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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

What ‘fun’ wedding activities were actually fun?

232 replies

Blinko · 10/03/2025 12:11

I am in the throngs of planning my wedding and trying to think of fun activities my guests can enjoy. It’s a late Summer wedding in a country house.

We are doing a pub quiz (teams will be the tables) as that’s how we met. There will be a prize as I just think that gets people actually into it.

There is a very pretty lawn so we will be putting out croquet, boulles, quoits etc.

And setting up board game (along with some of our fav snacks) on each table as that’s a big part of our family get togethers.

What fun activities have you ACTUALLY enjoyed? I’ve personally enjoyed tug of war at barn wedding but that wouldn’t exactly fit our vibe.

I know some will say all these games and stuff are just not necessary butI personally enjoy them. And just want the option of doing them

OP posts:
crumblingschools · 10/03/2025 12:40

When’s the pub quiz bit happening? Are children invited to the wedding?

DoYouReally · 10/03/2025 12:41

Are you a teacher by any chance?

It's your wedding, do exactly what you want but I wouldn't spend too much on it as I suspect most people won't engage with it. Hope I'm wrong.

MrsTheodoreLogan · 10/03/2025 12:41

A tug of war at a wedding? The mind boggles! MN really does show me how different peoples lives are. I thought the hydration station on another thread was pretty novel but a tug of war is really out there!

Original poster
Blinko · 10/03/2025 12:41

I know a pub quiz is obviously not the norm but I think it’s a nice way to personalise our wedding. Like I said fiancé and I met a pub quiz and we go to them regularly with mates so it’s meaningful to us. The pub quiz will be when everyone is sat down. Not sure if it will be before/after speeches, between main and dessert…still working that out.

OP posts:
FruitPoppet · 10/03/2025 12:42

My aunt had a photo booth with a well stocked dressing up box. 2 photos were printed so one went in the album and one was to take home. It's was sooo much fun to get silly photos with everyone and dressing up brings out the childishness of people in the best way.

Also adding some circus toys to your lawn games could be fun for unscheduled fun. Hula hoops, juggling balls, ribbons etc.

Original poster
Blinko · 10/03/2025 12:42

crumblingschools · 10/03/2025 12:40

When’s the pub quiz bit happening? Are children invited to the wedding?

No

OP posts:
xILikeJamx · 10/03/2025 12:42

We were guests at a wedding once where there was 'pop-up' casino. Various roulette, blackjack, poker, etc tables with dealers. Everyone was given monopoly money and the table that had the most money when the meal was called won bottles of prosecco for the table.

Casino stuff isn't really my thing but it was really good fun!

JandamiHash · 10/03/2025 12:42

Drinking wine and chatting to friends.

Seriously no one wants forced fun at a wedding. Don’t bother - just make sure that people are well fed and watered

Lindy2 · 10/03/2025 12:42

I'm just interested in the ceremony and then food and drink.

I'd actively avoid having to do something like a tug of war.

I do enjoy one of those silly photos booths though. They are fun and my kids love them.

For kids they've enjoyed a bouncy castle at a wedding and an Easter Egg hunt.

I would probably have a go at some lawn games so long as they were just available to play as and when people fancied.

A quick pub quiz would be OK.

Berlinlover · 10/03/2025 12:43

Any type of ‘fun’ activity would just fill me with anxiety. I’d be so uncomfortable in any situation like that. I just want to eat nice food and maybe have a bit of a dance.

JandamiHash · 10/03/2025 12:45

Berlinlover · 10/03/2025 12:43

Any type of ‘fun’ activity would just fill me with anxiety. I’d be so uncomfortable in any situation like that. I just want to eat nice food and maybe have a bit of a dance.

Yes I’m really extroverted and I don’t want to be forced into “fun” at weddings. Fun comes naturally from being with others

Tinseltuttifruitti · 10/03/2025 12:45

I've heard of weddings with a lottery scratch card at each place setting which sounds fun. Pub quiz is fine but keep it short!

HarryVanderspeigle · 10/03/2025 12:46

I do like a photo opportunity at a wedding. Have been to ones with Polaroid type cameras and photo booth, so people can take a physical print home. Most pictures are never printed these days, so this can go straight on the fridge.

Original poster
Blinko · 10/03/2025 12:47

Okay but on the other thread about weddings on AIBU there are TONNES (if not the majority) of posters complaining about how boring it is just standing around at weddings with nothing to do. Telling op to cut the drinks and canapé reception!

