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WM Events has been so fortunate to be part of an industry that presents numerous opportunities to work with nonprofits serving the community in meaningful ways. When we were asked to produce the intimate fundraiser dinner Shine the Light on Sickle Cell Disease, benefitting Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Aflac Cancer & Blood Disorders Center and sponsored by Delta and WM Events, we looked forward to helping raise awareness and support for the vital work these organizations are doing.  

William Fogler has been a board member of Children’s Health Care of Atlanta – Hughes Spalding for many years, and being part of this event felt like a natural extension of his involvement. He has long been passionate about raising awareness for Sickle Cell Disease, and in 2019, William dedicated a family lounge in the Hughes Spalding hospital’s sickle cell transfusions area. 

Before getting into the gorgeous design we created or sharing the delightful dinner menu, let’s take a moment to explain a bit more about the disease that was the reason for the evening’s event.  

You may have heard of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), but unless you know someone affected, you might not have a clear understanding of it. This is an inherited blood cell disorder, that causes red blood cells to become C-shaped (like a sickle). These cells also get hard and sticky, so as they move through the body, they sometimes get stuck together, which can clog blood flow. The affected cells also die early, so people with SCD often develop anemia. This disease most commonly affects peoples of African, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern descent.  

Currently, the only known cure is a bone marrow transplant, but it can be risky, and it’s not a fit for all patients. Instead, most people with SCD have to implement lifestyle behaviors and be extra careful to avoid infection. But even with strict lifestyle behaviors, SCD can lead to a variety of debilitating symptoms like vision problems, frequent infections, and episodes of extreme pain, as well as life threatening complications, such as organ damage, stroke, or deep vein thrombosis, among others. 

You can see why our hearts were all the way in on this event.   

To welcome guests to the Shine the Light on Sickle Cell Disease dinner, we placed large pampas grass displays with accents of wine and rose at the entrance. We continued that flirty feature inside where it showed up in tall, slim stands flanking the stage and again surrounding a Will & Hope hoop photo area.  

This was an intimate dinner for 50 guests, so we enclosed the space by draping the perimeter in luxe burgundy fabric, in some areas crossed with black accent fabric. Near the modest stage with an unobtrusive acrylic podium, screens displayed sponsor and presentation information throughout the evening.  

There were four highboy tables draped in black linens and topped with votives. These were situated near the bar, which was branded with CHOA’s logo and backed by geometric shelves holding bottles and gold and brass décor with floral arrangements displaying more of the feather-like pampas.  

For the round dining tables, we maintained this opulent design, topping them with merlot linens to which we added black napkins, golden chargers and golden votives. We chose high-end black Chiavari chairs to complete the luxe look. The centerpieces in traditionally shaped, oil-rubbed bronze miniature vases featured deep red roses paired with white roses and touches of pampas.  

In addition to the deluxe décor, guests enjoyed a cocktail reception with opening remarks from hosts Lovette Russell and Steve Smith, followed by a three-course dinner with a balsamic fig salad, herbed salmon and chevre-stuffed chicken breast, and a coconut & lemon tart with fresh berries. 

During the program, they heard from Dan Salinas, MD, Chief of Community Clinical Integration, CHOA, and Jason Payne, MD, MSPH, Clinical Director of the Sickle Cell Disease Program at Hughes Spalding, Aflac Center & Blood Disorder Center, CHOA. And an honorary patient family spoke as well. The evening ended with a call to action that brought a significant level of support for CHOA and the Center. We were honored to have a role in it! 

Georgia is all about college football. That’s why when someone here says “bulldog,” people immediately think about the University of Georgia (UGA) football team. Admittedly, the Bulldogs are having a great season. And ok, we love football too. As proof – take a look at some of the events we’ve done with the Atlanta Falcons, for UGA games, or our acclaimed Super Bowl parties. The WM Events team knows how to tailgate.  

But we get just as excited about the UGA Alumni Association’s annual Bulldog 100 event that celebrates the top 100 fastest-growing organizations owned or operated by UGA alumni. We’ve been honored to work on this event for several years now, and the award winners just amaze us more every time. For the most recent installment, we leaned into a galactic theme of stars as points of light and as luminescent nebulae to highlight the astronomical achievements of this year’s business champions.  

The first fact to know about this event is that it took place at Sanford Stadium’s West End Zone, an upscale 120,000-sq.-ft. space featuring a home locker room, a special events space, a scoreboard, and a plaza. We had plenty to work with and made sure the honorees would feel like the stars they are from the moment they entered until the end of the ceremony.

