Event Planning Ideas, Trends & Inspiration

Our garden was bountiful last summer!

Check out the size of the tomato plants- some grew to be 7′ tall, producing the most outrageously beautiful tomatoes I’ve ever seen. These plants have a longer growing season and love the heat, so they’re perfect for our backyard here in Atlanta. Also, tomato consumption has been linked with decreased risks of breast cancer and may protect against  neurodegenerative diseases.

The rows of okra were reminiscent of a secret garden– what a great party theme that would be!

The multitude of colors and forms that each plant has during its maturation is so inspiring and gives me great ideas for future events. Nature pairs color so well- the green and burgundy of the okra is magnificent. What a great color scheme for a wedding!

Look back to our previous entry on adding a touch of green to your wedding here.

-William Fogler
WM Events

A garden is more than just a home to beautiful flowers, it is also a habitat for many creatures. Last summer, our garden was home to a “Garden” spider. These beautiful creatures are great predators for flying insects and other unwanted pests.

They are like a fine detail at a well-planned event. Although you may not see them with the naked eye, they are there to insure everything runs smoothly.

William Fogler
-WM Events

The greatest inspiration in my life is my mother and the time we spend together. She has taught me most of what I know in regards to planning successful events and creating beautiful things for others to enjoy.

Last summer we planted a giant vegetable garden together.

While I am very good with plants and flowers, vegetable gardening was all new to me. Although the basic principles are the same as flower gardening, the vegetable garden requires just a bit more precision and attention to the details- just like any well planned event.

Our wonderful garden consisted of:

Okra, tomatoes, green beans, squash, red & gold beets, squash, peppers, potatos, and carrots- Oh MY!

As Irene hummed her favorite blues tunes, she placed each seed with love perfectly in a row. She made it look so easy- just the way moms always do.

-William Fogler
WM Events

While creating beautiful environments and planning unforgettable events, it is important to continually think of ways to move towards a greener lifestyle. As we’re getting geared up for this summer season, let’s take a retrospective look at what was accomplished last summer.

A year ago my neighbor gave me the ultimate in composters- the Mantis Twin.

The idea of creating my own rich soil that would benefit my garden and add another green component to my family’s lifestyle really thrilled me.

This would cut back on landfill waste while providing a wonderful supplement for our plants and vegetables.

Composting is the decomposition of organic household wastes and plants into a rich healthy soil enriched with all the goodness of the materials that are put into it. The idea is to replenish the earth with the proteins and the nutrients that have been stripped from it.

With great enthusiasm, I combined the proper amounts of carbon (dried stuff like leaves, cardboard, and shredded paper), nitrogen (vegetable scraps, weeds, and grass clippings), oxygen (for oxydizing carbon), and water. This natural combination of materials produces a chemical reaction and causes the breakdown.

I even added our dryer lint, old bread, pasta, and moldy cheese. Here’s a list of 75 Things You Can Compost, But Thought You Couldn’t.

It is important to think of the things we all can do that replenish ourselves and this beautiful earth we live on.

-William Fogler
WM Events

Here is a fun video shot during the corporate grand opening of mywedding.com ‘s offices in Castle Rock, CO.  Check out my comments on being the design and wedding expert for mywedding.com as well as a destination wedding planner.

-William Fogler
WM Events

Personalized, hem stitched Irish linen napkins as place cards – blew everyone’s minds at this destination wedding. Each guest’s napkin was stitched with the their name, or nickname when appropriate. The wedding was held at Devil’s Thumb Ranch in Winter Park Colorado. Newberry Brothers Greenhouse designed the dramatic floral arrangements and dressed each custom napkin with an orchid bloom. The pampered guests took home their personalized napkins as a wonderful keepsake from this amazing weekend-long event.

As a multi-tasking escort card, these little beauties played many roles for this weddings design. WM Events presented silver bud vases tagged with guests seating arrangements which completed the centerpiece design as guests sat down. At the end of the event, elegant gift boxes were distributed for guest to easily take home their sparkling new vase.   Seating your guests is a detail which takes the guess work out of where to sit at an event. Guests can take comfort knowing you took the time to properly place them at your event.

When Ron Lazarus owner of Affairs to Remember throws a party, you know it’s going to be great. I was honored to have the opportunity to collaborate with Ron and Nancy Lutz of Affairs to create a spectacular Mother’s Day luncheon held at the Affairs facility.  A festive springtime yellow palette paired with silver-accented coral bertani silk set the tone.  Lush garden centerpieces of strawberry plants, flaming parrot & peony tulips adorned every table designed by WM Events. Luxe china, including the show stopping Starburst chargers, and tulip crystal glassware from Classic Party Rentals were key to the design. Decadent chocolates from Julia Baker Confections were personalized with a note from Ron as guest favors.

The decadent menu included lobster fritters, chicken schnitzel and lump crab cocktails was fit for a queen. A four course, seated meal elegantly presented by the ever-attentive Affairs staff right in the kitchen.

Papered Wonders created an elegant suite of place cards, menus, and tags for gifts on rich,pearlized card stock with a rich chocolate print. Event Drapery defined the space with an organdy and satin design. Greg and Sandra Scott of Picture This! captured the whole event.

It was truly an affair to remember.

For this sleek, modern wedding design, the seating cards floated above the bride and groom’s names. Escort cards can be presented in a myriad of ways, and this is a design that I love. Remember to make the table user friendly and in a well lit spot. Selecting your guest seats is a detail that really shows the guests that you care about them.

I know it’s Spring, but better late than never with the WM Events blog!

Here is a peek at Chipotle Mexican Grill’s Corporate Holiday Party, held this year at the awesome event venue, the Cable Center on Denver University’s campus.

Occasions by Sandy presented delicous mini entree stations. Rob Schenk of ShowTek on the decks not only kept the party hopping but lit it up like a hot pepper.

Newberry Brothers created floral masterpieces and Indigo Sky hooked us up with some awesome lounge decor and event design.

WM Events provided complete event design, event coordination and management for the 9th consecutive year.

My upcoming showroom design at Affairs to Remember is based on the relationship between food and fashion.  These are some of fun images I dug up while doing my homework for the showroom design.

Food concepts depict styles and trends in fashion: sleeker styles on the runway correlate with the growing popularity of healthier, lighter foods.  Organic  and nattural food trends run parallel with eco and vintage fashion trends as well.

Runway silhouettes are often  echoed by chef’s sculptural creations which defy gravity and edible reality.  Lady Gaga’s Red Carpet dress and spun sugar dessert creations are an example of this.  Sleek, modern presentation reflects sleek modern silhouettes.

OMG – Handmade Cashmere Gloves!  Yes, Please!

Spun with love, these luscious gloves are the handiwork of Nina Wexler. As a breast cancer survivor, Nina found salvation in her hobby during treatment and is returning the love.

With 100% of profits going to The Breast Cancer Foundation (BCRF), these gloves are knitted by a variety of volunteers, including students on scholarship, widows, victims of layoffs, and retired workers.

These hand knit, fingerless gloves make fabulous gifts for bridal parties and for guests at special occasions and events.  They would be an excellent welcome gift for guests at a mountaintop destination wedding! You can purchase your Free Fingers through WM Events.