As a famous witch named Galinda once said: “Pink goes good with green.”
Wicked: For Good – the second and final installment of the musical-turned-movie spectacular starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo – has just hit theaters, and we are seriously rejoycifying. That’s why we “Couldn’t Be Happier” to share this absolutely unbelievable Wicked-inspired event with you!
(Now, full disclosure, we *will* be fully nerding out about this one, so prepare for lots of over-the-top Ozian references as we go.)
This two-tone pink + green spectacular comes our way via — and how PERFECT is this — the event planning community of Kansas City. In Kansas. You know, home of Dorothy? The original over-the-rainbow adventurer? Michelle of Events by Elle, the event design engine behind the “KC Plans” gala, says that the event definitely “capitalized on Oz’s iconic connection to Kansas.”
The “KC Plans” gala has been going strong for nearly a decade since it was originally created by the incredible planning + design team at Events by Elle. “Since 2016, Kansas City’s wedding and event planning industry gathers for one night, designed just for them,” Michelle shares. “It’s basically a love letter to the industry; a celebration of the planners who usually work behind the scenes, brought center stage for an evening that honors connection and inspiration.”
And what happens when event industry professionals get together to do what they do best just for each other? They go big. And you don’t have to take our word for it: just peep 2023’s perfectly pink Barbie-themed gathering.
It was seeing the first installment of the Wicked movies last year tthat got Michelle thinking about the appeal of Glinda + Elphaba’s iconic pink + green color worlds. “When Elphaba and Glinda stepped into The Emerald City in the movie, it was almost like the colors were shouting at me, Pick me, pick me!’’ laughs Michelle. “KC Plans has always been about comradery, believing in yourself and following your dreams so by the time I walked out of that movie, I knew it was a great fit. At first I just wanted to implement the color scheme and the overall messages of the movie. I wanted attendees to feel like the design gave Wicked vibes, but not in an obvious way. Once we started brainstorming with the core vendor team, it became clear that all of us couldn’t help but go all in. It would have been a missed opportunity if we hadn’t fully brought Wicked to life in event form.”
Color blocking + elegant maximalism have been dominating the event design conversation in wickedly wonderful ways, and we can’t think of a more magical implementation than this pink + green combination. For one night, The Gallery Event Space was home to a yellow brick road, an enchanted forest, an ornate pink + green Emerald City ballroom, hot air balloons full of macarons, aerialists, musical performances, and so much more. And these photos from Claire Ryser capture the color-saturated, swankified setup so beautifully.
It’s immersive. It’s utterly Ozmopolitan. And it’s definitely changed us “For Good.”
At first glance, you might suspect that this blush + emerald invitation suite is correspondence from Shiz University! The aptly named Yellow Brick Graphics worked some serious magic with these.✨
You better believe we spotted that hot air balloon detail — a clever nod to the “Wonderful” Wizard himself and how he ended up in Oz!
Michelle + her team risked greenifying their guests with these adorable bottled batch cocktail guest favors from Tom’s Travelers inspired by the Wizard’s infamous brew.
“Follow the Yellow Brick Road”
“A concealed hallway led into a nod to The Yellow Brick Road,” Michelle says of this immersive lemon yellow event entrance.
“Florals by Good Earth Floral Design Studio and draping by Quest Events framed the path…”
“…that wound into an enchanted forest…”
“…while aerialists from KC Aerial Arts floated above in true magical form.”
Just look at this thrillifyingly lush floral installation! Elevated photo ops like these are definitely one of our fave trending event photography ideas.
“Pink, Green, and Everything in Between”
“Inside the main room, serpentine tables divided the space into two realms; pink and green,” Michelle describes. “On one side, production mapping by Icon Event Group showed off a Glinda-esq landscape scene looking out from the Oz castle windows with sunny skies, pink floral trees and summer green grass. On the flip side, was a portrayal of stormy skies, flying monkeys and a mood that gave Elphaba.”
“At the center of the space, the two halves converged into all the colorful shades of Oz that had initially inspired Events by Elle and led to a stage that glowed with the Emerald City portal.”
