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 bar. You can’t have enforced “fun”

That sounds really fun, OP. My friends' wedding was like that and is the best one I've been to. I hate dancing, so I've spent many weddings very very bored sitting at the side with too much noise to talk to anyone or being forced to dance. Your wedding sounds much better!

These are great ideas. Tug-of-war for the people who want everyone to know they’re ᕙ(⇀‸↼‶)ᕗ. Pub quiz for the smartarses (hands up!) and board games for people who’ve run out of things to ask their seldom-seen relations in the first couple of hours!

Also. I don’t drink now and tbh I find at most social occasions people are so focused on getting fucked up, or incessantly drinking while talking about not wanting to get fucked up, that it can become (whisper) a tiny bit hard work, as the night wears on, for sober people. So having something to actually ‘do’ would be amazing.

Also love a pub quiz although would be nagging you to let me see the seating plan with a view to getting certain people on the table, I’d need someone who knows about cricket, a science bod etc 😂

It’s exactly that, an alternative activity for people who don’t want to dance. Not a forced board game competition as some are trying to make out (in order to wind me up it feels like).

And then the mini pub quiz is a little ice breaker that ties into how we met.

People still talk about our wedding ceilidh six years later! :D So much fun!

Cant PM, but on Facebook search for Smartphone Quiz Knights. or search smartphonequiznight.co.uk.

Id rather not give my real name here but if you tell Ben that you were referred by the woman who likes Rhinestone Cowboy, he will know who you mean!

I would take every penny of the money you’ll spend on this and hire the best band you can afford, and a pizza truck at 10pm. Celebrating is about eating, drinking, and dancing - sharing the joy with loved ones. It’s not a pub quiz and monopoly.

Went to a wedding with a magician who came around the tables towards the end of the meal. He was really unwelcome as he couldn't gauge the vibe at each table. Lots of friends catching up who didn't want someone breaking up the conversation. Rather than picking up on the body language and a clear lack of interest, he persisted in going through several tricks rather than taking the hint and seeking out a table in need of entertainment.

@Blinko no additional suggestions (sorry). But it sounds like you have some good ideas and are trying to give people options! Who doesn’t like options?!

For the pub quiz timing I would talk to your caterers and see if they have any suggestions. There may be a spot that takes a little longer in service that you could use the time that would otherwise be wasted. Otherwise consider replacing some (all) of the speeches with the quiz.

For the room with the games, I’d also set up a playlist with a speaker (maybe more chilled out music at a lower volume) so it becomes an extension of the party and not afterthought room. You could do a little different theme like a lounge/bar. If possible maybe have a ‘signature’ cocktail/mocktail available- depending on your bar situation.

Make sure you announce in some way the other room. You may find that people don’t play games but take advantage of the quieter atmosphere to chat.

When this room is set up, take the games out of their boxes and set them up so they look played already. Example toss some of the chips into the connect 4 game. Generally people don’t want to be the first to do something so if it looks like someone already played they will be more likely to start a game.

For games I’d include L,R,C… it’s a fun one that lends itself to conversation and dipping in and out.

www.amazon.co.uk/George-Company-LLC-Center-Right/dp/B003I64OT6/ref=sr_1_6?crid=1CBE23U7E1ARB&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.GlGxm2Afczi3Y6flFc1weo_md6-Px4mtNH14hay0vjYfUoWibhg4yONkozcBxV4X2tL3CCq418gwAAQXgg9515l1w31qIQLpN6BV5mPCAKnIFKSVxhBTVQ8J2k3Rs9S1kQPx-_5ZGaaISmKRYA0DUUk-5X1izzjzHInPuriGbn4izE-nFW8BEVv8vNVUehz8hEagLxqdvKvLKdoCkD_SSeqYkUPQgrL9sfpoA4uqpdj9RjWagJeZYw9Oik9IBg2fw0e5xu1qzy-mT0ihAuziRf229xh0OluWqXu5hkkla-7aRr5xvV3fvSkmZjHmXpInipko_CA5IyAU4DiZJcvu2O7eAUEd5nquZz8d_1i-Q6ycGka5ai4kI-M7C3i_AcO_wPb0ttdQIkb_jc7_bpvqVAtxjtrNYbgPX8u4-4Dcd-gtT_9pmRWxpqkzAmMse_CN.feL_1lMl7gnsQfe40A1lu_TM834c6yEWLR3AUGH-89M&dib_tag=se&keywords=left+right+centre+dice+game&qid=1741630926&sprefix=Left%2Caps%2C170&sr=8-6

What about a private croupier/roulette or something? People can wander up with a drink, have a quick go, walk away. Might feel a bit more evening/party than board games etc. and help things flow a bit more than sitting at tables playing a game.

The best fun I ever had at a wedding was playing musical bingo. Songs were from the fifties through to the current day so most people were able to join in (if they wanted).

It only lasted twenty minutes or so but it was a good laugh and a bit of an icebreaker.

I know this wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea but you did ask...

Pub quiz sounds good just please don't be one of those couples that makes all the questions about themselves as a couple. Even at your own wedding 🤢

I'm afraid activities at a wedding would be enough to say no thanks to actually going
I went to a wedding recently and it was informal and a disco and bar and it was just lovely to be able to relax and have a drink or three!

That's a pity. Magician could be a fun activity, but they need to read the room

I'm the complete opposite.
Just drinks and dancing on offer and I'd be making my excuses 😂

You wouldn’t go to a wedding in an amazing location, great food, free bar etc cause the one thing you would be subject to is a 15/20 min pub quiz? Ok.

I went to a wedding that was in a sort of manor house and they did a treasure hunt and you could find drinks tokens for the bar which was good fun!

Same. It's particularly a nightmare if you're a single guest.

I really appreciated things like croquet / sensible table activities (like a quiz) when I was single.
Loud music and alcohol is my idea of hell.

Absolutely wouldn't go.

Fair enough. Interesting approach to life.

Shagging the groom’s father was the most fun activity at a wedding I attended:

My friend's wedding had a couple of hundred guests in a marquee in a field. They had a good number of guests arrive in vintage vehicles, so you could wander about them parked up and admire them, talk to the owners. For the kids there was a treasure hunt - prize a goodie bag including colouring pencils and books, and a bouncy castle, also tractor and trailer rides which were popular with the grown ups too. But it was quite 'field' orientated not sure how it would have worked had it chucked down with rain!

😳😱🤣

I love your idea. We are getting married next year and we to love a quiz, we are putting 10 questions per person on a bit of paper at the place setting for anyone who wants to do it. They can work on ot whenever they want. We have a prize for the winner.

I went to a wedding last year that had a bouncy castle. People (not just children) seemed to love it!