Frequently Asked Questions
When should I book my party?
As soon as you can! We recommend booking at least 6-8 weeks in advance as all parties are booked on a first come first serve basis, however we are often able to accommodate last minute requests. O​ur most popular party times are Saturday and Sunday from 11am -3pm. Some parents book 3 months in advance to guarantee their #1 choice of time and character. Flexibility with your party date and time is ideal.
A completed contract and a non-refundable $100 deposit ($200 for larger scale events with balances over $500) are required to reserve a date and character for your party. Please contact us to check our availability before you send out invitations!!!
What geographical areas do you cover?
Parties and Paint by Kate is happy to service the Central and Southern California area, including but not limited to San Luis Obispo County, Santa Barbara County and Ventura County.
If you do not know if your area is covered, or you are interested in booking a character outside of the covered areas, please contact us and ask!
Please be aware that some areas are subject to additional travel fees. You can see all of our travel stipends here.
What do you do at a party?
The activities that our characters will perform depends on the length of your party, the number of children in attendance, and whether or not you want to add extra activities. To see what is included in each party packages please visit our packages page here.
We have boys attending, will they enjoy the princesses too?
Our performers are trained is keeping all little ones engaged! While we do specialize in princess characters, our parties are inclusive of all ages and genders, and all of our games and activities are not gender specific. We often find the little boys are just as excited about meeting the characters as the girls!
Do I have to provide anything for the performer?
Our Entertainer will bring everything that they need for their performance! The only thing that we ask you to provide is an open area to play games, and a chair or blanket for the performer to sit down during story time. For face painting and glitter tattoos we ask that you provide a table and two chairs, preferably in a shaded area.
Do I need to supervise the event?
Yes. Parties and Paint by Kate Characters are entertainers, and although they are skilled at interacting with children, they are not responsible for the behavior of the children or adults present.
We kindly ask that you monitor disruptive behavior and attend to any child who does not want to participate.
Are the Pictures shown on your website actual photos of your costumes and performers?
All of the photos shown on our website and social media accounts are pictures of our actual performers, costumes, and activities! We take pride in providing beautiful detailed costumes and quality performers to help create authentic fairy tale characters and a magical experience for you and your family.
Do you have any additional photos I can view?
Yes we do! Please take a look at our Facebook Account and Instagram Account to see more of our performers in action.
What is your cancellation policy?
We understand that sometimes things happen and parties need to be canceled or rescheduled. We are happy to help you reschedule your party within one year of the original party date, but this is subject to availability. You may also choose to use your deposit payment towards any of our virtual offerings or ticketed events in the future. If you would like to completely cancel your event then you will forfeit your deposit as they are nonrefundable.
Should I tip the performer?
Gratuity is never mandatory. If you loved the performer and thought they were especially magical, then you are welcome to tip. Our packages do not include gratuity for the performer, but tips let them know that you had a wonderful time! We recommend 20% or more of the total price.
What if I want a character or activity you do not currently offer?
Don't see the time frame or activities that you're looking for? We are more than happy to work with you to build a party that caters to your exact needs. If you are interested in a character that we do not offer let us know. Many of our current character offerings were made a reality because of a request, and we are always expanding!
Do you work with special events, charities, and with sick children?
Yes we do! Parties and Paint by Kate is proud to donate our time and talents to help give back to the community! Please contact us through our email and we will do our best to accommodate you depending on our availability. Please understand that all of these matters are settled on a case-by-case basis, but feel free to contact us for more information.
Can you provide proof of insurance?
Yes, we can provide proof of insurance for your event. Some venues and parks require a "certificate of insurance" or "CIO" from vendors. The turn around for a "additional insured" document from our insurance company takes 2-3 business days.
Can I read reviews about your services?
Of course! You can go to our Yelp page here or our Facebook Page here to read reviews left by our happy customers.
How can I apply to be part of the magic?
We are always accepting applications to join our cast. Reliable vehicle, weekend availability, and clean background required. You can go to our Auditions page here to fill out an application!