Just to give everyone an idea of a price point:
I just starting a baby shower/childrens party planning company but I'm not in it to make lots of money so I only charge a one time planning fee of $100 plus 20% commission on the items I personally take care of (invitations, floral arrangements, etc). I only plan for up to age 7 and for parties of less than 50 people. Otherwise, I'd have to charge a lot more because it is much harder work. If you live in Dallas, think of hiring me! Thanks
www.perfectpartiesdallas.com

OP again, DC is big city enough for me. I'm from the Midwest and can't even get off at the DuPont Circle metro without talking myself into riding that loonnng escalator hahaha.

FYI: I was in Pier 1 on Wisconsin Ave and all the children's toys are 50% off. They would make awesome party favors and are not of the junky variety...the whole store is 30% off as well. Tasting Party line was picked over but I still picked up a couple of goodies. It is only the Wisconsin Ave location that is closing.

If you move to NYC I'm sure you'll find customers

You can do that as small business and in fact in such situation people will be happy to make there loved one birthday party as great and memorable. If you can do that for them then yest you will get paid for that

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I got something like this done last year. I paid her about $500. I had to buy all the cake, entertainment, paper supplies, etc. separately. That was for her time to help me plan.

Seriously? I'm not above paying for things as a general rule but - come on. My son's second birthday is coming up. I looked on Pinterest for the theme I wanted, ordered stuff from a site linked there, hired an entertainer, and will get some coloring books for favors, order a cake and simple food, and set up the morning of with my MIL. I sort of feel like I'm overdoing it or a toddler party and the whole thing will take me less than 6 hours total. And cost less than $500 (space, entertainment, supplies and food). I honestly can't imagine what you'd pay someone $500 for. Even if they sent the invites you'd still have to compile the list and addresses. Guess there are rich suckers out there..

Where are you having the birthday party?

Community center in MD - don't have the paperwork on me but I think it's $100/hr plus half hour free on each side for setup/cleanup.

Half the birthday parties my daughters went to last year had a party planner

Anonymous wrote:I'm not wealthy, but I would pay you to plan my child's party. I'm too tired to do it myself, and I lack the imagination to make it truly memorable. My daughter would be thrilled.

+1

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I got something like this done last year. I paid her about $500. I had to buy all the cake, entertainment, paper supplies, etc. separately. That was for her time to help me plan.

Seriously? I'm not above paying for things as a general rule but - come on. My son's second birthday is coming up. I looked on Pinterest for the theme I wanted, ordered stuff from a site linked there, hired an entertainer, and will get some coloring books for favors, order a cake and simple food, and set up the morning of with my MIL. I sort of feel like I'm overdoing it or a toddler party and the whole thing will take me less than 6 hours total. And cost less than $500 (space, entertainment, supplies and food). I honestly can't imagine what you'd pay someone $500 for. Even if they sent the invites you'd still have to compile the list and addresses. Guess there are rich suckers out there..

Where are you having the birthday party?

Good luck with your business! Im sure you will find your niche. There are so many busy moms out there who also want to have nice things done.

For me, i like booking the venue and sending out invites myself. I pay attention to listserve comments about venues, and already have ideas for the next few years in my head. I also like seeing the rsvps coming in, and like someone said, i would have to gather all the addresses or emails anyway.

Would certainly pay money for help with decorating, themes, and goody bags. Hate surfing for hours looking for that stuff, and i just dont have the decorating or artsy gene. I would want something unique, classy, and well made. I dont want to pay someone $ to pick up Dora or Spongebob plates at Party City. Impress me.

Would really love the party assistant idea. I dont have parties at home, we do venues, and i hate the set-up, schlepping, and clean-up involved for the more interesting venues that are not all-inclusive. How exactly am i supposed to cart boxes of cupcakes, 3 party platter, 2 dozen balloons, a cake of juice boxes, a box of favors, and 3 kids in my car?

OP. To answer a couple questions:

Yes. I would do everything related to the party from start to finish. Thank You notes services for those too young to write...or book me for date night and I'll come over and be the evil babysitter who forces them to hand write thank you notes

A lot of people mentioned Pinterest...I get a lot of inspiration from online blogs, Pinterest etc. but I don't know any mom who has the time or the desire to make cake in a jar favors, or hand stamped wooden utensils...in comes me who truly enjoys the details and thus it becomes a service someone might consider paying for

I don't have a price list and just as I was composing this I came up with an email to provide...DcBackyardParty@gmail.com.....I would like to combine other services like nursery planning, doula/nanny selection, lactation consulting, home organization, basically anything a busy mom would like to delegate all into one business so its challenging to come up with a business name.

Thanks for your feedback.

"I work FT, but love planning parties and like to be original"

Oh, brother!

In the time it took me to make sure you really understood what I want, I could have gone on-line and ordered it. With family and friends, you already know their taste. With strangers, I think it would take a lot of time to get it right.

No I wouldn't, and especially not for a 1st b'day party. But I wouldn't pay for it for anything less than a wedding.

I certainly can see/understand some folks doing it for Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Quincanearas, etc... but 1 year old? I think the market for that would be too small to support a business plan.

Sorry.

I'm not wealthy, but I would pay you to plan my child's party. I'm too tired to do it myself, and I lack the imagination to make it truly memorable. My daughter would be thrilled.

I personally wouldn't, but people already do pay for this. go for it.