10 Questions to Ask Before Booking Entertainment for a Private Party
Booking entertainment for a private party can feel a little like a leap of faith. You're trusting someone to show up, deliver on the moment, and make your event feel the way you pictured it, often based on a website, a few reviews, and a phone call. Asking the right questions upfront is the easiest way to close that gap between expectation and reality.
Here are ten worth asking before you book.
1. What format fits my event?
Not all "magic" is the same. Strolling magic, a seated close-up show, and a stage performance each fit different party sizes and layouts. A good performer should be able to ask about your guest count and setup and recommend the format that actually fits, not just offer one default option.
2. How long is the performance?
Get specific. "A show" could mean 30 minutes or two hours. Know exactly what you're booking and how it fits into your event's timeline.
3. What's included in the price?
Ask what the quote actually covers: performance time, setup, travel, and anything else. Pricing that's broken down clearly upfront tends to mean fewer surprises later.
4. Is a deposit required to hold the date?
Most performers require a deposit to lock in your date, often around 50%, with the remaining balance due after the event. Confirm this before you assume your date is secure.
5. How much space or setup does the performance need?
Strolling magic needs almost nothing. A seated show or stage performance may need a specific area, table, or sightline. Sorting this out ahead of time avoids a scramble on the day of.
6. Can the entertainment adapt to my guest list?
Every party is a little different, mixed ages, different senses of humor, different vibes. Ask how the performer tailors the experience so it actually fits your specific group instead of a generic set.
7. What happens if my guest count changes?
Guest lists shift. Ask how that affects pricing or format, especially if you're on the edge between strolling magic (30+ guests) and a smaller close-up show (10 to 20 guests).
8. Do they have experience with events like mine?
A performer who's worked birthdays, anniversaries, and private celebrations similar in size and tone to yours will have a better read on pacing and timing than someone guessing blind.
9. What's the plan if something changes last minute (weather, timing, venue)?
Private events, especially backyard ones, don't always go exactly to plan. Ask how flexible the performer is if your timeline shifts or the weather doesn't cooperate.
10. What do past clients say?
Reviews and past client experience are one of the clearest signals you have before booking someone you haven't seen perform in person. Ask for references or reviews if they're not already easy to find.
The Bigger Picture
None of these questions are about being difficult, they're about making sure the night goes the way you pictured it when you first thought "we should get a magician for this." A performer who answers these clearly and confidently is usually a performer worth booking.
Jeff Walsh Magic brings exclusive mentalism and mystery to private events across Dallas, Fort Worth, Plano, and beyond. Reach out with your questions, we're happy to walk through all ten (and any others you've got).