FAQs

What area do you service?

We currently service Albuquerque and Rio Rancho.

I really like the cakes on your website. Can I just purchase those?

Yes, you can! Our deliciously festive cakes must be pre-ordered at least 2 weeks in advance and are subject to availability.

Do you provide services for adults?

Absolutely. We have important relationships with talented florists, DJs, caterers, photographers, leasing agents, comedians and others in the event and entertainment industry. We’d be happy to coordinate your daughter’s Sweet 16, your son’s graduation, your next bridal/baby shower, holiday, or adult party with the same stylish talent and beautiful detail that we are known for creating.

What should the children wear to the party?

Although not mandatory, it is suggested that girls wear a leotard or swimsuit to facilitate costume dressing in a group setting. For our Fairytale Princess & Poodle Soiree parties, it is recommended that the girls also wear tights. And for the Spa party, it is recommended that the guests wear light clothing to wear under their robes. Boys may put on costumes over their clothes.

What happens if a guest arrives late?

It is always best when guests arrive on time and adhere to the schedule. For that reason, we will indicate on your invitations that guests should arrive promptly. Guests coming late may join the party at whatever point it has progressed to. This way, the party stays on schedule with the least amount of disruption.

Who takes care of a guest if they do not want to participate?

Guests who do not wish to participate will need to be attended to by the client or parent. Occasions is responsible for hosting your party and keeping the guests active and engaged. It is the client’s responsibility to monitor and take charge if a child becomes ill or does not wish to participate.

Do I still have to pay for a child even if they do not show up?

Yes. You will be charged for the final headcount you gave prior to the party, even if one or more guests do not show for your child’s party.

Do I need to send my own invitations?

Not at all. We send custom invitations and even mail them at no additional charge!

What is the maximum number of guests permitted?

Our party acumen and price packages are designed to accommodate 8 guests, as we find this is the norm for a children’s party. We can accommodate larger parties for an additional fee.

Do you have a privacy policy?

Occasions promises to safeguard all information received from its guests/clients, especially those persons age 17 or under. Occasions does not rent or sell customer information to outside marketers. All photos used are for promotional purposes only and will not identify the child’s age, residence or name.

What about parents, siblings and unexpected guests?

Our party packages cover only the guest of honor and their guests. We will not be able to accommodate unexpected guests. Siblings (of any age), who are not guests of the birthday child, will not be permitted to use any equipment & must be supervised. Parents of guests are always welcome to stay and enjoy the fun. Additional food and beverages for extra guests and/or parents will need to be provided by the client.

What do I need to do for the party?

• Provide a safe and clean area for dress-up and all activities, preferably downstairs if your is a 2-story home or venue. Please consider that we will be providing table(s) and chairs for your guests. The space designated will need to accommodate these items.
• Provide a comfortable gathering place for parents of the guests who wish to stay
  
• Provide a smoke-free environment
• Please ensure that pets are kept away from the party area
• Please leave us some space to park in your driveway or in front of your home where we cannot be blocked in
• Allow access to your kitchen

May I hold a party outdoors?

We may host parties outdoors, weather permitting. For some outdoor parties, we even like to bring a bubble machine. The yard area should be free of thorny bushes, mud, wet grass, or standing water. We request that you do not water your lawn the day prior to the party or the morning of the party to protect the costumes from grass/mud stains. Please keep in mind that if you choose to have your party outdoors, you should also have a suitable area indoors should the weather turn undesirable.

What if I want to supply the food?

It is perfectly acceptable to provide your own food; however, please know that for the purposes of maintaining the highest quality costumes, china, and table linens, we request that children consume refreshments that do not contain staining agents such as cola, Kool-Aid, etc. The menu that we offer has been designed with this in mind. Although we understand that accidents can happen, you may be held liable for excessive damage to the costumes, linen or china when supplying your own food.

Why is your party only 2 hours?

From experience, the ideal length of a party is about 2 hours* for kids ages 7 and under. Parties lasting longer than this can result in a “meltdown” from a child who is simply worn out from over stimulation and excitement or may find the wait too long to open presents. Since opening presents is not included in our itinerary, we allow time for the birthday child to open gifts while we teardown. Our spa parties are generally 3.0 hours in duration.

*If adding the tea party option or Pirate Grub to any of our parties, add 30 minutes to the duration of the party.

How much time do you need to set up and tear down?

We will arrive to set up a minimum of 2 hours before the party start time, depending on which party is selected. Teardown takes us approximately 1 hour. The total time spent at your home or venue is roughly 5-6 hours. * Please note: Occasions does not provide cleanup services such as trash removal, vacuuming or mopping.

How far in advance do I need to reserve my party date?

It is best to reserve your date as far in advance as possible. We typically reserve dates as much as 90 days out. We generally cannot reserve parties with less than 2 weeks’ notice, but some exceptions may apply, depending on the items currently stocked in our inventory.

How do I pay for my party?

A downpayment equal to half the total cost of your party is due at the time of reservation. The remaining balance is due a minimum of 5 days prior to your event date. Credit card transactions can be made safely and securely through Paypal, or you can pay by check or money order. More specifics are provided via email once we are in receipt of your Reservation Inquiry.

Please note that an additional fee of $75 applies for any upstairs venue.

What happens if I have to cancel my party?

Once a downpayment has been paid, parties may only be postponed. We will gladly work with you to find an alternate party date, based on mutual availability. If you choose to cancel our services for any reason, your deposit is non-refundable.

What happens if the Guest of Honor becomes ill prior to the party or on the day of?

We will gladly work with you to choose an alternate date for your party, based on mutual availability. You will be responsible for notifying the party guests. Should it be necessary to re-send invitations, there will be a charge of $15 to print new invitations.

Gratuity & Tipping:

A gratuity is not included in your final invoice, but is appreciated by our staff and entertainers.

For more information or to schedule a party, call (505) 899-3018, complete our Reservation Inquiry, or email occasionsco@aol.com