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.
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.