What ‘fun’ wedding activities were actually fun?

OP, you've been fairly narky on your thread with people who don't love your ideas. You've posted on AIBU, so you really need to be able to hear from people who DO think YABU without being rude to them.

It's NOT miserable to not enjoy games and organised wedding activities. People really do enjoy different things. If you don't listen to these comments with an open mind, what's the point in asking?

Some of your guests will feel the same way as people on this thread. You keep saying it's all chill and opt-in, but are you going to be 'chill' on the day if people just want to drink, eat and chat with people they haven't seen in ages/rarely get chance to catch up with/whatever?

I would be okay with a brief pub quiz, but anything else I'd probably end up doing just to show willing and 'get in the spirit' but actually, I'd much rather be drinking wine and having a laugh with my cousins. People might join in to be nice, but they'd rather not? If there were kids present, I could definitely see the appeal of lawn games, but if it's just adults, probably not.

From this thread, some would love the games and so on, but obviously lots of people just want a relaxed vibe without feeling as though they might be judged for not 'joining in.'

I get the impression that you think people who don't agree are plain wrong, though!

@Blinko if you want a fun game to have out, Herd Mentality is brilliant fun and is sure to cause some laughs.

Your wedding sounds lovely and it’s great you are trying to cater for different tastes ☺️.

Something fun from admittedly a party rather than a wedding, although I think it would work well is a mixologist giving a join in cocktail demonstration. It was just for an hour but lots of people joined in and had fun making their own cocktails. Not everyone will want to get involved, but it offers alternative entertainment to guests either whilst you are having photos taken or later in the evening.

The best wedding fun wise actually had a barn dance, not my sort of music generally, but literally everyone had a go and was equally terrible at the dancing - it was hilarious.

Lawn games were surprisingly fun at the last wedding I went to. No pressure but it was a nice warm day and it was a nice low key activity that you can do with strangers.

Just let them know what to expect. For the wedding above we were told it would be outside if possible and they recommended flats. I wore a nice floaty summer dress and sparkly sandals and had no problem at all joining in. The grannies that didn’t want to sat on the terrace and drank / ate / chatted / watched and all seemed quite happy.

A relative had a long gap between ceremony and reception and a gang of guests played rounders on the lawn. Made for some fabulous photos of the bride running!
But I went for a nap until the evening.

Not perhaps what you had in mind, but I was at a wedding where the venue was decorated with old family photos, so guests could work out who was who, older family members could explain and reminisce and chat with bride and grooms friends, go "oh she was so sweet at aged 4" , doesn't Mabel look like great auntie Beth etc - it was something to do/ look at / talk about without needing any instructions or being "organised"

The best plan is for there not to be too many interminable hours for the guests to be hanging around waiting for food something to actually happen.

One wedding we went to had a magician going round doing card tricks and sleight-of-hand with people in small groups. That was good.

The lawn games are a good idea. I have been to weddings that have had similar outdoor games, such as a giant connect 4 etc and they seem to go down well while everyone is milling around having a drink. I’m not too sure about board games I must say, what games are you thinking? I’d not want everyone getting too engrossed in a game that takes a while. Maybe things like domino’s and UNO but definitely no Scrabble or Monopoly.

And if people are in their best clothes they won't want or be able to participate in much physical activity.

Deffo get a photo booth, they're always fun! I'd love the pretend casino too.

I went to one wedding with games that were really enjoyed, but it hugely depends on your timings and budget. That wedding had ceremony at 12, then a few formal photos (not many, maybe half an hour / 45mins), followed by a wonderful afternoon of afternoon tea and lawn games. There were loads of sandwiches / cakes/ scones with lots of refills brought out, so no-one went hungry and there were tables and chairs for everyone who wanted either inside or out on the large terrace. we had a fabulous time drinking Pimm’s and champagne and playing croquet, giant jenga, having a go on the dodgems and a few other fayre type games. There were prises for those winning the most tickets. Then in the evening they did a big bbq and then inside for dancing. Best wedding ever. God only knows how much it cost though!

Your wedding sounds perfect as is- have never went to one with actual activities- sounds great!

Ahh that sounds a bit like the quiz at my friend’s party tbh.

Better would have been (imho but dh agreed with me) x was born in 19xx - which famous pop star was born in the same year? And then multiple choice. Then you have a chance of knowing. I quickly gave up on my friend’s quiz as it was impossible (I obvs don’t know him that well lol) and I suspect I wasnt alone in that.

A group of my friends and I go on a weekend away each year where we hire a house, all have some drinks and go on walks etc. On the second night we always do a pub quiz- there are about 30 of us so not as big as a wedding, but everyone's had some drinks and been socialising and are a bit rowdy so the conditions are very similar. Whoever organises it does about 20 question, and it honestly takes a good 2 hours with all the shouting out and people topping up drinks and stuff- it's not like an actual pub quiz, and is much harder to keep on track.

Not saying you should or shouldn't do it, just sharing that experience.

I like the idea of a quiz, but I you are massively underestimating how long it will take to do even 5 questions with shouting out, etc.

Lawn games, fine

I'm getting married this year and we're also having a pub quiz! Anyone who doesn't want to join in doesn't have to.

We're also having ping pong, but that's mainly because the venue already has 2 ping pong tables on the lawn and we thought it would be good to keep them.

There's also boules, a dart board, croquet and I'll get a little bat and ball thing for the children.

Everyone we've told this to has said it's a great idea. All the games will just be there, with no pressure for anyone to play if they don't want to, but those who fancy it can have a go! I can't wait.

As someone who loves a Quiz - if you must do one, keep it short and after everyone's had a few drinks!

Went to a wedding couple of years ago; picture round and answer sheets waiting at each place setting on these beautifully laid reception tables (spoiling the effect and raising a lot of comments about school & corporate team building). Everyone sat down, rolled up sleeves, debated team names and who was right/wrong about Al Pacino. Just as some lovely conversation gets going at end of first course, so started the question rounds - after every course. Complete with option to play Jokers. A couple of tables were clearly in their element, but others were completely disengaged and I felt for the usher doing the compering bit. It just didn't work, such shame, as Heaven knows how much that reception cost.

On the other hand, some outdoor games (Jenga, croquet etc) to fill the 1.5 hours of photographs would have been very welcome indeed and a lovely way of getting people to mingle.

P.S. I was right about Al Pacino 😂

Omg yes I’m still fuming about the wedding where we got dragged onto the lawn for photos and I ruined my shoes. It was really boggy!

I enjoyed the Photo Booth at a wedding I went to recently. That was good fun.

@KilkennyCats 🤣🤣

Never been to a wedding in my (very long) life that had organised "fun" beyond speeches, cake cutting, first dance and a evening buffet!

Reminds me of this (sorry!)...... will be a tricky one to get the right balance between those that enjoy those sorts of things and those who just want to catch up and have a drink with friends and family they perhaps haven't seen for a while.

It would certainly feel like it…

What on earth is the point of that?!
Sounds like the least “fun” ever.

Some miserable people on here!

The wedding I mentioned upthread was a 'destination' event (in the UK) so even UK residents had travel and hotel expenses; plus there were others who came from Europe, US and Australia specifically for the occasion, so the couple and their parents wanted to make the day as enjoyable as possible.

There was a traditional church wedding then off we went to the nearby country house party venue.

Great food and drink, live band & DJ, plus various events on the lawn that guests dipped in/out - no one was forced or obliged to join in!

It was all about hospitality.