Looking for wedding cocktail hour games?
A while back we wrote an article listing 32 wedding reception entertainment ideas and it was gold for our couples! But we’re not stopping here!
This time, we’re going even deeper, sharing some ideas for wedding cocktail hour games, both for outdoors and for indoors.
This is the time right after the wedding ceremony and dinner when canapés and nibbles are being shared, together with some fizz and drink, of course! The cocktail hour usually lasts for 2 hours but it’s not a rule. It depends very much on the type of wedding and the venue.
We made a list of the most popular game ideas you can use to entertain your guests during cocktail hour.
Table of Contents
OUTDOORS Wedding Cocktail Hour Games
Table Tennis
Yes, some venues have a tennis table for you to use or you can even bring one yourself!
The only thing to keep in mind is the weather, obviously, in case the table is set up outdoors. Rain or wind will not make for a very fun match of ping pong during the cocktail hour but rather a very wet one!
But we would definitely recommend considering getting a table tennis set, especially if you are a fan!
Croquet or Mini Golf
There are countries where Croquet is a religion! Having everything needed for your guests to play croquet during the wedding cocktail hour is not only a very good idea but also a necessary idea – especially in England!
Some people love croquet, some love golf, so why not have something for both? You can get a set of mini golf for the wedding day and hopefully, it will stay intact and you can have it for many years to come!
Buying a croquet set is really affordable but is such a great lawn game for your guests! You can also keep it for years to come!
Giant Garden Jenga
This is such a fun game for any age and any weather actually. Giant Garden Jenga is such a fun way to have groups of people playing together and interacting! Kids can definitely jump in, too, to make it more fun/ confusing!
Giant garden Jenga is one of the most popular games we see at weddings! Great for any age.
Bouncy Castle
While this is more of a wedding entertainment idea, I would still add this to the list of wedding cocktail hour games. Again, a really fun thing to have for a Summer wedding especially, with kids and grown-ups jumping about! There could even be a competition who can breakdance or jump the highest, too!
You can literally order a bouncy castle off Amazon and you’ve got yourself all Summer long garden entertainment!
Connect Four
While you usually see connect four games at playgrounds, we’ve seen them quite a few times at wedding venues. A great game to have as a venue to offer to your couples!
You can find one here.
Life-Size Chess
A very light and fun form of entertainment for your guests during the cocktail hour – every venue should have life-size chess outdoors. Some people may take this more seriously than others, but it’s a good wedding cocktail hour game for passing the time in a very pleasant way!
Sack Race
You can already imagine the fun, isn’t it?! While this wedding cocktail hour game may not be for every sort of attire, it’s definitely one of the most fun ones! all you need is some sacks, a finish line, someone to organize the competition, and people crazy enough to compete! And I have a feeling the girls will jump in, too! Yet to see this at a wedding but how fun would it be!!
Bowling Pins
No matter the season, anyone can play a game of bowling pins outdoors, during cocktail hour. Another fun option for your growing list and also very budget-friendly!
Find a bowling set here.
Ring Toss
Simple games can sometimes turn into the most fun opportunities for competition between your wedding guests! Another budget-friendly and really easy-to-plan wedding cocktail hour game!
Get a really affordable ring toss set here.
Limbo Set
This is probably one of my favorite outdoor wedding ceremony sets because it’s just so dang fun! Especially if your grandma is joining in the fun!
For a strong wooden limbo set, check out this link. They are so affordable and so much fun, too!
Piñata
There are several ways to use a piñata for your wedding day- they all involve candies, though! One of them would be as a game, where your guests (children included) would have to try and hit it blindfolded.
This rainbow pinata looks so sweet! Would definitely recommend one.
Have you decided what’s your favorite wedding cocktail hour game?
Were these outdoor options helpful?
Here are some indoor wedding cocktail hour game options, too!
INDOORS Wedding Cocktail Hour Games
Beer pong
YES! A must-have! So much fun and so easy to plan ( you could use a normal table as well, doesn’t have to be a ping-pong table! The perfect girls vs. boys competition game for your wedding!
All you need is some ping pong balls and the game is sorted!
I Spy Wedding Game
This game may take a bit of time to plan but it’s such a fun one to involve your entire wedding party! Simply make up a list of things people could find during the wedding day or in that particular location and let the party begin! It can be something as simple as ” I spy someone wearing a pink dress” to something a bit crazy like ” I spy an insect with many legs”.
Here are some more ideas for an “I Spy” wedding game:
– I spy someone wearing red lipstick
– I spy a purple flower
– I spy a Samsung cellphone
– I spy a striped tie
– I spy a milk bottle
– I spy polka dots
– I spy a slice of cake
– I spy a diamond ring
– I spy a round pebble
– I spy an insect with many legs
– I spy a chef’s hat
Wedding Bingo
This is a game that the elderly might especially love (and it’s always good to include all ages when planning the wedding entertainment).
Simply order a game of Bingo online and get someone who’s got lots of charisma to organize it!
Picture Scavenger Hunt
The picture scavenger hunt game is quite similar to the I Spy wedding Game but a few of the rules differ.
For this one, you’d need a list made and either give it to a team of people or to people who want to play, individually. If you have the budget for some polaroid cameras it would be fun to use them, otherwise, people can use their phones and share using your wedding hashtag!
Here are some ideas for the picture scavenger hunt wedding cocktail hour game :
– something pink
– something tiny
– something special
– something with no hair
– something alive
– something sticky
– something dirty
– something tall
I believe you get the idea by now. You’d be amazed at the silly things people would come up with when they think of any of those things on the list! Makes for good fun for everyone!
Phewww! This has been a long one, again! But we’ve condensed lots of ideas to help you plan your wedding games cocktail hour so people have something to do rather than empty the bar in 2 hours!
Don’t forget there’s lots more wedding planning tips and ideas on our blog!
This article contains a few affiliate links meaning, at NO additional cost to you, I can earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase of any of the products. We would only recommend things we trust and have seen work at other events.
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