Weddingbee boards

I was reading either the latest Brides or The Knot magazine where it listed fun reception ideas. One of which was "challenge your guests to a bake off." I wish I would have marked the page now, but at the time it didn't blow up my skirt, and now that I want to go back and read more, I can't find it for the life of me.

The reason I had a change of heart was Thanksgiving. The table of pies, cookies, muffins and cheese cake was amazing and I remembered the reception idea I flew past weeks ago. What a great idea it suddenly became.

I want to add a small note in the invitations that highlights "The Great H's Bake Off", noting that participation is completely optional. I originally wanted to judge the desserts myself and perhaps cut into each of them with my hubby for a small bite, instead of doing the traditional wedding cake cutting. But a few friends encouraged me not to. Telling me, that will take up too much time and you're already going to be busy enough.

I didn't want to give up on the idea and damn it I still couldn't find the article. So I did the next best thing and googled it. I found another wedding that had used three guests to be judges.

The reason I want the desserts to be judged and have a winner is, A) They will win "The Blue Ribbon Prize" (it fits my fair/circus theme), and B) It is fun and my aunts will be all about the competitiveness of it.

Now, keep in mind I DO plan on still ordering enough cupcakes for my guests.  The bake off is not intended to take the place of our wedding cake (or cupcakes in this case).  It is meant to add to our theme and add interest.

What do you guys suggest? And thoughts on streamlining the judging process? Do you think it sounds fun or tacky?

I'm hoping that I can have something like this set up. I'll have the cute serving dishes and cake platters avalaible.

@bells: That is a good point!

@Ember78: Good news...it's an out door wedding at my FI's dad's house, I like to call it the No Rules Venue.

I found this on pinterest today

Which lead me to a blog where the bride said this

What is your favorite memory of the day?... If I must pick I would say sneaking off and tasting the pies entered in the pie making contest. I was floored by how much time, effort, and talent everyone put into the pies! Picking Best in Show was our first very important joint decision as husband and wife; (tough it was.) I wish every major decision could be made by feeding each other pie.

And it is really making me lean toward the bake off...

I like it now even more because it is an alternative to cutting a cake, my family would be ubber into it, and like the girl in the blog said, it will highlight our first decision as a married couple (how cute!).

Still wondering more about what the hive thinks.