Planning a catered event involves numerous important decisions to make the event successful. From weddings to corporate events to graduation parties, any catered event will not only need great food and décor, but it will also need entertainment to keep the crowd happy and having fun. Entertainment is one of the details that guests will remember the longest, so you won’t want to skimp on this important detail. Below are some of our tips for providing entertainment at your next catered event.
Determine the Event’s Theme
Before you get deep into event planning, it’s helpful to have a party theme. Your theme may be based on seasonal inspiration, a bygone decade, a specific culture, or an exotic location. Whether you select a 70s disco retirement party or a beach party graduation celebration, your theme will help you select the right décor, entertainment, and food menu. Having a great theme also provides you with a backdrop for event photos, which your guests will be excited to share on social media.
Consider the Crowd
While entertainment is important for all types of events, not every event will warrant the same type of entertainment. You must consider who your audience will be—as well as the reasons for hosting the event—to gauge your event entertainment needs. For weddings and holiday parties, dancing is a must, so you’ll want to have a dance floor on your list of equipment rentals as well as a band or DJ to provide the tunes. If your catered event has young guests on the invite list, then you also need to have some all-ages entertainment available. If you are planning a large corporate event, wedding, or other major celebration, you may also want to include some unique entertainment ideas like circus performers, costumed celebrity impersonators, interactive selfie mirrors, or professional light shows to truly set your event apart.
Corporate events may also combine entertainment with productivity goals. For example, team building exercises are a consistent feature at corporate events for their employees. It’s important that you hire the right company to facilitate these activities, to ensure that your staff has fun while learning valuable skills to boost their performance back at the office.
Ask Your Venue for Entertainment Ideas
Your event venue will be another essential consideration for your entertainment options. You’ll need to consider the physical layout of the space as well as the amenities available, such as the electrical setup. Plus, your venue will likely have some ideas for entertainment based on what’s worked well for similar events in the past. They may also have connections with local entertainers who are already familiar with the venue layout to provide easy booking and planning.
Think About the Flow of the Event
It’s important to consider how guests will be moving through the event to determine what type of entertainment you need. If you are hosting a formal, seated dinner facing a single stage, you might need an emcee, live band, or professional speaker—or a mix of several entertainers on stage—to keep guests engaged and enjoying themselves. If you are hosting a more casual gathering like an outdoor party, you might have a DJ or band providing background music as guests circulate to different areas featuring games, face painters, and other fun activities.
Entertainment can also include self-guided features for guests to engage with, such as photo booths/photo walls, art displays, and VR game experiences. For modern special events, creating photo-worthy, sharable moments is an important consideration, so think of your event’s décor as an extension of your entertainment.
Work with the Right Catering Company
Some catering companies don’t provide much more than food. With Tucson Creative Catering, you can expect a full-service event planning experience. We can guide you towards event rentals, local entertainers, venues, props, sound equipment, bartending services, and so much more to ensure that your event is a success. Plus, we always tailor our catering menus to our clients’ unique tastes and vision. We take care of everything from start to finish, so you can feel like a guest at your own event. Contact us today at 520-690-0146 or fill out the consultation request form on our website to take the first step towards planning an unforgettable special event in Tucson.