Creative Wedding Games To Fill Your Reception With Fun

Quick Tip

You get to have more fun if you hire a host or assign the task of hosting to a friend who might be interested. You will get to join in on the games without having to worry about organizing the game over and above planning other wedding shenanigans.

Entertaining Outdoor Games And Activities For Your Wedding

Icebreaker games are an excellent way of socializing and amping up the wedding entertainment for your guests. Here are some party games you can include in your wedding reception:

1. Hula Hoop Relay

Separate your guests into two teams and give each team a hula hoop. The game begins with the first person on Team A hula hooping. When the hoop falls off, they then tag the second person on their team who continues from where they left off. This goes on until the last person. The team with the longest running time wins.

Note: Make sure that the guests wearing tight dresses and/or heels practice caution while playing this game to avoid injury.

2. Wedding Piñata

Filla piñata with wedding party favors or chocolates and suspend it from a height. Divide guests into teams of 2-5 people and give them piñata busters to break it open. You can also blindfold participants and swing the piñata to make it difficult for them to burst it.

3. Wedding Limbo

Separate your guests into two teams. Make two persons hold the limbo stick at both the ends at a certain height (mostly shoulder high) to begin with. Let the teams pass under the stick. Keep lowering the stick after every successful passage by the teams. The team that goes under the bar the lowest takes the honors.

Note: This is a great way to get everyone on the dance floor. Adding fun music will accomplish this.

4. Water Balloon Toss

This game is guaranteed to get guests riled up on the day! If you are not worried about messing up the venue, this is a must! Make teams of two and form two lines, with one guest facing the other (of the same team). Fill up water balloons and give one to each team. The guest holding the balloon should toss it to their teammate. If the person pops it, the team gets eliminated. Upon every successful catch, both the guests should move one step back and toss it again. The team that keeps the balloon intact wins the game.

Note: Have rags or a mop handy to wipe up the floor after the game to prevent guests from slipping and falling.

5. Bunny Hop (Potato Sack Race)

This fun wedding reception activity is a great way to get people moving around and having fun. Draw a starting line. Have 4-5 teams of two people put on a sack and hop down to the finish line. Whichever team finishes first wins! If you want to mix things up, you can also try “blindfolded” bunny hop.

6. Scavenger Hunt

Divide your guests into teams of 4-5 people to uncover all the wedding favors or gifts that you have hidden around the venue. Have them take pictures of them with their prizes/favors to win. This is a great way to get your guests mingling and exploring! Also, it is a wonderful way for both families to get to know each other a little better.

7. Name That Tune

This is a fun game for all the music lovers out there! Gather up some wedding reception songs (could include DJ or a band). Get your guests to guess what song it is. The person who guesses correctly wins.

Kids will need to stay occupied while their parents are busy with the festivities and socializing. Here are some activities that will not only keep your little guests entertained but also make them feel included.

Wedding Reception Games And Activities That Kids Will Love

1. Pin The Tail

Who doesn’t love a good game of ‘Pin the Tail on the Donkey’? This awesome activity is perfect for kids and will get them excited about your wedding. You can also create fun rules with the winner earning a special prize.

2. Guess How Many

If you have many little guests at your wedding, give them something fun to do. Ask them to guess how many jellybeans are in the jar. Give a prize to whoever guesses the closest.

3. Balloon Fun

If you have a dance floor, get some balloons and let the kids pop them! Kids will love chasing each other around while trying to pop balloons. You can make this game competitive by seeing who can pop the most in a given time and pick a winner. But make sure that all safety precautions are taken to prevent any kid from getting hurt.

4. A Magic Show

It is not a bad idea to hire a magician for your wedding party. Ask them to perform fascinating yet straightforward tricks for the kids. All of your guests will love watching the show, and it will keep the little ones entertained throughout.

5. Coloring Station

If the kids are not feeling like dancing, set up a fun coloring station for them! Give them some crayons and paper, so they can create their fun wedding drawings or sketches. In addition, giving them backpacks filled with these items will help keep the mess to a minimum.

6. Bubbles

Blow bubbles and let the little ones go at it! You can also get creative by creating different rules for each guest. For example, you could say whoever has the longest bubble chain wins a prize, or whoever blows the biggest bubble wins.

