FAQ's

Why should I hire a party/event planner?

In this word of busy schedules, men and women with job, family, community and social responsibilities may find they really value turning over the time-consuming details of planning a special entertainment over to an experienced planner. They are relieved to transfer the burden of researching and organizing the project to someone who has time and expertise.

While the perception exists that the services of an event planner will make your event more expensive, that is not necessarily true. Using a professional planner can save you or your group money by helping you prepare a realistic budget, carry out your plans in the most efficient manner, purchase materials, food, or services at the best prices, and alleviate your stress while helping you present a successful party or event.

I can’t decide if I should hire a planner or do the party myself. How do I decide?

Consider your own personality preferences and previous party-giving experience. Think about the last party or event you organized. Did you think of it as a success or as a royal problem? What were your favorite and least favorite parts of the planning process? Did you ultimately enjoy the experience?

An initial consultation with a planner can help you assess whether you want to undertake the complete project, parts of the planning or execution or the entire event. A planner can be hired just as a source of ideas and tips, as an organizer of details throughout the preparation stage, and/or as a presentation production assistant on the day of your special party.

I’d like to learn how to give parties and set beautiful and creative tables in my home, like the ones I see in magazines. How can you help me with this?

Leigh Crank Perry of Party Themes and Schemes teaches a wide variety of two-night classes about entertaining topics through the University of Richmond’s School of Continuing Studies and the Chesterfield County Public Schools Adult Education program. These classes range from learning how to put on a big family reunion or how to make simple but creative centerpieces for your gatherings. Please check out the section of this website entitled Upcoming Classes to see if any of our offerings appeal to you.

We also offer in-home consultations for clients who want to work with a party planner to examine the entertaining ware they already have, learn how to utilize it in as many easy and creative ways possible, and receive guidance about what they may want to add to their collection. We can also help clients work on holiday decorating schemes to energize their current collection or develop new ones that go in totally new directions.