Weddings are a beautiful celebration of love, but they can also be a little intimidating for guests who don’t know each other. The key to a great wedding reception is creating an atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable, relaxed, and ready to have fun. What better way to achieve that than by incorporating some fun games to help break the ice?
In this article, we’ve gathered 18+ wedding games that are sure to get your guests mingling, laughing, and making lasting memories. These games will not only keep your guests entertained but also help them form connections that make your special day even more memorable.
1. Shoe Game
This classic wedding game is perfect for entertaining your guests while spotlighting the couple. The bride and groom sit back-to-back and exchange one shoe with each other. Then, they answer a series of questions about themselves by raising the corresponding shoe.
The answers often lead to lots of laughter and give guests a fun peek into the couple’s relationship. Questions can range from “Who is the better cook?” to “Who said ‘I love you’ first?”, making it both heartfelt and hilarious.
2. Wedding Bingo
Create custom bingo cards filled with wedding-related actions, such as “bride and groom kiss,” “someone takes a selfie,” or “best man makes a toast.” Hand out the cards to your guests and see who gets Bingo first!
It’s a great way to keep guests entertained during quieter moments of the reception, like speeches or dinner. Wedding Bingo adds a bit of friendly competition and keeps everyone engaged throughout the event.
3. Find the Guest
To encourage guests to meet each other, give each person a list of fun facts about other attendees. Their goal is to find out who matches each fun fact.
It’s a fantastic icebreaker that helps guests step out of their comfort zones and strike up conversations. By the end of the game, your guests will feel more comfortable and connected.
4. Couple Trivia
Set up a trivia game based on the bride and groom’s relationship. Ask fun questions like “Where did they first meet?” or “Who said ‘I love you’ first?” You can make it a table-versus-table competition.
It’s a fun way for everyone to learn more about the couple, and it adds a personalized touch to the reception. Guests will love finding out more about the bride and groom’s story.
5. Jenga Guestbook
Instead of a traditional guestbook, have guests sign a giant Jenga block and write a piece of advice or well wishes. Not only does it create a keepsake, but you can also play with it later and reminisce about your special day.
The Jenga guestbook becomes a fun activity that you and your partner can enjoy for years to come. It’s interactive and makes for a unique memento of your wedding.
6. Dance-Off
Encourage guests to show off their best moves with a dance-off! You can split the dance floor into teams or call out different dance styles.
It’s a great way to get people on their feet and laughing, especially when the dance styles get silly. A dance-off adds excitement and gets even the shyest guests to participate.
7. Giant Lawn Games
If your wedding is outdoors, set up some classic lawn games like giant Connect Four, Jenga, or cornhole. These games are easy to play, fun for all ages, and create opportunities for guests to relax and get to know each other.
Having lawn games is perfect for keeping both adults and children entertained. They provide a relaxed, casual activity that encourages mingling in a low-pressure environment.
8. Musical Chairs
For a playful twist, set up a round of musical chairs for both adults and children. This game brings out the competitive spirit in people and is a fun way to entertain guests between dinner and dancing.
Musical Chairs is simple to set up and always guarantees laughter, especially as the competition heats up. It’s a wonderful way to keep the energy high during the reception.
9. Who’s Who?
Create a slideshow or a photo board featuring childhood photos of the bride, groom, and various guests. Have everyone guess who’s who.
It’s a great way to get people talking and laughing over adorable old pictures. Guests will enjoy trying to recognize each other and sharing the stories behind the photos.
10. Scavenger Hunt
Arrange a wedding-themed scavenger hunt with items like “a picture of the bride laughing” or “someone with the same color shoes as you.” Divide guests into teams and see who can complete the list first.
It’s a fun way to get people up and mingling, and it brings out everyone’s adventurous side. A scavenger hunt encourages teamwork and adds a touch of excitement to the event.
11. Photo Booth Challenge
Take your photo booth to the next level by giving guests a list of specific poses or props to use. Challenges like “create a pyramid” or “pose like supermodels” will keep guests entertained.
The photo booth challenge adds an element of creativity and hilarity to the typical photo booth setup. The resulting pictures will be cherished memories filled with laughter and fun.
12. Table Puzzles
Place small puzzles or games on each table to encourage guests to collaborate. These can be simple jigsaw puzzles, word games, or even brain teasers.
It’s a great way to get people interacting while they wait for the next course. Table puzzles also provide a relaxed activity that helps guests bond without feeling rushed.
13. Mad Libs Wedding Toasts
Create wedding-themed Mad Libs for guests to fill out during dinner. Once they’re completed, read a few of the funniest ones aloud.
It’s an easy way to bring laughter to the room and gives guests a chance to be a part of the celebration. The unexpected twists in the Mad Libs always make for hilarious moments.
14. Ring Toss
Set up a classic ring toss game and invite guests to test their skills. You could even use wine bottles as targets and let the winners take home a bottle as a prize!
Ring Toss is easy to set up and adds a bit of friendly competition. It’s a fun way for guests to interact and show off their accuracy.
15. Marriage Advice Cards
Leave cards on each table for guests to write their best (or funniest) marriage advice. Later, the bride and groom can read them aloud or save them as a keepsake.
It’s always heartwarming to hear what family and friends have to share. Marriage advice cards offer a mix of wisdom, humor, and love that makes for a memorable keepsake.