7. Giant Tic-Tac-Toe

A classic Tic-Tac-Toe is always fun, be it at parties or home. Why not make it giant for the special occasion? Use a chalkboard wall on your wedding day to let your little guests enjoy this game! You can do traditional tic-tac-toe or create rules like whoever gets three in a row wins a special prize. Use the colors of the season with this activity. If the wedding is in the fall, use orange and white pumpkins as your markers and white or yellow silk clothes to make the Tic-Tac-Toe board. Bring in the season/time of year with this fun activity.

8. Apple Bobbing

Get creative and make an apple bobbing station! Incorporating seasonal activities brings detail to your wedding. You will need apples and a tub filled with water. The kid who gets the most apples out of the tub with their teeth wins the contest. Each kid gets 2-5 minutes, depending on the headcount.

Best Wedding Reception Activities For When It’s Late At Night

1. Wedding Party Dance-Off

This reception activity is a great way to see who has the best moves! The couple will pick out their top five favorites and let them battle it out to be crowned the best dancer. This game will surely get your guests all excited on the dance floor. And make sure you have the cameras rolling to capture these amazing memories!

2. Karaoke Contest

Everyone loves karaoke! If you are having some trouble getting your elderly guests on the dance floor, have your best singers take the stage. Give awards to the guests who have the most fun singing or give a ridiculous award for “Worst Singer.”

3. Spin The Bottle

Are you ready to spice things up? If your guests are feeling a little bold, allow them to play ‘Spin the Bottle’ at your wedding. It’s probably best if you do not have any children around.

4. The Newlywed Game

Find out which guests know each other the best by playing this fun wedding game. Choose multiple couples to play with or just have one couple answer as many questions as they can correctly. The host will ask the lovebirds multiple questions about their lives, childhoods, first kisses, etc.

Using the couple’s shoes or having large photos of the couple to raise in the air to answer the question is a quick way to get answers. For example, one person will hold one of their own shoes or photo and one of their spouse’s shoes or photo. Same with the spouse. With their backs to each other, the shoe or photo will go into the air to answer the question. Make sure the couple is sitting back to back so as to not see the answer in advance. The couple with the most correct answers wins.

Chembe Ndiforchu, a lifestyle blogger, shares wholesome accounts of his wedding day in a two-part blog. He reveals, “The most remarkable part of the ceremony was the shoe game…we all know about the shoe game most couples play on their wedding days. Well, Ba and I had the same answers to every question (i).”

5. Memories Game

This game involves your guests writing down memories they have shared with you and the groom. Before the wedding, write down three to five prompts on separate pieces of paper (e.g., “the time we went to Spain,” “the day I met you,” etc.). Put each piece of paper in a different envelope and seal it. Have the guests write down as many memories as they can in 10 minutes or less.

6. If You Had Met Five Years Ago

This activity is perfect for couples who have been together for a while. Ask your guests to write down what they would have told you if they “had met” five years ago and the kind of future they imagined about you two. What advice would they give? This can be fun to read together as a couple, especially if they did not expect to be where you are now!

7. Groom Game

This game is mainly for the groom’s friends. It is perfect for the end of the night when all of your guests are tired and ready to go home! You can create fun questions for your groom or just ask the men in the audience to shout out their favorite.

8. Fireworks/Light Shows

Have fancy fireworks prepared to go off at your wedding’s grand finale – yes, you deserve to have one! Have a friend who is good at wicked pyrotechnics stage an amazing light show that will get everyone out on the dance floor. It might even bring tears to some eyes!

Note: Be aware of any permits needed for any type of fireworks. Otherwise, strict fire restrictions could put a damper on this end-of-the-evening display. So, always have a professional in charge of this activity.

Your wedding is one of the most important events in your life, and you want all of your friends and people close to you to be there. They will greatly appreciate having some fun wedding activities to do at their table while still being able to mingle with other guests. These activities should be more than just “pass the plate around”. You can entice your guests to stay longer by organizing these activities for them.

Note: Be aware of any permits needed for any type of fireworks.

