Frequently Asked Questions
how do i book a party?
We primarily book online. Click our "Contact Us" tab on the menu or send an email to: onceuponaprincessnj@gmail.com. Please include your desired date, time, desired character(s), and the exact location of the party in the request. Any additional information you can provide will help streamline the booking process.
How far ahead should i book?
We recommend two months in advance so that you do not have to make any compromises when it comes to your party date, chosen characters, and time slot. However, feel free to reach out to us at any time and we will do our best to fulfill your request.
do you accept same day bookings?
In the event that we still have openings, we would love to accept a same-day booking. Just e-mail us at onceuponaprincessnj@gmail.com with details!
Is there a contract to be signed during booking?
Before you make your deposit, we send you a PDF of our Terms & Conditions to ensure you agree before making a payment. Please note, our Terms & Conditions are not just “fine print” and we expect all party hosts to be familiar with them. Sending us a full or partial payment means you are in full agreement of all our Terms & Conditions, much like signing a contract.
are the princesses on your site/social media the actual performers who do parties?
Absolutely! We do not use models or any other type of performer in our advertising unless they have been officially hired to perform at our parties and events.
can i request a specific performer for my event?
Our performers greatly appreciate when you specifically request them for your party and we will do our best to make sure that request be fulfilled. However, performer availability depends on many factors. Please understand that if we are able to secure a specific performer for your event, there is always the possibility we will have to send someone else due to a last minute emergency or illness and therefore we do not offer a 100% guarantee on anyone. All of our performers are more than qualified to provide your family with the magical experience that we promise!
I need time to decide before i officially book, can you hold our date & time?
Unfortunately, due to high demand, we are not able to hold a date & time without a deposit as it would not be fair to say no to other families only to have your family end up not finalizing the booking. Our appearance is not officially booked with your time & date reserved for you until a 50% deposit is made within 3 days of receiving your Invoice.
what is the best time for the princess to arrive at the party?
We recommend the character arrive at least 30 minutes after the start of the party to allow for latecomers. This also leaves plenty of time for everyone to get settled. If the princess arrival time is the same as the guest arrival time, it makes it very difficult to begin the activities and we may not be able to get through everything.
can i serve a meal during the princess appearance?
We advise that you do not schedule any meals or activities during our appearance at your party to ensure we are able to complete everything in your chosen package. If you decide to serve a meal anyway, we are happy to just hang out and talk to the children, but we will have to cut at least one activity to instead spend time on the meal.
How much space do your characters need at the party location?
It depends on the package, but we usually just need a clean table (craft, makeup/makeovers/face paint, tattoos), enough space where every child can participate in activities without bumping into each other (singalong & ribbon dancing, princess lessons), and an area where children can gather round the princess for storytime.
I don’t like “Kids Makeup” - what kind of makeup and face paint do you use on children and how do I know it is safe?
We don’t like the low quality “kids makeup” often sold in toy stores and only use high quality brands that we as adults have in our makeup routines such as BH Cosmetics, Clinique, Colourpop, NYX, and more. We are happy to provide the exact ingredients of the products used if necessary and can also use makeup provided by you if you are more comfortable with that. We always provide disposable applicators for sanitary purposes. As for Face Paint, again we use high quality skin-safe brands such as Snazaroo and Mehron Makeup NY and are happy to provide an ingredient list if there is any concern. We can also do a test swatch on the child’s hand if you are worried their skin is too sensitive.
what type of face paint do you do?
We do light Face Paint during our Face Paint Fun package. The character will give each child a choice of simple images (such as a butterfly, flower, cat, snowman, snowflake, rainbow, etc) that can be done on a cheek or forehead. If the child does not want their face touched, we are happy to paint the image on their hand or arm. Please Note: This is not the elaborate airbrushed Face Paint that you may get at a theme park or carnival and covers most of the face.
what is the difference between the “wishing star” craft and the deluxe magic wand craft?
The Wishing Star Craft is an activity featuring white crafting stars that the kids color with washable markers that we provide, certain packages may include stickers or gems for them to add onto their stars. The character(s) will assist the children as well as prompting them to share any wishes they may have and encouraging them to wish on their stars. They will also sign them if the child wants. The Magic Wands are the same type of craft, just significantly larger than the stars. For these, we provide washable markers and include foam shapes for the children to stick on their wands.
When I give the number of children attending the party, what ages count?
Generally, all children under 13 should be included in the count provided prior to the party date. If you have any older children who you know want to participate, please include them in the count as well. Please be advised, we do not do makeup or facepaint on children under the age of 2.
If during the party I decide we’d like the characters to stay longer than originally booked, can I pay cash on the spot for you to stay past the scheduled departure time?
This is up to the performer(s)/assistant assigned to your event to decide. You can always ask, but we reserve the right to decline due to our schedule usually being pretty tight. If you think you may want us to stay longer, the best thing to do is book that time in advance to ensure it is yours.
