Reimagining Rentals: Emily Peter on Creative Design & Sustainable Impact at Après

Rentals Apres, Florals @studiocfloral, Venue @machineshopmpls, Photos @mospeerphotography

Emily Peter, Design & Content Manager at Après, shares her journey from music business to event design, and how she’s redefining what sustainable, stylish events can look like. From color-shifting lounge furniture to behind-the-scenes recycling programs, discover how Apres brings creativity and sustainability together to make every celebration unforgettable.

Tell us a little bit about yourself, your role, and how you found your way into the event industry. 

I knew early on I enjoyed working with people and the energy of working events. I studied Music Business, thinking I wanted to be an artist manager, but found that was not the lifestyle for me. I was already working for the Mpls Parks Board, scheduling weddings, and decided managing brides wasn’t too different! I had some experience working in events, but this hooked me into the events industry.  From there, I was encouraged to get into catering, then venue management, and finally landed in the area I always wanted to be, event design and decor! 

Can you share more about Apres and your favorite types of projects to work on? 

For over 37 years, Après has been a family-owned, full-service rental company. We work with all sizes and types of events, offering rentals ranging from tents and flooring to linens and china. My favorite type of project to work on is an at-home wedding or an event with a strong theme! An at-home wedding is so personal and such a special time for everyone. It's a fun challenge to look at our rentals and reimagine them for a new theme. Plus, who doesn’t love a good theme! 

Rentals by Apres, Planning and Design @ever_weddings, Photography: @thelouiphotography, Florals: @cosmos.floral, Stationery: @mestationeryco

Lounge Furniture & Rentals Apres, Planning & Design @artfuleventsdesign, Photography @lauraalpizar, Floral @651studiofloraldesign, Venue @urbandaisyevents

What are some of the biggest issues in the event rental industry when it comes to sustainability? What are you most passionate about focusing on at Après?  

[The biggest issues in the event rental industry are] the amount of resources used for events and the waste they generate. While renting itself is more sustainable, Après doesn’t stop with just reusing. Creating and finding rentals that can easily be reimagined from event to event is a huge plus. Like our Collette Velvet Lounge furniture, for example! We offer 14 different colors of sofas and chairs, but we do not own that many sofas. We found an option that has changeable covers or skins, which allows us to have so many color options.

At Après, I am passionate about the steps we can take to be a more sustainable company and our impact on events in our local industry. Starting internally with educating our staff on best practices in the building and on-site, expanding with our customer recycling program, and exploring new initiatives that will leave a lasting impact. 

What are some behind-the-scenes sustainable practices that Après does with your events and clients? Any examples in action?

Après is proud to offer recycling and composting within our building. We invite all our customers to recycle with us anytime they rent our handy Blue Recycle bags. Put your hangers, plastic wrap, and plastic bags in the bag, and we take it from there. This program has been in place for four years, and it's been incredible to see all the plastic we have recycled and saved from the landfill! 

Planning @pinkpeonyevents, Venue @glasshousemn, Floral @apricot.floral, Stationary @milestonepaper, Photos @tiffanykokal

Rentals Apres, Floral @kmackenziedesign, Venue @lafayette.club.mn, Photographer @everworth.photo

Where do you see the biggest opportunities for reducing waste in events? 

Proper disposal of waste at events. This requires educating vendors and attendees on best practices for reducing waste at events. Also, just reducing the amount of handouts/ takeaways at events. Which can be difficult, branding is so important (and fun), so finding a lasting way to get your branding out there.

What resources do you wish existed in the industry to support sustainability efforts for rental companies? 

I wish there were more textile recycling options. We do a pretty great job of giving rentals a second life with our retired rentals sale, The Party’s Over. We host in-person sales as well. Linens are usually what we have left at the end, so finding more non-profits that would have a use for these linens or accept large textile donations would be great! A fun discovery from our in-person sales was finding two women who buy our linens and fabrics and turn them into costumes for a local theatre program!  

It would be great to see more manufacturers making products with these recycled materials, like resin furniture made from plastic bottles, for example.

Tables Apres, Planning @motherofthebrideweddings, Floral @pansy_floral, Table Top Rentals @collectedrentals, Photos @lizbanfieldwed

Draping Apres, Venue  @thehuttonhouse, Photos @rachelmcelmuryphoto, Cafe Lighting @phosevents

What is inspiring you most right now? Whether it’s design elements or aspects around sustainability. 

Not even joking, I saw Chowgirls has this room for sorting waste, and it's seriously so inspiring! Imagine events or event companies having a zone dedicated to waste and sorting it properly? Event professionals would make it so visually appealing and fun, too! 

A decor element that is filling my cup is all this draping! It's an easy way to transform a space that may feel familiar. Have a blank wall? Let’s add some draping! 

Discover more about Après and working with Emily on Instagram or browse their list of rentals online.