Popular games to play at rehearsal dinner include Wedding Bingo, the Shoe Game, and customized trivia about the couple.
Planning a rehearsal dinner? Want to inject some fun and laughter into the evening before the big day? You’re in the right place!
Figuring out what games to play at rehearsal dinner can feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Simple, engaging activities are the key to setting a relaxed and celebratory mood.
We’ll explore some crowd-pleasing options that will help your guests mingle, learn more about the happy couple, and create lasting memories.
Games to Play at Rehearsal Dinner
The rehearsal dinner is the perfect opportunity to relax and have fun with your closest friends and family before the big day. Incorporating games can help break the ice and create lasting memories.
Here are some ideas to consider for your rehearsal dinner entertainment.
Icebreaker Games
These games are designed to get guests mingling and learning more about each other.
Wedding Trivia
Test your guests’ knowledge of the happy couple with a fun trivia game.
How to Play: Prepare questions about the bride and groom’s relationship, hobbies, and favorite things.
Prizes: Offer small prizes for the winners, like gift cards or personalized trinkets.
Two Truths and a Lie
A classic icebreaker that encourages guests to share interesting facts about themselves.
How to Play: Each guest shares three “facts” about themselves – two true and one false.
Objective: Other guests guess which statement is the lie.
“Find the Guest Who…”
Create a list of fun facts or characteristics. Guests mingle to find someone who matches each description.
Example Prompts: “Find the guest who has traveled to three continents,” or “Find the guest who knows the bride since kindergarten.”
Winning Condition: The first guest to complete the list wins.
Interactive Games
These games involve more active participation from everyone.
Wedding Mad Libs
A hilarious fill-in-the-blanks game centered around weddings.
How to Play: Provide guests with pre-printed Mad Libs stories with wedding-related themes.
Outcome: Read the completed stories aloud for some laughs.
The Newlywed Game (Rehearsal Dinner Edition)
A fun twist on the classic game, tailored for the couple getting married.
How to Play: Ask the bride and groom questions separately beforehand. At the dinner, ask them the same questions in front of the guests and see if their answers match.
Audience Participation: You can also involve the guests by asking them to predict the couple’s answers.
Photo Booth Fun
Set up a photo booth with props and backdrops for guests to take silly photos.
Props Ideas: Include wedding-themed props like hats, boas, signs, and oversized sunglasses.
Sharing: Encourage guests to share their photos on social media using a custom wedding hashtag.
Storytelling Games
These games involve sharing anecdotes and memories related to the couple.
“Roast” & “Toast”
Designate a few people to deliver humorous “roasts” and heartfelt “toasts” to the couple.
Balance: Keep the roasts lighthearted and avoid anything too embarrassing.
Preparation: Encourage speakers to prepare their speeches in advance.
Open Mic Story Time
Invite guests to share their favorite memories of the bride and groom.
Ground Rules: Set a time limit for each speaker to keep things moving.
Considerations: Be prepared for emotional and funny stories.
Guess the Relationship
Display photos of the couple with different people in their lives (family, friends, colleagues). Guests try to guess the relationship between the couple and the person in the photo.
Preparation: Gather a variety of photos representing different relationships.
Clues: Offer hints if guests are struggling to guess.
Outdoor Games (If Venue Permits)
If your rehearsal dinner is outdoors, consider these options.
Giant Jenga
A larger-than-life version of the classic Jenga game.
Equipment: Purchase or rent a giant Jenga set.
Playing Space: Ensure you have a flat, stable surface to play on.
Cornhole Tournament
A classic lawn game that’s easy to learn and fun for all ages.
Setup: Set up multiple cornhole sets to accommodate more players.
Brackets: Organize a friendly tournament with brackets and prizes for the winners.
Lawn Bowling
A sophisticated and relaxing outdoor game.
Alternatives: If lawn bowling is not available, consider croquet as an alternative.
Instructions: Provide clear instructions for beginners.
Card & Board Games
For a more relaxed and intimate setting, consider card or board games.
Cards Against Humanity (Wedding Edition)
A customizable and often hilarious card game (use with discretion and know your audience!).
Customization: Many websites offer templates for creating wedding-themed Cards Against Humanity cards.
Disclaimer: Be mindful of your guests’ sensibilities before playing this game.
Bridal Bingo
Create bingo cards with wedding-related words or phrases.
How to Play: Call out the words or phrases as they occur throughout the rehearsal dinner.
Prize: Award a prize to the first person to get bingo.
Table Topics
Provide conversation starters at each table to encourage discussion.
Example Topics: “What’s your favorite memory of the bride or groom?” or “What’s your best piece of marriage advice?”
Variety: Offer a variety of topics to suit different interests and personalities.
