Beyond the Bar and Dance Floor: How Event Planners Can Elevate Guest Experiences with Inclusive Entertainment

Originally written for TxACOM

When it comes to planning unforgettable events, many organizers rely on tried-and-true staples like open bars, dance floors, and casino-style games. These elements are often crowd-pleasers—but what happens when guests don’t drink, dance, or gamble? Ignoring the needs of this quieter crowd can unintentionally alienate them, leaving them feeling like outsiders in the celebration.

A truly successful event makes every guest feel seen and valued. The key lies in offering secondary entertainment options that are low-effort, highly engaging, and create a sense of personal connection. One increasingly popular solution? Intuitive entertainment.

Making Space for Everyone: Why Secondary Services Matter

Not everyone comes to an event to party hard. Some guests prefer intimate moments, meaningful conversation, or quiet observation. Whether due to personal beliefs, health reasons, or just personality type, many attendees might skip the open bar or the dance floor entirely. That doesn’t mean they want to sit in a corner watching others have fun.

Secondary entertainment is your opportunity to surprise and delight these guests by giving them experiences that:

• Don’t require physical energy

• Don’t involve alcohol or risk-taking

• Still allow them to engage in the fun in a meaningful way

These services show intentionality, thoughtfulness, and inclusivity—values that elevate the overall tone of the event and leave a lasting impression.

The Magic of Intuitive Entertainment

Intuitive entertainment—like palm readings, card readings, lip print or handwriting analysis, or even tea leaf readings—creates personalized moments of wonder. These experiences require little to no effort from guests but deliver high-impact interaction. Even in a room of hundreds, a guest can have a few minutes of deep personal focus, something that feels unique and special just for them.

And here’s the best part: unlike a toast or performance that demands a spotlight, intuitive entertainment invites individuals to step into the spotlight one-on-one, making them the star of a mini-experience in a low-pressure, cozy way.

Benefits of intuitive entertainment:

• Inclusive: No need for prior knowledge, special attire, or social energy.

• Portable & Low-Footprint: These services require minimal setup and space.

• Conversation Starters: Guests often share their experiences afterward, creating new social bridges.

• Customizable: Offerings can be themed to match the event’s aesthetic or purpose.

• Memorable: Guests remember these one-of-a-kind, affirming moments long after the event ends.

What About Caricatures and Similar Options?

Caricature artists, silhouette cutters, photo booths, and other art-based experiences are a classic entertainment choice—and for good reason. They’re fun, interactive, and provide a keepsake to take home. But there’s a detail event planners often overlook: not everyone wants to be in the spotlight.

Some guests are camera-shy, self-conscious, or simply private. For them, having their photo taken or being the center of artistic attention can be uncomfortable. What’s meant to be fun might feel like pressure. These guests still want to enjoy the event—they just might prefer entertainment that doesn’t involve being observed or documented.

This is where intuitive entertainment really shines. Guests aren’t asked to pose, perform, or share publicly. They simply show up, sit down, and receive a personalized, thoughtful experience—no cameras, no expectations, no pressure.

More Ideas to Broaden Your Entertainment Palette

If intuitive offerings aren’t the right fit, consider additional alternatives that provide similar benefits:

• Scent blending stations where guests create a personalized fragrance

• Puzzle lounges with tactile games or brain teasers for quiet fun

• Mini spa experiences like chair massages or hand treatments

• Live ambient artists (like a watercolorist capturing the event discreetly)

• Custom poem or affirmation writers who offer personal, private takeaways

• DIY stations for candles, mini bouquets, or bath salts

These types of services make the event feel rich, layered, and caring. They also serve as excellent talking points for all types of guests—especially those who might shy away from the main festivities.

The Takeaway for Event Planners

By incorporating entertainment options that are personal, low-pressure, and inclusive, you’re not just filling space—you’re honoring the diversity of your guest list. Intuitive entertainment, in particular, creates space for guests to feel seen, heard, and valued in a way that doesn’t demand anything from them but delivers a deeply memorable experience.

As you craft your next event, ask yourself: “What am I offering for the guests who don’t want to drink, dance, or play poker—or who feel shy in the spotlight?” If the answer is “not much,” it’s time to think more holistically. After all, the heart of event planning is hospitality—and true hospitality leaves no one out.