Frequently Asked Questions
Booking
How Soon In Advance Should We Contact You?
Most of our private events book up 4-6 weeks in advance. Larger public events are booked 2-4 months in advance.
Will You Travel to Us?
Absolutely! We have traveled all over Michigan, and have performed in Indiana, Ohio, and Illinois! Our travel fee is $0.50/mile for parties more than 20 miles outside Kalamazoo, MI. We calculate mileage to and from your location using Google Maps. A minimum of a 1 1/2 hour party is requested for parties more than a one-hour distance.
Do You Provide a Location?
We have found that the benefit of our service is that our parties can be held anywhere. The majority of birthday parties take place at the home (castle) of the birthday princess. That said, we have also attended birthday parties at parks, libraries, grandparents, community centers, and even restaurants!
When Will the Princess Arrive?
We suggest starting your party 15-30 minutes before having any characters arrive, so as to ensure all your guests have arrived before the princess.
Is My Daughter too young/old?
The "prime" age for a princess party is 3-7, but you know your child better than we do!
How Many Children Can We Invite?
We do not cap our events at any certain number, however we suggest a 12-1 ratio for private events; 12 children for each character.
For larger events, please contact us for an idea of how long to book based on activities and number of children expected.
Can Boys Come?
Certainly! We ask that you keep this in mind when choosing your activities though. Should you like to include make-up, manicures, or princess school, we suggest planning an alternate activities for the boys during that time.
When is Payment Due?
Once your character is confirmed available, an invoice will be sent for a deposit to be paid 2-4 weeks in advance. Remaining balance is due at the end of your event.
What Forms of Payment do you Accept?
Cash, Check, Money Order, or via PayPal for bank transfer or credit card payment.
Most of our private events book up 4-6 weeks in advance. Larger public events are booked 2-4 months in advance.
Will You Travel to Us?
Absolutely! We have traveled all over Michigan, and have performed in Indiana, Ohio, and Illinois! Our travel fee is $0.50/mile for parties more than 20 miles outside Kalamazoo, MI. We calculate mileage to and from your location using Google Maps. A minimum of a 1 1/2 hour party is requested for parties more than a one-hour distance.
Do You Provide a Location?
We have found that the benefit of our service is that our parties can be held anywhere. The majority of birthday parties take place at the home (castle) of the birthday princess. That said, we have also attended birthday parties at parks, libraries, grandparents, community centers, and even restaurants!
When Will the Princess Arrive?
We suggest starting your party 15-30 minutes before having any characters arrive, so as to ensure all your guests have arrived before the princess.
Is My Daughter too young/old?
The "prime" age for a princess party is 3-7, but you know your child better than we do!
How Many Children Can We Invite?
We do not cap our events at any certain number, however we suggest a 12-1 ratio for private events; 12 children for each character.
For larger events, please contact us for an idea of how long to book based on activities and number of children expected.
Can Boys Come?
Certainly! We ask that you keep this in mind when choosing your activities though. Should you like to include make-up, manicures, or princess school, we suggest planning an alternate activities for the boys during that time.
When is Payment Due?
Once your character is confirmed available, an invoice will be sent for a deposit to be paid 2-4 weeks in advance. Remaining balance is due at the end of your event.
What Forms of Payment do you Accept?
Cash, Check, Money Order, or via PayPal for bank transfer or credit card payment.
Day Of Details
Will the Character Require a Place to Prepare?
Unless discussed in advance, all characters arrive and depart in costume. We believe this is part of the full experience, not just for your child, but for you too!
Can We Take Photos?
Absolutely! Depending on activities chosen, most birthday parties will include time at the end for you and your guests to take photos with the characters. Feel free to snap away during the party as well.
What is Required of Me?
We do our best to provide everything we need for your event to be successful. However, a princess can only carry so much! We advise you to consider the activities you are selecting and prepare a designated space. The same space can be used for multiple activities (Example: an open area in a room our outside can be used for dancing and for story).
We suggest the following:
Storytime: A chair with an area surrounding for children to sit.
Facepainting, Manicures, Make-up: An area at a table (child size or regular) with two chairs.
Dancing, Games: A large open area for children to move about.
Princess School: A table setting is preferred, but this event can also be done with children on the floor.
Photos: A designated chair for each character, with a plain wall or special backdrop is best for having great photos!
What Should I Expect for a Birthday Party?
Upon arrival, the character and assistant will call to inform you, so you may prepare your guests for their entrance (surprise or not). While each party is different, we have found the following to fit nicely.
Unless discussed in advance, all characters arrive and depart in costume. We believe this is part of the full experience, not just for your child, but for you too!
Can We Take Photos?
Absolutely! Depending on activities chosen, most birthday parties will include time at the end for you and your guests to take photos with the characters. Feel free to snap away during the party as well.
What is Required of Me?
We do our best to provide everything we need for your event to be successful. However, a princess can only carry so much! We advise you to consider the activities you are selecting and prepare a designated space. The same space can be used for multiple activities (Example: an open area in a room our outside can be used for dancing and for story).
We suggest the following:
Storytime: A chair with an area surrounding for children to sit.
Facepainting, Manicures, Make-up: An area at a table (child size or regular) with two chairs.
Dancing, Games: A large open area for children to move about.
Princess School: A table setting is preferred, but this event can also be done with children on the floor.
Photos: A designated chair for each character, with a plain wall or special backdrop is best for having great photos!
What Should I Expect for a Birthday Party?
Upon arrival, the character and assistant will call to inform you, so you may prepare your guests for their entrance (surprise or not). While each party is different, we have found the following to fit nicely.
- Arrival of Character: Meet Each Guest
- Activities of your Choosing
- Songs & Photos
- Singing of Happy Birthday, Passing out Birthday Treat
- Any final balance remaining is due via cash or check
- Farewells
Other Questions
Do You have any Upcoming Public Events?
Usually, yes! Please check our facebook page, or our news page for upcoming events.
Can I be a Princess for Once Upon A Princess?
Our performers are all professionally trained actors, most whom have been studying for over five years before being trained by Once Upon A Princess to perform for children. From time to time, we do audition new performers for the training process. Headshots and Resumes, along with a brief description of why you feel you would be a good role model for children, and fit for this position may be sent via email.
Usually, yes! Please check our facebook page, or our news page for upcoming events.
Can I be a Princess for Once Upon A Princess?
Our performers are all professionally trained actors, most whom have been studying for over five years before being trained by Once Upon A Princess to perform for children. From time to time, we do audition new performers for the training process. Headshots and Resumes, along with a brief description of why you feel you would be a good role model for children, and fit for this position may be sent via email.