Wedding Reception Games To Break The Ice

How many wedding receptions have you been to at which you know nobody else or few other people. Often sat with strangers at the table whilst eating which can be awkward as can mixing and getting to know other guests as the evening winds on after the meal. Some people are more natural in such social situations than others so it can help to build in a few ice breakers to get things going and up the atmosphere and get everyone involved.

A nice, straightforward way to do this is to appoint an MC - this might be the bride, the groom, the best man, a bridesmaid perhaps. The MC is then in charge of the game. In advance of the reception the bride and groom compile a list of things and give that to the MC. That list will include things that the bride and groom think that their guests will have on them or can provide on the spot. For example this might include for women nails painted in a certain colour or for men those with a beard or wearing brown shoes.

As the MC calls out one of the things on the list, those who qualify go up to the top table and introduce themselves briefly. This can help people to enter in to the spirit of the evening, help others to learn a little about them which in turn can help to break the ice when they return to sit at their table as all others on that table know who else is on it and get the conversation started.

A simple quiz can also be an excellent ice breaker and get people involved. The quiz might be about the bride and groom (where they met, who proposed to who and where and similar) or of a more fun/general knowledge type nature. Bride and groom prepare the questions in advance and give them to their appointed MC who is then the quiz master. Each table becomes a team writing down their answers as the quiz master asks the questions.

At the end of the questions, the bride and groom give the correct answers with each table team ticking off what they have answered correctly. Have some prizes ready and award one to say the top three scoring tables. Perhaps a bottle of champagne to help the winners celebrate or a box of chocolates. The main result not being who has won or lost but how the guests on each table have got to know each other and bonded a little through acting as a team.

If you have invited young children to your reception, don't forget them either and get them involved. Perhaps whilst the adults are playing their ice breaker games you could plan a similar activity for the kids in a special area of the room just for them with a volunteer quiz master. Split the in to random teams and ask them questions about their favourite cartoon characters and other fun kids stuff and give everyone something for competing so no child feels left out. Help them to have fun as well as the adults.

When planning your wedding reception do give some thought to the best ways you can get all your guests mingling, talking and get in to the happy spirit which your big day is all about. As you can see from this article that need not be complicated and the simple things are often most effective.