Wedding Games

BecauseYouAre

What do you think about outdoor games at a semi casual wedding?  Croquet, Giant Jenga, Beanbag toss, ring toss? What other games do you think?

mlg78

It sounds more like a kids birthday party than a wedding reception...but that's just me.

allispain

I think it depends not just on vibe but on location. Is this at someone's house (ie a backyard wedding) or at a different venue? I've seen cornhole (is bean toss) done before and it can be kind of fun, but only during cocktail hour.

brielleinlove

I've seen croquet, lemonade, and snacks done as a way to help fill the one-hour gap between a Catholic wedding and the cocktail hour.  That worked well since it gave guests something to do.  As any other kind of entertainment, I agree that it's more birthday party than wedding reception.

AddieCake

I'm not really a fan of games at weddings. Define semi-casual. What is the location? What are you wearing?

[Deleted User]

I personally would never play a game at a wedding.

wittykitty14

I agree with PPs-what do you mean by semi-casual?  Games can be fun, but only if it's the right vibe and location, like @allispain said. 

Ideas: Ladderball, can jam, horseshoes, bocci, croquet, badminton.  That's all I could think of off the top of my head!

 

JoanE2012

Skip the games.  Provide good food, drinks and music and adults will be able to keep themselves entertained just fine.  

BecauseYouAre

I had seen the idea on Pinterest and since I don't see a lot of our crowd dancing all night and we're not doing staged dances, tosses, etc.  We have all this beautiful outdoor space thought it might be fun to have off to the side for people to grab a drink wander off too.

It's not quite "Back yard BBQ" but has a similar feel. Seaside, 4pm ceremony, reception ends by 10pm, late summer, outdoor pavilion, lobster bake, naked cake, simple shabby chic decor, s'mores bar as a late-night snack. I know I can't dictate attire but I'm hoping men in dress pants and button downs, women in casual/daytime dresses, I'm wearing a simple fit and flare lace dress, groom and guys jacket-less with sneakers,  bridesmaids in short mismatched dresses & flats. We're having a live band.

bunni727

I think corn hole, croquet, and maybe one r two others would be fine, as long as they are off to the side and no one is pressured to participate.

[Deleted User]

Depends on the venue and time of day. Sunday brunch outside might work. Not something I would ever have, personally.

lizardbug

i love the idea and am looking for the same... mine will be an outdoor reception at my parents house...

Jen4948

I myself wouldn't do this, but I guess for an informal wedding there could be some.  It's probably a "know your guests and venue" sort of thing.

emmyg65

We're having an informal wedding outdoors at his parents' house. We'll have bocce, croquet, and lawn twister. People don't have to play, but they'll be there if they want to.

Abbyjensen

I recently attended a casual wedding in someone's backyard and we played games. But it was really casual. Everyone wore jeans or sundresses and it was catered by Jimmy Johns. It felt a bit like a graduation party, but I didn't mind it. Everyone knew what to expect though. As long as your guests know that it's casual I think it would be fine. But I don't think a semi-casual wedding would work with games.

bananatree

yeah i say go for it! if it's informal, the space lends itself to that.. and adds some 'activity' that may be missing from a formal wedding

if it's a formal wedding then no.

kp53114

I think one or two games, like croquet or giant jenga, available to them during a cocktail hour could be fun.  But nothing that would require their participation as they could prefer to relax and catch up with others.

davisse3

Some friends had games (cornhole, ladder ball, etc) at their cocktail hour and reception and it was great!

The reception was indoors but there was a door to the outside close the dance floor with a sign about the games. No one felt pressured to play and it was a nice break from dancing and gave people who didn't want to dance something to do. 

I would probably skip the giant Jenga, though, since it involved a lot more set up between games than other games. I would also stick to games most people know the rules too off the top of their head. 

jpence21

It's your wedding!  If the people you want there are the game-type of people then games would be great!  You know your guests.  I do think there should be a designated game area though, just in case there are kids attending or a croquet ball goes awry.  I personally would have TONS of fun at your reception!

OneLuckyNurse

I agree with the PPs I am having games at my wedding during the snack/cocktail time. My wedding is in a camp with a very casual relaxed feel so it works for us. If you think most of your female guest will be wearing heals maybe warn them of time on the lawn or think of games that don't require walking in the grass because that would be a problem. We are spreading by word of mouth and through our website that the wedding is outdoors and flats/wedges may be the best fit for people. (just informing them, not dictating attire).

I think games are also good if there are kids at the reception. My teenage boy cousins will probably not dance for long after dinner but they may go outside and play giant Jenga and fly some balsa wood airplanes