Games at marriage ceremonies have become a thing now. Here’s a list of funny wedding games (for both indoor and outdoor events) for the bride and groom and their guests.
Despite a wedding being centered on couples, they shouldn’t be selfish in getting all the attention and leaving their guests bored. It is right for every couple to involve entertainment ideas in their planning process. This can take so many forms: surprise artist performances, live bands, and back-to-back hit songs played by DJs. You could have a big “wow” moment with confetti canons or late-night fireworks as well.
Another way couples can keep their guests alive is through wedding games. This part of the fun is mostly done during the reception. Having games and activities intermixed during the wedding reception party and other wedding events can be easy icebreakers for your guests and bring laughter to the room.
When it comes to wedding games, one name comes to mind: Nana Osei Bonsu, best known in showbiz as MC Okokobioko. He is an avid master of ceremonies, using this wave to make functions memorable. Aside from the mentioned MC, Ghana has a lot of other event MCs you can consider as well.
Why are wedding games important?
Wedding games play a vital role in adding fun, entertainment, and interactive elements to the celebration, ensuring that guests of all ages have a memorable and enjoyable experience.
These games provide opportunities for couples and guests to bond, laugh, and create lasting memories together, making the wedding day even more special and unique. Not only is this an unforgettable experience, but it could create a networking opportunity, GhanaWeddingMarket reports.
From traditional Ghanaian games to modern twists on classic favorites, there are endless options to suit every couple’s style and preferences.
Some amusing wedding games include the wheel of fun, where there’s a custom wheel of activities that can be spun throughout the reception, the shoe game, piñata swings, ‘truth or dare’ sessions, karaoke, etc. You can also make available board games on each table to get guests interacting even before your entrance. Setting up a photo booth or passing around a guest book are not considered party games, but it is enough to keep guests excited about your ceremony.
In this article, JanaTribe explores 30 fun and creative wedding games for couples and guests in Ghana, divided into categories for couples, guests, and kids, ensuring that everyone can join in on the festivities and celebrate love in style.
Wedding Games for Ghanaian Couples
1. The Shoe Game
The Show game is one of the popular wedding games recognised worldwide. Barely a weekend passes without this game being played during weddings in Ghana.
Hilarious as it may sound, it takes a witty, intelligent, and engaging personality to weave this mechanism through such a significant rite of passage.
How to play: Traditionally, two chairs are placed back-to-back during the reception. The bride and groom sit facing away from one another and exchange one of their shoes to hold in each hand. As playful facts or questions about the relationship are read aloud on a microphone by the MC, the couple holds up the shoe to see who matches the statement most truthfully. Hilarity ensues as differing opinions emerge.
This game reveals their compatibility and sense of humor.
2. The Newlywed Game
One of our favorite games to test how well the couple truly knows each other is the Newlywed Game. Based on the classic game show, the game entails asking the couple various questions that test their knowledge of each other. To play, start by reaching out to the bride and groom individually to have them fill out the question answers, making sure the answers are kept secret until the event.
At the event, designate a host who will emcee the game and keep it entertaining! When it is time to play the game, have the couple fill out paper questionnaires that include the questions they previously answered, but this time pick answers they think the other will use. Once filled out, the host will go through the questions. Each time an individual has the correct answer to the question, they will receive a point. The person with the most posts after all of the questions are asked is the winner.
3. Blindfold Game
Notable among the games is the blindfolding of a newlywed who deciphers their bride or groom by feeling their way through their physical features, which sparks thunderous laughter from the audience.
This proves that when you love someone, the connection makes all of them, a part of you as well.
4. Dance-Off
The “Dance-Off” is one of the great ways to get entertained at the bridal party. This is done by the couples, their bridesmaids and groomsmen, as well as guests.
For variety, the MC can list several popular dances for which the DJ will be on standby to play the corresponding song.
Couples showcase their best dance moves on the dance floor, competing to impress the judges or earn applause from the crowd. It’s a lively and energetic game that gets everyone up and moving, celebrating love through music and dance.