Digital Games & Activities
Leverage technology for engaging entertainment.
Wedding-Themed Kahoot!
Create a custom Kahoot! quiz about the bride and groom and their relationship.
Accessibility: Guests can participate using their smartphones or tablets.
Engagement: Kahoot! is a fun and interactive way to test guests’ knowledge.
Digital Guest Book
Instead of a traditional guest book, set up a tablet or computer where guests can leave video messages for the couple.
Benefits: Video messages are more personal and engaging than written messages.
Storage: Ensure you have enough storage space to record all the messages.
Social Media Scavenger Hunt
Create a scavenger hunt that encourages guests to take photos or videos based on specific prompts and share them on social media using a custom hashtag.
Prizes: Offer prizes for the most creative or funny submissions.
Engagement: This activity encourages guests to interact with each other and share their experiences.
Themed Games
Tie the games into the wedding theme or the couple’s interests.
Travel-Themed Games
If the couple loves to travel, incorporate travel-themed games like “Name That Landmark” or “Pack Your Bags Relay Race.”
Adaptability: Adjust the difficulty of the games to suit your guests’ knowledge and abilities.
Ambiance: Decorate the venue with travel-themed decorations to enhance the atmosphere.
Movie-Themed Games
If the couple are movie buffs, play movie trivia or charades using movie titles and characters.
Categories: Focus on the couple’s favorite genres or actors.
Variety: Mix up the games to keep things interesting.
Decade-Themed Games
If the wedding has a specific decade theme (e.g., the 80s or the 90s), play music from that era and incorporate games related to that decade.
Costumes: Encourage guests to dress up in costumes from the themed decade.
Nostalgia: This can be a fun way to reminisce and celebrate the couple’s interests.
Prize Ideas for Games
Offering prizes adds an extra layer of excitement to the games.
Gift Cards
Gift cards to local restaurants, coffee shops, or stores are always a popular choice.
Flexibility: Gift cards allow winners to choose what they want.
Personalization: Consider gift cards to places that are meaningful to the couple.
Personalized Gifts
Personalized gifts like mugs, keychains, or photo frames are a thoughtful and memorable option.
Customization: Personalize the gifts with the couple’s names, wedding date, or a special message.
Sentimental Value: Personalized gifts have a sentimental value that other prizes may lack.
Experiences
Tickets to a local event, a wine tasting, or a cooking class are great prizes for those who value experiences.
Memorable: Experiences create lasting memories.
Variety: Choose experiences that cater to a variety of interests.
Wedding Favors
Extra wedding favors can be repurposed as game prizes.
Cost-Effective: This is a budget-friendly way to provide prizes.
Theme Consistency: This helps maintain a consistent theme throughout the wedding celebrations.
Tips for Planning Games
Careful planning is essential for ensuring the games are a success.
Consider Your Guests
Choose games that are appropriate for your guests’ ages, interests, and abilities.
Inclusive: Make sure the games are inclusive and accessible to everyone.
Variety: Offer a variety of games to cater to different preferences.
Keep It Short and Sweet
Avoid games that are too long or complicated.
Attention Spans: Respect your guests’ attention spans.
Transitions: Keep the games moving at a good pace.
Assign a Game Master
Designate someone to be in charge of explaining the rules, keeping score, and awarding prizes.
Organization: A game master ensures that the games run smoothly.
Engagement: A good game master can keep guests engaged and entertained.
Prepare in Advance
Gather all the necessary materials and equipment before the rehearsal dinner.
Smooth Execution: Advance preparation ensures a smooth and stress-free event.
Contingency Plans: Have backup plans in case of technical difficulties or other unforeseen issues.
Don’t Overdo It
Avoid packing too many games into the rehearsal dinner schedule.
Balance: Leave plenty of time for socializing and mingling.
Priorities: Remember that the main purpose of the rehearsal dinner is to celebrate the couple and thank their loved ones.
Be Flexible
Be prepared to adjust your plans based on the mood of the crowd and the flow of the evening.
Adaptability: Flexibility is key to ensuring that everyone has a good time.
Spontaneity: Embrace spontaneity and be open to trying new things.
Beth & Craig’s Wedding – Rehearsal Dinner Game
Final Thoughts
To make your rehearsal dinner even more memorable, consider some fun activities. These games encourage mingling and laughter among guests. This pre-wedding event should be relaxed and enjoyable for everyone.
Think about incorporating a “guess the couple’s age” photo game or a wedding advice Mad Libs. You must make sure the chosen games suit your guests’ preferences. Games can break the ice.
Ultimately, selecting the right games will enhance the celebration. We have covered the importance of fun for your big event. For games to play at rehearsal dinner, consider your audience and keep it lighthearted.
