Un-tacky games and activities

classyduck · March 2014

I did search the forums, but perhaps I didn't use the right words... anyway, didn't find what I was looking for, please pardon me if this has been posted before.

I'm hoping to include some fun activities/games into the reception. I don't want to do the bouquet toss, dollar dance, macarena, or whatever. I've been to bridal showers where they do sort of silly but still somewhat meaningful things like word games, where you write down a quality of a great marriage, and then submit that for a prize or something. Sorry, vague. Don't really remember the rules, but the point is it was meaningful, and not complete frippery.

Can anyone suggest any fun activities like this, that are at least slightly meaningful, for a wedding reception? I like the idea of having people celebrate the commitment my FI and I make by thinking about and celebrating their own relationships in a tasteful and fun way.

Again, I can't imagine there isn't a thread for this already... if I missed it, please point me in the right direction.

Jen4948 · March 2014

'Fraid you're not going to get much help with this.

For most people, it is enough to have sufficient food and beverages of good quality and to mingle at a wedding reception. They don't like to play games at weddings because weddings are not children's birthday parties or carnivals, and games and "fun activities" do not make them more "meaningful." They're also not there to celebrate their own relationships (although yes, you have to invite SOs), regardless of whether it is "tasteful" or "fun" (two subjective words).

AddieCake · March 2014

I would be rolling my eyes at games unless they were outdoor lawn games. You don't need to come up with ways to amuse and entertain your guests. Good food, beverages, music, and conversation work just fine. We didn't even have dancing at our wedding and everyone had a great time.

emmyg65 · March 2014

We had a few lawn games (croquet, bocce, lawn twister) because we got married in a backyard. But not many people played them. We also had a photo booth, which people had fun with. But mostly, our guests chatted, ate, and danced.

People go to a wedding to watch you get married and celebrate together with good food and drink and catch up with old friends or relatives who might be there. You don't need any games or extras.

+1 for using "frippery" in your post, btw. You just don't see that word enough.

csuave · March 2014

The only time I saw games a reception was at the one I went to that was more informal and like a picnic. They had some lawn games. I think what you are talking about would seem out of place at most receptions.

One thing that is kind of related to what you are asking about is doing a photo booth with guest book. When people include their half of the photo strip into your guest book they are probably doing it as a couple and wishing you well in your book.

classyduck · March 2014

Ah perhaps you all are right. I guess I was thinking more along the lines of optional and self-guided activities. I know a lot of people do the thumb-print tree for the guest registry (which I'm personally not a fan of) but it has the same sort of feel of what I'm talking about. No it isn't a game, but it is still something guests get to go and "do" at some point, and it's sort of fun and clever to participate in, probably.

Anyway, I'll keep my eyes peeled, but it isn't like there won't be food, drinks, and music, so I'm sure they'll be entertained just the same. I guess I'm just used to all the wedding traditions I DON'T like (dollar dance, garter toss, etc.) being there to fill in the reception, and thought maybe I should come up with something to take their place. But, I'm encouraged to hear several of you say this isn't necessary.

AddieCake · March 2014

No need for anything to take their place. I actually haven't seen any of those things done at a wedding in several years.

MyNameIsNot · March 2014

How about something like a photo frame guest book? Guests could sign, but also write little messages. Or you could do a photo book as a guest book, so signing is more like signing a yearbook than just signing in.

You could also do something like trivia cards spread around at cocktail hour. I find trivia about you and your FI a little AWish, but maybe about weddings in general or something you're both interested in.

You could also do a photo booth. It's a little overdone, but it's a fun activity for guests.

JoanE2012 · March 2014

Good music, food and drink is all you need.

[Deleted User] · March 2014

You could have some "writing activities" (for lack of better word) around your guest book table. I came across little themed booklets (http://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/106532995/wedding-advice-guest-book-8-kraft). Themes could include marriage advice for us, names for our kids, date night ideas, etc (there are tons of ideas at the bottom of the page linked above).

It's not an interactive idea, but maybe along the lines of what you're thinking? Plus it's good that guests wouldn't be compelled to participate.

classyduck · March 2014

crimsonsaffron said:

You could have some "writing activities" (for lack of better word) around your guest book table. I came across little themed booklets (http://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/106532995/wedding-advice-guest-book-8-kraft). Themes could include marriage advice for us, names for our kids, date night ideas, etc (there are tons of ideas at the bottom of the page linked above).