Honesty, the whole contrarian/overly critical mumsnet thing is a little tiring sometimes.

OP posts:
Original poster
Blinko · 10/03/2025 12:48

I would appreciate if people stop describing their dislike for forced fun. It’s derailing and not relevant. I think it’s passive aggressive tbh and a way to get a dig in.

OP posts:
aintnospringchicken · 10/03/2025 12:48

I've been to a wedding where we played bingo with the groom calling out the numbers.This was followed by a pub quiz.
It was all good fun and a good way to fill in time before the meal and dancing.

Commonsense22 · 10/03/2025 12:50

Croquet on the lawn. Or skittles inside.
A photo booth kept the kids occupied for hours.
An artwork where everyone can contribute.
A quiet area with nice music for cups of tea etc.

limefruit · 10/03/2025 12:50

Honestly MN is full of people with 9,000 reasons why they can’t just shut up and grit their teeth during an inoffensive - if not their ideal activity - bit of a wedding. Presumably your guests aren’t all victims of a pub quiz massacre that’s left them with PTSD, so will all be fine with it. And if they’re not, they can smile politely and let others take the lead. And I say this as someone who dislikes organised fun and has either put up and shut up at weddings, or smiled politely and opted out with a drink at the bar.

HereComesEverybody · 10/03/2025 12:52

I'm sorry OP but none of these things would appeal to me in the slightest.

I think it might be a cultural thing as I'm not British & weddings where I'm from are big, lively affairs with all generations there, big emphasis on good food & drink & much dancing & they go on till the early hours.

I simply can't imagine playing board games as an adult at a wedding

I've noticed that a huge proportion of people on MN seem to detest weddings & the weddings described are v sedate affairs....all over in time for cocoa in bef at 10pm type thing

Its totally alien to me...

mindutopia · 10/03/2025 12:53

Sorry I would hate a pub quiz and board games, but it’s part of your theme so roll with it.

One of the best weddings I went to had crazy golf, lawn games and fun fair sort of games outside, plus a bouncy castle for kids. It was done by a proper company who came and set it up and staffed it.

EuclidianGeometryFan · 10/03/2025 12:53

Absolute number one priority: FOOD. Lots of it. Good quality. No waiting for ages to get it. No going up 'table by table' to get it (the last table just gets the dregs).

Any games on tables should be extremely simple and quick to play, and most people should know them already, so stick to old favourites. Connect 4 would work, most board games would not, as they are too complicated and take too long. Also, expect lots of pieces to get lost, so the sets won't be much use afterwards.

Some things on the lawn might work, e.g. bowling, but a proper game of croquet would tie up both guests and equipment for too long.

Likewise, a pub quiz would have to be short and simple, no more than 10-15 minutes - can you amend the usual format to make it short?
Then take the sheets away to mark, as marking and finding the winner is boring and takes too long.

People don't need much 'entertaining' at a wedding - chatting and catching up with friend or relatives they haven't seen in a while is the actual entertainment.

Grecianrainbow · 10/03/2025 12:54

I loved the Photo Booth with props etc at a couple of weddings that I’ve been to. Especially as you could take the photos away with you there and then

Mummadeze · 10/03/2025 12:55

I had a line dancing instructor teach us some dances for a little while at my milestone birthday party and that went down really well. Lots of people joined in, some people watched.

PurpleThistle7 · 10/03/2025 12:56

I hate pub quizzes so much. Intensely. But I'm an immigrant so mostly don't understand any of the questions.

I think lawn games are super fun actually so would definitely play some of them. You should get good versions though - or have a company do it - as the ones you get at the shops are a bit rubbish. What about something like archery / axe throwing if you want to go all in on it?

Instead of board games what about quicker things - Jenga type options? Things you can abandon halfway for a drink and doesn't require everyone to be quiet. I think that might be fun for a wee corner of the quieter space. Personally I just want an excuse to dance and have a few drinks but appreciate there are plenty who prefer the chatting (or not chatting!) option.

TooBigForMyBoots · 10/03/2025 12:56

Two of my uncles spread a rumour that my DH's aunt had recently won the Euromillions when I got married. The wedding was a weekend affair and it was hilarious.😆

Probably not the kind of thing you're looking for @Blinko. My advice to you would be to enjoy your guests and enjoy the day. It passes so quickly. Congratulations on your forthcoming nuptials.😊