Natasha Carnell, from left, opens a gift at her birthday party Wednesday.
With her are Cameron Carnell, Treighton Smith and Bryson Larkin.

Pricing reflected in this article are obsolete.  We do not still use this pricing structure!  Please refer to individual party themes for pricing, or call (435) 634-9725!

By AMIE ROSE
September, 2002

ST. GEORGE – Nearly every little girl wants to be a princess.  Joy Carnell helps make that dream come true – for a few hours at least.

Carnell started Li'l Princess Tea Parties last year after Carnell had a dress up tea party for her daughters 3^rd birthday.  The plan provided dress-up clothing, cater and clean up birthday tea parties.  It’s the only company in Southern Utah doing this kind of party.

“I like getting back to the old things.” Carnell said.  “Kids watch so much TV and (play) video games, it’s so nice for them to actually have hands-on pretend time.”

She said after the daughter’s party last year, a friend told her people in Texas were doing tea parties and making money.  She’d been collecting dress-up clothes for her daughter since she was one and loved the idea. 

“This business is so me,” she said.  I just can’t see any other way.  It’s almost like to me it’s the most obvious thing to do for a birthday party for a little girl.”

Li'l Princess Tea Parties™ does everything from start to finish.  All parents have to do is provide the guest list.

Carnell makes all her own invitations and send them.

“Nothing is store bought,” she said.

The company does Victorian tea parties and Princess tea parties.  The biggest difference is the crowns the girls wear at the princess parties.

“Nothing is paper, either”. 

Carnell has China sets and silver for each party.

She doesn’t worry about anything getting broken.

“Kids become more well mannered, it’s not something I have to tell them,” Carnell said.

All the costumes are washable.  They’re made of materials ranging from satin to tricot to silk.

“I’ve gotten them at thrift stores (and) ebay,” Carnell said.  “They are all vintage.  There’s no certain type of fabric.  They have a certain quality”.

Carnell tests all of her costumes on her daughter, now 4.  She tries everything on and usually has her own tea party everyday.

Li'l Princess Tea Parties™ offers three party options for up to 12 children.  All three include a tea choice of chocolate milk, pink lemonade, or root beer floats: Silver tea service, table linen, china tea cups, silver tea spoons, invitations, a centerpiece, cookies, the dress-up trunk, music and party favors.  The tea and cookies party costs $125.

The chocolate milk has whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles on top.

The next step up is the afternoon tea party.  Besides the basics, it includes thank you scrolls and a choice of savories, which are donut holes n scones or strudel.  It costs $150.

The next party is the High Society party.  It includes everything in the Tea and Cookies and Afternoon Tea, plus silver forks, candles, Thank You cards, fresh flowers, tea sandwiches, which are cut into shape, a make up session and pictures of the party on the internet.  It costs $175.

Sandwich choices are ham and cheese, turkey and cheese, tuna or peanut butter.

Carnell said they usually don’t play games; instead they dance and have a fashion show.

She tells the children to either wear a leotard or swimsuit under their clothes so they’ll be comfortable dressing up in front of other children.

Birthday parties last between 1/12 and 2 hours.

She also has a NEW You Host It!  Party for 12 children, It includes: Rental of the silver tea service, table linen, china tea cups, silver tea spoons, candles, centerpiece, the dress up trunk and music.  It also included 12 invitations, Party favors and game ideas, and menu suggestions.  It costs $100.

Li'l Princess also does Baby and Bridal showers, with a few differences from children’s birthday parties.

The shower includes invitations for 24 guests, serving trays, games and prizes as set up and clean up.   They cost $249, and they last between 2 ½ and 3 hours.

“Every hostess likes to be a part of the party, not stuck in the kitchen”, Carnell said.

Li'l Princess Tea Parties™ has done 15 parties over the last year.

Carnell said she hasn’t done much advertising.  All her parties have been through word of mouth.

“At each party we have 8 to 12 potential other birthdays,” she said.  Everyone has a birthday.” 

Carnell plans to add boy’s parties to her list.  She has stated collecting armor and toy swords.

For More information on Li'l Princess Tea Parties™, Call (435) 634-9725 and ask for Joy.

Zoë Elissa Jones sits next to a multi-level tray of cookies and other party snacks.