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

 

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!

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!

Viva Las Vegas, baby.....

Every year, one of the most successful events in our industry is held in Las Vegas - with high-profile keynote speakers, booth after booth of new ideas and exciting trends, and the energy only Las Vegas can generate. So it was with high hopes that we headed to Vegas, eager to hear keynote speaker David Tutera - one of THE wedding and event creators extraordinaire - share his creativity, enthusiasm, and latest trends for creating spectacular events.

But it is March in Indiana, and after flight delays, lost luggage and general dismay that can come with flying these days, we finally made it. For those of you not familiar with Davide Tutera, his impressive client list includes Star Jones' wedding, and events for Jennifer Lopez, Matthew McConaughey, Elton John, the Official Post Grammy Parties in NYC, and much more. He was honored by Modern Bride magazine as one of the "top 25 trendsetters of the year" and "Best Celebrity Wedding Planner" by Life & Style Magazine.

It was great to hear him address the general session and share his world of weddings and events as only he can. Great inspiration for creating new ideas and over-the-top "wow" factors for your events.

We also came away with some wonderful new items for food display and serving - new serving possibilities for buffets, display ideas, cupcake stands - all great ways to showcase and "wow" your crowd of 25 or 250. You can browse and search some of our current buffet items online in our catalog. Oh, and ask us about the new drink recipe we sampled - a fresh, light and oh-so-yummy kiwi and watermelon martini - as visually tantalizing as it is tasty!

Bridal Show a success!

What a great show at Grand Wayne - a bridal extravaganza it was! It was great to have a chance to chat with so many brides-to-be, and thanks to both Lillian Rose and The Bride To Be for being in the booth with us. Our runway provided the perfect backdrop (we thought) of glamour and sparkle from the chandeliers for the girls in the fashion show modeling THE very latest in wedding dresses - very wearable and simply gorgeous! Click here to view photos - everything from romantic to dramatic!

So many great color combinations for this season - wisteria, lilac, navy and cream can be so bold and beautiful; and the romance of a color palette of old rose, ivory, and swiss mocha, highlighted with the sparkle of crystals. Not bold and beautiful enough - what about the ever-striking, always fashionable black and white - with the perfect accent color for added drama? Lots of examples of these and other great looks in our showroom right now.

Next event you can see us at? We'll be at the Classic City Bridal Show on Sunday, March 27th from noon to 4:00pm at the Auburn Cord Duesenburg Museum in Auburn.

2011 Bridal Extravanganza

We're excited about the Bridal Show at the Grand Wayne presented by Fort Wayne Weddings on Sunday, Feb. 20th - our booth will have plenty of modern yet elegant ideas to help brides set their wedding apart from beginning to end. Great ideas about how to set the stage in the beginning by creating THE perfect cocktail/lounge area when you enter the booth, and elegant yet modern reception settings highlighting texture and color in romantic linens, table-settings, decor and more.

So many of our brides and grooms last year opted for sending their guests home on a high note with a special departure table and goodies to go - the guests love this!

Look for great things from Lillian Rose Flowers and The Bride To Be in our booth - plus linens featured in both Yolo and Dupont Downs. We're doing the decor for the runway as well.
Ticket info here....

Our showroom has some stunning new displays - bold and beautiful like this black and white ala Paris setting - lots of new looks, new fabrics, and new color combinations to choose from.

Reminder - October is the HOT, HOT, HOT new wedding month - so if you're a bride or helping a bride and vendors aren't secured or lined up - better move that to the top of your "to-do" list!

Happy planning!

Wedding Day Show a Success

At the Wedding Day Bridal Tour Fort Wayne version you truly could see, taste, hear and experience....everything! We received lots of good comments from vendors and attendees alike. It was a really nice upscale show — something unusual. A Party Apart booths featured something for everyone — "Rebel bride" with animal prints, graphic black and white, and hot punches of color — to a rich, warm, traditional setting, yet with a modern twist. The lounge areas were a big hit!

Check out more photos here at Facebook.

Special Offer for Brides at the 10/10/10 Wedding Day Event

A reminder to all brides - this week is the last stop on the Wedding Day Bridal Show Tour - Wed. at Club Soda from 5-7, and then the big event on Sunday from noon to 4:00 at the Grand Wayne Center.

Click here to view our online newsletter

Any bride who books their wedding at the show with a $100.00 deposit receives a great gift from A Party Apart! Hope to see you there!

ATTENTION All Brides-to-Be!

Mark your calendar and save both dates!
Wed., Oct. 6th from 5-7 pm — be sure to stop by Club Soda for the last stop of the Wedding Day Bridal Tour before the 10/10/10 event! Hosted by Club Soda with A Party Apart and K&S Travel.

Plus, if you haven't already pre-registered for the main event on 10/10/10, do so online by clicking here. The first 300 brides to pre-register receive a special VIP goodie bag the day of event!

Tickets for 10/10/10 are $10 at the door, but brides may stop by A Party Apart and pick up your complimentary ticket today! One ticket gets you and up to 3 people in your wedding party in FREE!

And be sure to include your groom in this event — after he's done the typical groom thing; hunting for tuxedos, DJ’s, wedding day transportation, and for a few lucky brides, the honeymoon — drop him off in our plush "Grooms Lounge!" Co-sponsored by Club Soda and Dance N Sound, he can grab a snack, a beer, and watch the Sunday games on large flat screen TVs!

Remember, the grand event is 10/10/10 from noon-4 at the Grand Wayne Convention Center, downtown Fort Wayne. We hope to see you there!

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).

Transform Any Space and Make It Special

Looking for something a bit more unique and non-traditional? Look at the transformation of this lakeside area for this wedding ceremony in June.


A stunning, natural backdrop is only enhanced by a white flower-lined aisle for the bridal party to enter. Each guest gets a beautiful view of the water and the bride and groom and wedding party. Traditional white and bold pop of colors works beautifully with the water and the green of the lawn.

"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.

Color Abounds at Wedding Day Bridal Tour Kick-Off

Take a look at some of the featured place settings and table decor on display at the Wedding Day Bridal Tour Kick-Off!

A Party Apart the first stop on Wedding Day Bridal Tour

A Party Apart will host and co-sponsor the kick-off event for the Wedding Day "Bridal Tour.” Co-sponsors for the event include Club Soda and K&S Travel.

The Wedding Day exclusive bridal event will be held on 10/10/10 at the Grand Wayne Center. Those who attend the kick-off event on June 9th receive a free ticket to the bridal show, may register to win a gorgeous piece of jewelry to be given away on 10/10/10, and receive a goodie bags filled with all types of wedding information. Taste some fabulous food from Club Soda and get great ideas on honeymoon destinations. Plus, brides-to-be will be able to see firsthand lots of great ideas for color, table settings, and more.

To find out more about the Wedding Day Bridal Tour and show in October, visit http://www.weddingdaybridaltour.com.

Hot Colors at 2010 Fort Wayne Bridal Show

Hot colors at the bridal show last Sunday - purple, purples and more purple, added with all other types of colors. Centerpiece shot received newspaper coverage in the Monday Journal Gazette as well as on many other Facebook pages. Check out additional pictures from the show on Lillian Rose and happinest photography (thanks to them for the great photos!).

2010 Fort Wayne Bridal Show

Creating a great place setting makes your table stand out and completes the total look of your wedding or event. Look how beautiful this platinum pintuck linen with a chocolate glass charger accented again with the silver napkin and popped with purple orchid sets a table. Makes you want to smile and anticipate the food.

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.