What ‘fun’ wedding activities were actually fun?

[Blinko]

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

The pub quiz sounds amazing, especially if you link to the day - so questions about the venue, the couples, bride grooms home town, their favourite sports teams, bands etc.
We did a 'bets on length of speeches' thing, 'bets on how many times certain words would be said during the speeches, with small prize for person on each table who got it closest.
Any games need to be quick fun ones - connect 4, jenga, pop up pirate type rather than clued or monopoly.
The only danger though is that people feel super chilled playing and then don't and you get an empty dance floor.

Inflatable instruments and dress up hats, feather boas etc make for fun photos

I think it sounds superb! Disco is all very well and good for those who love them but it's really thoughtful to have other things on offer, especially for older guests.

We had similar games on tables for post-mela but kept them mega simple to enable mingling/drinks/distractions - tiddlywinks, snakes and ladders etc went down a storm.

Such a good idea most weddings are insufferably dull! 😂

I’m thinking connect 4, uno, snap - silly quick games. Not monopoly. Games which are social and can get silly when people are bit over the limit.

Look, I'm a veteran wedding guest and have been a bridesmaid more times than I can remember. And you genuinely don't need to provide any of this stuff for guests. IME any type of organised activity tends to fall a bit flat and then the bride is stressed/resentful that all her careful arrangements aren't being appreciated.

It's just extra...stuff to have to think about, arrange and pay for, when weddings are already so expensive and heavily orchestrated.

But I can tell by your posts that you're determined, so wishing you a happy day.

Thank you!

Your wedding sounds great - please may I come?

I think the most perfect 'board' game for occasions like this is Snatch. Played with a Bananagrams set. People have to make names from the existing pool of letters or by snatching other people's words. The reason it's so perfect is that it's easy for random passing people to opt in and snatch words at any time, so it's beautifully inclusive ❤️

I think I've fallen in love with you!

Yes, great idea. Thanks!

At our wedding, each person's place card was an envelope with their name on. Inside was a large jigsaw piece (think toddler jigsaw size). We asked everyone before the starter was served to write their guestbook message on the back of the piece, and then keep hold of it. In the turnaround of the room from day to evening, we moved everyone to the adjacent bar area where we had a big table set up and the Master of Ceremonies asked everyone to place their jigsaw piece on the table. It became quite competitive and funny with people trying to fit pieces together and work out the image, which was all our guests individual photos, in the style of the Dr Pepper Lonely Hearts Club album cover, with our wedding date in the flower bed at the bottom. When complete it was 80 pieces large, and 15 years on I still have it in a double sided frame so I can see the lovely messages on the reverse too. Great fun little activity, and I've loads of great pics of people putting it together too x

See to me the pub quiz and a few games in each table in the evening is a way of personalising the wedding. And making the day feel more “us”.

It sounds like fun and you are trying your best to be great hosts and give your guests a wonderful day too. As long as you are careful with your timings and explain that people who don’t want to absolutely don’t have to join in, you won’t please everyone no matter what. I went to one that had a little cake decorating stand and all the guests decorated their own cupcakes with prizes for the most creative. That was very sweet. I hope you have a wonderful wedding and an absolutely blessed marriage. Congratulations.

Oh wow, how creative. Might have to steal that one!

Thank you very much

Singing waiters at dds wedding really got people going, great fun.

I’d stick to short boardgames if I were you.

I recommend Herd mentality.

Would love you to! Another idea I love is that everyone's place card has 4 small cards and envelopes in of 4 different colours, and you ask everyone between courses to write their wishes for you at 5 years married, 10 years, 15 and 20 years. They seal their envelopes and then on your 5th, 10th, 15th and 20th wedding anniversaries you open the cards with wishes on. It's like your wedding lasts forever!!

I would go quick games hungry hippos, connect 4, jenga, ones which are easy to pick up and play without knowing rules.

I like tinderbox to, might be difficult after a few wines but I think great idea!

I'm Scottish and every wedding I've been to in Scotland or any Scottish friends/family members wedding has a ceilidh. The are the total norm for weddings up here, have been since I was a teeny tot and are absolutely brilliant fun for all ages - everyone loves a ceilidh. If you won't have Scottish guests then hire a ceilidh band with a caller.

I wouldn't mind the quiz thing if it is general knowledge. Wouldn't be a great fan of it all being related to the Bride and Groom.

I would enjoy the Casino thing to. I hate the disco/dancing part of the evening so actually would not mind the boardgames as long as they are something I would be familar with.

I am actually going to a wedding soon where I am going solo and will only know the Bride. I think the quiz would be a good icebreaker for me.

Table tennis kept kids amused

Been to some brilliant ceilidhs at weddings

But it's your wedding? It doesn't get anymore personal than that, surely?

Fun - outdoor evening food options. Felt nice to get fresh air, and chance for people to have a gossip. Examples - taco truck. Hog roast, with fire pit. Toasted s’mores would be amazing!

Definitely not fun - sparklers (ie to get that perfect sparkler shot for the photographer). Got barked at and the stress of all doing them at the same time - rubbish!

I think do what you like but don’t let it make you anxious if it doesn’t quite go as planned!
To all the suggestions of casino type activities or betting- please don’t do this. I have a close relative in recovery with a gambling addiction and someone in that situation doesn’t need to be confronted with gambling where they wouldn’t expect it.
A recovering alcoholic would know there’s going to be booze at a wedding and could choose to attend or not, but a surprising number of people have problems with gambling so it could be really shit for them if they were expected to “ fun” gamble unexpectedly.