July 10th, 2025

Think Outside the Typical Event: Out-of-the-Box Vendors to Wow Your Guests

Sample art from Divine Henna.

Think Outside the Event: Out-of-the-Box Vendors to Wow Your Guests
When planning an event, one thinks about catering, décor, music, and seating charts, among other standard “to-do” checklist items.. But if you really want your event to stand out and be remembered, it’s all about the extras. Unique and unexpected vendors can add a personal touch and create those magical moments that guests rave about long after the party ends.

At The Venue at Lenoir City, we’ve seen some truly customizable, creative ideas come through our doors, and we’re sharing a few of our favorite “out-of-the-box” vendors that can help you take your event to the next level.

Ice Cream Bars
Nothing says fun like a scoop of cold, creamy goodness served from a charming cart. Add assorted toppings from which to select and you’ve really got a winner! Whether it’s a whimsical wedding or a summer corporate picnic, ice cream stations or sundae bars offer a nostalgic and refreshing treat for guests of all ages.

Some of the ice cream vendors we’ve had success with on-site include Sweetwater Creamery, Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, Sno-Biz, Tic-Toc Ice Cream Parlor and Smiley Swirl Ice Cream Truck. We’ve even had the pleasure of working with the Loudon High School Culinary Arts students to create sundae stations!

Mobile Beverage Trailers
Why settle for a traditional bar, when you can have a beautifully restored horse trailer or camper serving up craft cocktails and mocktails? Beverage trailers bring personality and charm. These are perfect for outdoor receptions, casual celebrations, or for a good excuse to draw your attendees outside to help manage the inside crowd during downtime. Our partner vendors Orange Peel Mobile Mixers, The Drifting Daisy Mobile Bar, Single Barrel Events and The Pour Guys are the perfect place to start.

360 Photo Machine or Vintage Booths
Just as with technology, photo booths have come a long, long way. Gone are the days of having to wait patiently for your photos to print and stiff, posed static photos. Instead, planners can now offer guests a fully immersive photo experience with 360 video booths that capture action, not just stills. Better yet? Plug in your cell phone number and they’ll be sent to you in a digital file!

You can choose to go in the opposite direction and hire an old-timey photo booth. You know, the kind with the curtain that prints out a vertical sheet of four small photos? Or a backdrop booth with fun props always creates a buzz. These booth ideas double as entertainment and keepsakes. We enjoyed working with Happy Beat Music, Kapture Knoxville Photo Booth, M & H Photo Booth, PixelPop Photobooth Company, Tennessee Photobooth, or Turning Knox Rental.

Live Floral Bars
Now that we are partnering with local flower farm First Cut Florals, along with Broadway Flower Shop and Melissa Timm Designs, we’d love to see more events host floral bars. Whether for bridal or baby showers, weddings, birthday celebrations, garden parties, or even corporate retreats, the relaxation and awe inspired by floral bars won’t soon be forgotten by your guests. And as an added bonus, your guests get to leave with a beautiful bouquet of their own making!

Henna Artist Services
Bring in a skilled and creative henna artist like our partner vendor Divine Henna and be the talk of the town! From cultural wedding celebrations to festivals and proms, this elegant form of body art is sure to get your event remembered. The professionals with Divine Henna are unsurpassed in their artistic abilities.

Candy Buffets & Dessert Bars
Candy buffets aren’t just exciting for the tummy, but also for the eyes! The wide assortments of colors, textures and sizes that can be used can make a candy buffet a living work of art. But candy buffets are just the beginning. Think of doughnut walls, cookie or cupcake decorating stations, or gourmet s’mores bars to really head outside the proverbial dessert box. Guests get hands-on fun and a sweet treat to enjoy or take home. The Venue at Lenoir City offers some of these services in-house and can refer other vendors if needed.

Lit Letters and Balloon Décor
Today’s balloon art is not the simple arches of the past. Pretty much anything can be created with and/or printed on balloons. Partner some incredible balloon décor with lit numbers or letters and you’ll create a terrific backdrop that will draw your attendees to network, take photos, and otherwise memorialize your event. We frequently work with Above the Rest Balloon & Event Designs, Alpha-Lit Marquee Letters, Balloons by Daria, Era Events, Event-Lit, Luma Designs, Osmar Creations, and The Princess Palace to accomplish these visions.

Make It Yours
The professional staff of The Venue at Lenoir City loves helping clients dream big and make those dreams a reality. If you're looking for more vendor recommendations or want to know which creative options work best in our space, we’re here to help!