With over a decade of experience, this talented vendor has perfected the art of making every party a magical adventure. From nailing the perfect Cinderella storytime to handling every surprise a party can throw, they’ve thought of it all. Keep reading to learn more about what inspired Wish Upon a Star Parties & Events, the unique services they offer, and how they can make your child’s next birthday absolutely magical!

What inspired you to become a party vendor?

My background was in musical theatre and film, but I’d also worked with kids since I was 14. When I started, I was only 24 and the idea of a party princess company was fairly new, but it combined all of my passions and skills. I absolutely loved the idea of bringing Disney magic to the Austin area.

I remember, in the early days, trying to nail down a mission and finally blurting out “I just want kids to feel like their best friend, who happens to be Cinderella (or another princess of their choice) threw them a birthday party.” These characters are SO REAL to the little ones - they’re celebrities in a kid's eyes! Even if the kids aren’t able to put it into words, I want them to walk away feeling like “Wow! Not only does my favorite princess know who I am, she thinks I’m special enough to come to my birthday!”

What services or products do you offer, and what makes them unique?

We offer princess parties and character appearances - from your favorite fairytale characters, to swimming mermaids, characters from film and tv, and most recently - our newest addition of a baby dinosaur!

What makes us unique is quality and experience. We put so much work into truly bringing these characters to life. Our gowns, our wigs, our accessories - we work to make sure that every little detail is what you would see at the theme parks. We also work tirelessly at casting and training performers who can embody the characters. Each character has a specific story, voice, movement, and even signature! Kids KNOW their favorite characters inside and out, and it’s important to us that parents and kids alike feel like they're meeting the real deal.

In the 10 years of running this business, we’ve seen EVERYTHING. We know how to engage and entertain shy kids, outgoing kids, parties of 3, and parties of 30. We’ve put together a party flow that we KNOW will excite, and brings so many magic moments to the big day. Through the years, we’ve also learned how important it is for everything to run smoothly on the back end. We’ve really created a seamless experience from start to finish, and we’re really proud of that.

What’s your favorite part about being a party vendor?

I love having the opportunity to create magic for kids and adults! Of course it is so magical to see a child light up with the excitement of meeting their favorite character, but as I’ve gotten older and been doing this longer, I love being able to create a different kind of magic for the parents!

It’s so special to be able to give the parents an hour or two of the party where we can say “just kick back and enjoy the moment!” because we’re taking care of entertainment for that time. So often moms are tasked with being the magic makers for the family, so I love that we can step into that role and allow them (or any magic making parent) a chance to EXPERIENCE the magic.

What are your go-to party planning tips that parents might not think of?

Set aside the lighter the night before! We’ve actually started carrying one in our party bags, because it happens all the time that everyone will be gathered to sing happy birthday and the parents will pull out the gorgeous cake with the beautiful candles…and realize they can’t find a lighter! It’s a little thing, but we see it all the time!

What’s the most creative party idea you’ve seen or been a part of?

Recently we did a Harry Potter themed party where we started with a sorting ceremony, divided the kids into their houses, and then they competed for the House Cup by playing field-day style games and answering trivia questions. It was so much fun for me personally, because I was OBSESSED with the Harry Potter books growing up (when they were first coming out) and it was really neat seeing how a new generation of kids is engaging in it. They were SO into it!

How do you handle unexpected challenges during an event?

One of the most common “challenges” is kids who freeze up when the character walks in! At least once a weekend we hear “I don’t know why she’s so shy all of a sudden! She’s usually so outgoing!” I think sometimes parents worry about OUR experience, but it’s not a big deal (or uncommon) AT ALL for a kid to need some time to warm up! After all, princesses can be the biggest celebrities in a kid’s world. I always tell the parents “imagine if Beyonce just walked in your front door. You’d need a second too!”

We never mind spending some quiet time with a child while they adjust to a royal arrival, in fact - that’s why we typically begin each party with storytime! We really are prepared for every reaction under the sun, whether wide eyed silence or a very excited rapid firing of facts and questions (“How did you get here?” and “I have a dress of you!!!” being the most common) so my advice for parents is - it’s going to be okay!

Ready to bring your child’s favorite characters to life at their next party?

Wish Upon a Star Events and Parties specializes in creating magical, unforgettable experiences with princesses, superheroes, mermaids, and more. Whether you’re planning a small birthday gathering or a big celebration, their attention to detail and years of expertise ensure an enchanting day for all. Book Wish Upon a Star Events and Parties at partydip.co today and make your child’s party dreams come true!