In the UK, our wedding season is fast approaching. Of course, you can get married as and when you please. However, traditionally the most popular time of year is between the months of May and October, with the height of summer, between June and August, being when the majority of UK weddings tend to take place.
Our Garden Furniture Collection is perfect for a summer outdoor or marquee wedding too, and we often sell large bulk Trade Garden Furniture orders to events and wedding companies at this time of year, such as Bredenbury Court Barns in the photos above and below.
However, that’s one for another article, this month our focus has been on garden games, fun things you can play with the kids in your own garden this summer. But for all the talk of garden games, one area we haven’t looked at is garden games you can play at a wedding.
Some will argue that you shouldn’t play games at a wedding. We would disagree with that. Whilst our garden furniture has a traditional style that doesn’t mean we’re old fashioned. Its constructed from modern materials and our business embraces modern technology to deliver first-rate customer service. I guess what we’re trying to say is by all means embrace wedding tradition but make it what you want.
At Lazy Susan we believe that a wedding should focus on the celebration. Of course, the ceremony is critical but you want to start your life together in style, and vital to that is creating a day to remember. A day that your family and friends will leave with a big smile on their faces.
And it's not just games... The menu, music, venue, cocktails, sweet bar, etc are all other ways this can be achieved. However, garden games, if done right, can be a great way of bringing a little fun to your reception. They can be a great icebreaker, and whilst not everybody will join in, as long as you don’t force them, we think the pros of garden games at a wedding outweigh the cons.
For a starter games can take the pressure off in terms of ensuring everybody is entertained, it provides another way for you to unleash your creativity and create a wedding that’s different to what people have attended before, and as we mentioned above they’re a great way for guests that maybe don’t know each other to break the ice.
On the flip side, it will, of course, take a little extra planning (and possibly budget), it’s non-traditional and not all of us are ‘joiner-inners’ but if you can overcome that, then we think garden games will be just as much a welcome guest as our garden furniture this summer!
So, the big question is; what garden games can you play at a wedding? From outdoor wedding games to wedding table games and garden games for the kids, this is our selection of 5 of the best wedding games to ensure your guests leave with a big smile on their faces and hopefully get you thinking about what you could do at your own reception.
Lazy Susan’s favourite garden games you can play at a wedding?
1. Wedding Lawn Games
Who doesn’t love a classic in big garden game format? Jenga, Dice, Dominoes, Croquet, Bocce, Connect Four, Chess, Ring Toss, Corn Hole, the options are never-ending. You don’t want anything too energetic, remember people are in their wedding togs. Make the games feel like a cohesive part of the overall wedding décor by painting and personalising the blocks, boards, counters, rings, beanbags, etc. Classic Garden Games are perfect for a wedding. The thing all these games have in common is they’re great fun for all ages. Set up a game zone, and watch your guests gravitate to it!
2. Wedding Reception Table Games
Another option is games for guests to play at their tables at the reception. Table games are perfect for breaking the ice among guests who might not know each other, or whiling away the time as they wait for the newlyweds to make their entrance. Trivia, Quiz, Truth or Dare, Treasure Hunt, Wedding Bingo, Mad Libs, etc. Get creative and create some games that fit your personality!
3. Wedding Fun Fair
If you want to go big (or go home) then what about bringing all the fun of the fair to your wedding? Nothing will make your wedding stand out from the crowd more than a funfair. Keep it simple with one ride such as a big wheel or hire a package of different rides. Look at hiring traditional rides such as a carousel or coconut shy or go down the more modern route with dodgems or bungee trampolines. You could even take the fairground theme to the next level with stalls and food trucks.
4. Wedding Children’s Games
If there are going to be children at your wedding that think about innovative ways you can keep them entertained and part of the fun. Set up a game station. Go traditional with board games or modern with a few consoles on big screens. You could even keep the costs down but entertainment up with some wedding-themed classic party games such as pass the parcel. There are some great kid's party packs on the market for the younger ones that include things like bubbles, colouring-in books and crayons, etc.
5. Wedding Photo Fun
Not a game as such but photography is a great way to bring fun if you don’t want games. That said, you could introduce a little dress-up and that counts as a game we suppose? Themed photo booths are a great way to get guests of all ages to cut loose and have a little fun. Allow them to take selfies, get creative with your actual wedding photos, and throw in a few fun props. Go old school with disposable cameras on the table (showing my age but that’s what we had pre camera phones). For the non-dinosaurs out there, you can embrace modern tech and set up a custom Snapchat Geofilter for your special day (The Knot have all the info you need) or get creative with your Instagram Wedding Hashtags.
Hopefully, we’ve given you a little inspiration here. Garden games at a wedding aren’t for all but they’re a great way to bring a little of your personality to the big day. At the end of the day, a wedding should be all about what makes you (the happy couple) happy. And often seeing friends and family gathered and having fun is a great way of achieving that. Of course, you’re celebrating your nuptials, but it is also a great excuse to have a bloomin’ good party.
If you have any suggestions of what garden games you can play at a wedding, then please drop them in the comments below. If you’re getting married this year, then all the best from all the team at Lazy Susan!