Christmas time!

It has been an extremely busy and productive fall here at A Party Apart.  Winding down later in summer were great outdoor weddings, ceremonies and events.  With the warmer weather, we have continued setting up tents late in the season.  Just last weekend we did a 40' x 120' for a wedding in Ohio.  No matter what time of year, let us know what you want and we will try and make it happen.  The Christmas season has also been jammed packed with company parties.  Awesome events at the Coliseum, Grand Wayne, Eddie Merlot's and all over town! Casino's have also remained popular for company themes.  We can provide tables, chips and also dealers. Providing a complete casino experience at any venue.  Making a trip to Chicago was also in order.  Cheryl was a finalist for Event Designer of the Year at the BizBash IdeaFest in Chicago.  While she didn't win, being nominated was great recognition.  Be sure not to miss us in a few weeks at the Fort Wayne Bridal Spectacular.  The event is held at the Coliseum on Saturday and Sunday, January 5th & 6th from 12-4.  This two day show is a great chance to talk to our designers face to face.  We typically run specials at these shows on popular wedding rental items.  January also marks the 10th anniversary of A Party Apart.  So be on the lookout for fun events marking this grand occasion!  As always, be sure to checkout the links below for the most current news, photos and ideas.  Merry Christmas, Happy Holiday's and Happy New Year from A Party Apart!

http://www.facebook.com/apartyapart

http://www.twitter.com/apartyapart

http://www.instagram.com/apartyapart

 

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.

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.