We created an eye-catching entrance by installing four custom gobo lights with the Bulldog 100 logo outside the entry for both illumination and wayfinding. Inside the building, the registration area featured four 8-ft. metallic pegboards with space-theme graphics holding 200 alphabetized nametags, making check-in a breeze. 

For the reception, which took place in the fresh air and recruiting lounge, we enchanted the space with 30 uplights placed around the perimeter. We added four 6-ft. black bars with Bulldog 100 logo fronts and black bar displays. We decorated the buffet table and added florals throughout. Pyramid heaters added warmth to this chilly evening event. 

While mingling, guests had the chance to take photos at the massive black step and repeat, which featured tastefully executed white logos for Bulldog 100 and the University of Georgia Alumni Association. 

The 350 guests at this annual event – 100 honorees and 250 C-suite execs, university higher-ups, and community leaders – enjoyed the awards ceremony within an out-of-this-world setting where we combined twinkling black backdrops with modern acrylic seating and bohemian floral displays that echoed the look of a swirling galaxy. One of our favorite features was the highboy tables with seamless graphics of twinkling nebulae edged with the words “Bulldog 100.” 

In addition to the highboys, we utilized communal tables and large round tables draped in black velvet linens. We added nearly 150 frosted votives throughout the room to incorporate natural, flickering light with the electric ones that sparkled nearly everywhere.  

Finally, sleek lounge groupings provided guests with a more relaxed seating option. Here, we played up the UGA colors and mixed luxe black sofas with black, circular tables featuring concentric grooves reminiscent of a solar system. We completed the look with clear globe table lamps and tactile toss pillows in red, white, and black.

The stage was where the real magic happened, where each Bulldog 100 winner received their award. We gave it a celestial touch with black twinkle drapery, a futuristic acrylic podium, and stage florals in clear vases. We surrounded the stage with black Lamour fabric and mirrors, generating a sense of the infinite. The Bulldog 100 logo floated above, creating an ideal backdrop for photos of the outstanding alumni and everyone’s favorite mascot Hairy Dawg, who wasn’t about to miss this event (or the photo opps – he’s not known for his modesty). 

There are a lot of great benefits to living in the South, and for many people, one of them is the opportunity to play golf almost any day of the year. In fact, golfing is so good here that you only have to travel a couple of hours from our Atlanta headquarters to enjoy one of the four major professional golf championships. We’re talking about the Masters, of course, which is held in Augusta each spring. And the best way to enjoy the week-long event is from a private space designed for comfort and ease of viewing the competition.     

We were thrilled when we got the opportunity to design two hospitality spaces at the Masters 2022 – one with a multi-day, high-end lounge and an area for viewing and networking, the other, a reception and dinner at a historic home. For both, we played up a classic Southern look that was both beautiful and welcoming.  

Starting with two mostly blank canvases, we transformed the Richmond Room and the Cigar Room at the newly renovated Partridge Inn with lounge seating and cocktail seating, accents like pillows and floral centerpieces, and potted plants to breathe more life into the rooms.  

The first space featured a modern vibe with highboy tables and saddle stools with chrome accents and neutral, classic furniture. We added a 6-ft. registration counter where monitors displayed the golf competition taking place outside.  

In the second space, we created a richer look with a brown leather sofa, wingback armchairs, and cocktail tables and stools in dark wood finish with leather accents. Mirrors, floor lamps and jewel-tone pillows completed the traditional feel of the room. 

Both areas offered guests a relaxing, welcoming option for taking a break from walking the holes and spectating al fresco.  

Part two of this project was to bring an elevated yet still cozy feel to a historic Augusta home where the host organization welcomed 50 guests for two high-end receptions and enchanted garden dinners. For us, that meant selecting décor and audio-visual equipment, developing the layout, staging the entire home with furniture, and creating the fabulous florals we are known for. We chose a style that reflected the architecture and era of the home and added hints of modern design. 

First impressions are everything, so we started at the entrance by placing four rocking chairs on the front porch then added plant groupings around the towering white columns. Inside the home, each room we touched received special treatment from the sunroom’s charming settees and antique-style chairs and spacious rug to the vintage look of the hunting room.  

In the entry space, we paired sofas and a coffee table with multiple side tables, chairs, and a bench. We added lamé and velvet pillows, as well as a few with golf scenes, and placed large plants and delicate florals — including magnolias, azaleas and orchids — everywhere possible. The front room and chess room each had their own personality, and we especially loved the wood bar we placed in front of built-in bookshelves that were thoughtfully decorated to serve as a backbar. This area made a perfect spot for lingering and chatting. 

