When it comes to your wedding, the two most common elements that people think of are the ceremony and reception. But that’s not all there is on your big day—you can’t forget to plan your cocktail hour! If you want to learn more about cocktail hour origins and discover ways to entertain your guests, look no further than Elysian Events’ tips for hosting the best cocktail hour games!
A Brief History of Cocktail Hours
By now, cocktail hours are a staple of many weddings. But how did they develop in the first place?
The reason why cocktail hours rose to prominence was for photography purposes. Traditionally, the bride and groom wouldn’t see each other before the wedding, believing it to be bad luck (a belief with its own complex history!). That means that the only time they could take photos together on their big day was directly after the wedding ceremony ended. So what were the guests meant to do while the newlyweds took couple portraits? The answer: an hour-long celebration filled with cocktails and appetizers!
Nowadays, given that many wedding couples want to attend their cocktail hours, they don’t always fulfill their historical purpose. However, they still serve as a brilliant way to party, mingle with guests, eat delicious hors d’oeuvres, and have fun before the reception is in full swing!
Considerations for Cocktail Hour Games
Now that you know more about how the cocktail hour began, let’s talk about how you can elevate your celebration with cocktail hour games! Hosting games at your party is a fabulous way to help your guests break the ice.
As you choose which games to host at your cocktail hour, here are some considerations to keep in mind:
- Your Venue: Some games require more space than others, and some only work well outside. Consider what kinds of games your reception venue lends itself to.
- Number of Guests: The number of people attending the cocktail hour also impacts what games to consider. Some games require fewer participants to function well, whereas others can be adapted for as many people as you want. Consider choosing a game that includes everyone at the party versus limiting participation.
- Guests’ Interests: Your guests’ interests, energy levels, and ages can vary greatly. Keep in mind your guests’ demographics as you choose games that will engage all of them.
- Wedding Theme: If your wedding has a designated theme, this can help in informing what kinds of activities to lead during the cocktail hour. Choosing a game that coordinates with the theme will tie your event together!
- Game Setup: Some games require more preparation and require equipment rentals. Consider how much setup you want to do at the cocktail party and choose a game accordingly.
Outdoor Cocktail Hour Games
If you are hosting an outdoor cocktail party, why not take advantage of the space when choosing your games? Each of these activities requires a little more physical setup, but they are an excellent choice for guests who like to get up and move and appreciate a competitive edge.
Giant Jenga
It’s exactly what it sounds like—it’s Jenga taken to the next level! This game will elevate your cocktail party thanks to its jumbo building blocks and wow factor. This is an excellent choice for small to medium parties, given that a limited number of players can participate at a time.
If you are interested in hosting giant Jenga, remember that you will probably have to buy or rent the equipment and may have to set it up yourself at the party venue.
Cornhole
Why not opt for a backyard favorite? Cornhole is a great team game, allowing guests who may not know each other to become more familiar. Plus, cornhole is ideal for various party sizes! Even though a singular cornhole set is designed for small groups of players, if you have a large venue, you can set up several sets of boards to accommodate all of your guests. To keep the fun going throughout the whole cocktail party, you can even set up a cornhole tournament!
Bocce
Bocce, or Italian lawn bowling, is a fun option that appeals to guests of all ages! It isn’t too physically demanding, making it a great choice for adults and kids alike. Play head-to-head or in teams; either way, bocce is wonderful for taking advantage of venues with spacious lawns!
Indoor Games
Not everyone wants to host an outdoor cocktail party, but that doesn’t need to hinder your game planning! Here are some ideas that lend themselves to indoor celebrations.
Wedding Trivia
This is a fantastic game to include everyone at the party! Prepare a list of trivia questions about you and your partner, and find out which of your guests knows you best. This has the bonus of being easily adapted for team or head-to-head play. Consider using a pub quiz app for large cocktail parties to make scoring the trivia easier.
Mad Libs
Customize these silly puzzles as much as you want for your guests! You can find plenty of free wedding-themed Mad Libs templates online, or you can write a story based around you and your partner for an extra personal touch. After finalizing your templates, print them out and place them on tables for guests to fill out during cocktail hour. During the reception, encourage them to share their stories for plenty of big laughs!
Cater a Memorable Cocktail Party with Elysian Events
When it comes to bringing your guests together at your cocktail party, building connections goes beyond games; they can also be forged through food! In order to elevate your cocktail party, cater with Elysian Events. We are a premier catering company based out of New Orleans, and we pride ourselves on offering delicious, high-quality food and stellar service.
To learn more about us, check out our wedding catering packages or get in contact with us today. We can’t wait to hear from you!