It's not an interactive idea, but maybe along the lines of what you're thinking? Plus it's good that guests wouldn't be compelled to participate.

This is *perfect*. It's exactly what I had in mind. Really what I wanted was for there to be something to do between the ceremony and dinner. There will be a cocktail hour with appetizers immediately following the ceremony, so no gap, but the music will not have started yet. People will have just come from the ceremony so an activity that is reflective like this would be very appropriate. This is also nice because it will probably also help get conversations started between people who may not know eachother but are sitting at at the same table.

I'll probably do my own adaptation of it with pretty index cards so people can walk around with them and not have to wait for the book. But this is wonderful, thank you for the suggestion.

Edit: OOH! I'm a librarian -- I'll set this up like a card catalog.

We still have some of the old drawers laying around at work. I can get some of those tabbed cards and print the question on the tabs so people can file their answer cards in the right spot. Perfect

[Deleted User] · March 2014

classyduck said:

crimsonsaffron said:

You could have some "writing activities" (for lack of better word) around your guest book table. I came across little themed booklets (http://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/106532995/wedding-advice-guest-book-8-kraft). Themes could include marriage advice for us, names for our kids, date night ideas, etc (there are tons of ideas at the bottom of the page linked above).

It's not an interactive idea, but maybe along the lines of what you're thinking? Plus it's good that guests wouldn't be compelled to participate.

This is *perfect*. It's exactly what I had in mind. Really what I wanted was for there to be something to do between the ceremony and dinner. There will be a cocktail hour with appetizers immediately following the ceremony, so no gap, but the music will not have started yet. People will have just come from the ceremony so an activity that is reflective like this would be very appropriate. This is also nice because it will probably also help get conversations started between people who may not know eachother but are sitting at at the same table.

I'll probably do my own adaptation of it with pretty index cards so people can walk around with them and not have to wait for the book. But this is wonderful, thank you for the suggestion.

Edit: OOH! I'm a librarian -- I'll set this up like a card catalog. We still have some of the old drawers laying around at work. I can get some of those tabbed cards and print the question on the tabs so people can file their answer cards in the right spot. Perfect

I'm so happy the suggestion helped, and I love the way you're personalizing it!!!!!

MandyMost · March 2014

I've read about doing something where you have some type of containers labeled "1-month anniversary", "1-year anniversary", "5-year anniversary", "10-year anniversary", etc. and then you have guests write advice/suggestions onto cards and drop it into the specific container, and then you seal them up to open at that time. I always thought that sounded like a really cute idea.

[Deleted User] · March 2014

I went to one wedding where at each table there was a card, they asked that everyone at that table right a message for the couple, and the couple would be opening the card on the anniversary that went with that table number. I thought that was unique. Not a game or anything, but a fun thing. I've also seen the anniversary dance, where they ask all the married couples to come out to the dance floor to dance (for some wives it may the only time they can get their husbands out on the dance floor) and then after a little bit the dj starts cutting people out by 1 year or less, 5 years or less, 10 years or less so on & so forth. If you want you can give the longest married couple a bottle of wine, or give the wife of the couple the bouquet instead of doing a toss.

Jen4948 · March 2014

I went to one wedding where at each table there was a card, they asked that everyone at that table right a message for the couple, and the couple would be opening the card on the anniversary that went with that table number. I thought that was unique. Not a game or anything, but a fun thing. I've also seen the anniversary dance, where they ask all the married couples to come out to the dance floor to dance (for some wives it may the only time they can get their husbands out on the dance floor) and then after a little bit the dj starts cutting people out by 1 year or less, 5 years or less, 10 years or less so on & so forth. If you want you can give the longest married couple a bottle of wine, or give the wife of the couple the bouquet instead of doing a toss.

I'd skip the anniversary dance. The longest married couple may not want to be recognized in this way, and the couples in question may be having problems in their marriages. Also, it prevents non-married people from participation and having to sit and watch others dance for a long period of time while you can't is not fun.

classyduck · March 2014

NUTS, you make good points Jen. But I really did like the idea of honoring those long-enduring relationships, and I especially liked the idea of giving my bouquet to the longest married woman! Hmmmm... I wonder if there is a way to do something similar to this more tactfully?

knapkinator · March 2014

If you invert the anniversary dance it feels more inclusive. Find out the longest married couple and if they are comfortable being announced, and that starts it. Say they are married 53 years. So fifty or more come on the dance floor. Fourty or more. Down the line until "married an hour and 29 minutes or whatever" and then call everyone else (you don't have to say singles). That way it is filling the dance floor, not clearing it, and still honors those long lived relationships (it doesn't even have to be marries, you could just say couple who have been together for so many years).