Dinner had been planned outside, but due to weather, we moved it to the Grand Living Room. The round tables with satin, patterned linens and gold-rimmed glass chargers, and gold flatware sparkled with historic Southern charm. Louis Ghost chairs added a modern touch without competing with the spectacular table design. For more of that historic sensibility, we used candlestick holders and tapered candles in addition to votives and completed the look with lush white florals with plenty of roses.  

At this historic home, golf lovers and those who simply love a good competition enjoyed a well-designed, comfortable atmosphere and learned the meaning of true Southern hospitality. 

Our client “designs and builds some of the most powerful facilities in the world,” which meant the company’s 2022 Internal Conference had to impress. We planned to make full use of the various spaces at Hotel Midtown, formerly the W Atlanta Midtown Hotel and now The Starling, and treat the 180 guests to a variety of high-end experiences during the three-day event.

The client’s theme was “Unite, Ignite, Activate,” and it carried through everything we did. From sessions to receptions, we kept the focus on bringing people together, creating a high-energy atmosphere, and helping them envision the future of the company.

Seamless Logistics and Registration

Guests began arriving from the airport on Monday and were greeted by flawless event management technology, the Whova Mobile App and Desktop platform, that combined registration and overall conference experience.

With our automated digital system, guests were able to check themselves in at one of two dedicated stands, which featured graphic signage and instructions. Each guest printed a custom name badge, picked up a lanyard, and headed on their way. With the varied arrival times, this made registration a seamless process.  

To provide conference details in a real-time manner, the app allowed CRB to share information with attendees from check-in through the final event of the conference. Thanks to the consolidated platform, guests could also search for other attendees, make networking plans, participate in polls, and view speakers and demonstrations. We saw a lot of audience interaction in the app throughout the conference with our hybrid-style meeting.

General Session Décor and Production 

The Ballroom served as the location for multiple general sessions, and our team handled the full-scale production for all three days of meetings. We set up the speaker stage like a living room with sofas and armchairs, a brick wall backdrop, a giant mod floor lamp, étagères, and plants to mimic a residential setting. A 9-ft. mural with a gold frame and silver foil enhancements that shimmered in the light was centered on the stage. A second stage was set up for the surprise band (the lead singer is an employee at the company), then added barstools for a pared-back look.

The ballroom floor featured 30 round tables for attendees. These were dressed in silver linens and topped with low, colorful, floral centerpieces in branded white vases. All tables also featured charging stations. For guests preferring to step away and get more comfortable without missing the presentations on stage, the room included four plush lounge groupings that paired bright hues with neutral fabrics. They also doubled as small breakout areas for short presentations throughout the meeting.

Hosting Happy Hours & Dining Out    

Throughout the conference, we planned numerous dining experiences, including happy hours at hotel spaces Elevate and Altitude, breakfasts and lunches in the foyer and ballroom, and an off-site dinner at multiple chef-driven restaurants in Atlanta.

For the opening night happy hour, we accentuated the sleek style of Elevate with a scattering of highboys featuring centerpieces in bight blues, greens and yellows. To the sumptuous buffet centerpiece, we added a red cardinal in honor of a beloved company inside joke about “Steve” the cardinal that perched outside the CEO’s home office window throughout the pandemic. In fact, we hid more than a dozen red cardinals throughout the hotel, and the guest who had spotted the most by the end of the conference got a prize for their excellent bird-watching skills.   

The following night, happy hour moved up to Altitude on the 27th floor. We repurposed some of the florals from the previous evening and added votives to the tables, as well as uplights throughout the room to accent the architectural features and create a warm glow throughout the space.

For the final night together, we planned a dinner outing, which introduced groups of attendees to some of Atlanta’s best restaurants. To transport guests from the hotel to their chosen restaurant, we scheduled six executive mini-coaches. Guests either headed to Atlanta’s historic Inman Park to dine at Beetlecat, Hampton + Hudson or Kevin Rathbun Steak, or they were taken to upscale Buckhead Village for dinner at Gypsy Kitchen or The Southern Gentleman.

Capturing Professional Memories 

With so many team members in one place, our client wanted to capture group photos and allow everyone to update their headshots. To fulfill this request, we scheduled an all-team photo during Monday’s happy hour and set up a headshot studio on-site the next day. Although the photo studio served an important purpose, the images will have the dual benefit of keeping the event in participants’ minds for months or years to come.

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We were thrilled by the recent announcement that Atlanta was named as a FIFA World Cup 2026 location. Who could be surprised when our city has (in our humble opinion) the best sports arena in the country? Our favorite place to play – Mercedes-Benz Stadium.  

