Outdoor receptions - always have a plan B (or C) for weather...

Recently, A Party Apart did a reception in Culver, Indiana. This reception site, next to the beautiful historic Culver Chapel where the ceremony took place, required a BIG tent — 60’x100’ to be exact, with a second, unattached catering tent next to it.

With torrential rains 24/7 the weeks and days before the big event, the large tent was delivered early in the wedding week with the hopes of keeping the space dry. Side-walls were also put in place, enclosing the entire space.

Friday morning we were ready and prepared for our usual reception set-up process, including the rehearsal dinner to set at the family’s lake house that evening - and one more task no one anticipated. The ground by the 60'x100' tent had become so saturated that a large portion of the tent was actually flooded! After evaluating the actual site and considering alternative locations, we asked a local water restoration company to remove the standing water. We continued to stand watch with one eye on the sky and one eye on the ground, lifting side-walls to allow wind and sun to continue to dry out the space, and then dropping them as scattered storms blew through the area Friday. And campus security helped keep an eye on it Friday evening and overnight.

By Saturday morning — THE WEDDING DAY — the sun was shining, the rain had moved through the northern part of Indiana, and the tent was DRY! WHEW!! The A Party Apart team moved in to quickly transform the space and set up chandeliers, tables, chairs, linens, napkins, dishes, staging for the groom’s large out-of-town band, cocktail tables, and bar areas for 220 guests. There was even an attempt to move sailboats (at the groom's request); "attempted" — because sail boats are enormously heavy when filled with rainwater!

This "destination by the water" included a bit more water than everyone bargained for — but the end result was a beautiful wedding day and reception for Alex and Stephanie.

Special thanks to Mandy and Greg Kopp of Kopp Photography for allowing us to feature some of their stunning photography; see more of their work by visiting www.kopp-photo.com or find them at www.facebook.com/KoppPhotography. Copyright Kopp Photography; all rights reserved.

You can view more photos of the Culver reception at A Party Apart's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/aPartyApart.

Flip This Event...From Ceremony to Reception in 60!

When creating the perfect wedding ceremony site and/or reception site in a unique location, you plan and expect to be ready for anything. Shorten that experience to within an hour and everything really hinges on experience, coordination, attention to detail, timing, and how everyone works together.

This past weekend, we did a wedding and ceremony set-up in Baker Street Station in Fort Wayne. Because the old train station lobby is so beautiful, it's a perfect setting for a ceremony or a reception. We were able to do both, and flip the scene in 60 minutes!

Over 200 chairs for the wedding were set, along with floral and glass centerpieces with floating candles lining the aisles for the ceremony. After the "I do," guests exited the lobby and mingled under a tent with high top tables, regular tables and our cocktail lounge area. While the pre-reception took place, the lobby needed to be transformed into full reception site - tables of 8 to accommodate a sit-down meal for 200 guests, bridal party table, cake table, and take-away candy goodie bag station. Yes, that includes table linens, full place settings including chargers, three variations of centerpiece displays, bridal favors, votives and candles to light, and table numbers - all in place so the florists could work their magic too. Oh, and pipe and draping to help hide the activity and create ambiance. These means a team of 15 stayed in motion every minute of those 60 minutes, and 200 glass chargers, 250 glass vases, and 370 glass votives (all lit and aglow) later, the mother of the bride was allowed to preview and approve.

The good news - client was happy; everyone worked together beautifully, and not one glass casualty! Special thanks goes to the wonderful team at Lillian Rose, who provided the beautiful flower arrangements, and collaborated with us so seamlessly to create both environments.

We love it when a plan comes together - especially if it did so in 60 minutes! To see more photos of the ceremony, outdoor tented pre-reception, and reception, view our Facebook album.

Every Bride Deserves to Feel Royal

Even as far away as Fort Wayne and northeast Indiana, the Royal Wedding is the topic of much conversation - the ceremony, the invitations, the decor, reception favors, and a Royal Air Force flyover. There's even a T-Mobile spot of how the wedding party might "dance" down the aisle at Westminster Abbey.

But doesn't every bride want to, and deserve to feel like royalty on her wedding day? The Royal Wedding is inspiring brides all over the world this spring; here in Fort Wayne, we're also seeing wedding decor/receptions falling into a few specific categories: "green" — very earthy and natural; or bling, bling and more bling. And there's a definite modern contemporary look that's very appealing to some brides - a clean sophistication reflected in hot color combinations and defined modern spaces at the reception. Elegance and romance will always be in style (click here to view photos of a recent reception in northeast Indiana).

With many Fort Wayne area brides-to-be securing dates and reception locales for 2012-2013, there's still time to decide on the decor and theme for your big event. What's in style and a hot trend today may not be the same a year from now. One recent reception site at the World War II Victory Museum in Auburn, IN included a clubby cocktail/lounge area, dramatic tables and chairs draped in black-on-black linens, a separate buffet and eating area for the kids, a dessert station, and floor-to-ceiling elegance for a reception site with high ceilings (view album by clicking here). Our downtown Fort Wayne showroom changes frequently, so be sure to stop in A Party Apart and see what's hot and what's current to help you with ideas for how to set the stage to set YOUR event apart - and be fitting for royalty!

Think Outside the Box (or Reception Area)

Finding the perfect venue can be difficult enough with so many great options to choose from. It's good to consider thinking outside the box for your reception or the area to mix and mingle for cocktails before dinner. We loved dressing this great foyer space recently at the Grand Wayne Center outside the traditional dinner/reception area for family and guests to gather.

Guests found their tables at this registration table decorated with a wonderful mix of teal and clear vases, antique bottles and flowers. Seating assignment cards, table numbers, menu cards, and placards all complemented the overall reception decor inside of Tiffany blue, pewter, and pink. The "mix and mingle" area served as a simple, yet elegant transition as guests arrived and then later moved into dinner and the main reception area.
(Flowers and reception centerpieces by lillian rose).

"Clubby" lounge creates intimate vibe

What a great environment alternative a lounge area creates...check out this great little area outdoors at Headwaters East. A lounge or club space creates a perfect vibe and is always great for catching up or hanging out with friends after the party...or watching others dancing until dawn.

Candle lanterns at floor level keep lighting low and intimate; pillows, plants and colors keep it "clubby," cool, and inviting.