These fun, must-play wedding games are sure to score big with your guests.
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Get—and keep—your guests engaged and entertained on your big day with wedding reception games. As an added bonus, offering wedding games to play can keep guests of all ages entertained and mingling while you and your wedding party are off being photographed, making the meet-and-greet rounds, or changing outfits from ceremony pretty to party perfect.
If you've got friends and family who've never met one another, wedding reception games can be a fantastic way to break the ice—just don't overdo it; remember, it is still a wedding, and the focus should be on you! Unsure how to toe the line between super fun and just plain silly on your big day? Check out our comprehensive guide to the best wedding game ideas and activities for your crowd.
Pro Tip: Be sure to ask your venue coordinator what areas you can use to set up your wedding games early on in your wedding planning. That way you can choose the best wedding game ideas to fit the space.
In this article:
- Wedding Lawn Games
- Wedding Table Games
- Wedding Reception Group Games
- Indoor Wedding Games
- Wedding Games for Kids
Wedding Lawn Games
Take advantage of beautiful weather and a gorgeous outdoor wedding venue by kicking off the post-ceremony celebration with wedding lawn games. Set up on the grass for couples or groups, yard games for weddings are not only fun to play but can also act as an extension of your décor, be it rustic, beachy or boho. When selecting outdoor wedding lawn games, play up your wedding theme, color scheme and anything that helps to tell your love story.
Bonus: Wondering where to buy wedding lawn games? We've done the legwork for you. Check out where to shop for these top 12 wedding lawn games.
1. Ring Toss
Honor the exchanging of rings with the wedding games version of ring toss. Make your own ring toss set with painted glass wine or soda bottles in your wedding colors and decorate with faux jewels to make the tossers reminiscent of your wedding rings.
2. Cornhole
Turn this tailgating favorite into a great wedding game for guests. Customize the boards with your names, wedding date or your wedding monogram, and you'll have a memorable backyard game to use in your own yard for years to come. Not the DIY type? Etsy is a great place to find personalized cornhole boards.
3. Ladder Golf
Another popular game played at parking lot parties, ladder golf is fun for two or more people to play. Teams take turns throwing bolas (two golf balls attached at either end of a nylon rope) at the ladder. The first team to 21 points wins!
4. Giant Connect Four
Step this classic childhood game up a notch by making it giant-sized. For a fun touch, paint the playing pieces in two of your wedding hues and let the connecting fun begin.
5. Giant Jenga
Marriage is a game of balance, and no game better represents that than Jenga. Use a large, outdoor-sized version as a wedding reception game and include "Did You Know" facts about you and your partner on each block for a personalized touch.
6. Badminton
Set up a net to encourage guests to volley the birdie back and forth. If you're looking to round out a boho vibe, have a bit of fun with your net choice by hanging a wide macramé curtain from a rod on stands. For a nighttime option, lace twinkling lights into the net to keep the wedding lawn games going long after sundown.
7. Croquet
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Croquet is the perfect lawn game for a garden-themed wedding, backyard wedding or any event venue with a sprawling, lush green lawn. And good news, you can get croquet sets in different styles to match your theme. Croquet can be played by two, four or six players. While it's simple to set up, whacking wooden balls through the six hoops is more challenging than it looks!
8. Bocce Ball
Looking for an outdoor wedding game that can be played on soil, asphalt or grass? Try bocce ball. The Italian games of boules can be played by two players, or two teams of two, three, or four—making it ideal for a group of guests to gather and compete.
9. Checkers
Offer up a checkerboard in a seating area for an easy and compact setup. Alternatively, create a jumbo version using spray paint on grass or chalk on pavement, or even roll out a checkered game board rug for a reusable option after the wedding lawn games are done. Incorporate your wedding colors by painting the pieces accordingly.
10. Ping Pong
Give your guests the chance to show off their table tennis skills by setting up a ping pong table or two. Typically a game for two or four people to play, there is also a fun elimination game that many can play. Have around a dozen people form a circle around the table. Each person hits the ball, then puts the paddle down for the next person to pick up and hit. After each hit, players circle around to the other side. The object of the game is to get as long a rally as possible but the person that misses a shot gets eliminated.
11. Giant Chess
A giant chessboard is a permanent fixture at many resort wedding venues making it easy to build this classic game into your reception itinerary. Otherwise, you can rent one to set up outdoors. Bonus: This makes for an adorable photo opportunity for the couple, too!
12. Tic Tac Toe
A large lawn version of Tic Tac Toe is easy to DIY and unlike some other lawn games on this list, it doesn't take up too much room. Just lay down some rope or ribbon in a grid and paint your Xs and Os onto woodblocks. Prefer to purchase one? Etsy has some cute wedding-worthy designs.
