Summer! Summer! Summer!

It has been an extremely busy and productive summer here at APA!  We have had the opportunity of working on great events like the IPFW Riverfest, Three Rivers Festival, numerous graduation parties, weddings and Matilda Jane events.  From decorating pirate ships, to blowing up balloons, to setting up chairs, it has been full of action.  The hot items of the summer have definitely been Mason Jars and Harvest Tables.  We like to call the theme "Grandma's Attic".  It is an eclectic mix of different items that do not necessarily match, but bring together a unique and one of a kind experience to individual wedding receptions.  We have also dove more into Social Media which has given us the chance to get examples of our work out much quicker.  Channels such as Instagram, Facebook and Twitter have been a great tool to showcase our events.  We also got a few nods from BizBash on our posts.  BizBash is one of the leading publications in our industry in markets like New York, Chicago and Miami.  That was very exciting!  We invite you to take a look at our different Social Media avenues.  The plan is to update our blog more on a quarterly basis and let you know about specials or shows that we will be attending and exhibiting.  Typically Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are updated multiple times a week.  Thanks for stopping by today and don't forget to call and ask how A Party Apart can set your next event APART! (260) 969-0999
http://www.facebook.com/apartyapart - Facebook

http://www.twitter.com/apartyapart - Twitter

http://t.co/NP8085AE - Instagram

Spring/Summer Themes in Full Bloom

The sun is shining; the temperatures are rising and spring is in the air. Also just around the corner is a calendar of events — everything from birthdays, retirements, and graduations to bridal showers and weddings; corporate picnics and parties to fundraisers and special functions. In addition to being very now and very current, what's else is great about these looks? They're all completely scaleable — great looks for your next intimate gathering for 30, or just the right feel for the 250+ bridal reception dinner of the century. Here's plenty of inspiration for your celebration...the perfect theme for YOUR next special occasion...time to start planning NOW!

Black, White and WOW...

Classic, formal, and sophisticated are what black and white has always been about. For a very current feel, pair them with any pop of color you can imagine, add in a chateau pattern runner and some rhinestone accents placed on a square table to complete the look - and WOW - it's an instant updated feel for this classic combo. Think it's a great party look, but afraid it's too much black for a wedding? Not so! Black is the new wedding color after all, AND the perfect backdrop to make any accent color POP! Click here to view photos...

Vintage Harvest...
Call it rustic; call it vintage; call it shabby chic — ALL are correct! This look is all the rage, and can easily be accomplished no matter the color palette you choose. Eclectic is the objective —just use elements that you love — mixing aged and worn pieces with crystal jewels, rugged textures, lace runners, real wood harvest tables, vintage glass vases, and anything else on hand. It’s the perfect theme for the Pinerest addict or the project bride - with all of your pinned ideas coming together for one fabulous, current look. Click here to view photos...

Simple...Sparkling...Stunning...
If bold or black isn’t your particular style, but you still want to achieve a dramatic look, think bling by combining glittery glass with candles, candles, and MORE candles. Linen options are important accents as well. This combination of textures in muted tones brings life to this vision and answers “can I really mix white and ivory?” with a resounding YES! Top it off with hints of gold and once the lights dim and the candles are lit, this simply stunning setting turns into high voltage drama at its best! Click here to view photos...

A Walk on the Wild Side...
Okay, you want something different, you want something unique, you want something that will make people sit up and take notice. Open yourself up to ideas a little bit out there...like this "Out of Africa" A Party Apart-style. Nearly life-size sculpted giraffes and authentic African masks sit side by side with Manzanita trees, slithering snakes, celebratory drums and monkey balls (that’s right, we said it!). Animal-print linens, and burlap and grass textures pair with tribe-inspired accents to give your guests the feel of a safari adventure. Click here to view photos...

Contemporary Geometry
Bold, strong, simple, and striking appeal to you? If so, you'll love the look of these clean lines and dramatic settings. Bold reds pair with bright lime green — this "odd couple" with a modern twist seems perfectly matched. Black and white appear again but this time with geometrical shapes — triangles, horizontal planes and that bold dash of lighting makes one straighten up and take notice. Hip, hot and oh-so right now.
Cotton Candy Carnival in Pink
Whether it's for a birthday party, baby shower, or even a wedding, your guests will get a sense of nostalgia and childlike wonder from this carnival of details and sense of fun. The carousel horse, cotton candy colored linens, oversized paper flowers, jars of gumballs, the smell of fresh popcorn (that’s right, the popcorn machine isn’t just for looks), and the bright color game tickets are all a throwback to a much sweeter, more simple time. This brings a smile to the face and the kid out in every guest. Click here to view photos...

Find out more about how to create this colorful themes and more — visit our online catalog, view our online gallery or come see our showroom, or call one of our event specialists today!

Each year that the Erin’s House "Wine of the Spirit" fall fundraiser has been held in the warehouse at A Party Apart, co-owner Jim Brockmann has created something unique to add to the overall décor. The first year, 283 wine bottles hanging from the ceiling on the first floor entry way welcomed and "cued" guests that this wasn't your average wine-tasting/fundraiser. More wine bottles hung above the bar areas on the second floor. The second year, Brockmann purchased a semi-trailer of used wine barrels from a California winery to use as props to create the effect of a winery in downtown Fort Wayne.

On subsequent years, Jim continued to brainstorm and come up with unique ideas — for example, using a sandblaster to make holes in the sides of wine bottles and then connecting a ring from bottle to bottle to create lighted chandeliers above the guest tables.

