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

What are the people who are doing lawn games wearing on their feet? I wouldn't be doing that in my dressy shoes

I loved:

the reception that was a ceilidh

the one with a gorgeous area for drinking outside and no pressure to dance

the one that sent us up and down the river in the hotel grounds in little rowing boats

the one that had a deluxe midnight feast

the ones that didn’t have over an hour of formal photographs

the ones with a truly excellent dj

the ones where the bride and groom enjoyed every second of it 😍

Your ideas sound great! I've been to a couple of weddings with quizzes and they were definitely fun and good ice breakers. My immediate thought when you described the setting was outdoor giant boardgames/ lawn games. I think they're things that can be hired?

One of the most fun weddings I have been to involved a ceilidh. Not something I would have previously considered but it turned out to be exhilarating, infectious and hilarious. Really loosened people up so that the informal dancing part of the evening started off with a full dance floor. And the handful of people who weren't dancing had a great laugh at the expense of the more drunk participants. Win win.

Enough food and booze goes without saying. I have fond memories of surprise cheese and cake platters appearing late on, fuelling a second wind of fun.

I agree that most weddings are incredibly dull so your activities sound really fun!

I went to a wedding recently which had darts set up ( away from any children) and that was a great hit.

We are talking almost 30 years ago when this wasn't a thing but it was so simple. We got old photos of most of the family attending and added them to a double sided sheet of paper on each table. People loved finding themselves on it - in their 1970's get ups.

I think your pub quiz sounds fabulous! I wouldn't be bothered about the lawn games but they're hardly organised fun (which I despise!) unless they're forced to play which they're not going to be! Board games - yeah why not, I wouldn't play but someone might!

Listen, it's no body else's opinion that matters here Duck, it's your wedding day and if these things are something that you'd enjoy then that's all that matters! There's really only 2 people who should wake up the next day and think 'that was the best day ever', the rest are irrelevant and if the other guests have a grand time too then it's a just a Billy Bonus!

One of the best weddings I attended had a team in running a murder mystery during the reception - it got everyone talking at the tables and kept everyone entertained.
We had a play money poker table and roulette running during the evening reception - in a separate space to the Dj. I had been doubtful about booking it but we have a few avid card players in the family and my husband thought they would enjoy it. it turned out to be really popular and is the part of the reception that my friends remember the most.

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.

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

It would certainly feel like it…

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.

@KilkennyCats 🤣🤣

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

Riiiight

Some people are purposefully mischaracterising a few board games and a 15 min light hearted pub quiz.

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!

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 😂

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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!

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

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

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.