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Updated Jun 09, 202547 Wedding Games Guests Actually Want to Play
These activities will score big with your loved ones.
Illustration by Jordan Kay for The Knot
Wedding games are a surefire way to keep your guests engaged and entertained. Plus, having activities ready to go facilitates mingling while you and your partner are off being photographed, making the meet-and-greet rounds or changing outfits between the ceremony and reception. Though, there's a line between having a few fun wedding games and your celebration feeling like a game night. To ensure your affair is the perfect in-between, check out our comprehensive guide to the best wedding game ideas for any crowd. (Ask your venue coordinator what areas you can use to set up your wedding reception activities early in the planning process. That way, you can choose the right wedding games for the space.)
Every type of wedding game you need: Reception | Lawn | Table | Icebreaker | Board | Indoor
Wedding Reception Games
Bring guests from every table together with games for the wedding reception. The oh-so-popular wedding shoe game puts the spotlight on the newlyweds, while other games challenge your guests to get in on the action.
1. Wedding Shoe Game
During the wedding shoe game, the married couple sits back-to-back. Each newlywed has one of their shoes in one hand and one of their partner's shoes in the other. This is one of the many wedding DJ games that are out there, since you can ask them to read the shoe game questions out loud for everyone to hear. Every question (like "Who buys the best gifts?") can be answered with one of the newlywed's names. To respond, the couple will raise the shoe of the person they feel is the correct answer. (Psst: A great way to get guests involved is by giving each person a stick with a picture of one partner's face on one side and the other partner's face on the other. When each question is asked, guests can hold up the picture of the person who best fits the question.)
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2. The Newlywed Game
One of the best wedding reception games is the Newlywed Game because guests get to know you and your partner, and you have the chance to show off how well you know your new spouse. A loved one will gather a list of at least 20 Newlywed Game questions and ask about topics like who the quickest texter is and where you two shared your first kiss.
3. Horse Race Carnival Game
Photo: Sweet Hearts Photography
If you want spirited competition, you need to have interactive wedding games. We love how, at this event, there was a classic horse race game where guests must perfectly squirt a water gun into their target. Add a special touch to this activity by offering prizes, with your wedding monogram on them, to the winners.
4. Wedding Guest Bingo
For the wedding game version of bingo, guests won't sit and mark a card as numbers are called. Instead, each square has a brief description of a guest and every player must take their card around to find someone who fits the given clue. Finally, the found person must write their initials on the square to make it official. When creating the cards, try to avoid being too generic with descriptions and think about unique clues to describe your guests. Here are some wedding guest bingo ideas:
- Birth months
- Instruments played
- Tattoos
- Odd talents
5. The Kissing Game
Not a fan of the classic kissing tradition when guests tap their glasses with a knife? Break out a giant die to decide which way you and your partner kiss. Label each side with "peck on the cheek," "showstopper kiss," "take a selfie kiss," "roll again," "[partner one's name] kisses a guest" and "[partner two's name] kisses a guest." Keep the die with you so you can roll it every time you hear that familiar clinking sound.
6. Pool
Not all of our wedding reception game ideas are directly related to the nuptials. If you and your partner are a couple of pool pros, rent a pool table or two so you both can show off those skills.
7. Wedding Wheel
Photo: Deep Blue Photography
Similar to the kissing game above, you can make a wedding wheel to determine different actions you and attendees can take throughout the night. You can use the kissing-related to-dos from that game, along with additional actions guests can take, like "dance with the maid of honor," "tell a joke" and "give the newlyweds advice." Invite guests to spin the wheel and let the good time roll.
8. Stand Up, Sit Down
All that sitting during the reception can be hard on guests' backsides. Get them on their feet with a game that instructs people to stand or sit in response to wedding trivia questions about the newlyweds.
Wedding Lawn Games
Take advantage of beautiful weather and a gorgeous outdoor wedding venue by kicking off the postceremony celebration with wedding yard games. When selecting outdoor wedding venue games, think about your theme, color scheme and what personal touches you can include to help tell your love story.
9. Ring Toss
Make a wedding version of ring toss. Paint wine or soda bottles in your wedding colors and decorate the rings with faux jewels reminiscent of your wedding rings.
10. Cornhole
You can't have outdoor wedding games without cornhole. Customize the boards with you and your partner's names, faces, wedding date or monogram, and you'll have a memorable cornhole wedding game you can use in your own yard for years to come.
11. Ladder Golf
Photo: k.north.photography
Another popular game played at parking-lot parties is ladder golf, which is great for two or more people. Each team takes turns throwing bolas (two golf balls attached at either end of a nylon rope) at the ladder. The first team to 21 points wins.
12. Giant Connect Four
Step this classic childhood game up a notch by making it giant. Add personal touches by painting the playing pieces in two of your wedding hues and let the fun begin.
13. Giant Jenga
Photo: k.north.photography
Marriage is a game of balance, and no game better represents that than Jenga. Use a large, outdoor version as one of the fun wedding games you set out for guests and include "did you know" facts about you and your partner on each block so your guests get to know you more. (By the way, you can use the link below to find DIY Jenga towers, puzzles and much more. Take 15% off your purchase with our exclusive code KNOT15PM.)