Another time he convinced his wife and co-owner Cheryl Brockmann to allow him to purchase a drill press, and then for a number of evenings each night at home leading up to the event, small holes were created so they could be stacked straight up on a rod to make vertical props out of the many wine bottles.

For 2011, Jim decided on the idea of metal wine bottle trees for this year for Erin's House. He also enlisted the help of Jenny Brockmann, his daughter, an art teacher and artist in her own right, who flew in from Portland, OR for a few days to help her father out. Not only did Jenny need to hone her metal-crafting skills to help broaden her artistic abilities for a variety in the classes she teaches, but it also proved to be a great father/daughter bonding opportuntity!

After three days of intense cutting, bending, designing and welding - the yield? Stunning wine bottle trees for the 2011 "Wine of the Spirit" to benefit Erin’s House. The only extra supplies? "One tube of Ben Gay for the office muscles that became sore while working out in the shop for a change!" said Jim. The design process went well - as Jim explained, he has learned "not to argue with the artist, especially when it is a female artist!" and that it was amazing "how many different angles those little branches can be placed; 'no - move it in further; no - tilt it back some.' " But the results speak for themselves - and will officially debut on Friday, October 7, 2011 at A Party Apart - click here to visit the Erin's House website, or contact Michelle at 423-2466 for more information. See you there!

Ultimate Spa Destination? Your Own Backyard...

Want to celebrate that special birthday with your BFFs, but can't seem to get everyone's schedules to gel and find the perfect spa destination? Bring the spa to you.

That's what one special lady here in Fort Wayne recently received from her husband for her birthday - the entire backyard area was transformed into a luxury spa oasis, giving the lady of honor and her 12 guests the over-the-top experience usually found in a four-diamond luxury resort.

Pipe and draping framed individual outdoor intimate areas - creating privacy and an upscale, resort-like feel. Guests could recline poolside while deciding which items from the spa menu they would choose to experience. Others sought to relax and refresh behind flowing curtains by beginning in the row of chairs complete with soaking tubs and foot massages. Individual massage tables around the perimeter beckoned the tense and tight of muscle, while body, mind and spirit began to repair for those curled up among plush pillows on outdoor couches.

A Party Apart enjoyed collaborating with LML Estate Management to transform an already spectacular existing outdoor area into an oasis of a different type. View additional photos here of this ultimate spa experience. Relax, renew, recover...open your mind and say "omm" and "ummm" — pass the cake. Happy Birthday, Wendy!

Stuck on You...

A recent note from a happy customer....."Hi Jim, Here are several pictures of us having a blast with the velcro wall. It was definitely the hit of the party! — Thanks, Julie"

The photos sum up how much fun this can be. What is a velcro wall? The velcro, or "sticky" wall is a colorful and exciting game where adults and children put velcro suits over their clothing and then propel themselves off an inflatable bounce up towards the wall. Testing technique and strength, see how high you can stick! You can land sideways, upside down or any which way.

Not sure what to do for the kids for YOUR next birthday or party? Add a little bounce to your next event - run, jump and stick like a fly on the wall with a velcro wall! It's great fun and loads of laughs for those doing it and those watching it.

View more entertainment, inflatables, and games online in our catalog at APartyApart.com. Thanks for the great photos, Julie — "stick" with us - we'll find you something fun to add to your next event.

Hot Town; Summer in the City...

...and as the song goes, the back of everyone's necks is "getting dirty and gritty" from putting up what seems like thousands of tents for events already. Festival season is in full swing in Fort Wayne and northeastern Indiana — and if it's hot, you need a tent (for shade); if it's raining, you need a tent (for cover); if you have vendors, you need tents (for what they're doing), and if you have beer, you need a tent (to define your beer garden). So we have had A LOT who have needed tents for a variety of reasons.

If you attended RiverFest last weekend at IPFW in Fort Wayne, you saw much of what we do for festivals. Besides the large tenting, tables, and chairs, we also did the stage area for the bands, and the decorative large paddle balloons and sky lanterns. The large balloons, sky lanterns, and large balloon arches are all the rage for weddings this summer too - a dramatic finishing touch and attention-getter for weddings and reception sites. Tie the color into your overall wedding theme, and these really create a "wow" for guests and wedding parties alike.

BBQ RibFest, Germanfest and Greek Festival in downtown Fort Wayne at Headwaters Park used A Party Apart tents of varying sizes, tables, chairs and ceiling decor. And don't forget about making food prep easier - we can supply propane cooking stoves, ovens and warming cabinets for your next event, regardless of the size of your crowd. Thirsty too? Our margarita machines are flying out of here when the weather heats up.

For Three Rivers Festival (Fort Wayne's Biggest Summer Party since 1969) next week in downtown Fort Wayne, we're ready with set-ups for staging, tents, the parade, park set-ups and children's fest activities - when you see our trucks all over town, you know it's festival time in Fort Wayne, Indiana and the A Party Apart truck fleet is on the move!

Company picnic? Reunion? Backyard bash? Special birthday? Pool party? Fireworks this weekend? Big or small; week-long event or an hour or two - we can help you make your next event easier and special. Be sure to browse our online catalog of over 150,000 items - great for ideas and to check things like tent sizes and layouts before you come in to see us.

Let the blogging begin...

Welcome to the new A Party Apart blog!

We are the largest and most diversified rental and event planning company in the area, and have had wonderful opportunities to work with many different individuals and organizations over the years.

Our continuously growing inventory and innovative ideas keep our clients coming back again and again.

We would love to give you a tour of our showroom, complete with up to 16 themed event settings. Or visit and browse our online galleries and rental catalog at APartyApart.com.