keeping guests happy!!

lowly26

hi there,

just wondering if any one has any ideas of things to leave on the table to keep guests from getting board during the meal. i know you can get the betting cards for the speeches but does any one know of any other mini games ??


thanks:)

jonnyfingers

Personally I think if you sit people who know each other together they'll have plenty to chat about during the meal, which will more than keep them busy and they certainly won't be bored.

If you really do want some ideas to keep guests occupied during courses I've seen all of these at weddings before.

1. Betting cards - can be fun for the speeches but sometimes takes away from actually listening to the speeches!
2. Disposable cameras - guests can take pictures during the meal and you can get them developed after for some nice memories. However I was at a wedding where the majority of the cameras were not used or were lost when the meal ended.
3. Funny facts - this was at a friend's wedding where they had a list of interesting facts about each of the guests at the table and we had to guess which fact matched up with who. E.g. Who dressed up as a woman on stage before? Who is actually a classically trained tenor? It was great as an ice breaker but you'd really need to know a lot about each guest, and it may cause some embarrassment.
4. I was a wedding where a few of us were pretty good amateur magicians and we were asked by the groom to roam around doing a few tricks for people. I've been to weddings with professional magicians too. They go to a table, do a short routine and then move to the next table. By the time we got to the 5th table a following had gathered where people wanted to watch the tricks again and again!
5. Stamped and addressed postcards on the table where each guest was asked to write a message to the happy couple, and put it in a "post box" after the meal. The couple then posted them before they left for their honeymoon and when they came back they were all waiting for them.

I'm sure there are other ideas, but those are just a few I've personally experienced.

pwurple

These folded paper things are all the rage at the moment on tables.

http://www.elizabethannedesigns.com/blog/2009/03/20/diy-wedding-details-cootie-catchers/

I don't think people get bored if they know eachother though. If it's a table of 5 year olds, maybe put out some colouring books, but for adults, save your money.

lazygal

Don't bother with them, serious waste of money. Look after them by giving them another drink or an extra choice on the menu.

lowly26

thanks for the ideas guys am off to look some of them up

John Mason

plenty of alcohol

ZENER

How about this ?

Ken

janeo80

ZENER wrote: »

How about this ?

Ken

during the meal?

lowly26

ZENER wrote: »

How about this ?

Ken

yea we thought bout this but it would mean the guests having to get up from the table during dinner with may lead to slight confusion. i ment for just during the meal in between courses at the tables

Sofiztikated

To be honest, I wouldn't bother.

Sparkling conversation should keep the guests entertained. If they can't, as adults, make it through a meal, then that would be their own fault.

I know you feel you should, as the host, ensure they are entertained all day, but a well thought out table plan will have people together that will gel.

Glenn Coco

There's the "Thank You" game. Have a pint glass on the table with the rules on it; (can be easily printed out and stuck onto the glass)
€5 per guest
The glass starts with the youngest person at the table
Every time thanks, thank you, go raibh maith agat etc etc is mentioned, the glass moves on to the next guest (clockwise direction).
Whoever ends up with the glass/money at the end of the speeches, gets the round in.

I find this actually makes people listen to the speeches, rather than clock watching.

lowly26

thats a good one !!

Sam Kade

lowly26 wrote: »

hi there,

just wondering if any one has any ideas of things to leave on the table to keep guests from getting board during the meal. i know you can get the betting cards for the speeches but does any one know of any other mini games ??


thanks:)

Do guests talk to one another anymore? Unless they are all under 12 they should manage to keep themselves entertained

lowly26

Sam Kade wrote: »

Do guests talk to one another anymore? Unless they are all under 12 they should manage to keep themselves entertained

yes but not all the tables will now each other so im looking for something that can act as an ice breaker or maybe just add a little fun to the table i know they are adults and no how to keep themselves enterained im just looking to add a little extra fun maybe