Ice breakers and games aren’t just for corporate meetings and birthday parties! Couples are incorporating interactive, fun elements into their wedding receptions to entertain guests and create lasting memories.. Complete Weddings + Events has been a trusted name in the special event industry since 1974, consistently innovating to make every event unique. While trends change over the years, some classic games like the Conga Line and Rope a Dope have been replaced by modern and creative options. Here are the top wedding reception games couples are loving today!
Fun Wedding Games for Your Reception
The Brown Bag Dance
Created by Complete DJ Jeff Brown in 1997 the Brown Bag Dance is perfect for any wedding with an outgoing bridal party! I don’t want to give too much away but we will gather either your bridesmaids or groomsmen for a dance-off. The catch is that we want those dance moves to be original, so we place paper bags over their head! This wedding reception game is always a huge hit and very entertaining to watch.
The Shoe Game
A highly requested favorite, the Shoe Game involves the couple sitting back-to-back, exchanging shoes, and answering trivia questions about each other. The questions often test their knowledge and perspectives, providing plenty of entertainment for guests guests.
Tip from DJ Mike
Often, I suggest to couples to get the audience involved by letting them submit questions. I always screen the questions in advance though so nothing inappropriate pops up!
The Circle Salute
Out of all the innovative icebreakers Complete has come up with the Circle Salute has the sweetest backstory! Complete DJ, and now owner, Marc McDonald told me, “Back in 2000, I had a client that told me after the wedding they were going to be stationed in Alaska for five years. I decided to create a special ice breaker just for them! On their wedding day at the very end of the night, I brought everybody around the couple and had the guests repeat after me a special message I had written up. After that, I played friends by Michael W. Smith and the bride lost it!”
The Circle Salute is the perfect way to end your event. It brings everyone together and makes you take a moment to soak up the last precious memory of your wedding while literally being surrounded by your family and friends.
Survivor
Survivor was created in 1999 by Jeff Steinert a former DJ with Complete Weddings + Events. What is Survivor you ask? If music chairs and a scavenger hunt had a baby it would be Survivor! It is a fun, interactive, and competitive game that is always a huge hit! Your DJ will gather a volunteer from each table and have them take a seat on the dance floor. Then they will then ask for them to go into the crowd and bring back an item. The catch is that when they get back one chair will be missing and that table will be eliminated.
Here is why Survivor is DJ Kellis’s favorite top wedding reception game! “Survivor is my favorite because I’ve seen the weirdest things happen. Once had a guy rip a hole in his sock to win. I also saw an elderly lady run her butt off just to secure a third-place spot. It’s crazy fun and it’s always a memory that everyone will talk about.”
Anniversary Dance
What better way to celebrate the meaning of marriage than incorporating the Anniversary Dance into your wedding reception!?! Through the years this popular wedding ice breaker has been called the Generations Dance, Happily Married Couples Dance, and Anniversary Dance. Your DJ will announce for all the married couples to join the bride and groom on the dancefloor. Throughout the dance, they will politely ask for the couples who have been married for certain lengths of time to leave until you are left with the couple who has been married the longest.
Why is the Anniversary Dance one of DJ Sam’s favorite wedding games? “A lot of the older generation can feel left out or can’t dance for too long. So by doing the anniversary dance it gets them involved and they absolutely love it. I love seeing their eyes light up while they dance with their spouse to a classic love song. At the end of the dance, I always ask the couple that is left standing to give the newlyweds a piece of advice for a long happy marriage.”
Ideas for Outdoor Wedding Games and More
Adding outdoor wedding games or activities for younger guests can keep everyone entertained throughout the day. Consider options like a couple crossword or trivia game that highlight the newlyweds’ love story. These games encourage guests to interact and create shared memories. For weddings with families, offering wedding games for kids, such as a wedding-themed crossword puzzle or outdoor scavenger hunt, ensures that every guest has a great time.
Complete Weddings + Events Is Here to Help You!
Complete Weddings + Events has been a key contributor to the special event industry across Southwest Missouri and Northwest Arkansas for 24 years. We provide couples and families with Photography, Videography, DJ, Photo Booth, and Lighting services. Our team of event professionals provides exceptional special event services and delivers memories for you to enjoy for generations. Complete Northwest Arkansas is 100% engaged in assisting you and being a resource as you plan your wedding or event! Contact our full-time office staff at terrie@completenwa.com or calling/texting us at 479.430.2122 for any of your wedding needs!