Once all of the decorations are up, the tiny, pretty food is made, and the presents are wrapped, you might think you’re all set for a spectacular shower. But however much fun you might have just eating food and opening gifts, your guests will appreciate a bit of entertainment to break up the celebration.
While grandma may not approve of gaudy games involving thinly-veiled innuendo, that doesn’t mean you can’t have any fun. Not only do these shower games help break the ice and get all the women in the bride’s life talking, they are also a great way to help the attendees get to know the bride and her soon-to-be groom better.
Here are five tried-and-true games we here at Washingtonian Bride & Groom have played that you can take to your next bridal shower to keep all of the single ladies entertained. Turn up the tunes, and get the party started!
Related: The Ultimate Bridal Shower Playlist
HE SAID, SHE SAID
The set up: The week before the shower, interview the couple about their relationship, asking questions like, “What was your first impression?” or “When did you know s/he was the one?” or “Describe your first date.” Make sure that they make their answers a bit ambiguous, so that it’s not obvious who said which answer. Next, download this template from Everyday Dishes & DIY, and plug in some of their responses, leaving off who said what.
How to play: Pass out the He Said, She Said quizzes, and give every participant a pen. Read aloud the quotes one by one, and as you go, ask the participants to circle who they thought said it–either the bride or the groom. (Pro tip for all games: plan on a small prize for the one who gets the most answers correct! Chocolates, nail polish, or a bottle of lotion are all easy prizes to pick up for your winner.)
THE SHOELY WED GAME
The set up: This is a game that gets the groom in on the fun for any co-ed showers. To start, you’ll need two chairs placed back-to-back in the middle of the room. The couple will sit in the chairs and swap one of their shoes. Whoever is leading a game will need a list of questions, such as “Who is the messy one?” or “Who is the better cook?” or “Who said ‘I love you first?’”
How to play: The game leader will read aloud the questions, one at a time. After each question has been read, the game leader will wait for the couple to respond by raising the shoe of the person they think fits the answer. The couple won’t be able to see one another, but the guests will so they can get a kick how much the couple agrees (or disagrees) on. (Pro tip: go to Love Struck Signature Events & Co. for sample questions you can use.)
HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW THE GROOM?
The set up: Before the shower, e-mail the groom a list of questions about himself. This is a game that will also test the bride’s knowledge, so feel free to make them a little tricky. Ask him where he’d travel if he could go anywhere in the world, what his dream car is, whether he’s ever broken any bones, what his favorite sports team is, what his favorite date with the bride has been, and when he knew the bride was the one. Next, mix in his real answers with responses you’ve made up for a multiple choice quiz that will test even the bride-to-be’s knowledge of her beau.
How to play: Give each participant a copy of the multiple choice quiz and a pen. Wait until everyone has had enough time to complete it, then read the answers aloud, awarding the attendee with the most correct answers (aside from the bride, we hope) a special prize.
ASK AWAY
The set up: This isn’t a game per se, but it’s a good way to mix up the long (sometimes boring) gift opening time with fun questions for the bride-to-be. At the beginning of the shower, pass out slips of paper to each guest to write down one question for the bride. Collect all of the questions in a basket.
How to play: Each time the bride reaches to open the next gift, she also has to pick a question from the basket. Only after she answers the question may she open the gift. (Pro tip: Make sure to remind any overly enthusiastic bridesmaids that the bride’s future mother-in-law will be listening.)
PAIR THEM UP
The set up: Find the names of well-known couples such as Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire, Barack and Michelle Obama, Jasmine and Aladdin, Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, Romeo and Juliet, Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi, or Bonnie and Clyde. Next, list one partner from each pair in a column running down the left side of a piece of paper, with a blank space across from each name in a second column. Make sure to include the bride or groom’s name in the list as well!
How to play: Hand each participant a pen and a list of the names with the column of blank spaces across from the names. Read each name aloud and give participants a chance to fill in the missing partner. Need a hint? Provide a list of all the available answers for them to choose from.
Want help planning an amazing bridal bash? Check out our list of the area’s top event coordinators and planners.
Caroline Cunningham joined Washingtonian in 2014 after moving to the DC area from Cincinnati, where she interned and freelanced for Cincinnati Magazine and worked in content marketing. She currently resides in College Park.
