Event Planning Ideas, Trends & Inspiration

It’s that time again! The Dutch are celebrating with their annual Bloemencorso flower parades, and we are so excited to see the entries this year.

Since 1936, the town of Zundert in the Netherlands has held an annual flower parade on the first Sunday of September- Corso Zundert. The purpose of this parade is to celebrate the region’s popular reputation of being the global supplier of dahlia flowers. Zundert has 81 acres of 600,000 dahlia flowers- 50 different species to be exact.

When the parade first began, the floats were modest and pulled by horse-drawn carts or bicycles. Today, the parade has become unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. Celebrating Van Gogh’s birth in this small town 162 years ago, this year’s inspiration was stemmed from his work. These enormous floats are dripping in dahlia flowers and tower over the streets of Zundert. Check out the photos below to see some of the most impressive structures you’ve ever seen.

Hosted at SweetWater Brewing Company, this corporate event gave it’s international guests a Taste of Americana. Guests were greeted with 32 international flags, representing each home country.

With rustic styling and lounge groupings, we transformed the Atlanta brewery into a cozy All-American space. This event wouldn’t be complete without the personal touches – from custom regional bar signage to branded tote bags. Even Fuji cameras were scattered throughout party to allow guests to capture moments and selfies, like a true American.

Photography: Alecia Lauren Photography

On Monday, August 31, 2015 WM Events helped sponsor this year’s Jeffrey Fashion Cares. This fashion show is unlike any other being that it is one of the largest AIDS and breast cancer benefits in the country. Last year raised $700,000 for both organizations combined, so when approached to sponsor, there was no way we could turn down the cause!

Phipps Plaza became the catwalk and the space was transformed into an intimate cocktail space. From red and pink carpets lining the floor to the floral ribbon entrance piece, Jeffrey Fashion Cares made it clear to remind everyone why we were there. We are honored to have taken part in such a cause and event.

Orlando, Florida is full of many tourist attractions but did you ever think you could experience a taste of Cuba while in this magical state? The event venue, Cuba Libre, already feels like a slice of Havana but with all the decor and entertainment we brought to this high end corporate client’s event, the fiesta was full of fun!

Guests entered the event on a green carpet, only to find out the carpet was actually a woman’s dress! Once inside the venue, guests could play a game of foosball on a 18 ft long table or throw some punches on the arcade boxing game! There was a Cuban drummer who really got the party going, and cigar rollers with customized bands. An interactive graffiti wall and airbrush tattoo artists made sure something was going on in every inch of Cuba Libre.

Custom pillows and glow cubes added to the intimate lounge groupings, while the thematic candy bar was a success all on its own. Over-sized moss letters hung from the Juliet balcony, adding a lush, Cuban feel to the company’s logo. Guests spent the evening dancing with maracas, tambourines and an assortment of flashy blinky novelties.

Photography: PWP Studio

One of  Atlanta’s most anticipated seasons is almost here! And on top of all of the incredible upcoming events we have, the WM Events family is looking forward to some of our own fall favorites. The leaves are beginning to change and let’s face it, we are all looking forward to trading the Atlanta heat for a crisp breeze. Soon the city will be taken over by a rustic orange hue, spiced lattes and stylish sweaters.

From transitional clothing and layering to designing the perfect Halloween costume, we are excited for this season to take over Atlanta! From hayrides to haunted houses to football games, there is always something to look forward to! Some things we are anticipating are the festivals and activities throughout the city, like Flux and Chomp and Stomp. There is something about these fall festivities that bring a burst of new inspiration (and a little bit of heat from all the chili) to Atlanta and our team.

This fall is sure to bring inspiration to our team and to future events! What are your favorite things about the upcoming season?

When we first got our truck, we immediately knew that we wanted it to be branded in a way as unique as our events. What better way to make something entirely custom and distinct than to have it hand painted? We reached out to Atlanta’s own McNeil Signs and he was more than willing to take on the job! You may have seen a few teaser photos on our Instagram and Facebook, but check out McNeil’s steady hand throughout the entire process.

We are thrilled to roll through the streets of Atlanta in our new truck! Be sure to keep a look out for us on the road!

Jeff Teague is hosting this year’s Hoops4Hughes benefit event at Maggiano’s in Buckhead. With 563 assists during his 2013-14 season, Teague helped his teammates to many victories. He donated $20 for every 10 cents he made during the season. It’s with this same determination that Teague wanted to help the patients of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Hughes Spalding Hospital reach their own victories. Assist Teague assist these victories THIS Saturday, August 15, 2015 and get a professional photograph and an autographed basketball by Teague himself! Atlanta Hawks’ announcer, Bob Rathburn, will be the night’s emcee and lead the Q&A segment. Be an All-Star player, just like Teague!