Members of the bridal party can be picked at random to get up and dance. Another option is for them to choose a number without knowing what they will get and then enter one chance on the dancefloor.
5. Word Search
Word searching is a mind-opening game at events like weddings. Though it can be done by the guests, couples would be the best to participate in this activity.
Guests can create crosswords for the bride and groom with hints and questions from their relationships.
The word search can feature things peculiar to the couple, like where they met, pet names, favorite items, and the list goes on. Have them printed and on tables for guests to complete or even take home to finish.
This crossword puzzle game also gets the table guests chatting and making new friends.
6. Spin the Wheel
The wheel will have romantic gestures on it, which can be as sweet as reciting a love poem or as risqué as giving a lap dance.
Both the bride and groom take turns spinning the wheel and performing accordingly. It is also another way to get the audience involved, as one of the options could be for the couple to pick people to perform certain tasks.
7. Photo Scavenger Hunt
Couples are given a list of photo challenges to complete throughout the wedding venue, capturing moments with guests, landmarks, and special moments.
It’s a fun and interactive game that encourages couples to explore and document their wedding day memories.
7. Trivia Quiz
Guests prepare trivia questions about the bride and groom, and the couple competes to see who knows each other best. It’s a lighthearted and entertaining way to test their knowledge of each other’s quirks, habits, and preferences.
9. Couple Coloring Books
Turn a favorite photo into a page from a coloring book! Include colored pencils and a spot for guests to hang their art.
How to play: Use an online resource or your artistic skills to turn a favorite photo from your past into a coloring book page. Spread copies throughout the dining tables so guests can dive into this creative task the moment they sit down for salad. What’s more, this is the perfect activity for kids as well!
10. Famous Fictional Couples Guessing Game
Having games for guests to partake in can be great icebreakers for the reception party. The first game to try is the Famous Fictional Couples Guessing Game. This game is great if you have a wedding party full of film fanatics and literature connoisseurs. The objective of the game is for each player to guess the correct famous fictional couple they have drawn from a deck by asking yes or no questions.
To play, a player will draw a card and hold the card above their head without looking at it. The player will then ask the rest of the players yes-or-no questions that will hopefully help narrow down the correct fictional couple on the card. You can make this game more competitive by splitting the players into two teams. The person guessing the card will ask their team the questions. The team that guests identify as the most correct will be the winner!
11. Never Have I Ever
“Never Have I Ever” put the couple in the hot seats when having to delve into past actions and events to answer the questions. To start, the couple is put into two seats in the middle of the room, similar to the Wedding Shoe Game. Each individual is given a paddle to answer the questions.
When a question is asked, the individual will flash one side of the paddle, either “I have done that” or “I have never done that.” Every time someone flashes the paddle to signal they have done something, they must put a finger down. The person who runs out of fingers is the loser of the game. This game is also great to have for a bachelorette party!
Wedding Games for Guests in Ghana
1. Guess the song
When the DJ plays two seconds of new or old classic songs, guests are to compete in naming the song title for a prize or a special place on the dance floor!
How to play: A great way to get your DJ in on the fun is to incorporate a game of Name That Tune into the dancing portion of the evening. As the DJ plays a short portion of the song, the crowd has to guess the song. Vary the songs throughout generations, and even include the kids in on the fun.
2. Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes
“Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” transforms into a lively wedding game, involving the bridal party, including the bride and groom. As the familiar tune plays, the bridal party performs the actions of the song, touching their head, shoulders, knees, and toes in sequence. However, there’s a twist: every time they reach the “toes” part of the song, the bride and groom compete to grab an object placed at the center of the dance floor, usually a prize like money or a bottle of champagne.
The competition adds an element of excitement and anticipation as the bridal party sings and dances, with guests cheering them on. Quick reflexes and coordination are essential as the bride and groom aim to snatch the object first. Once the song ends, the winner is revealed, and they receive the coveted prize, adding a playful and interactive element to the reception.
“Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” as a wedding game creates joyful moments and laughter, fostering a sense of camaraderie among the bridal party and guests. It’s a delightful twist on a classic children’s activity that adds fun and entertainment to the celebration, leaving everyone with cherished memories of the special day.
3. Single or Taken Game
The “Single or Taken” game is a clever and interactive addition to wedding receptions that engages the bridal party and entertains guests. In this game, the bridesmaids and groomsmen are lined up based on their gender.
The bride and groom are then seated on chairs in the center of the room, holding placards with the inscriptions “Single” or “Taken.”
If the bride and groom hold up “Single,” the bridal party members must go to the side of the room designated for singles, and if they hold up “Taken,” the bridal party members must go to the side designated for those in relationships.
4. Gele Game
The Gele game is a delightful and interactive activity that adds a touch of cultural flair to weddings, particularly in Nigerian and Ghanaian traditions. Gele, which refers to the intricately wrapped headscarf worn by women, becomes the centerpiece of this entertaining game.
To play, guests are divided into teams, each tasked with creatively styling and tying a Gele on one member of their team. Armed with vibrant and colorful fabrics, pins, and accessories, participants unleash their creativity as they compete to craft the most elaborate and stylish Gele.
The gele game not only showcases the beauty and artistry of African fashion but also fosters a sense of camaraderie and laughter among guests. As teams work together to master the art of gele tying, they share tips, laughter, and friendly banter, creating memorable moments that celebrate culture and community.
At the end of the game, judges or the newlyweds themselves select the winning team based on the creativity, style, and overall presentation of their gele. The victorious team may receive prizes or recognition, but all participants walk away with cherished memories of laughter, creativity, and cultural celebration.
5. Musical Chair Game
The musical chair game is a classic and lively activity that never fails to entertain guests at weddings. As the upbeat music fills the air, guests eagerly gather around a set of chairs arranged in a circle on the dance floor.
The rules are simple: when the music starts, guests dance around the chairs, circling them in anticipation. But when the music stops abruptly, everyone must scramble to find a chair to sit in. However, with one fewer chair than the number of participants, someone is left standing and is eliminated from the game.
As the rounds progress, chairs are removed one by one, intensifying the competition and heightening the excitement. Guests showcase their agility and quick reflexes as they race to secure a seat, all while laughter and cheers fill the room.
The musical chair game not only adds an element of fun and energy to the wedding reception but also fosters a sense of camaraderie and friendly competition among guests. It’s a timeless activity that appeals to guests of all ages, creating memorable moments and joyful celebrations of love.
6. Guest Guess Who
Change up this classic game by adding small pictures of your guests at the wedding for personalized fun. This makes for a great wedding party game for guests who have known the bride and groom during different life stages.
How to play: By either constructing your board or utilizing the original childhood game, paste wallet-size portraits of your guests on the game’s flippable doors. Two players pair up against one another and each secretly chooses one of the players in their mind. Players take turns asking questions about physical and personal traits to narrow down their opponent’s secret selection.
7. Cake Smash Bets
Who will end up with a wedding cake on their face? Let the guests decide! Leave out jars for bets on either the bride or groom.
How to play: It’s pretty inevitable that either the bride or groom goes for a cake smash during the otherwise innocent cake cutting. Get guests involved in this silly moment by letting them vote with monetary gifts to the couple’s honeymoon fund. The jar with the larger amount decides whether the bride or groom ends up with the cake on their face!
8. Marriage Advice Cards
Include a collection of cards at the dinner table that encourage guests to share their marriage advice with the newlyweds.
How to play: Guests old and young share their personalized marriage advice for the couple’s new journey ahead. Include a place for guests to both write and place their advice cards, and later turn these into a unique guest book. For a special touch, arrange a wine bottle for each upcoming anniversary and ask guests to enter cards for each landmark year.
9. Dance Challenge
Name each dinner table by song title. When the song plays, the whole table must rush to the dance floor to get things moving!