14. Badminton
Photo: Mikhail Glabets
Consider decorating this activity to fit in with your decor. For example, for nighttime playing and cool photos, weave twinkling lights into the net to keep the wedding lawn games going long after sundown.
15. Croquet
Photo: Yantes Photo
Croquet is the perfect game for a garden or backyard wedding, or at any venue with a sprawling green lawn. And good news, you can get croquet sets in different styles to match your theme. While it's simple to set up, whacking wooden balls through six hoops is more challenging than it looks.
16. Bocce Ball
Photo: Lovesome Photography
Looking for lawn games wedding guests can play on soil, asphalt or grass? Try bocce ball. The Italian game of boules can be played with two players or two teams of two, three or four—making it ideal for loved ones to gather and compete.
17. Checkers
Place a checkerboard in a seating area for an easy and compact setup. Alternatively, create a jumbo version using washable spray paint on grass or chalk on the pavement, or even roll out a checkerboard rug for a reusable option after the wedding games are done. Incorporate your wedding color scheme by painting the pieces accordingly.
18. Giant Chess
Photo: Lea Bremicker Photography
A giant chessboard is a permanent fixture at many resort wedding venues, which makes it easy to include into your reception itinerary. But if those venues aren't for you, rent a giant chessboard for your outdoor space.
19. Tic-Tac-Toe
Photo: Jessica Sparks Photography
A large yard 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.
20. Parachute
Photo: Lux et Amor
Whether you're looking for children's games for weddings or want to have an option for nostalgic adults, this is a perfect addition to any celebration. There are numerous games you can play with this rainbow-colored fabric, which guarantees people won't get bored quickly.
21. Piñata
Photo: Adrian Steinbach Photography
Pick a piñata design that doubles as decor, displays your initials or looks like a giant wedding cake. Call everyone to the dance floor or outside to take a whack at spreading candy or wedding favors to the crowd.
22. Spikeball
Spikeball is an exciting team game that's a cross between volleyball and foursquare. The server hits the ball onto the net so it ricochets up towards the opponent, who has to keep it in play. Guests who love being active won't be able to stay away from this wedding activity.
Wedding Table Games
When the guests are seated for dinner, there'll be some downtime before food is served. Stave off hunger and awkward moments by providing table wedding games to encourage guests to mingle with one another. These activities are also great options for guests who need a break from the dance floor.
23. Wedding Well-Wishes Book
For those who want to go the unconventional route in terms of how to receive well-wishes cards, we have something for you. Have one love- or wedding-related word at each table, along with pencils and one card. Ask guests to work together with their tablemates to write you a heartfelt or silly congratulatory card that includes their prechosen word. You can later take all the cards you received and put them into a book using the link below.
24. "Who'll Be the Best Dancer?" Telephone Game
Audio guest books are everywhere now, but don't let the device's name fool you into thinking it only has one purpose. These vintage-style rotary phones can also be one of the many table (or stationary) games at weddings. Simply place the phone in a space that's not as noisy, like in a chic telephone booth. Then, leave instructions that tell each guest to speak into the phone and leave a confession based on your desired prompt, like "Who do you think will have the best moves on the dance floor tonight?" (Take 15% off your After the Tone purchase with our exclusive code KNOT15.)
25. I Spy Wedding Game
One of the more-popular printable wedding games, I Spy is a win-win for guests and the newlywed couple. Similar to a photo scavenger hunt, this wedding activity instructs guests to use their phones or provided disposable cameras to find and snap pics of different moments from your memorable day. The guests have fun doing it, and you see moments you might've missed. Below are a few pictures to include on the guests' I Spy Wedding Game list:
- Group selfie
- Picture of the bride(s) in her dress
- Funny face
- Kiss
- Sparkling drink
- Tasty treat
- Old-school dance move
- Person laughing
- Table clinking glasses
Print cards with game directions and place them at each guest's place setting or create a sign with the instructions. If you want your wedding photos shared on social media, include your wedding hashtag so you can see all the fun later.
26. Wedding Mad Libs
Want marriage and love advice from your family and friends? Create a Mad Libs wedding game for guests to fill out at their tables. This is a game guests can do alone or with others and through it, they can share tips on keeping the spark alive, where to go on dates and other words of wisdom.
27. I Dare You
Have a few wallflowers among your guests? Keep them entertained by placing playful dare options on each table. Keep in mind who'll be seated at each table when you prepare the dares. Ideas include: "kiss a person sitting next to you," "take a selfie with a funny face" or "bust a move on the dance floor." (Psst: This activity can also be a drinking game for couples looking for out-of-the-box things to do for a date night.)
28. Couple Trivia
Create a list of fun wedding game emcee questions about the newlyweds for guests to answer. Have the DJ or a wedding party member host the game, then the person with the most correct answers wins.
29. Card Games
If you want wedding game ideas for guests that don't involve setting up a lot of elements, card games are perfect for you. Leave a deck of playing cards or UNO at every other table and let the fun begin.
