Engagement Party Games

Help guests get to know one another -- and the couple -- with some lighthearted fun

By Cynthia Myers

Photo by iStockphoto.com

Engagement parties allow a newly betrothed couple to celebrate with family and friends. The party may be the first opportunity some of the future bride and groom's family and friends have to meet. If you are hosting the party, have a few games planned to help guests get to know each other better, and to get to know the couple better as well.

Almost newlywed games

Recruit several couples in addition to the engaged couple to answer questions about each other. How well does the future bride know her fiance's preferences and past activities? Can her fiance answer questions about her likes and dislikes? Often the other couples don't know each other as well as they think they do, resulting in laughs for everyone involved. Keep track of scores and offer prizes to up the ante. At the end of the game you can give the couple a gift from all in attendance or from individual guests.

Couples trivia

A twist on the "couples" theme combines questions about the engaged couple with trivia about famous couples. For example, you could ask how the bride and groom met and follow that up with a question about how Rhett and Scarlet meet in "Gone With the Wind." Contestants take turns answering the questions, or have guests form teams.

Couples karaoke

Karaoke isn't for the faint of heart, but nothing works better to break the ice than singing (or trying to sing) your heart out. Have couples perform duets of love songs to one another to add a humorous twist. Award prizes for most in harmony, best showmanship, most off key -- the more outrageous, the better. If you don't own a karaoke machine, consider renting one, or if the couple likes music -- and singing -- consider getting guests to contribute towards a karaoke machine for them.

Dress up

In this frenetic but fun game, couples race to don a tuxedo and wedding gown complete with cummerbund, tie, shoes and veil. First couple to a makeshift altar wins a prize. For even more hilarity, have the men dress in the gowns and the women in the tuxes. You can comb thrift stores for the appropriate costumes.

Themed party games

If your engagement party has a theme, consider aligning the games with the theme. For example, if you're having a beach party celebrating the couples beach wedding, have a limbo contest.