6 Rehearsal Dinner Activities To Break The Ice
By Amanda Zack, Lantern Room Creative
Everything's in place for your wedding, and next on the agenda is your wedding rehearsal dinner. You have a few details to coordinate, from the theme and menu to your guest list. Fortunately, the wedding rehearsal dinner is typically a casual affair with your closest family and friends, so you can skip the formalities and cultivate an intimate experience for all.
Although the guest list will include your immediate family and wedding party, that doesn't mean everyone knows each other. So consider adding icebreakers to your event to avoid awkward conversations and help your guests get to know one another.
(Let’s Get Rehearsed Editor’s Note: For more advice about guest lists, check out ‘Breaking Down The Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Guest List.’)
Icebreakers can spark connections and get everyone laughing, which is a great way to kick off the union of your two families! So if you want a fun start to your wedding weekend, here are some of our favorite icebreakers to include in your rehearsal dinner.
Photo credit: Carter Rose Photography from Wildflower Vail, Colorado Wedding Rehearsal Dinner
Don't get stressed - get Let's Get Rehearsed’s FREE rehearsal dinner guide packed full of everything you need to plan a welcome party, from saving money to celebrating the night before the big day!
Rehearsal Dinner Activity: Couple's Trivia
Who's ready for a good, ol’ fashioned competition? Start by splitting the party into two groups, mixing friends and family from both sides. Then, provide statements about you and your significant other that may or may not be true and keep track of which side answers correctly. Couple's Trivia is a fun activity that will energize your guests and create new bonds as each group collaborates. As they always say, two heads (or more!) are better than one. So be prepared for fast-paced debates and quick-witted conclusions!
Rehearsal Dinner Activity: Baby Photo Game
Get ready for plenty of awws and chuckles with the Baby Photo Game. Although this activity works best with a smaller group, it gives your family a reason to bring out their old photo albums. Have your attendees submit a baby photo and print them out before the event. Once they arrive, they can drop the picture off in a box. From there, each guest will select a random image and try to match it to the person. This is a game of discernment, so see if your guests are up for the challenge. Your loved ones will undoubtedly get a kick out of it.
(Let’s Get Rehearsed Editor’s Note: Speaking of baby photos, for some activities for kids at your wedding rehearsal dinner, check out ‘Best Activities For Kids At Your Wedding Rehearsal Dinner’ and shop our printable kids activity bundle!)
Photo credit: Carter Rose Photography from Wildflower Vail, Colorado Wedding Rehearsal Dinner
Rehearsal Dinner Activity: Sharing a Memorable Story
Save the formal speeches for the reception party and get personal! You can invite guests to take a walk down memory lane and share a story about you and your partner. Reminiscing about the golden times is like telling a story around the campfire. It creates a welcoming atmosphere that brings everyone together and provides an opportunity to share for guests who don't plan to make toasts during the main event. Storytime also pays homage to your past as you begin your next chapter together! Yep, you may need to break out the tissue boxes for this activity.
Rehearsal Dinner Activity: Who Am I?
Suit up as a detective and put your critical thinking skills to the test with the Who Am I? game. During cocktail hour, pin celebrities' names to the backs of each guest and have them go around to other attendees and ask 'yes or no' questions to identify their alter ego. Like Guess Who, this is a game of focus and requires participants to deduce clues to reach the finale. To narrow the celebrity pool, you can even designate a specific category for each round, like Grammy-winning singers or B-list actors. This activity will get everyone eager to mingle and determine their secret identities.
Photo credit: Carter Rose Photography from Wildflower Vail, Colorado Wedding Rehearsal Dinner
Don't get stressed - get Let's Get Rehearsed’s FREE rehearsal dinner guide packed full of everything you need to plan a welcome party, from saving money to celebrating the night before the big day!
Rehearsal Dinner Activity: Wedding Guest Bingo
Skip introductions and jump right to the facts with Wedding Guest Bingo! For this game, your guests will be the focus. Before the dinner, create cards that include details, like "born in the month of October" and "lived outside the US." You can also get more specific by adding items about specific tattoos, sports fans, and unique talents. Then, at the party, have your guests walk around and find the person that fits the description on the Bingo card. This version is a personal twist on the game that allows your loved ones to get to know each other effortlessly.
(Let’s Get Rehearsed Editor’s Note: For a simple and cheap way to integrate this game, check out our customizable Bingo Game printable.)
Break the Ice for Your Wedding Weekend
Your rehearsal dinner will set the stage for the rest of your wedding festivities. So take this opportunity to let loose and have fun before your special day. Remember, the occasion is a casual event with your inner circle. It doesn't need to be extravagant to be memorable! Instead, you can create an unforgettable evening by adding icebreakers to keep your guests engaged throughout the evening. Whether you share stories or play games, enjoy the experience of reconnecting with your closest friends and family.
(Let’s Get Rehearsed Editor’s Note: For more wedding rehearsal activity ideas, check out our collection of fun games to play at your wedding rehearsal dinner or take inspiration from this couple’s Western hat making wedding welcome party)
Are you planning to add icebreakers to your rehearsal dinner? If so, bookmark this post and share it with your partner to get started!
If you’re planning a rehearsal dinner, don’t miss some of these must-read resources:
Fun Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Games To Enjoy With Your Guests
Wedding Rehearsal Dinner & Western Hat Making Party in Aspen
About Let’s Get Rehearsed!
Welcome to stress-free and easy wedding rehearsal dinner planning and ideas! Let’s Get Rehearsed is the best, most helpful planning and inspiration resource for all things wedding rehearsal dinners, wedding welcome parties, and the night before the wedding celebrations. If you’re in rehearsal dinner planning mode or looking for unique ideas, check out our real rehearsal dinner and welcome party photos, rehearsal dinner ideas and inspiration, advice for planning a wedding rehearsal dinner, and a rehearsal dinner printable and download shop.
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Amanda Zack is the owner of Lantern Room Creative, a boutique copywriting agency that specializes in brand messaging and digital marketing solutions for creatives and wedding professionals.