How to play: Helping a wedding table bond is not always simple. Add a little competition to the mix by challenging each table to rush the dance floor when a particular song plays throughout the night. The best show of silliness or grace wins the dance competition at the end of the evening.
10. Balloon Pop Wall
A balloon wall pop welcomes guests to seek messages and prizes inside a wall of balloons just waiting to be popped!
How to play: On a large cork board, attach a decorative collection of balloons in a festive pattern. Instruct each guest to use a safety pin to pop one balloon at a time. Every balloon includes a secret message, instructions, or a prize! Reward a few lucky poppers with first dibs at the dessert table or a champagne toast of their own.
11. Best Photo Booth Contest
Add a touch of competition to the photo booth! At the end of the night, the couple chooses the silliest photo from the evening.
How to play: Encourage guests to be as wacky as possible while arranging their poses in the photo booth. Many photographers will print out the images into a scrapbook for immediate viewing. Either the guests or the bride and groom can pick their favorites before the night is up.
12. Mini Golf
Set up a mini course for the golf-loving guests. See if the parents can beat the scores of their newlywed children!
How to play: Build or rent a mini golf course with plywood, turf, and a set of putters. As guests sip a cocktail, encourage a friendly game of mini golf, equipped with small scorecards for keeping things competitive.
13. Find The Guest
Provide a questionnaire with interesting facts about guests in the room and send everyone on a social scavenger hunt.
How to play: Spark new conversations with a “find the guest” game. When guests start their cocktail hour or sit down to dinner, encourage conversation by listing interesting facts about people in the room. Everyone has to mingle to complete their questionnaire faster than their peers.
14. How Well Do You Know the Bride and Groom?
Another socially-distanced game is “How Well Do You Know the Bride and Groom?” This is similar to the Newlywed Game in that it uses questions to test the knowledge of the wedding guests. Each guest can fill out a sheet of questions, and whoever gets the most correct will be the winner and can take home a prize.
15. Dance-Off
Yes, the guests can also have a “Dance-Off” game. Unlike the bride and groom’s own, this one will be judged by the couple.
This is a great one to get the bridal party on their feet. For variety, the MC can list several popular dances for which the DJ will be on standby to play the corresponding song. Members of the bridal party can be picked at random to get up and dance. Another option is for them to choose a number without knowing what they will get and then enter one chance on the dancefloor.
Wedding Games for Kids in Ghana
How do you entertain kids at a wedding? There are many ways to entertain children at a wedding ceremony. Especially the toddlers and kids below the age of 5. These little ones can unintentionally ruin your special day, and hence, keeping them busy with a unique game/entertainment idea will be of great help.
Take your pick of these 10 entertainment ideas, all guaranteed to get little ones (and their parents) smiling.
1. Children’s Parade
During the wedding, everyone’s attention is on the couple as they exchange vows. For kids who love to be the star of the show, that can be a little hard. So, make sure to get them involved at the reception. When you introduce the bridal party or when you’re ready to open the dance floor, consider having a children’s parade, complete with ribbon streamers, balloons, or whatever else you like, to let the tiny guests share in the spotlight for a few minutes.
2. Colouring Competition
You can’t go wrong with coloring and crafts, and there are lots of wedding-themed printables online.
Setting up a coloring competition is a simple and cost-effective way to keep kids entertained. Add colouring pads to a table with pots of coloured pencils so that the children can create their masterpieces, and don’t forget to have a prize ready for the best one.
3. Food and Drink
Food and drink are a kid’s best friend, so make sure that there’s plenty for them to sample, especially during your drinks reception when younger guests are often forgotten. Here at Upwaltham Barns, we have individual snack bags full of delicious food for kids, so you can be confident that they won’t have rumbling tummies!
4. Chalk drawing on a table
While most kids have drawn on a driveway or sidewalk with chalk, you can make this classic kids’ activity new again by covering a table or other surface with chalkboard paint to give the littlest guests a special place to scribble. With a bucket of fresh chalk, even the adults may want to head on over to this exciting area at the wedding reception.