The exciting news got us reminiscing about the event we produced for the Atlanta United FC team a few months ago. Our directive was to plan a reception to introduce the team’s new kit — that’s the uniform to you non-soccer fans.  

Held at Piedmont Park’s rustic Magnolia Hall, the VIP reception we were responsible for welcomed more than 100 guests, and there was also a larger general public event with thousands of excited fans at the Promenade in Piedmont Park. For the VIP area, we drew inspiration from the design of the new kit, which is named City in the Forest – one of Atlanta’s many monikers – in choosing the natural theme for the event. The new away uniform pairs mint and dark green with a geometric pattern as the base of the fabric. Indoors and out, hints of the pattern and colors were brought into everything from signage to flora to furniture. 

The wood-paneled venue with exposed beams offered the perfect setting for our theme. We paired lounge groupings with highboys and round tables to provide multiple seating and mingling options. Textured white or black velvet sofas met velvety chairs, and luxe seating poufs were paired with low, round tables featuring geometric metal accents. We topped the sofas with pillows in natural hues and Atlanta United branding in the center. Highboys and round tables were draped with linens in emerald green dupioni, caramel shantung, or patterns of emerald branches or a white Chelsea design. 

Simple centerpieces and votives on the tables played up the forest theme, while round tables displayed floral arrangements and lush greenery in geometric, Jenga-style metal containers. We brought the outside in with the photo opportunity wall, mixing potted topiary with taller plants and adding a team logo surrounded by golden leaves.  

The event lasted for several hours, and we made sure guests could enjoy light refreshments throughout. We planned the catering package, which included a variety of appetizers and hors d’oeuvres like a cheeseboard, flatbread, mini tacos, kabobs, dips, and warm beverages — the event took place during a much colder month.   

Not only was the launch party a success, but the uniform has also been a huge hit. In fact, the City in the Forest kit has sold so well, the team may release another one! Olé, olé, olé! 

WM Events was honored to produce an empowering event for our client the Black Economic Alliance (BEA) Foundation, which brought together thought leaders and C-suite business leaders to inspire the entrepreneurs of tomorrow. Including a showcase of student work, a roundtable with business leaders and academics, and an impactful networking cocktail reception, the day’s activities were filmed to create multiple video messages that will be shared by BEA and its major funder Bank of America to advance the foundation’s mission to “train, produce, and support the next generation of Black entrepreneurial talent.”  

BEA recently launched a partnership with Spelman and Morehouse Colleges, two of Atlanta’s esteemed HBCUs, and the multifaceted entrepreneur event was held at venues on both campuses, which are part of the Atlanta University Center. 

Innovation Meets Inspiration  

Things got started when 40 executives headed to the Spelman Innovation Lab, where they enjoyed a showcase of entrepreneurial student projects. These presentations were filmed documentary style for the videos we produced.  

Following the innovative student presentations, guests were transported to the nearby Ray Charles Performing Arts Center at Morehouse College via executive coaches for a thought-provoking roundtable, whose panelists discussed the importance of creating generational wealth in the Black community and how to boost the efforts of HBCUs to empower aspiring entrepreneurs.  

We set up the main stage with a custom-made “Red Table Talk” meets “State of the Union” round table and captured the discussion among some of the top business figures today on film. The roundtable coverage would be combined with other footage shot throughout the day to produce both long- and short-form videos for BEA and BOA. 

Following the inspiring discussion, guests moved to the Center’s lobby to enjoy a chef-driven catered reception with passed hors d’oeuvres where they were joined by the Innovation Lab students. Students and the C-Suite business leaders spent the next hour or so networking – the present and the future of Black entrepreneurship converging in one space.  

We styled the reception with luxe lounge furniture in royal blue and deep red velvet paired with gray, metallic and glass accents, décor that offered a nod to Bank of America’s brand palette. We brought in highboy and cocktail tables, which were draped with white and blue-patterned linens and topped with floral centerpieces.  

 Capturing It on Film

In addition to producing the multifaceted event and managing transportation, our team was responsible for providing the full-scale video services that recorded the events of the day and delivered programming to meet the client’s request afterwards. We handled everything from pre-production installation to post-production editing.

First, we styled an on-site studio space for testimonial-style interviews with the invited CEOs, BEA board members, and other stakeholders. Our styling created a high-design cinematic look for these one-on-one interviews. 

Throughout the day, we continued capturing all that was happening. We shot b-roll, filmed the Innovation Lab demos, and recorded the roundtable using multiple camera angles. All the footage was edited and produced into various types of video content that could be used by the Black Economic Alliance Foundation and Bank of America.  

