Reception Games and Fun

L3ONA

I would like to have some games or questions for each table to get them mingling and to lighten up the mood. I was thinking about having some prizes etc so people participate but can't think of what to do.
Does anybody have any ideas or examples?

banana468

PLEASE don't do these.  Most likely you'll be seating people with those they know.  And these are grown adults capable of making their own conversation.

ejoyce8

agreed banana. just make sure to seat your guests with people that can mingle.

happy planning

trix1223

Presumably your guests are adults who have been in social situations before.  They know how to make small talk~even "so how you know the bride and groom?"

Organized games/trivia contests are excruciating.  Think "Office ice-breakers" and how awful they are.

Treat your guests like the adults they are, and don't turn your wedding into an office team meeting.

They'll thank you for it, and it's one less thing you'll have to do.

lalap69

RE: Autumn's suggestion
Most of the questions are things that are normally asked at a wedding anyway.  I really  don't see the point at all.

I don't see the point of games at weddings, period.  Between eating and dancing and making your own conversation, there isn't a need.  Make sure the food and music are great and don't have centerpieces that block the flow of conversation at tables and you'll be golden.

MyNameIsNot

If you want a light mood and mingling, open the bar, play background music, and have passed apps or app buffets.  People will walk around to get drinks and food and will talk to each other.  

You don't have to convince people to mingle.  That's why they go to parties.  

megk8oz

Ditto the PPs ... like if you're having a backyard BBQ, then just have games that you'd normally have at a BBQ, like horse shoes and lawn bowling.

If you're having a formal reception, then just leave people to their own devices. Your guests are adults, they know how to interact with each other at a wedding.

Honestly, whenever I hear about people doing "ice-breakers" or games at wedding (Essentially forcing all of your guests to participate), it always makes me think of those company-mandated office retreats that nobody actually enjoys going to.

aerinpegadrak

People don't go to a wedding to meet new people, unless they're guys trying to pick up chicks.  People go to a wedding to catch up with family and friends that they may not have seen for a while.  If someone needs an "ice breaker" with Aunt Ruth, a little card probably isn't going to fix that family dynamic.

People who want to talk to new people will do so without needing prompting.  People who don't want to talk to new people will not do so even with prompting.  So it's pointless either way.