So I stumbled across J Cricket Events blog and saw this very interesting post! They basically compiled a list of "new ideas for wedding events." There are some I didn't bother mentioning on here, but I pretty much copied the whole list. I have to admit, I was definitely tempted by some. Where I placed a * is the ones I would actually consider (or I thought were unique).

-- Also, my comments are listed [like this]. The ones in ( )'s are the author's.

"Cooking Demonstration. Find a chef or caterer that will provide a cooking demonstration in front of your guests as they observe how their meal is prepared. When the show is finished, servers would bring out the plated meals prepared just as the chef had demonstrated.

Awards Show. Host an awards presentation with prizes for "best dressed," "best dancer," etc. Each member of the wedding party could present an award that relates to them. [Gotta admit.. kind of funny. Meghan -- two words: Biggest Flirt -- do you remember this? hahaha]

Guided Tour. Provide a tour of your reception venue with a fun and interesting guide. This would be particularly fun if your venue has special meaning to you or your story as a couple.

Band/Orchestra Performance. This idea is hardly new, but consider hiring a large swing band or orchestra for your reception. This will be entertaining to guests who don't enjoy dancing.

*Theatre. Put on a skit, or hire a theatre group to perform a short play for your guests. [Shout out to my performing arts high school & the theater group! :P]

Contests. Wedding-cake-eating contest, anyone?

Professional Dance Performance. Again, this idea isn't new, but you can hire professional dancers of any type to perform for your guests. (My cousin had one of her friends perform a fire-dance at her reception!) [Um, how about I perform with a group?! ;)]

*Professional Dance Instruction. Hire dancers to teach your guests how to ballroom or swing dance. [um YES!!! Salsa or Tango -- y'all choose!]

Street Entertainers. Ventriloquists, acrobats, magicians, stilt-walkers, themed character actors, unicyclists, mimes, living statues... you get the idea. You might consider clowns, balloon artists, or face-painters to entertain children.

Raffles. Guests can earn raffle tickets in different ways, or perhaps they can outright purchase them to win prizes related to the couple or the event theme. [Yeah right, and spend more money?? lol]

Drive-In. Superfun idea for an "inside-the-box" ceremony. Consider having snacks served by waiters on rollerskates. [Cute, but clashes with my theme]

Design Showcase. Guests could "sponsor" a table to design and allow the couple's style to inspire their theme. Each table would be completely different. Perhaps designers could come in the morning to set up their table design. Guests could walk around and vote on the top designs. As an added detail, it would be fun to coordinate this and include the wedding gift as part of the design somehow.

*Game Show. Some DJs will create hokey versions of game shows, but for the quiz show couple, this could be done well with the right investment. [Very fun idea!]

"Real Life" Theatre. Hire actors to be fake guests or servers at your wedding to entertain your [real] guests, a la "The Real Wedding Crashers" without the "crasher" part. [Haha, this could be ugly...]

Stand-Up Comedy. Hire a comedian to entertain guests for any portion of your evening.

Opera. A true opera singer would, for the right group, be fantastic.

Charades. Use the category "Guests at this wedding."

Magicians/Illusionists. These would serve your guests particularly well during your cocktail hour. [Ironic connection with the Magician... *cough* Only some will understand this, lol]

Petting Zoo. Animal lovers can bring in a travelling petting zoo to enertain children. [Are you kidding me?!]

Arcade. Set up an area filled with old-school arcade games like Pacman and Pinball. Load them up with quarters so guests can play all night. [No thanks]

Scavenger Hunt. Arrange for a scavenger hunt during your cocktail hour. This could encourage guests to explore a really fabulous reception venue that might otherwise go unappreciated.

Runway Show. In lieu of a grand march. Oh, the possibilities...


Anyway, that's it! I'm off to a fun weekend for Kira's bacholerette party in the cabins near Helen, GA! I'm obviously very excited :) :)

P.S. Can anyone guess what is happening next Friday??? Starts with "Running..." !!!!!!!!!!