Frequently Asked Questions: Events
Why should I hire South ‘n France to plan my event?
Parties and special events are meant to be fun, not stressful. You want to approach your party with joie de vivre and feel like the “host or hostess with the mostest”. You want your guests to proclaim your party: The Event of the Year. It’s difficult to do that if you are exhausted from months of researching and working with vendors, you’ve gone over budget, the flowers have not arrived on time, and you just spilled wine on your outfit trying to play bartender while taking cheese puffs out of the oven. South ‘n France has the flair, experience, and savoir faire to help you create an exciting and successful event that you can enjoy while relaxing in the knowledge that capable professionals are taking care of every last detail.
Do I still have creative control of my event if I hire you to plan it?
Darling, but of course! We’re not here to tell you what kind of party to have (unless you want us to); you tell us. If you know exactly what you want, just communicate your vision to us and let South ‘n France make it happen.
What if I don’t know what I want?
South ‘n France can help you figure out it out. We are trained to help you identify your desires, suggest creative ideas, and brainstorm until we have a concept that you are excited about. We will guide you through the event planning process, present samples, and review concepts until you are comfortable and clear on what your event will look like. Once you decide what you want and what you like, we’ll do everything it takes to make it happen.
How much notice do you need to help me plan my event?
That depends on the size and the scale of your party. We can successfully plan small events with as little as two weeks’ notice (sometimes less!). A larger, more complex event such as a wedding or fundraiser usually requires a minimum of four to six months’ planning time. The best rule of thumb is: the earlier you call South ‘n France, the better!
Can South ‘n France transform my backyard into a Venetian carnival?
Absolutely! We can do anything with the right budget!
If my guests or I like some of the décor you provide, can we keep it?
You can keep any decorations and props that you like as long as we have agreed on those items before your event and included them in your budget. Otherwise, all permanent décor, props, containers, serving trays, etc. are provided (and priced) on a rental basis and must be returned to South ‘n France at the conclusion of your event.
Will owners Charlene and Pascal personally handle and attend my event?
Yes. One of the advantages of working with a young company is the personalized, hands-on service from its founders. We approach every party as if it were our own, and either Charlene or Pascal (or both of us) will be at the event from start to finish, attending to details, putting out little fires, and doing everything needed to ensure that you can be a guest at your own party.
How do you price your services?
Costs involved in planning and executing an event are dependent on the type and size of the event, the time frame, the budget, and other variables. Depending on your needs, we offer two kinds of pricing: prix fixe for a full party package means that we charge a percentage of the total event budget or a per guest fee. If you are interested in one of our à la carte services such as providing party décor only , pricing is based on that specific request.
Why do you require a deposit ?
We require a deposit so that we can confirm your event on our calendar, begin reserving staff, venues and equipment, and make all of the arrangements necessary to ensure that your event is a smashing success.
What if I decide to cancel the party or change the number of guests after contracting South ‘n France for its services?
Deposits are nonrefundable because as soon as you pay your deposit, we confirm all of the services necessary to secure your event. The fees that we incur with vendors on your behalf are nonrefundable; therefore South ‘n France cannot refund you.