16. Guess the Song
Play a short clip of a song and have guests guess what it is. You can make it more interesting by choosing songs that have special meaning to the bride and groom.
This game is perfect for music lovers and adds a personal touch to the festivities. It’s a great way to keep guests engaged, especially during lulls in the reception.
17. Selfie Station Bingo
Create bingo cards with different selfie challenges, such as “take a selfie with the bride” or “find someone wearing blue.” Guests can complete their cards by taking selfies throughout the event.
It’s a fun way to encourage guests to take lots of pictures and interact with each other. Selfie Station Bingo also results in a collection of candid, fun memories from the day.
18. Balloon Pop Questions
Place a question or dare inside each balloon, blow them up, and have guests pop them to see what’s inside. These questions could be about the bride and groom or fun dares like “show us your best dance move.”
It adds an element of surprise and excitement to the party. Balloon Pop Questions get everyone laughing and help break the ice in a playful way.
19. The Shoe Switch Game
Invite a group of couples onto the dance floor and have them place one shoe in the center. Mix the shoes up, and on the count of three, each person must find their partner’s shoe and put it on them.
It’s a silly game that’s bound to create laughter and a bit of chaos. The Shoe Switch Game is perfect for getting couples involved and adds a lighthearted touch to the dance floor.
20. Musical Statues
Musical Statues is a fun and energetic game that gets everyone dancing. Play some upbeat music, and when the music stops, everyone must freeze like a statue. Anyone who moves is out of the game until there’s only one person left standing.
This game is perfect for getting people on their feet and loosening up. It encourages everyone to dance and have fun, making it an excellent icebreaker for guests of all ages.
21. Kiss the Bride (or Groom)
This is a playful game that involves the entire crowd. Place a jar on the gift table, and let guests put money into it. Each time a certain amount is reached, the bride and groom have to kiss.
This game not only encourages guest participation but also adds a bit of romance to the day. It’s a fun way for guests to see the bride and groom share sweet moments while adding a bit of friendly challenge.
22. Human Bingo
Give guests a bingo card with fun traits or experiences, such as “has traveled to five countries” or “loves dancing.” Guests need to find others who match each square and get them to sign their name.
This is a great way to get guests to talk to one another and find common ground. By the end of the game, everyone will have made new connections and perhaps even formed new friendships.
23. Love Story Guessing Game
Create a list of fun facts about the couple’s relationship and turn it into a guessing game. For example, “Where did they go on their first date?” or “Who said ‘I love you’ first?”
Guests can write down their answers, and at the end of the game, the correct answers are revealed. It’s a fun way for everyone to learn more about the couple and engage in a lighthearted competition.
24. Anniversary Dance
This game is all about honoring the couples who have been married the longest. Have all the married couples come to the dance floor, and start playing a slow song. Ask couples to leave the dance floor based on the length of time they’ve been married, starting with the newest couples.
The last couple dancing will be the one married the longest. It’s a sweet way to honor those who have experienced lasting love and to share in a heartwarming moment.
25. Heads or Tails
Have guests stand up and choose either heads or tails by putting their hands on their head or backside. The host then flips a coin. If it’s heads, everyone with their hands on their head stays standing, and the rest sit down. Continue until there is only one person left standing.
This simple game is easy to play and gets everyone involved. It’s a great way to bring a lighthearted element to the celebration while giving guests a chance to win a small prize.
26. Table Riddles
Place a riddle card on each table, and let guests work together to solve it. You could even add a competitive edge by offering a small prize to the table that solves their riddle the fastest.
This is an excellent way to encourage people at each table to bond, especially if they don’t know each other well. It adds a fun challenge to the event and sparks interesting conversations.
27. Cornhole Tournament
If your wedding has an outdoor space, a cornhole tournament is perfect for adding some light competition. Set up a cornhole board and let guests pair up in teams to compete.
It’s a fun, relaxed game that’s easy for everyone to play, and it adds a touch of casual fun to the event. Plus, it’s a great way to keep guests entertained during downtime.
28. Bouquet Toss Predictions
Before the bouquet toss, have guests write down who they think will catch it. Once the bouquet is caught, see who made the correct prediction.
This simple game adds a bit of anticipation to the bouquet toss, and it gets guests excited about who will catch the bouquet. It’s an easy way to keep everyone engaged and adds a playful element to the tradition.
29. Wedding Piñata
Set up a wedding-themed piñata filled with candy, small toys, or notes of advice. Let the kids (or even adults) take turns trying to break it open.
This game adds a whimsical touch to the reception and is sure to bring smiles to everyone. It’s a fun way to incorporate an unexpected element of surprise and joy.
30. Karaoke
Set up a karaoke machine and let your guests show off their singing skills. Choose a mix of love songs, party anthems, and classic hits to keep everyone entertained.
Karaoke is always a hit, whether people are amazing singers or just having fun. It’s a great way to let loose, have a laugh, and bring people together through music.
Conclusion
Wedding games are an excellent way to break the ice and create a lively atmosphere that your guests will remember long after the day is over. Whether you’re looking for something active and energetic or a simple icebreaker to get guests chatting, these 30 games will help everyone feel included and entertained.
So pick a few, get creative, and watch as your wedding day transforms into an unforgettable celebration full of joy, laughter, and new friendships.
