Wedding Reception Forum

Games @ the reception?

Ok, so dancing isn't going to be the main event at our reception. We were going to go for a live band but that fell through. I've been to my share of B-O-R-I-N-G wedding receptions and am trying for all its worth to avoid that.

I've seen the 'newlywed game', skits including the guests and involving the party, and 'who came the farthest' game of sorts...and i'm scouring the internet for more.

What do you think? Just run the risk of a boring party or include these and hope our 'funny friends' step up to the plate to reduce the cheesiness?

Re: Games @ the reception?

  • Games are bad enough at the bridal shower.  Don't do them at the wedding.  It isn't a 4th grade birthday party.  Let your guests mingle and talk while a DJ or ipod is playing music in the background.
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  • We aren't doing games per se, but will be having "door prizes" throughout the night.  We are purchasing potted mums to place around the reception venue and I purchased some metal signs with romantic sayings on them for decorations.  We don't need or have room for all the decorations so we are giving them away.  Tickets will be placed in each favor candy box and the DJ will announce winning numbers throughout the night.  As the winning guests leave, they can take their prizes and we don't have so much to pack up and haul back!
  • Well I guess it depends. Is your wedding formal or not formal? Because with this idea it sounds not so formal at all. Idk I've seen those games played at a night club and some of the questions were very vulgar. It was funny don't get me wrong but idk if it's appropriate for a wedding. Im guess you know your guests best & if they'll enjoy it & you have to decide what kind of wedding you are having. Why can't you hire a dj? I prefer djs over live banda anway. but thats just me because I hate redo song I like who sang the originals always better

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  • Skits?  Really?  I haven't done skits since freshman orientation, and they were all either very raunchy, very lame, or both. 

    Good food, good booze, good music.  That's all you need to have fun.
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  • our wedding is totally outdoors and very laid back, so we're thinking about having some yard games around the property. this is mainly for the kids since there are SOOOO many coming to our wedding.

    I don't know about skits. It could be fun but as a guest I know I wouldn't want to do it...

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  • I like lawn games like bocce ball that work in dress clothes, but not cheesy games.
  • OUr DJ is having a kissing contest...we've chosen a few couples ahead of time...and when people, "clink their glasses", he'll spotlight those different couples...some old, some young...to kiss!  It will make our crowd laugh and smile. 

    We're also having a kids dancing contest.  And we're doing a group sing along (we're Italian, so we're singing, "That's Amore" before we eat). 

    Ask your DJ...he/she may have some good ideas too.
  • Don't do games.  I went to a wedding last year where there were lots of games and not a lot of music and people still talk about how awful it was.  Games tend to have the opposite effect of what you're going for; people tend to get bored with them.  It's impossible to get that large a number of people motivated to participate and most will end up sitting around wondering where the heck the music is, and besides that, most games end up being whittled down to only a few participants which sucks for everyone else.  Make sure your DJ plays good music and let your guests eat, mingle, and dance.  I promise there are many more people who would rather dance at a wedding than play games.  

    Music and Dancing =/= Boring.
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  • Games are just awkward and painful to sit through when you're an adult. It especially sucks when a lame-o DJ or that one annoying aunt tries to drag someone into the game when they're trying to hide and not have to participate. Ick.

    We didn't think we'd have many dancers at our wedding, especially since MH and I don't like to dance, but we actually had a LOT of people dancing. Chalk it up to an open bar and a fantastic DJ. Your friends and family may surprise you.

    So, book the best entertainment that you can afford, stock the bar (unless you cannot afford/are morally opposed to alcohol), and see what happens. Serve the best food you can afford, too. The people who want to dance will dance, and those who don't like to dance will be very happy mingling or chatting with their dates/tablemates. Adults know how to entertain themselves.
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  • My friend at her wedding had games...well it was more like " How well do you know the bride & groom?" The game was played before serving the main course...while the guests were eating their salads. The guests got to win giftcards to cool spots like resturants. The guests were very competitive.
  • I don't care for games at wedding receptions.  I go to visit with family and friends, eat, and maybe dance. The special dances, toasts, cake cutting, garter and bouquet tosses always seem to interrupt my in the middle of something else, as everyone rushes to see the "photo op".

    Adding games to that takes away from the whole point of the evening - to socialize.  What makes a reception boring is guests that don't know how to socialize in person, only through texting and e-mails.

  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_games-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:162d5c0e-7153-48c1-912b-57791964fef7Post:4feb1ee6-3736-46f4-a626-05c76f85ead0">Re: Games @ the reception?</a>:
    [QUOTE]I don't care for games at wedding receptions.  I go to visit with family and friends, eat, and maybe dance. The special dances, toasts, cake cutting, garter and bouquet tosses always seem to interrupt my in the middle of something else, as everyone rushes to see the "photo op". Adding games to that takes away from the whole point of the evening - to socialize.  What makes a reception boring is guests that don't know how to socialize in person, only through texting and e-mails.
    Posted by Catwoman708[/QUOTE]

    This X1000. 

    I didn't like the Newlywed game when it originally on tv.  I don't think it's gotten better with time.  And skits.  Really?  Skits?

    What sadly comes immediately to mind in Michael Scott and Holly at the Dunder Mifflin picnic putting on the skit they did, and everyone watching very, very, very uncomfortably.  Skits?  Really?
    "Trix, it's what they/our parents wanted. Why so judgemental? And why is your wedding date over a year and a half ago? And why do you not have a groom's name? And why have you posted over 12,000 posts? And why do you always say mean things to brides?" palegirl146
  • find a dj !  If they keep the guests moving it won't be boring. 

    As for games - make them subtle if you want them. 

    We had a photo scavenger hunt.  Each table had a camera with a list of suggested photos to find that the photographer might miss.

    Instead of clinging glasses, we had table tents that suggested guest play the childhood game of "telephone" where a toast is pasted from guest to guest by whispering it in their ear and the last person announces what they heard!

    We also had a crossword puzzle and word search available for guests who chose to sit it out instead of dancing. 

    Everyone loved the ideas, and there was something to do for everyone.  It didn't put anyone on the spot, but kept everyone laughing and talking. 
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  • A kissing contest, gabby? that sounds vulgar and it would make me uncomfortable too.  
  • I say if it's a very laid back wedding that is outside, games would be ok. Other than that, I can not imagine having games at a reception. Most people don't even like games at showers.
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