Our team was proud to be part of this meaningful event. Logistically, we gave our clients a flawless day that made the most of two venues and left guests enthusiastic about meeting the call of our responsibility to future generations. Best of all, the videos we produced will spark more innovation in entrepreneurship for years to come. 

Olivia Allen joined WM Events as an Event Planner + Designer in spring 2021. She has a degree from UGA’s Terry College of Business and has worked in marketing, the music industry and event production around the world, including places like Spain and Malaysia. Ready to learn more about this savvy Atlanta native?

• Favorite outdoor Sunday activity in Atlanta: I love to have a picnic in Piedmont Park or take my dog to the dog park.
• Favorite Atlanta place to take your dog:  Piedmont Dog Park, but I want to try Fetch Park in Buckhead Village.
• Best dining in Atlanta: Barcelona Wine Bar has amazing Spanish food, but my love for Ethiopian trumps it all, especially Feedel Bistro!
• Best place to meet someone for a drink: Foxtrot Liquor Bar and Tiki Tango in Midtown are always a good time.
• Drink of choice? Whiskey and freshly squeeze orange juice with muddled mint.

• Favorite Atlanta music venue: It would have to be the Tabernacle because I have such great memories there, and you can see big-name artists at close range.

• Favorite place to take out-of-town guests: There are so many, but we have to eat on Buford Highway, walk the Atlanta BeltLine, and explore somewhere abandoned.
• Favorite local hiking spot: Providence Canyon in Lumpkin about 2 hours from Atlanta – it’s the closest you get to the Grand Canyon on this side of the U.S.
• One hidden gem you think more people should know about: The bamboo forest on the East Palisades Trail is such a beautiful spot to hike and have a cute date.
• What is your earliest memory about a party? When I was maybe 10, my mom put together a murder mystery party for my birthday and it was the COOLEST thing ever! It still gets randomly mentioned by my close friends to this day. Actually, the next party I throw will be a murder mystery.

The next party after her fall 2022 wedding, we hope!

• Favorite current event trend: I love all the round edges and use of organic shapes and objects. Dried flowers when done tastefully are a great long-lasting arrangement.
• Most craveable party food: Bacon-wrapped anything
• Favorite Flower Peonies! They are just the perfect combination of delicate and bold. I am also a sucker for a dried rose.
• Favorite WM Events party: Black Panther at the High Museum because I got to see the Atlanta Orchestra play the score for the movie live after I designed the VIP cocktail hour. It was such a beautiful night!

And surely no one will disagree with this response:

• One thing you would change about Atlanta: The traffic!! It’s the wooorst!

It was 2004 when our William Fogler rolled into town. An event design and planning aficionado from Denver, William was ready to make his mark on the Atlanta scene. He founded WM Events and quickly became known in the city for designing and producing affairs from corporate events to weddings and everything in between. Through the tumultuous years of the Recession and the beginning of the pandemic, he has moved ever forward, developing his firm into one of the city’s top full-service event planning and design companies.

Thanks to incorporating new skills and offering new services since 2020, at WM Events, we are thrilled that we can report significant growth today. This movement in the right direction is best seen through the welcoming of several new team members who have joined us with the goal of expanding the possibilities even more.

We’re excited to introduce you to each one:

Kristy Cook, CMP – Director of Business Development

Kristy holds the Certified Meeting Professional credential and comes to us from Affairs to Remember, where she was Director of Sales. She hails from Sylvania, Ohio, and earned a degree at The Ohio State University. Kristy loves sparkling cocktails and has a serious passion (read: obsession) for yoga and popcorn.

Liz Aguillon – Director of Operations

Liz earned a degree at Kennesaw State (go Owls!) before launching her career in hospitality with Nuevo Laredo Cantina, where she worked as a manager for more than eight years. From there, she moved to Peachtree Tents & Events as Senior Account Executive and honed her event skills for seven more years. In her leisure time, you might find her shooting the Hooch or salsa dancing the night away.

Eduardo Ramirez – Operations Manager

Eduardo comes to WM Events from Bold Catering & Design where he spent a dozen years honing his behind-the-scenes event skills, and you can bet that along the way he learned anything there is to know about operations. When he’s not coordinating big events, Eduardo enjoys catching up with the latest sports news on 92.9 The Game, hiking High Shoals Fall or searching the city for the best tacos.

Latoya Johnson – Senior Event Planner

You may already be familiar with Latoya — she worked with WM Events as a Design Assistant and Event Designer from 2017 to 2020. We couldn’t be more pleased that she is back and has moved into the role of Senior Event Planner. Latoya is a bigtime foodie, who previously operated her own catering company before shifting into nonprofit work. She has a Diplôme from Le Cordon Bleu and a B.A. from Smith College. Right now, she’s really into neon signs and loves hiking the Silver Comet Trail.