Do you own a location to host my party / do you know of any locations I can host my party at?
We do not host parties or have a party location.
what are your payment and cancellation policies?
To ensure security for both parties, we accept online payments via Zelle and Venmo. Personal checks are accepted if your party is booked three or more weeks in advance. 50% of your total is due within 3 days of booking to secure your date, time, and performer(s). This is a non-refundable deposit. The other half of your total is due two weeks before the event. If the party is booked within two weeks of your event, full payment is required upon booking. Cancellations must be made at least one week in advance for a 50% refund. Rescheduling is available without an added fee, but is subject to our availability. If cancellation occurs on our side, you will receive a full refund.
My party venue requires insurance, are you covered?
Yes! We will provide a COI directly to you or you can give our information to the event venue and we will be sure to get it to them.
How are you handling covid-19?
We shut down in-person appearances in March 2020 and reinstated them that June with modifications to keep everyone safe. Since then, our COVID-19 protocol has varied depending on the current infection rates and vaccination status. Clients are always notified of the current guidelines upon booking. As of 2022, Our entire staff is vaccinated and we no longer require social distancing or masks. However, if you would like us to wear masks at your event we are happy to - just ask. We reserve the right to change our requirements at any time should there be another surge in cases and as always reserve the right to change or suspend any activity if at any time we feel the safety of anyone is at risk.
Do you have any discounts?
We offer many different promotions and discounts seasonally. Please follow us on Social Media or check our Events/Discounts page for details. We also offer a $15 Military Discount as well as discounts for non-profit organizations.
I’m not comfortable paying in advance. Can I just give you cash on the day of the party?
We do not accept cash day of and our payment policies are strictly enforced. We do not appear without payment being received in full prior to your party date due to the tremendous amount of work that goes into each appearance we do. This includes reserving our time, restyling wigs and preparing/cleaning our costumes, coordinating schedules, meeting up, getting into full makeup, costume, and character; traveling to the event - and that doesn’t even include the performance itself. We have a multitude of 5-star reviews on Facebook, Google, and Yelp. Please check them out so you can book with confidence; not a single client mentions any issues with payment or fulfillment of our services in 8+ years of business.
Where can I find Reviews written by your past clients?
We have a fantastic record on Facebook, Google Reviews, and Yelp.
Why do you use Venmo and Zelle? I’d rather give a credit card over the phone.
We use the online payment services Venmo and Zelle to ensure security for both Once Upon A Princess Parties NJ and our clients. It also gives us a clear record of payments from a secure third party so there is absolutely zero confusion or financial risk involved with your payment.
I don’t have Venmo or Zelle and it’s too late to send a check - what do I do?
You will need to use Venmo or Zelle to make a secure online payment. Zelle is included in most banking apps and websites; so if you have a bank account, chances are you have access to it. You can find more information on how it works here. Venmo is easily downloadable on iPhone or Android, and you can use your bank account or your credit card to pay. More information can be found here. If you would like to pay via PayPal, we are happy to send a PayPal invoice. However, there is an extra fee of 3% plus .30 cents to use that service.
do the princesses need a room to get ready in before the party?
Never! Our characters always come completely dressed and ready to go.
is gratuity and tax included in your listed prices?
Tax is included. Gratuity is not, but is always greatly appreciated by both our performers and assistants. It can be given to the assistant or performer on the way out of the party. It is preferred that you place the tip in an envelope as to not ruin the magic for a child who happens to see the exchange.
is my child too young/old for this?
Our most common age range is 3-6 years. However, the youngest age we have done parties for is 1 year and the oldest was 16 years. We find it depends on your child and what they would like for their special day. If you have concerns, we will talk to you about customizing the experience based on the age of your child.
my child has special needs - does your team have experience in that area?
Many, if not all, of our performers have years of experience performing for and/or working with all types of children. If you have any concerns, please let us know in advance and we will be happy to work with you in any way we can to make your child’s experience magical.
Do you provide Goody Bags?
Goody Bags are available to be added onto any package for an added fee per child. Please inquire for pricing.
are you available for charity events?
Yes! We love donating our time to organizations such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Hugs For Brady, and St. Jude’s. We also make appearances at children's hospitals to bring some smiles to those going through a tough time. Contact us ASAP to reserve!
can i hire you for my wedding?
Yes! We offer options for weddings depending on what you are looking for. Some people like to have a character come for a photo opportunity with the wedding party and some would like a princess to help entertain the children. Just e-mail us and we will figure out the appropriate appearance for your big day!
Can I hire you to plan my entire party / do you provide decorations or backdrops?
We’re sorry, we strictly provide entertainment and do not plan parties outside of our appearance. We also do not provide decorations, food, or anything aside from what is described on our packages page.
I’ve already hired other entertainment for my party, can you appear at the same time?