13. Spikeball
Spikeball is a fun team game that's a cross between volleyball and foursquare. The server hits the ball down onto the net so it ricochets up towards the opponent who has to keep it in play. Pack one up to take to your destination wedding.
Wedding Table Games
When the guests are seated for dinner, there can be a lot of downtime before food is served or before tables are called to the buffet. Stave off hunger and awkward moments by providing wedding table games to encourage your guests to mingle and have fun. Table games are also great for guests who might not be partaking in dancefloor entertainment.
Bonus: Oftentimes, wedding table games involve printing off materials to distribute to your guests. Check out these 15 Printable Wedding Games to make your wedding planning a little bit easier.
14. I Spy Wedding Game
One of the more popular wedding table games, the I Spy Wedding Game is a win-win for guests and the newlywed couple. Similar to a photo scavenger hunt, this wedding games activity instructs guests to use their personal cameras or disposables provided by the couple to seek, find and snap pics of different moments from your memorable day. The guests have fun doing it, and you get to see events from the day you might've missed. Win-win! Below are a few pictures to include on the guests' I Spy Wedding Game hunt:
- A group selfie
- A picture of the bride in her dress
- A funny face
- A kiss
- A sparkling drink
- A tasty treat
- An old-school dance move
- A person laughing
- A table clinking glasses
- A favorite decoration
DIY Tip: Print up cards to put at each guest's place setting or create a sign or chalkboard with the instructions. If you want your wedding photos shared on social media, include your wedding hashtag so you can see all the fun from your wedding games.
15. Wedding Couple Mad Libs
Want marriage and love advice from your family and friends? Create a Mad Libs-style template for guests to fill out at their tables. This is one of the wedding games guests can do alone, or the whole table can get in on the fun, sharing their tips on how to keep the spark alive, where to go on "married dates," and other words of wisdom.
16. Bored-No-More Board Games
Take a playful—and colorful—approach to your centerpieces by using board games as mid-table eye candy. Dominoes, decks of cards, Trivial Pursuit, Life and Yahtzee all make for crowd-pleasing wedding games guests can play.
17. I Dare You
Have a few wallflowers among your guests? Help them join in the fun by placing fun dare options on each table. Keep in mind who will be seated at each table when you prepare the dares. Ideas include: "kiss the person to either side of you," "take a selfie with a funny face," "bust a new move on the dance floor," and "do a group shot at the bar."
18. Couple Trivia
Let one lucky guest from each table make a play to take home the centerpiece or a prize. Create a list of trivia questions about the newlyweds for guests to answer. Have the DJ or a wedding party member read the answers. The person at each table with the most correct answers wins.
19. Couple's Crossword
Another way to test your guests' newlywed knowledge is to create a crossword puzzle entirely based on information about the bride and groom. Winners with the most correct answers for this wedding game don't have to win anything beyond bragging rights.
Wedding Reception Group Games
When you want more than just guests from each reception table to interact, bring in the entire group with wedding games to please the masses. The oh-so-popular wedding shoe game puts the spotlight on the newlyweds while guests take in the hilarity from the sidelines, while other games encourage group participation or challenge your wedding guests to get in on the action.
20. Wedding Shoe Game
Ice breakers aren't just for business meetings; they can also be wedding games to help guests get to know the bride and groom that much better. One popular example is the Wedding Shoe Game, in which the bride and groom are seated in chairs back to back. Shoes are removed so that the groom holds one of his own and one of the bride's, and vice versa for the bride.
Either the DJ or a member of the wedding party reads the shoe game questions out loud for the entire reception group to hear. In response, the couple raises the shoe of the person who the answer to the question best represents. To get your guests more involved, have them submit questions into a box prior to the start of the game. For preset questions, consider the following:
- Who has more clothing?
- Who is most likely to fall asleep during a movie?
- Who has the better shower singing voice?
- Who is the better dancer?
- Who made the first move for a kiss?
DIY Tip: A great way to get guests involved is by giving each person a stick with a picture of the bride's face on one side and the groom's on the other. When each question is asked, guests can hold up the picture that corresponds to their guess.
21. Wedding Guest Bingo
Want to encourage mingling among your guests? Another wedding game ice breaker is Bingo. In this version, guests don't sit and mark off a card as numbers are called. Instead, they have to take their card around to the other guests to find someone who can claim "That's Me!" given the clue provided and then make it official by writing in their initials. When creating the cards, try to avoid being too generic with descriptions and think about unique clues to describe your guests. Here are some ideas:
- Birth months
- Instruments played
- Tattoos
- Sports fan
- Odd talents
22. The Kissing Game
Not a fan of kissing when guests clink their glasses? Break out a giant DIY die (basically a large decorated square box, like these wood blocks) to decide the pucker-up type. Label each side with "peck on the cheek," "showstopper kiss," "take a selfie kiss," "roll again," "bride kisses guest," and "groom kisses guest"—or come up with your own options. Roll the die every time you hear that familiar clinking sound!
