Wedding games and activities are the perfect way to keep your loved ones engaged throughout your event. From traditional lawn games to photo booths and trivia, there are countless ways to entertain your guests!
Incorporating wedding games and activities is a great idea to fill time during cocktail hour, or simply to add a fun element to your wedding reception. Need some inspiration? Check out these 15 wedding entertainment ideas and activities below.
Outdoor Wedding Games
Outdoor games are ideal for bringing groups of guests together (and creating some friendly competition between them). Here are some of our top picks for outdoor games that will get your loved ones up and moving.
Corn Hole
Corn hole is a classic outdoor game for your cocktail hour. The game simply involves tossing a beanbag into a hole on a board, and can be played by both kids and adults alike. Tip: design your own DIY corn hole board using a custom decal to complement your wedding style and vision.
Ring Toss
Ring toss is another crowd-pleasing lawn game that will encourage your guests to mix and mingle. Again, you can customize the pegs and rings to match the colors and theme of your day.
Croquet
If you have plenty of space at your venue, consider setting up a croquet course and providing a set of mallets for your loved ones. It can be a good idea to include a sign explaining the rules of the game, for those who are new to the sport!
Bocce Ball
Bocce ball is another great idea for outdoor venues with ample space. Guests will take turns rolling the bocce ball towards a target, and competing to see who makes it the closest. Again, this game can be played by both adults and kids, making it ideal for entertaining guests of all ages.
Giant Lawn Games
Why not hire a set of giant lawn games like Jenga, Connect Four or chess? Not only will these oversized lawn games entertain your guests, they also provide a unique element for your wedding photos, too.
Wedding Entertainment Ideas
Impress your guests and create a memorable experience with these creative wedding entertainment ideas.
Live Artist
Consider hiring a live artist to sketch caricatures or create watercolor paintings of your guests! Not only will this be a unique experience for your loved ones, the finished artwork can also double as their wedding favor.
Tarot Card Reader
For something a little different, hire a tarot card reader to provide free readings to your guests. You could set-up a private tent during cocktail hour, or have them sit just outside your reception room for guests to visit during the night.
Poker Station
A poker station is sure to create a buzz of excitement with your guests. Simply set-up a casino table, hire a card dealer, and organize a prize for the guest with the most chips at the end of the night.
Themed Photo Booth
A photo booth is always a serious crowd-pleaser! You can go DIY-style by building a custom backdrop and supplying plenty of props, or hire a themed photo booth for the evening.
Arcade Games
For a retro vibe, why not hire an old-school arcade game like pinball or Pac-Man and encourage your guests to battle it out for the highest score? Perfect for an indoor wedding reception!
Wedding Table Games
Finally, consider arranging some wedding table games that your guests can play from the comfort of their seats.
Wedding Mad Libs
Design and print your own wedding-themed Mad Libs cards! Create a custom story, and encourage your guests to fill in the blanks. The result is usually hilarious and makes for a great icebreaker.
The Shoe Game
Get the whole room laughing with this classic reception game. The game works by you and your spouse sitting back to back in front of your guests, each holding one of your own shoes and one of your partner’s shoes. Your MC will ask a series of questions (for example: “Who made the first move”, or “Who’s the best driver?”), to which you’ll answer by holding up the relevant shoe. This is a great way to interact with your guests while also sharing some insight into your relationship.
Newlywed Trivia
How well do your guests know you and your spouse? Test their knowledge by setting up newlywed trivia at each table, based on questions about your relationship. For example: “Where did they meet?” or “What’s their favorite movie to watch together?”. Guests can compete individually or in teams to see who knows you best.
Picture Scavenger Hunt
Create an interactive scavenger hunt by supplying a list of items, people or places that guests need to find and take a picture with. For example, “Take a selfie with the bride’s mother” or “Take a picture of the best dancer of the night”. Encourage your guests to share their happy snaps after the day!
Stand Up, Sit Down
This game is perfect for breaking the ice between your entire group of guests. Have your MC call out random statements, such as “Stand up if you’re from out of town” or “Sit down if you’ve never been to a wedding before.” Guests will stand or sit based on whether the statement applies to them, sparking plenty of conversation along the way.
Wedding Band or DJ
Of course, live music is another popular way to provide memorable entertainment for your guests, but it can be tricky to find the right fit for your event! Check out our guide on how to choose between a wedding band or DJ here to help you weigh up the pros and cons of both options.