“I went on a visit to Children’s to try to give the kids a little inspiration. They go through a lot. I wanted to go there, see the kids, interact with them and have them interact with me. When I got there, I was touched. I wanted to do whatever I could do to help out. That’s when we came up with the program,” – Jeff Teague, ATL All Day

We’ve previously told you about our favorite designers, but check out some of our favorite installation artists!

Crystal Wagner

Striving to inspire and reconnect humans with nature, Wagner uses man-made objects and her own prints to create organically ornate environments. Being that she is the only artist of her talent, Wagner is currently building these creative spaces all over the world.

Soo Sunny Park

Like Wagner, a lot of Park’s work is created to have the audience see something beyond the installation. Her installations are unique in the sense that the environment is shaped by the art itself and vise versa.  You may even recall seeing a glimpse of her work in a previous blog.

Nike Savvas

Previously inspiring one of our favorite installations, Savvas is a master at creating immaculate pieces using repeating objects and geometric forms to represent how simplicity is the fundamental structure of all things.

On August 15, 2015, Atlanta Hawks‘ point guard Jeff Teague will be hosting his first Hoops4Hughes dinner at Maggiano’s Buckhead. This incredible benefit event is to ASSIST Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Hughes Spalding Hospital. Guests will be able to participate in a Q&A session with Teague, get their picture taken with him and the Hawks, and receive an autographed miniature NBA basketball!

Don’t miss out on this fun event and the chance to help Children’s and Hughes Spalding- tickets are going quick!

From weddings and corporate events, all the way to social celebrations, these unique and extravagant parties are sure to inspire your next event! The past 6 months here at WM Events have been full of some of the most incredible and unique experiences we have ever put on! Be sure to check out all of the event galleries to catch the ones you may have missed.

Keep a look out on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to see what we will do next!

Atlanta’s very own “Castle on Peachtree” is celebrating the legalization of marriage by allowing LGBT couples to tie the knot during a beautiful, short and sweet, 45-minute ceremony for only $626! This includes a professional photographer, bouquets or boutonnieres, music, and decor provided by yours truly! However, there are only 2 days that these weddings will take place- Saturday, August 15th and Saturday, September 19th. From 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, couples will be saying “I do” every hour.

As the world continues to spin, one of the largest generations in history is about to move into their prime spending years. This generation of creative and tech-savvy giants will alter the ways we buy and sell, driving businesses to examine how they operate for decades to come. The question is: How do we prepare for this new generation?

Millennial’s are…

• Considered to be born in years ranging from 1981-2000
• Financially aware
• Believers in relaxed work environments
• Enthusiasts of a unique and sustainable experiences
• Less about luxury, and more about the experience

To a millennial, a fulfilling life is centered around sharing memories.

Technology: Stay Connected.

Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and other social media sites are a daily part of the millennial’s routine.  Since they spend much of their time with technology, it is vital to maintain visually appealing and easy to navigate websites. Millennials are more likely to respond to quick, easy-to-operate surveys about their experience at your event vs. an open ended question survey.

Corporate: Appeal To Their Sense Of Adventure.

Because they have always had technology at the edge of their fingertips, keeping this group actively engaged can be a task. Competitive and team building games are very important to include in your events to keep this audience interested and focused. They are more likely to retain the memory of an interactive experience over a lengthy lecture.

Since this generation is more environmentally friendly, tangible rewards are not always the best option. Embracing the idea of electronic giveaways and prizes that support their techno-fueled lives is the best way to go for millennials.

Some of these items could be:

• Phone chargers
• USB memory sticks
• Headphones
• Phone cases

Branding these items with your company’s logo is a great way to bring exposure to your company, months after the event. They will thank you for adding to their already immense collection of gadgets, and always have your company in mind.

Weddings: Get Personal.

Growing up with pictures and ideas at the click of a button has left this generation exploring more, and ready to create more unique and tailored events. So be prepared to take out the drawing board. A millennial wedding will be more about personal style than luxury. Since birth, they’ve been engulfed in the stand out, DIY era, so you should expect that they will want to do more for themselves. Although millennials constantly consider their budget, the desire for involvement is due to a need for self-expression rather than penny pinching. Every romance has a story, and by the time this generation reaches their desired age of marriage, they will be ready to reveal their story through every aspect of the wedding.

Bottom Line:

Since this generation is so focused on experiences, in the near future, they will be looking to hold more events. These are America’s future doctors, lawyers, teachers, and business owners and they will be traveling more than ever. The more unique experiences and memories that you can create for this generation, the greater chance that you will have at obtaining a faithful client.