Perfect princess party suits parents to a “tea”

In just two hours, Lisa Rumsey and Gina Wagner can fulfill every one of a little girl’s most extravagant birthday princess wishes.

At the same time, they fulfill all of her parents’ wishes, too.

Rumsey and Wagner, partners in GaLa Events, have perfected their Pretty Pretty Princess parties to a “tea” (it’s actually pink lemonade), creating a fairytale afternoon for which parents don’t have to lift a pinkie (unless that’s how they sip their tea).

The concept first sprouted wings in 2002. Rumsey and Wagner, friends and mothers of little girls, had seen such theme parties in larger cities.

They pooled their corporate experience – Wagner was a human resources director in Chicago for 15 years, while Rumsey spent equal time as a paralegal – with an instinctive creativity and their daughters’ input.

“We were playing dress-up a lot,” said Rumsey, whose girls are 3 and 6. Wagner’s daughter is 5. “We really take seriously their thoughts on everything.”

The Pretty Pretty Princess party reflects that. Their business, which took off in 2003, has been spreading nonstop smiles and princess dust around the region.

Wagner and Rumsey handle every detail, from writing and mailing elaborate scroll invitations to cleaning up the last traces of sparkle spray. “We provide everything; the party parent does nothing,” said Wagner.

That frees Mom and Dad to enjoy the magical afternoon. It starts with a spritz of princess spray before the girls gather around a magical carpet for a special message from Cinderella and a princess story personalized with the names of the guests.

A treasure hunt leads them to color-coded trunks bearing their princess wear for the day – shoes, gown, crown and jewels included. They enjoy a beauty session with makeup, nail polish and lots of squirts from a perfume atomizer. The girls get wands to take part in a magic show, then pose for a photo on the princess throne.

Wagner and Rumsey deliver a short lesson on manners before the princesses sample a homemade cake served up on singing platter. The girls perch on pillows and dine from china with real silver serviceware. Games, dancing with ribbons, crafts, presents and prizes complete the fantasy.

“Everything was handmade,” said Davina Rumple, who threw a Pretty Pretty Princess party for her daughter Michaela’s sixth birthday in their northeast home. “Even the goodie bags were personalized. The girls could not contain themselves.”

The stream of activity captivates the children, Rumsey said. “We have a great system. We really have it down now to where we can roll with it.”

Tammy Morey agreed. “They just keep the party going for two hours straight,” she said. Morey’s daughter, Madison, had her first friend party in their Aboite home when she turned 6.

“My daughter’s very shy,” Morey said, “but she had the best time. It was worth every single penny.”

A Pretty Pretty Princess party costs $200 for eight guests; two more can be invited for $15 each. The fee is inclusive – food, decorations, prizes and take-home gifts, all handcrafted. There are small charges for options such as allowing the girls to keep the “jewels” they wear that day.

“I think the best part of it was it was so stress-free for me,” said Angie Martin. Her daughters Loren, 7, and Taylor, 4, each have had a Pretty Pretty Princess party in their northwest home. “I can just enjoy the party.”

Wagner and Rumsey will host an event anywhere in the region. They visit the princess girl’s home beforehand to plan the layout and arrange details. On party day, they arrive a half-hour in advance to set up, then pack and clean up within a half-hour of the party’s end.

“They were so prepared, so organized,” Morey said. And personable, too, Martin said. “They act like they think this is the greatest thing ever. It’s truly impressive the way they interact with the kids.”

“Our parties are not just entertaining,” said Wagner. “We really try to educate them and spark their imaginations.”

The pair’s business plans include increased marketing. They pass out brochures at craft shows, mothers’ groups and other kid-friendly events and have begun print and outdoor advertising. They receive glowing recommendations from the pleased parents of party princesses. Wagner and Rumsey hope to develop a Web site, too.

“Another future goal would be a store location where they can come to us,” said Wagner, making it even easier for parents stressed about cleaning the house before hosting an event.

They also hope to expand their party types to include a diva dance party for the tween crowd. Rumple, for one, is eager to see that goal realized as Michaela approaches those years.

“It was the best birthday party and the least expensive party I’ve ever had. I was in awe. It was so fun just to see the joy in their faces,” she said.

“I would do it again in a heartbeat. Who knows – I might!”

To add a little princess magic to your next party, call Gina Wagner at (260) 418-3064 or Lisa Rumsey at (260) 750-8387. Or write girlsgalaevents@aol.com.