And in case you haven’t already met our three 2021 hires, here’s a bit about them!

Sara Gagnon – Floral Manager 

At WM Events, we love flowers and were elated when Sara joined our team last summer. She has had an extensive career in floral design and event sales, having worked with well-known companies like Saratoga Event Group, A Divine Event, B&G Florist and A Floral Affair by Sheree. With her vast experience, Sara has much to draw from when designing everything from the smallest centerpieces to massive floral displays. In case you are wondering, her favorite flower is the lily of the valley because it is small and delicate but hardy enough to survive colder climates.

 Olivia Allen – Event Planner + Designer

Olivia is about to celebrate her one-year anniversary with WM Events, and in her short time, she’s already made a huge mark on our team. She graduated from UGA’s Terry College of Business, then set off to see the world, working in places like Spain and Malaysia. We’re glad she settled in Atlanta and brought her marketing skills and excellent aesthetic to our projects. She has a lifelong love of a good murder mystery party and a serious penchant for peonies.

Tigest Gashaye – Event Planner + Designer   

Tigest joined WM Events in the fall of 2021, coming to us with a background that ranged from catering sales to nonprofit work to wedding planning and real estate — just about every skill we could ask for. Before launching her professional career, Tigest earned a degree in sociology from Georgia State University. She’s a lover of a good brunch and enjoys walking the Belt Line and gathering with family for an Ethiopian coffee ceremony.

Bonus info – Olivia and Tigest are two of our WM Events team 2022 brides, along with Leigh. Be sure to follow the details of their wedding planning adventures in our blog series!

At WM Events, our planners and designers have produced hundreds of events, including weddings from large to small. So when three of our own got engaged recently, we couldn’t wait to see how each of them would fashion their own “big day.” We’re going to go through the process with Leigh, Tigest, and Olivia step by step to learn what it’s like to plan for yourself what you are an expert at planning for others. 

First up, venues. What’s important and how do you choose just one when you’ve seen just about everything? 

Q: What was important to you in choosing a venue?

Leigh: I didn’t want to have to go anywhere between the ceremony and the reception or have to flip a space during the cocktail hour. I was interested in great parking (event planner mind) and a lot of flexibility to bring in a variety of vendors. A space that offered the possibility of being outside without having to rely on the weather for an outdoor wedding was a bonus.

Tigest: I’m Ethiopian, and I knew I wanted to bring in outside catering. Some spaces either charge a lot for that or don’t allow it at all, so that was an important factor for me. 

Olivia: Since my wedding is in Spain, where my fiancé Jordi’s family lives, it was important to find a location near them but also one where my close friends can stay. We wanted a space that was traditionally Spanish, including an outdoor option (with a tent in case of rain) and an easy parking situation was important to us. We loved the idea of being in a beautiful Spanish courtyard.

Q: How many venues did your visit or tour?

Leigh: NONE! Unless you count the hundreds I’ve seen in my 12 years as an event planner.

Tigest: We visited three spaces.

Olivia: Zero since our venue is in Spain, but we FaceTimed the venue manager, and Jordi’s brother went to see it.

Q: What wisdom can you share having been through this process as a bride rather than a planner? 

Leigh: I know a lot more weddings are happening this year than normal from the backlog of the COVID virus halting everyone’s plans. So getting the venue secured early was extremely important. I also think it’s helpful to choose a location nearby that is convenient for a quick visit or surprise walkthrough, say when your mom is in town for the weekend.

Tigest: There are some really nice spaces in Atlanta, and they all offer something different. When shopping around, read everything in the sales packet to see what is included with the rental. If you know what you are getting, you can avoid surprises along the way.  

Olivia: Obviously looking at the venue would have been ideal, but generally I would advise people to be aware of the food & beverage options, noise ordinances, and where the power is. Walk through the plan of your entire day in that space, and make sure it works with your vision. Being in the spaces that I show to clients gives me more confidence than I have in one that’s across the ocean. I second guessed a lot more and kept searching and searching, whereas in Atlanta I am much more familiar with the venues.

Q: How did you make your final decision and which venue did you choose? 