23. Wedding Wheel
Similar to the dice, but in another format, make a wedding wheel (Etsy has wheels you can DIY) that has different kissing labels (as described above) along with additional actions like "dance with the maid of honor", "tell a joke" and "give the newlyweds some advice. Invite guests to spin the wheel
24. Stand Up, Sit Down
All that sitting during the reception can be hard on guests' backsides. Get them on their feet with a trivia game that instructs people to stand or sit in response to questions about the bride and groom.
Indoor Wedding Games
If you're looking for indoor wedding ideas, then you've got options. While many of the lawn games listed earlier can be set up indoors (especially if the weather doesn't cooperate), these games are perfectly suited for an indoor setting.
25. Flip Cup
Back to those college glory days! If your guests are the imbibing type, you may want to include wedding drinking games like Flip Cup or Beer Pong. To keep things from getting too out of control, fill a few of the red party cups with water or unspiked punch.
26. Video Games
Not just for playing from the comfort of your couch, video games like Just Dance, Rock Band or Guitar Hero are a high-tech way to approach wedding games. You'll need a little A/V help to get it set up in a way that's both fun to play and watch without it stealing the reception focus.
27. Arcade Games
Did you know you can rent arcade games? Vintage pinball machines, classic games like Pac-Man and Donkey Kong or a foosball table are a fun addition to a loft, vintage or industrial wedding venue. Set up a couple in a lounge area for some lively competition among friends.
28. Puzzles
Have a custom jigsaw puzzle made using an engagement photo, old family wedding photos or a funny candid. Set it out on a table so wedding guests can work on it at their own pace throughout your wedding day (and night!).
29. Word Search
Create a word search puzzle featuring words related to the newlywed's lifestyle, interests and other trivia. Print it onto a large board to display as a wedding reception game that guests can collaborate on and discuss—making for a great ice breaker.
30. Photo booth
Turn your photo booth into a wedding game by inviting your guests to re-enact famous scenes or poses using fun props and costumes. You can award a prize for the most creative photo composition.
Wedding Games for Kids
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Don't forget about the wee ones at your wedding! Not only do they bore easily, but sitting still during ceremonies and dinners can lead to antsy pants. While many of the wedding games listed here are kid-friendly, set up a wedding games area just for them or pack a children's table with wedding games and fun activities to keep them entertained.
Bonus: We've got even more kid's wedding ideas for you. Check out these 11 Ways To Keep Kids Busy At Your Wedding.
31. Chalkboard Games
Turn the games you'd find on a children's restaurant placemat— tic tac toe, hangman, dots and squares—into fun wedding games by creating erasable chalkboard versions so kids can play, wipe away and start again.
32. Mini I Spy
Create an I Spy Wedding Game just for the kiddos by creating scavenger hunt lists filled with pictures instead of words. Pictures can include the wedding cake, a ring, shoes, a dress, balloons and food. Supply them with disposable cameras and watch the hilarity ensue!
33. Just Hitched Hopscotch
For an outdoor wedding, draw out a hopscotch grid or create one using large foam tiles for kids to burn off some energy. If the party is strictly indoors, find a low-traffic hallway or even a long coat closet to set up an inside design using easy-to-remove painters or paper tape.
34. Cootie Catchers
Also known as paper fortunes, these origami fortune tellers get a cool new look from the old junior high notebook paper version. Design your own or purchase a printable, editable template. Fill a batch with questions for the kids and reserve others made just for the adults.
35. Dance Off
Adult guests can be slow to the dance floor, even if you have an amazing wedding playlist, but that's where kids can come in handy. Gather everyone around for a kids' dance-off. Have kids dance together, or pair up an adult and kid to challenge one another to the best moves. You'll tucker the little ones out quickly all while getting the party started without a lot of pressure.
36. Couple's Coloring Book
Amanda Kohler Photography
For the itty bitties of the kid's group, create a wedding-inspired coloring book based on the details of your special event. Pair it up with a favors box filled with crayons, colored pencils and stickers to help them personalize their takeaway activity book.
37. Piñata
What says "kids" more than candy? And when that candy comes flying out of a wedding-themed piñata, it makes for the highlight of the kids' wedding games. Pick a design that doubles as décor, features the couple's initials, or looks like a giant wedding cake. Call everyone—adults included—to the dance floor to take a whack at spreading sweet treats to the crowd.
Diane Hall contributed to the reporting of this article.