JayMelB · March 2014

I am glad to know that you did not have music but a good time was still had. I am in the same boat where I will not be having any dancing at my reception, just music, food, and the average reception activities( cake cutting, bouquet toss, toast), but everyone is telling me that I have to entertain my guest because it will be too boring since we are not dancing.

KMChawla · March 2014

Im on a similar hunt. I want more than just dancing as the post dinner activity for my guests. I was thinking of doing a corn of boar and card games for my older guests to participate in while those who wanted to could get out on the dance floor. I also thought it maybe nice to have a musician for people to enjoy while others danced. Im also going to ask what ever DJ I hire to be interactive with all my guests, going from table to table and invite people to request a song theyd like to hear.

KMChawla · March 2014

oops i meant I want to do a corner for board games and card games.

levieenrose · March 2014

Classyduck, Thanks for starting a great thread--having activities available as an option is important to us too. We have some shy people attending who may feel relieved to have small icebreakers.

Knapkinator, that's a really nice twist. Might steal that idea...

Erikan73, will definitely be stealing that idea. So cute.

I guess my contribution is also non-invasive icebreaker activity. Each escort card will include a trivia question and and answer #__ on the back. When you get to your table, the answer to your trivia question is located on the back of your table number. (Table numbers are free-standing, not in frames)

sstephva · March 2014

Hi classyduck, what about mad-libs?! Leave a paper at each table or seat and have the topic be something like 'Advice for the married couple'. It can be silly and entertaining for your guests and it doesn't involve too much interaction with the rest of the people attending.

Jen4948 · March 2014

sstephva said:

Hi classyduck, what about mad-libs?! Leave a paper at each table or seat and have the topic be something like 'Advice for the married couple'. It can be silly and entertaining for your guests and it doesn't involve too much interaction with the rest of the people attending.

Many guests may find this to be too juvenile and/or intrusive. Mad Libs may be fun for a kids' overnight, but it's not a good activity for a wedding.

classyduck · March 2014

knapkinator said:

If you invert the anniversary dance it feels more inclusive. Find out the longest married couple and if they are comfortable being announced, and that starts it. Say they are married 53 years. So fifty or more come on the dance floor. Fourty or more. Down the line until "married an hour and 29 minutes or whatever" and then call everyone else (you don't have to say singles). That way it is filling the dance floor, not clearing it, and still honors those long lived relationships (it doesn't even have to be marries, you could just say couple who have been together for so many years).

I definitely plan to include this, thank you!

Jen4948 said:

sstephva said:

Hi classyduck, what about mad-libs?! Leave a paper at each table or seat and have the topic be something like 'Advice for the married couple'. It can be silly and entertaining for your guests and it doesn't involve too much interaction with the rest of the people attending.

Many guests may find this to be too juvenile and/or intrusive. Mad Libs may be fun for a kids' overnight, but it's not a good activity for a wedding.

I agree - but, sstephva, I do like the idea of giving guests the opportunity to share their wisdom with us. I'm not sure mad libs is the way to do it, but you are on the same wave as me!

theartistformerlyknownas · March 2014

Eh I'm going to have Mad Libs, juvenile or not! My mom has given my siblings and me Mad Libs in our Christmas stockings every year since we were kids (yes, I still get a stocking even though I'm 30, and I love it. She insists they're from Santa). If anybody thinks it's dumb they certainly don't need to participate.

I wanted to incorporate some kind of advice/anniversary thing too.. I'm thinking a 12x12 sheet of cardstock with mini envelopes glued to it which are labeled with a number anniversary, and little slips of paper. Guests could write advice, a funny story, congratulations, whatever on the paper and then seal it into the envelope of their choice (with tape, no licking), then I'd put the page(s) into my wedding scrapbook. We could look through the scrapbook every year on our anniversary and open that year's envelope and see what people had to say. I thought it would be really cool to discover a note from people who may not be around anymore twenty years later.

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