Leigh: Georgia Railroad Freight Depot

I’ve wanted to get married at the Freight Depot since we planned an event there in 2014! I love the historic significance of it to the city of Atlanta. Considering that Atlanta is only here today because the city was the “terminus” of multiple railroads lines, the Freight Depot is central to the development of the city. Also, Kirk, my fiancé is from Columbus, Georgia, on the western side of the state and I’m from Augusta, a nearly identical city on the eastern side of the state. I think it’s super cool that we met in the middle in Atlanta. And because we met creating street art, there’s a graffiti-tie in with trains that seems serendipitous. I also love the fact that the Freight Depot is about 8 blocks from my house!

Tigest: Biltmore Ballrooms

When I entered the event planning world, I took a certification course at Emory that required a capstone project. I chose this venue to create a mock event at Biltmore Ballrooms. I thought it was the most beautiful space I had ever seen and dreamed of one day getting married there. Now I am!  

Olivia: Villa Milagro in Valencia, Spain.

My relationship with my fiancé has been very tied to nature from the beginning, so renting a villa in the middle of an orange field in the mountains was a perfect fit for us.

For its one-day-only influencer event Elements of Style, Atlantic Station asked WM Events to create an Instagrammable experience and photo opp that would complement the event’s theme. The concept was a shopping event that encouraged visitors to shop based on the element associated with their astrological sign, so we designed and installed four immersive vignettes inspired by the elements connected with those signs. That meant one each for earth, air, fire and water. 

It all happened on the Atlantic Station Green on the Fall Equinox, and in addition to creating the vignettes and photobooth activations, we brought in an aura photographer and set up a makers market. Each vignette was large enough for multiple people to enjoy together and created the sense of being immersed in the elements.

Four Elements to Experience 

Earth: The earth vignette celebrated nature and took inspiration from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” with a woodsy setting of rocks, gilded logs and lush greenery. Earth signs entered through a wisteria-draped archway to the multiple options for perching and snapping photos. It all sat atop a grass-like turf for the complete feel of being transported to a forest setting.

Air: Air signs could float in the clouds in this vignette, which featured a cloudy sky backdrop and a white sofa mostly hidden from view by dozens of white balloons in a variety of sizes. A fog machine enhanced the effect of drifting through the air.

Fire: We heated it up in the fire sign setting with a hot orange backdrop paired with three Greek-style fire torches in gold bowls (imitation fire for safety, of course). In front of that, we placed a luxe orange velvet canape sofa with leather and sequin toss pillows. In the foreground, red velvet bolsters added to the sense of fire.

Water: Splish splash  — our play on water brought visitors to a massive sparkling “pool” with a backdrop and floor covering that mimicked bright blue, wavy water. To this, we added suspended disco balls and a giant mirrored orb. Visitors were surrounded by the water and had their pick of several inflatables on which to “float” in this immersive vignette.

Instagrammable Moments 

To create an immersive experience in each vignette, we went beyond the two dimensional or even three dimensional, adding interactive features, playing with lighting and incorporating hovering fog. With distinct choices for each vignette, we welcomed visitors to get in, try it out, and decide which aspects they wanted to play with. For example, in the Water vignette, in addition to a pink flamingo inflatable swimming hoop, there was a clear inflatable chair and a lotus flower inflatable. But a less adventurous guest could also take a seat at the metal bamboo-look shower bench and still enjoy participating. 

With the combination of décor elements, guests entered the vignettes and became part of them, making for more realistic photography and inspired social media sharing.

A corporate holiday party at the Fox Theatre offered the perfect setting for bringing to life Van Gogh’s famed Starry Night painting. At this event, which welcomed 400 guests, we aimed to make the inspiration apparent without being too obvious. We put the focus on the star aspect and incorporated lights and candlelight everywhere possible to create a sparkling, fantasy evening.

But we started with a couple of clear homages to the great artist. A photo area featured a backdrop of a swirling, starry night, and we wrapped the dance floor in a custom graphic with the painting image. The interactive photo area featured an abstract Starry Night-inspired backdrop framed with a trellis strung with twinkle lights. We placed topiary around the photo space to impart the feeling of being outside under a starry sky.

From there, we took our palette from the painting and carried it through rugs, furnishings, linens, florals and the stage backdrop. 

Translating this iconic work of art, which is a favorite for many people, into a holiday party provided a stylistic challenge. We wanted to show guests they had entered the magical painting without telling them that they had. This is why we focused on honoring the palette and adding our own version of stars rather than continuously replicating the painting, even if it did show up more directly in a few places.    

Holiday Lights and Sparkle in the Reception Area  

Leading into the event, we framed the stairs with 19th-century cast-iron street lamps then lined them uplights for additional illumination. A themed blue drapery package delineated the coat check area.