We do not recommend having other entertainment scheduled during our time slot. If you do have other entertainment during our appearance, we provide no guarantees that activities will be accomplished. We do not recommend having a bouncy house as this usually distracts the children from characters. If you have a DJ, please be sure the music is scheduled to stop during our time slot to ensure all the children can hear our entertainment. We do not appear alongside princess or fairytale characters from other companies due to our quality standards unless previously agreed upon.
are you hiring?
We are always accepting applications for both performer and assistant positions. Please visit our Work With Us page. It’s important that you follow the instructions on how to apply in order for your application to be considered.
where are you located/do you travel to me?
We operate out of Saddle River, NJ and Montclair, NJ. We travel up to 20 miles round trip free of charge to you. If you are located farther than that, we calculate a Travel Fee based on gas mileage, wear and tear, time, availability and tolls. We usually cap our Travel Range at 60-65 miles. If you are in Manhattan or Brooklyn, you will also be subject to a parking fee (we book the parking in advance and provide the receipt) unless you can provide a guaranteed parking space. If you may be out of our travel range, please feel free to submit a request anyway. If we have the availability and you are able to compensate for travel, we may be able attend your event. 2022 Update: We have had to raise our Travel Fees due to the increase in NJ toll and gas prices.
do you have animal, fur, or mascot characters or superheroes?
We're sorry, we do not provide any animal characters and do not have any plans to have characters who wear costumes that cover the face. We offer Supergirl, Spider Hero, and are in the process of developing a Wonder Woman character.
Should I surprise my child with your appearance?
It depends on the child, however, we find it is ultimately a better experience if the child knows ahead of time that the princess is coming, especially for ages 3 & below AND in cases where the child has never met a character in person. Some do not realize it is possible to meet the characters in real life and are sometimes stunned. If you tell your child you have invited the princess to their party, they have time to get used to the idea that the princess is a real person and not just a cartoon on their TV screen, which usually helps be more interactive when she arrives to the party.
Can I reserve a rain/snow date for my party?
Unfortunately, due to high demand we cannot book rain dates. However, we will work with you to the best of our ability to reschedule in the event that you cancel.
Where do you get your costumes / Can I rent them out?
Our costumes, accessories, and wigs are custom made by independent artists. We never purchase low quality costumes intended for Halloween or costume party. We do not rent our costumes out.
what do you do to entertain the boys?
If entertaining the boys is high priority, the best thing to do is book our Pirate & Princess Makeover Package which focuses the most individual attention on each guest. Another option is inviting a male character to come along which makes a huge difference in relating to the boys at the party. Boys are welcomed and encouraged to participate in all party activities, and while they are usually more interested than you’d think, we do not guarantee that they will want to be involved during a princess party.
it’s not my child’s birthday. can you still do a visit?
Yes! We love visiting our clients for all kinds of special occasions in a child’s life, including milestones like potty training, school graduations, good grades, various holidays, or just because!
what does the royal assistant do?
The Royal Assistant helps the characters get ready, drives them to the event location, communicates with party hosts, sets up and cleans up activities, keeps the time, answers questions, provides whatever the characters need, and ensures a smooth and stress-free party flow for everyone involved.
is a royal assistant guaranteed for my party?
Royal Assistants are scheduled for most party packages. However, if an assistant is not able to accompany the character, we still send the character(s) solo as opposed to canceling the appearance. We do not provide partial refunds if a Royal Assistant is not present at the party as all of our performers are trained to entertain while assisting themselves, it’s just a bit easier when an assistant is available.
Is it okay to leave you with the children while the adults enjoy the party in another room/location?
Once Upon A Princess Parties is solely an entertainment company. We cannot supervise or chaperon children during our appearance and require parents to remain near their children to attend to any needs or provide assistance in the case of acting out.
Can myself & friends/family members/other adults also get makeup/facepaint/tattoos from the princess?
We prioritize the children at the party, and unfortunately it is rare to have extra time to accomodate adults due to the multiple activities we aim to complete with the children. If ensuring time for adults is important to you, please contact us ahead of time so we can plan ahead to include them.
can i combine the makeover and wish upon a star packages?
Absolutely! Please mention this request when using our Booking Form and we will calculate a quote based on how many children are attending the party.
do your performers sing?
Yes, but we do singalongs as opposed to full singing performances. In our experience, we find that singalongs in which our characters play music and encourage the children to sing and dance along with them are more fun for party guests as opposed to a full performance where the children are expected to sit quietly and watch a character sing. We like to keep our parties as interactive as possible, so all of our singalongs include ribbon dancing as well. If you would like a full singing performance from a character rather than a singalong, please mention this when submitting a request, and we will provide package options.
I don’t want a package - can the princess just come by, say hi, and take photos?
Yes, in this case for parties we require that you book our Drop By Dream Package (30 minutes, local parties only) or Dream Come True Package (60 minutes). We will bring the supplies required for the package just in case. For events, please inquire about exact pricing.