Trivia and Other Reception Games

I also found a wedding scavenger hunt where you hid things of significance to the bride and groom, like a souvenir from the first vacation they went on, a photo of each of them as infants, pennies from the year they were born, etc. That sounds like a lot of fun, but I think it would take a lot of planning and potentially get messy.

There's also an I-Spy game guests play with their cameras, but we won't have disposable cameras at every table and I don't know who all will bring a camera. Not crazy about that one anyway.

I think you know your wedding guests better than I do, but the last thing would do at a wedding reception is basically participate in a shower game. Your guests are adults with social skills, you don't need to baby them!

Agree with Jnissa. I want to drink, dance, chat with my friends. I don't want to play games or be forced to mingle and would not find that fun.

I'm not going to be forcing anyone to participate, just leaving trivia sheets on the table. If they want to play, they can.

I didn't realize providing games for people meant I was "babying" them. Wow. Adults can't play games?

There won't be drinking as there will be no alcohol. I know some of our friends need a drink or two to unwind and feel comfortable being social. I thought a game might help.

Heidi-

I see a lot of great ideas at my weddings: shoe game, mad libs, trivia, sing for your supper etc. I think they work well at some weddings, not so good at others. Be careful you don't try to do too much or too many. Pick one that you really like and go with it and be cautious after that of adding more.

You can also add other things that will entertain your guests like bocce ball or corn hole or super-sized jenga if you have an outdoor wedding, maybe a photo booth or photo slideshow if indoors. Again you don't have to do multiples of these things to entertain your guests. And basically you are mostly needing that stuff prior to the dancing starting up.

Whatever you do, have fun with it and put your own personality in with it. The day is about you two

Good luck and congrats!

I agree with Jnissa and Stephanie. I think having games makes it more awkward for your guests - especially without alcohol.

Our wedding is indoor, so we can't do a lot of the outdoor stuff. I was trying to think of something simple and optional that guests might have fun with - hence my interest toward the trivia questions. My idea was just a piece of paper they would fill out.

We're doing a mix of an indoor/outdoor wedding. We're having a DJ inside for people who like to dance, and having a few yard games outdoors. We're having cornhole, washers and giant jenga.

I went to a wedding and they played the shoe game and it was acutally quiet funny to watch, especially when it came to the sex qustions because they were both virigins. So asking who is better in bed was rather funny. I am not personally playing any games but a scavanger hunt set on the table proved fun at a coworkers wedding. And even better if they can share the photos somehow.

I just googled the show game based on ^^ Stephanie's post. Sex questions? Really? Gross. It might be funny at a co-ed bridal shower but how creepy at a wedding, virgins or not.

Bar or not, just let people mingle and hang out or dance. It's not kindergarten and they don't need structured activities or stations or anything. If you want something else, a photobooth is always fun.

I attended a wedding where the center pieces were pictures and descriptions of significant events in the couple's relationship. It wasn't a game but it was entertaining and provided conversation starters!

I don't understand the logic that one thing is acceptable at a shower but not the wedding. Are they not both celebrations of the couple's marriage? How can one thing be acceptable in one place but not in another?

I've thought about making a list of fun facts, but it just seem too passive. I don't know anyone in our group of friends/family who would be awkward around a crossword puzzle. I'm just going to make one of those ... as soon as I come with some questions.

I really can't imagine these types of games at a wedding. Lawn games for an outdoor casual / BBQ wedding, yes. But shower-type games? No. At all the weddings I've been, guests have enjoyed catching up with their family and friends and drinking / dancing. These games would probably have been more of an annoyance than anything.

Heidi, are you anticipating a lot of social awkwardness among your guests if you don't schedule ice breakers and games? I've been to more weddings than I can count -- every budget, size, and style -- and honestly, I have never been to one where guests had to be motivated to enjoy themselves and socialize. Actually, I've never been to a wedding where any type of group game was played. I've been to back-yard "after parties" where the couples had previously eloped and were now hosting a big party to celebrate their marriage, but even those had just a few outside games set up for anyone who wanted to play, and at any time. A few people played the lawn games -- most didn't.

Showers and weddings are very different events. A shower doesn't really have much structure to it beyond eating food and watching a bride open her gifts. Its format is similar to that of a birthday party, so playing guest bingo or another game is fine (although I think a lot of people like the opportunity to socialize at showers too).

Weddings are another thing entirely. The whole feel of the day is different. This gathering is not in preparation for the event, it IS the event. There is a group anticipation of the big moment -- seeing the bride ascend the aisle. There is a very intense, very important ceremony that begins the day. The guest list is different. The venue is different. The price tag is different. The experience is different on almost every level. By suggesting that guests engage in scavenger hunts, work crossword puzzles, and focus on games during the reception, you might actually be encouraging the very thing you're worried about: guests not socializing. A litany of games will actually pull them away from their freedom to casually socialize with each other; instead they'll be focused on group tasks. Even the trivia game that would cause guests to mingle in order to obtain all of the answers would limit the type of conversation they'd be engaging in. And, as gently as I can put it, these games all seem very "bridal couple" oriented, and after a while, I'm afraid people will eventually lose interest in playing them. If this is the vision you have for your wedding, and you are certain that this would be something all of your guests would enjoy, then you know best what will work for you. However, if you're thinking of doing this because you're afraid that people won't have a good time without the games, you're needlessly stressing over something that won't be an issue. If you've hired a good DJ, let your money work for you. A good DJ can work the room while you are free to enjoy the magic of your day. Mix food, drink, and entertainment with a group of people, and they will enjoy themselves.

As I've been reflecting since my original post, I don't feel the types of games listed above will do much in the way of relieving social awkwardness. But I do think a crossword puzzle would be fun and something our guests will enjoy. And the questions will provide some fun facts the guests might otherwise not know about us.

I think you might be right, heidi. I just noticed your wedding date -- you're in the final countdown!

How many guests are you anticipating?

60. We have a mix of friends and family from both my side and his who have never met, but I guess that's pretty normal.

The crossword puzzle would just be on the tables while dinner is being served and we're taking pictures.