of the night. Branded bars, custom signage, silk-screened pillows and luxury furniture were just parts of the extravagant event we designed. Floor to ceiling windows brought in natural light, but the simplistic pops of orange and blue floral arrangements are really what brightened up the spaces. Take a look at more of the incredible event captured by our talented friends at PWP Studio! And shout out to our fabulous vendors!

Catering: Hyatt Airport Off-Premice Catering
Beverage: Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, IMI Agency
Entertainment: DJ Mike Zarin, University High School Band,  Kristen Warren, Hot Sun Orchestra, Black & Wine, Eklectic Entertainment, Side Project
Lighting: Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
Photo Booth: Firefly Booth
Photography: PWP Studio
Rentals: AFR Event Furnishings, Collection Event Rentals, Monte Carlo Productions, Peachtree Tents & Events
Roaming Photo Booth: Christies Photographic Solutions
Venue: Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

This company celebrated their program graduates with a cocktail hour, dinner and awards program with the perfect theme- Oh The Places You’ll Go!

Highboys were dressed in brightly colored linens and topped with Dr. Seuss’ inspiring book. Graduates’ names were displayed on a Seussian directional sign.

Guests enjoyed a plated dinner atop textured steel linen paired with vibrant chargers and yellow napkins. Glowing trio vases were wrapped in iconic scenes and thematic designs from the storybook.

The stage set is what really transported the dinner into the story- a boxwood wall backdrop accompanied with Truffula trees! These trees were as whimsical and colorful as the ones Dr. Seuss himself brought to life in his stories.

Technology is taking over the events world. We are constantly looking for the most innovative up-and-coming trend to bring to our own events. Google’s office in New York City installed an incredibly unique piece of interactive art on their lobby’s wall. Check this out:

AnyPixel.js makes it possible for anyone to create their own code and present it in an entirely unusual and interactive way. Google has been the first to use this unexpected technology as a display using 5,880 arcade buttons. This technology is so easy to work with, anyone can use it! Who knows, you may see it at one of our events in the future!

After an enjoyable night full of cigar rolling and live music at the Welcome Reception, meeting attendees spent the next day of their series in a general session before an incredible reveal. At the company’s warehouse, attendees toured the office and then were seated on bleachers for a one-of-a-kind show! An 85,000 pound forklift- this company’s newest and biggest product!

The night continued on with a cocktail hour at the Chateau Elan. Funky blue centerpieces paired with coordinating votives sat atop silver linens. Branded pillows added vibrant pops of color to the space while a harpist created a tranquil ambiance.

Guests were then invited into the ballroom for an immaculate Awards Dinner. Tables were dressed to the nines with shimmering silver overlays, color-coordinating chargers and colorful napkins! The real show stoppers were the lush and vivacious centerpieces in branded vases.

The stage was completed with a modular backdrop, large-scale logo, branded acrylic podium, and white stage surround. White drapery with blue up-lighting softened the room and kept with the sleek and modern feel. Custom LED boxes flanked the stage and provided the biggest impact for the company. These displays held specialty graphics of their products in a lit display.

Thanks to our fantastic vendors who were able to help us create this elaborate event!
AV at Warehouse: Active Production and Design
Drapery: Event Drapery
Photography: PWP Studio
Rentals: AFR Event Furnishings & Monte Carlo Productions