FORGET THE ENTERTAINMENT. DESIGN AN EXPERIENCE
- THE OVIATT
- Aug 6
- 3 min read
There comes a point in every event planning conversation where someone asks,
"So... what are we doing for entertainment?"
Usually, that's when people start thinking about DJs, live bands, or photo booths, and there's nothing wrong with any of those, but we’d love to share ways of thinking about event planning that can spice up any function.
Often, the events people remember are the ones that invite them to participate and discover something unexpected. The ones that make guests feel like they've stepped into a world where every detail has been considered, whether you're planning a wedding, a holiday party, a corporate celebration, or a brand activation.
So as a fun creative exercise here we share three ways to think beyond traditional entertainment and create an experience your guests won't stop talking about.
1. Give Guests Something They'll Remember
With Their Nose
We spend a lot of time thinking about what an event should look like, but almost nobody asks what an event should smell like.
A fragrance bar is one of those experiences guests don't expect, which is exactly why it works.
Instead of simply watching something happen, they're invited to create. They explore fragrance notes, compare blends with friends, learn about perfume composition, and leave with a custom scent they made themselves.
It's entertaining without feeling forced. It's educational without feeling like a workshop.
And perhaps most importantly, scent is one of our strongest memory triggers. Every time someone reaches for that fragrance weeks or even months later, they'll remember exactly where they made it.
Hosting a brand launch? Build fragrance blends around your product, your campaign, or your company's personality. Planning a wedding? Create a signature scent inspired by your story. Throwing a holiday party? Think warm woods, citrus, spices, or whatever captures the mood you're trying to create.
Sometimes the most memorable favor isn't something guests look at. It's something they experience.
Bodi Botanica - Alo Yoga - Fragrance Bar
2. Let Entertainment Wander
Through the Room
Entertainment doesn't have to wait until everyone sits down.
Some of the most memorable performances happen between conversations, during cocktail hour, or the moment guests walk through the door.
Imagine performers styled to match the world you're creating.
Champagne divas welcoming guests with sparkling wine.
Roaming magicians surprising people between conversations.
Live musicians moving throughout the space.
Elegant circus performers.
Theatrical characters.
A live-band karaoke experience that turns the audience into the performers.
The common thread isn't the performance itself. It's the intention.
When costumes, music, performances, and creative direction all support the same vision, the event begins to feel less like a party and more like stepping into another world.
That's the kind of experience people bring up long after they've forgotten what was served for dinner.
3. Make The Menu
Part of the show
Food is one of the biggest investments in almost every event, and ironically, it's also one of the biggest missed opportunities.
Too often, catering is planned separately from the story the event is trying to tell.
Imagine launching a tropical skincare collection, as an example.
Your chefs create dishes inspired by the same fruits, herbs, and botanicals featured in the products. Coconut water is served from a beautifully branded cart. The cocktails mirror the colors of the collection. Palm tree projections dance across the walls while the sound of ocean waves quietly fills the room throughout the dinner courses.
Suddenly, guests aren't just eating.They're stepping into the world your brand has created.
The same thinking applies to weddings, nonprofit galas, holiday celebrations, and milestone events. When your menu, entertainment, music, décor, lighting, and storytelling all support one another, every detail feels intentional.
“Forces of Nature” - Cooking with Lava in AIUIa - Bombas & Parr
Start With the Idea. Build the Right Team Around It.
One of our favorite parts of hosting events isn't simply providing the space.
It's helping clients connect the dots.
Over the years, we've built relationships with entertainers, musicians, production companies, caterers, designers, artists, and creative professionals who know how to turn a great idea into an unforgettable experience.
Sometimes all it takes is one conversation to take an idea from "Wouldn't it be cool if..." to "I can't believe we actually pulled that off."
If you have a vision but aren't sure how to bring it to life, we'd love to hear it. Reach out to our team, explore availability, and let's start designing something your guests will still be talking about long after the lights come down.