Perfect Wedding Reception Activities For Big Groups

1. DJ Dance Competition

This activity is perfect for guests of all ages and will bring the party to life. You will need to set up a playlist of favorite songs that is sure to get people out on the dance floor. Play it between courses and at open-dance times. Allow other guests to choose their favorite dancers or have people vote on their own. This activity is sure to be a hit at your reception and will be remembered for long.

Note: Always have a backup plan for bad weather. Also, make sure your DJ is aware of how this activity works.

2. Dumb Charades (Guess The Movie)

Games that require acting and guessing are always great ways to get people laughing. You can play this game before dinner as a table activity or during dinner or just at any open-dance time.

3. Photo Booth

Who says photo booths are only for weddings? Your guests have been mingling with each other all night, so this will be the perfect time to get everyone involved! The guests can dress up in goofy clothing or use quirky props and take a ton of pictures. Ask the guests to leave one set of the photos for the newlyweds to add to their wedding guestbook.

Quick Tip

You may also organize a newlywed couple photo contest for your guests. Ask your guests to take candids of the couple throughout the reception. The couple will select the photos they like best to pick a winner.

4. Marriage Advice Cards

Before the wedding, prepare a set of cards with advice for newlyweds. Everyone likes to show how much they know, so why not hand out cards with questions? Have them answer the questions in front of the group – whether they are right or wrong. They make for a good read on the days following your wedding. You might even get some valuable tips.

5. Slideshow of Memories

Have someone take pictures throughout the night and compile them into a slideshow for everyone to enjoy at the end. Many photographers offer this service. Just make sure to work out the details before the wedding day.

6. Jenga Game

A game of Jenga is an excellent way to engage that large and diverse group of friends and family at your wedding reception. If you are seeking something unique to do on your special day, where your guests can have as much fun as you do, a Jenga game is the perfect choice. This game is simple enough such that people of all ages can enjoy it, and it can help break the ice among a crowd, fostering amiable mingling. It will add a playful touch to your celebration, standing out from the usual photo booth or dancing activities. Moreover, it is compatible with both indoor and outdoor venues. You can opt for the traditional table Jenga or for the giant version for extra fun.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is wedding bingo?

Wedding bingo is the perfect wedding game to keep your guests entertained during cocktail hour. This is a fantastic bridal shower game to play while the honored guest is unwrapping her presents. Give each visitor a bingo card to fill up with their predictions about the gifts she will receive before she opens any packages. The winner is the first individual to get five predictions right in a row.

What is a shoe game?

The wedding shoe game is a popular wedding game in which the bride and groom must demonstrate their understanding of one another. The bride and game sit facing away from each other, with each of them holding one of the groom’s shoes in one hand and one of the bride’s shoes in the other. They are then asked questions like “Who is the best cook?” and “Who is the worst driver?.” They must raise the shoe of the person they think the question relates to. It is a fun game for the guests to observe, particularly when the answers don’t match!
You can also have the DJ or band play pre-recorded TV game show music, such as the Newlywed Game theme song, during the game. This puts the guests in the mood for a fun game!

Does the bride play Bridal Jeopardy?

No. The bride and groom are the judges in Bridal Jeopardy. The guests are questioned about the couple getting married, their relationship, and the wedding.

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JoAnn MooreMaster Wedding Planner

   

JoAnn is a Master Wedding Planner, a Certified Professional Wedding Consultant, a Certified Green Wedding Planner, and a Certified Sandals Specialist. She has 25 years of experience and has also authored a book titled “Laughing All the Way to the Altar.” Many of her weddings have been featured in Bride’s Magazine, Premier Bride Magazine, The Knot Wedding Magazine, and The...more

Sneha TeteBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Sneha has a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad, a professional Relationship Coach diploma, and over four years of experience in writing. She writes about relationships and lifestyle. Sneha began her career as an instructional designer, shifted to freelance technical and research writing, and self-published a novella on the theme of adolescent mental health. She also...more

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Asmita De is an associate editor with over three years of experience. She graduated in English Literature from the University of Calcutta. She has collaborated with several digital companies and reputed publishing houses as an editor. Her adeptness in refining content, ensuring clarity, and preserving the essence of the written word has consistently contributed to enhance the quality of published...more