Frequently Asked Questions
Why choose Innovative Party Planners & Event Pros?
Maryland’s only full-service team of experienced live, virtual and hybrid event planners, artists and designers offering in-house custom event decor. We guide you every step of the way, from vendor selection to all your party details, to day of party management. For over 25 years, we have fabricated personalized decor including event logos, escort cards, table numbers, centerpieces, room décor and party favors. We provide lighting, linens, furniture rentals and more, to make your concepts and vision come to life.
We listen closely to your event goals and offer advice and guidance based on our expertise and extensive knowledge of event logistics. Innovative Party Planners & Event Pros has built a reputable network of vendors and resources. As our client, you benefit from these relationships.
What is the advantage of working with an event planner?
By hiring an event planner, you not only save time and money, but you can enjoy the process of planning your event with an experienced professional guiding you along the way. A planner can suggest ways to stay in budget and assist you with organizing all the details. Innovative Party Planners makes the planning of your event as enjoyable as the celebration.
How do we get started?
The first step is to contact us; by calling or filling out our Plan My Event form. One of our planners will be in touch, so be sure to give us your phone number or e-mail. We begin with an understanding of your event goals, priorities and budget. We offer an initial one hour free consultation, by appointment, to discuss your event details. Still need more information? Read on…
Can I come to the studio?
We invite you to come to the studio by appointment only. Tour our graphics department, art studio or view our extensive Disco To Go rental inventory. Your custom event décor is fabricated in our warehouse with our team of artists and graphic designers who work directly with you throughout the event experience.
What do your planning services include?
Our experienced team of planners listen to your expectations and dreams, offer expert advice and assemble and oversee your team of experienced and professional wedding vendors who have the expertise and passion to make your dreams come alive. We can take care of all your event needs, from the selection of your event location, to the party favor your guests leave with. Our planners can recommend experienced vendors including caterers, entertainment, photographers, transportation, and lodging as well as put together a reliable team to produce your event. If you have already assembled your team we can plan your event day beginning with a production timeline to orchestrate all the vendors as well as prepare and oversee your event timeline. In addition we prepare a detailed floor plan to scale to guide you and the event team to set up the event correctly.
What event design services do you offer?
Our design services encompass every aspect of your event offering you guidance in selecting all your event vendors and decor elements. Our event designers create unique event experiences styling elements such as lighting, draping, linen, floral and non-floral centerpieces, furniture, backdrops, and more to create a total and personalized look for your event. We present our ideas on a series of style boards which are a visual representation of our concepts. Our style is colorful, clever and memorable.
What graphic design services do you offer?
Our graphics department works closely with out event planners to design your party logo, save the dates, event invitations, welcome and food station signs, step and repeats, custom social media posts, photo booth frames, projections, gobos, dance floor decals, information and direction signs, sign in boards and books, event programs, place cards, table numbers, gift tags and more. For our corporate clients, Innovative Party Planners can assist with branding and publicizing your events, creating power point presentations, slides or video for your online events. Our graphic design department can prepare your invitations and sponsorship marketing materials, as well as design you advertising and your social media posts to generate participation and attendance.
How do you charge for your design and planning services?
Our design and planning services are billed hourly. Once we have a sense of the scope of your project, we can estimate how many hours your event design and planning process should take. We are flexible, which allows you to be as involved as you want or as your time allows. Hence, we do not offer any packages. We will begin with a retainer agreement outlining all our services and your event elements and request a deposit to begin.
What happens on the day of my live event?
On the day of your event, your planner will arrive with our trained event team to oversee the installation of each vendor, style and install all event décor and to ensure your event is set up and ready to start when you and your photographer arrives. In addition, we offer on-site party management to all our clients. Your event planner will stay throughout your event to orchestrate the production, interact with your team of vendors and guests, oversee the flow of your timeline and troubleshoot the unexpected.
May I rent your décor and pick it up?
Our rental inventory is available for you to order and pick up at our warehouse in Owings Mills, MD. To place a rental order, head here to browse through our featured items and the different categories. Make your selections by clicking the disco ball heart on the item(s) you would like to rent. If they are not available our system will alert you immediately. Once you are done selecting all your items, select the disco ball heart at the bottom right of the screen. You will then be prompted to tell us when your event is taking place along with your contact information. Once you have entered everything, submit your Wishlist. Please note that a 10% Damage and Loss Waiver will be applied to all rentals.
After you submit your DISCO To Go (Décor Inspiring Sustainable Celebrations and Occasions) Wishlist, our team will review your list, complete the details and send you back your contract for review, signature and deposit. Payment can be made right on our website. When your pick-up day arrives, we will send you a reminder and will have each of your items ready to go. We are located in Baltimore County, Maryland and serving Maryland, DC, lower PA and northern VA with convenient pick-up hours. We do not ship out our rentals at this time.
What is virtual event planning?
During 2020 and 2021, our team provided virtual event services for our clients to allow them to connect and hold virtual events, while we refrained from meeting in person. The same way your in-person events have goals and reasons to gather, so do your virtual ones. What’s the why behind your event?
Anything is possible for your event, given the right platform, technology and budget. Assuming this is your first virtual event, you’re probably struggling with several aspects. Think about them and write them down so we can keep them in the forefront of the planning process when we meet. Virtual events involve a whole new set of industry terms that our event planners have become familiar with. We will guide you to select the right platform, help promote your sponsors, select the right team for pre-recorded content and streaming. We will offer you a multitude of ideas to engage your guests, market your event and share the data that is generated throughout. In addition we are familiar with training your presenters and offer them the best solutions for lighting, sound and video so they can appear their best.
What happens on the day of my online event?
The day before, our producer and their back channel team will run a full tech rehearsal with your entire event team and all live presenters. We will all work out any last minute issues, check internet connections, modify lighting, tweak the run of show and trouble shoot any technology. On the day of your event, our back channel team will sign on about an hour prior to the start of your event, work with the onsite video and streaming team and go over any last minute changes. Our team will allow in your attendees, cue all live presenters, stream all pre-recorded content, spotlight all live presenters, engage your attendees and ensure a tight adherence to the run of show.
Do you have references?
Yes, references are available upon request.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept cash, check, Zelle, Venmo or payment via credit card through a secure payment portal. We do not keep your credit card number on file. Please note that credit card payments will incur a 3.5% transaction fee.
Do you have suggestions for questions not listed here? Contact us to let us know!