Just because pink + green were the anchor colors of the event doesn’t mean other shades weren’t welcome! We love all of the playful pastels used in these cascading waterfall arrangements — one of the floral design trends we’re obsessed with, by the way.
That being said, the combination of pink + green is pretty irresistible, even without Glinda + Elphaba as inspiration. This maximalist print filled wedding and this wildflower editorial in South Africa are excellent examples of glorious pink + green celebrations.
Hey brides, if all of these pretty pale pinks are speaking to you, you should take a look through our favorite blush wedding dresses!
And this collection of the rose gold bridesmaid looks we love best, too!
Green just happens to be one of our fave trending wedding colors, so we’re loving all of this emerald excellence.
“Linens by BBJ LaTavola and place settings by Yellow Brick Graphics gave the proper nods to both Elphaba + Glinda,” Michelle says of the carefully curated tablescape.
On the Elphaba side, the evening’s fare from Brancato’s Catering was detailed in these fabulous round rotating menus. (Perhaps a nod to The Wicked Witch of the West’s famous crystal ball?)
Pour Me A Potion
“Even the bars reflected both witches in style,” remembers Michelle.
Absolutely obsessed with this Glinda-worthy high low pink ruffle tulle dress!
Event DJ and Emcee Fernando Productions kept guests grooving like they were at the Ozdust Ballroom.
You can find this Oz-ready pleated green button down long sleeve belted mini dress on Amazon! And snag the Lulus Tulle Intentions dress in white to recreate this Galindafied silhouette (praying for a restock in the pink!).
The Evening’s Entertainment
Speakers at the 9th annual “KC Plans” gala included Trent Broglin, Emily Broadbent, Kate Turner of Landlocked Luxury, Kate Turner of Kate and Company, Sarah Quinlivan of Quintessential Events, Tracey DeMarea of MidAmerica LGBT Chamber of Commerce, and — the woman behind the curtain herself– Michelle Layman of Events by Elle!
“The finale was pure Broadway,” Michelle remembers. “Twice on Sunday performed as Glinda and Elphaba, bringing the audience to its feet with a duet rendition of ‘Defying Gravity.’ It was the perfect reminder that collaboration is what truly makes us fly.“
“For Good… & For Sweets”
Kate Smith Soiree filled the giant wicker basket of the Wizard’s hot air balloon with so many scrumptious desserts!
A Scene Straight from the Movie
A one-of-a-kind photo op dreamt up and built by Icon Event Group, replicating Elphaba and Glinda’s moment flying in a star-filled sky on Elphaba’s broom, gave guests the chance to recreate the iconic scene from Wicked: For Good’s movie trailer.
After all, everyone deserves the chance to FLY.
Congratulations to Michelle, Events by Elle, and the entire KC Plans team. Your Ozian Spectacular was a testament to color, to creativity, and to the power of collaboration. And it has us so excited to see Wicked: For Good!! All we can say is “Thank Goodness.” 💕💚
Planning & Design: Events by Elle | Event Photographer: Claire Ryser | Guest Portrait Photographer: Deanna Johnson Photography | Venue: The Gallery Event Space | Florals: Good Earth Floral Design Studio | Digital Mapping, Photo Op, Staging, Lighting, Sound, Production: Icon Event Group | Stationery, Signage & Branding: Yellow Brick Graphics | Rentals & Drapery: Quest Events | Catering: Brancato’s Catering | Desserts: Kate Smith Soiree | Linens & Napkins: BBJ LaTavola | Soloists/Band: Twice on Sunday | Aerial Performers: KC Aerial Arts | Cinematography: HeartFelt Visual | Event DJ and Emcee: Fernando Productions | Hotel Accommodations: Hotel Kansas City | Event Journalist: Preserved in Print | Green Elixer Gifting: Tom’s Travelers | Gifting & Check-In: Wed KC | Speakers: Trent Broglin, Emily Broadbent, Kate Turner of Landlocked Luxury, Kate Turner of Kate and Company, Sarah Quinlivan of Quintessential Events, Tracey DeMarea of MidAmerica LGBT Chamber of Commerce, and Michelle Layman of Events by Elle
Wedding Vendors
Photography: Claire Ryser
