u/Conscious-Tough-5814

My partner and I are planning a 70-100 person wedding and are considering hiring a jazz band (with a vocalist) instead of a DJ or classic dance-based live band.

We personally are not really dancers but, based on past weddings, the majority of our guest list has loved shutting events down on the dance floor. Almost everyone is in their early 30's now (some with kids), but at some weddings that's actually proven to make them more inspired to make the night feel like a rager instead of less.

Our venue contract requires our event to end by 10 PM, with the bar stopping service at 9:30 PM. So even if we wanted a high energy dance party, it likely wouldn't be for more than 2 hours.

I know how important it is to set expectations, so we would make the lack of DJ/dance floor it clear on our invite. Instead of "dinner & dancing to follow" we would say "music & mingling to follow." That said, we all know people love to make assumptions and I'm sure plenty won't read that part despite how many times we mention it on the invites and website.

Another thing that's kind of odd about our venue is that the don't allow any amplification outside (which is where the reception needs to happen). So there's a whole separate indoor space we need to move people do for music/evening activities. The vision right now is to move everyone in to what is essentially a jazz club, with lots of candlelight and seating that is arranged for both conversation and enjoying the music.

We're also going to set up a staffed espresso station with cannolis either indoors or just outside the doors to the main building so people have an excuse to get fresh air (open to opinions on which one is better!).

My questions:

1. Is this just way too much conversation for one event if the ceremony starts at 4:30 and people are out by 10 PM? In their 20's, this group used to throw big house parties where we'd stay from like 5/6 PM until past midnight, but of course the focus was mainly on drinking back then.
2. Would this event feel boring to you? Is the solution just to get a DJ or live band, or do you have other suggestions of what may make it more fun for you?
3. Are there any unique, genuinely entertaining alternatives you've seen during your wedding research?

I know this day is ultimately about us and what makes us happy, but I really want to be a good host. Or, in other words, I'm the sort of person who is not going to feel like I had a good wedding unless I provided a really wonderful guest experience.

Thanks for any and all thoughts!

My sister is expecting her first child and we are all beyond excited! This will be my first niece or nephew and I really want to get her something useful to start them off on the right foot.

My sister and her husband don't have many friends and are not close with our extended family, so they will not be having a baby shower. She's a freelancer and will have no maternity pay, so money will be especially tight early on.

I wish I could just shower her with everything she could ever need, but unfortunately that's not the reality of what I can afford right now. That said I am open to spending up to $800 - $1k to help start her off.

I'd love the perspective on what the most useful gift would be in this situation. I of course could also use that money to buy a lot of smaller things (bottles, bibs, burp cloths, diapers, swaddles, pacifiers, teethers, thermometer, etc.) although I figure those may be easier for them to purchase gradually because they come at a lower price point.

I don't have any kids myself so I'd love any practical advice for someone who has gone through this stage already! Even better if you have specific brands or items that you think are specifically worth it for this kind of gift. Thank you!!

Edit: Wow! Thank you everyone for these amazing suggestions and points, I appreciate you all so much!