30. Couple's Crossword
Another way to test your guests' newlywed knowledge is to create a crossword puzzle based on information about the couple. Winners with the most correct answers for this wedding game don't have to win anything beyond bragging rights.
Icebreaker Wedding Games
Icebreakers aren't just for business meetings. Inspire your guests to get to know one another and you and your partner better with the wedding day games below.
31. "Guess the Number" Game
Fill large jars with the same amount of candy, place a jar at each table and ask guests to guess how many pieces of candy are in the vessel. We highly suggest writing "do not eat" at least twice on the containers so no one indulges too early and accidentally messes up the count. Whichever table guesses the correct number wins a prize, while everyone else enjoys their second place winnings: the candy jar. (Here's another sweet deal for you—use TKCANDY5 and get 5% off sitewide on the link below.)
32. Cootie Catchers
Photo: Serena Genovese
Also known as paper fortune tellers, these childhood favorites get a cool new look that's an upgrade from the old-school notebook paper version. Design your own or purchase an editable template. Fill a batch with questions for the kids and reserve others made just for the adults.
33. Betting on the Wedding
In search of new wedding games? Then, think about wedding betting, which is one of the hottest tech trends right now. Use the Betting on the Wedding app or print a template that has premade bets, like "How long will the maid of honor's speech be?" You can also create custom bets that relate to specific guests at the wedding.
34. Scavenger Hunt
If you want your guests to be active and on their feet, scavenger hunts are one of the best interactive wedding icebreaker games. A scavenger hunt wedding game can be as easy or complicated as you like, so check out these scavenger hunt ideas to see what would work best for your venue and guests' skill level. (Use THEKNOT15 to get 15% off sitewide on the kits below.)
Wedding Board Games
Having board games at a wedding is always a good idea. Offer the classics like Monopoly and obscure ones that you and your partner love to personalize your wedding even more. Below are a few games you should definitely have at your celebration.
35. Twister
This board game is best for weddings with casual dress codes because it calls for a lot of movement. Customize your Twister experience by adding silly pictures of you and your partner to each circle.
36. Scrabble
Photo: BB Shots Photography
Attendees who have a way with words will love playing Scrabble while taking some time away from the dance floor or photo booth. Challenge guests to only play words that are love- or wedding-related.
37. Life
Since getting married is a big life milestone, put the game of Life on some reception tables. If you have the time and the energy, personalize this wedding game with your own playing pieces, tiles, cards and money that reflect you and your partner's relationship.
38. Monopoly
One of the best-selling board games of all time, Monopoly is a wedding game necessity. Even though it's an activity with a long playtime, guests will definitely expect it to be at the gaming table.
Indoor Wedding Games
If you're looking for ideas for wedding indoor games, then you've got options. While many of the lawn games listed earlier can be set up inside (especially if the weather doesn't cooperate), these games are perfectly suited for an indoor setting.
39. Ping Pong
Photo: Person + Killian Photography
Give your guests the chance to show off their table tennis skills by setting up a ping pong table or two. Ping pong is typically a game for two or four people, but did you know there's an exciting elimination version you can play? Have around a dozen people form a circle around the table. Each person hits the ball and then puts the paddle down for the next person to pick up and hit. After each try, players circle to the other side. The object of the game is to get as long a rally as possible. The person who misses a shot gets eliminated.
40. Flip Cup
Time to get back to those college glory days. If your guests are the imbibing type, you may want to add flip cup or beer pong to the game list. To keep things from getting too out of control, fill a few red party cups with water or unspiked punch. And don't forget to put on an upbeat wedding playlist to keep people dancing while playing the game.
41. 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 things set up, but it's definitely worth it. Check out these other video game wedding ideas to inspire your event.
42. Arcade Games
Photo: Randy + Ashley Studios
Did you know arcade rentals for parties exist? Vintage pinball machines and classic games like Pac-Man, Rampage or Street Fighter are great additions to a loft, vintage or industrial wedding venue. Set up a couple games in a lounge area for lively competition among friends. (Don't forget to book an arcade game rental vendor in your wedding location on The Knot Vendor Marketplace.)
43. Puzzles
Have a custom jigsaw puzzle made using an engagement photo, old family wedding photos or a funny candid. Set the puzzles on a table so guests can work on them at their own pace throughout your wedding day.
44. Skee-Ball
At this playful disco wedding, the bride and groom had Skee-Ball at the reception. We love the idea of personalizing this wedding game by adding stickers with your monogram or of you and your partner's faces onto the balls.
45. Word Search
Create a word search puzzle featuring words related to your life, interests and other trivia. Print it onto a large board to display as a wedding reception game that guests can collaborate on and leave pens so they can write in their answers. Look through these word search word ideas to get inspired.
46. Photo Booth
Turn your wedding photo booth into a game by inviting guests to reenact famous scenes or poses using unique props and costumes. You can hand out prizes to the person or group who has the most creative photo composition.
47. Balloon Pop
In this carnival game, you and your guests are tasked with throwing darts to pop the balloons. There are numerous ways you can go about this activity. Here are two ideas we love: Including a small prize in every other balloon or writing fun facts about you and your partner underneath each balloon.