5. Oversized yard games
While bigger is not necessarily always better, we think that rule does hold when it comes to yard games. An oversized game is not only a unique treat, but choosing an option like this large Jenga works for both indoor and outdoor weddings as kids compete to see who can stack it the tallest. As a bonus, when the children are done playing, they can use their imagination to build whatever they like out of the wooden blocks.
6. The Limbo Game
Kids compete to see who can limbo the lowest under a pole without touching it, with prizes for the most flexible participants.
7. Balloon Pop
Kids compete to pop as many balloons as they can within a set time limit, with prizes awarded for the most balloons popped.
8. Sack Race
Kids hop their way to the finish line in potato sacks, with prizes awarded for the fastest racers.
9. Face Painting
A face painting booth where kids can get their faces painted with fun designs and patterns, adding a touch of whimsy to the festivities.
10. Mini photographers
Enlist the help of children as mini-wedding photographers for a fun way to capture your event from unique perspectives. Give all of the children at your wedding a disposable camera and a list of photo ideas and let them go wild!
11. Entertainment packs
Sitting still for the entirety of your wedding breakfast can be a big ask for children so give them a reason to enjoy being at the table. Entertainment packs, including quizzes, books, stickers, and even some Lego or a cuddly toy, will keep everyone happy.
12. Hire an entertainer
If your budget allows, hire an entertainer. The professionals have hundreds of ways to make sure that children enjoy themselves. Plus, they’ll come with everything they need for hours of fun, so you don’t have to worry about organising anything else.
FAQ – Wedding Games
What is the groom and bride’s game?
A sequence of questions are asked during the game, and the answers are either “the bride” or “the groom.” The bride and groom respond by holding up the correct answer’s shoe. If the inquiry was “Who typically prepares breakfast,” and the groom was the response, they should both hold the groom’s shoes up.
How do you play the “What did the bride say” game?
On the scoring sheet, guests circle their best estimate for the right answer to each question. After all of the guests have marked their replies, ask the bride-to-be each of the game cards questions. Guests get one point on their scorecards for each right guess. At the end of the game, the visitor with the most points wins!
What’s the best way to conclude a wedding shoe game?
However, regardless of what you say in the end, this game works well. “Congratulations, everyone give them a round of applause for performing so well!” is all you have to say, and the crowd will applaud enthusiastically as they take their seats.
How do you play the “Who said what” game?
This is a self-expression game played during a party in which players jot down their own responses to a common question asked to everyone. Although the game’s primary goal is to serve as a conversation starter, each player’s goal is to properly anticipate who supplied which answer.
What is the best way to play wedding shower bingo?
When it’s time to open gifts, assemble the guests around a designated gift-opening area and direct their attention to the bride. Guests will cross off their cards if they match when the bride receives a present. The first person to acquire five correct gifts in a row, vertically, horizontally, or diagonally, will win a reward by shouting “Bingo!”
Conclusion
Wedding games are an essential part of the celebration, adding fun, excitement, and entertainment for couples, guests, and kids alike. Whether it’s testing the bride and groom’s compatibility, engaging guests in interactive activities, or keeping kids entertained throughout the festivities, these games create unforgettable moments and foster a sense of joy and camaraderie among all who attend. With a mix of traditional.
A list of the games are as below:
- Shoe Game
- Three-Legged Race
- Blindfolded Cake Tasting
- Trivia Quiz
- Ring Toss
- Dance-Off
- Karaoke Battle
- Love Letter Relay
- Photo Scavenger Hunt
- Tug of Love
- Musical Chairs
- Wedding Trivia
- Bingo
- Photo Booth
- Advice Cards
- Wedding Mad Libs
- Guess the Song
- Table Trivia
- DIY Cocktail Bar
- Balloon Pop
- Pin the Tail on the Donkey
- Sack Race
- Bean Bag Toss
- Craft Corner
- Scavenger Hunt
- Limbo
- Bubble Station
- Face Painting
- Hula Hoop Contest
- Lawn Games