In the pre-function event, which took place in the Fox Theatre‘s Grand Salon, we added three tired, white Christmas trees wrapped in lights. Uplighting was added to the architectural elements of the room to set the mood, and more iron streetlights were placed around the perimeter. Cocktail tables were topped with designer linens and geometric firefly-light centerpieces, along with numerous votives to create a warm glow. Additionally, six black communal highboys were surrounded by chameleon barstools and accented with designer runner and brass branch centerpieces. We paired these with two serpentine tables topped with specialty linens and a mirrored table where desserts were placed at the end of the evening. Golden bar shelving was styled with accent pieces and floral arrangements, as well as offering another space to place diffused lighting, which bounced off the gold for an extra glow.

Of course, as a holiday event, the Christmas trees wrapped in lights and placed in the reception area added glam and festive excitement to the evening. The trees twinkled with light, and all ornaments maintained the event palette, so they seemed to blend right in with Van Gogh’s vision. 

A Luxe Dining Room 

Guest seating in the ballroom included lounge groupings with gold velvet sofas, deep blue velvet chairs, and golden leather poufs. The sofas, beneath the resplendent Christmas trees, were dotted with a variety of pillows in luxurious fabrics, including one with the Starry Night pattern.

In the dining room, we topped 30 tables with designer linens and floral centerpieces in the theme palette of blue, gold and purples. We dressed the glamorous tables with coordinating linen napkins and floral centerpieces surrounding with votives to bring a twinkle to each location.

On the stage, where a band played throughout dinner, we installed a backdrop that shimmered in navy velour and gold with crystal beads. The entire room was enchanted by gobo lights that illuminated the ballroom ceiling with stars.

This holiday party provided guests with a starry night to remember.

To kick off the Atlanta Falcons 2021 season, we joined forces with partners AMBSE, Classic Tents & Events, Magnum and Concert Logic to deliver a high-end, high-energy, high-style event at the Georgia World Congress Center International Plaza, playing host to 2,000 of the Falcons’ premier ticketholders. 

Guests walked through colorful arches to enter a field filled with a variety of open-air and tented hospitality areas, thoroughly branded with Falcons black and red. We strung pennants over the entire field, creating a clear sense of dedicated event space. 

You could call it a tailgate because it was a pre-game celebration, but we elevated the concept to an exclusive outdoor festival, available for one day only. This meant bringing in bathroom trailers, standup hand-sanitizer stations, hand-washing stations, and charming perimeter white fences. 

Two massive tents were set up to accommodate nearly 300 seated guests with room for another 150 or so to perch. To that, we added lawn seating for another 300 and 144 perches, thinking that many guests would like to enjoy the fall sunshine. The tents were fully decked out with red spandex chandeliers and suspended Falcons graphics in one and 6-foot ribbon hoops and suspended graphics in the other. 

Inside the tents, rustic met contemporary style with a combination of communal highboys and cocktail tables topped with lush, green centerpieces in wooden containers, along with mini footballs in glass vases. Round tables were topped with red and tan burlap linens. We added white modular furniture to the middle of the tent and pops of Falcons red throughout. Lawn seating featured branded black and white highboys arranged near the stage, as well as metal and wood highboys placed near the fountain — all were topped with floral and greens centerpieces. In addition to 60-inch round tables, many topped with standing umbrellas in alternating tan and red, we dotted the space with Adirondack chairs, rocking chairs and picnic tables. 

Throughout the field, we added fun elements like Giant helmets and classic bleachers for photo opps, and guests had access to fun lawn games like giant chess and mini golf. We set up a 16-by-8-foot graffiti wall and brought in artist Brandon Sadler to paint a mural on-site during the event. Guests had the chance to talk with Brandon as he created a special work. 

With a variety of photobooth options, everyone who wanted to snap some memories was able to participate, even with the large number of attendees. There was also a tailgate theme backdrop with an iPad photobooth that allowed guests to take their own photos. We also brought in a roaming photobooth that found guests enjoying the multiple activities.

To feed this massive crowd, we brought in a variety of local food trucks, allowing guests to choose for themselves what and when they wanted to eat. Sponsorship activations offered additional features and opportunities for guests to sample food and beverages and pick up some swag. 

Even with all the hospitality, lawn games, food trucks and interactive options, we couldn’t close out this tailgate without some great live entertainment. Guests enjoyed high-energy performances from the likes of Big Boi and Pastor Troy and Hero the Band– sending them into the game pumped up and ready to cheer for the home team. Of course, Freddie the Falcon was on hand to help out too!

This daytime event kicked off the Falcons’ season in style and appealed to football fan while elevating their experience. Our team effort rose to the occasion and went way beyond a typical tailgate.

Photos by Jack Parada