Even at the most formal cocktail hours, guests love to play lawn games and participate in various interactive activities to keep themselves entertained between the wedding ceremony and reception. Include a playful cocktail hour for guests to amuse themselves, create friendly competition, and share a few laughs.

Lawn games are an enjoyable way to keep the party going through the in-between time of the ceremony and reception. Cornhole, also known as beanbags, is a favorite lawn game where players toss beanbags through a hole cut into a wooden board. Couples can purchase these boards in their wedding colors so the entertainment can double as lawn décor. Life size Jenga is another favorite lawn game selected to help pass the time. Just like the original game of Jenga, just with larger pieces, the wooden blocks are stacked on top of each other. Taking turns, players pull out blocks one by one and set back on top of the stack be each player. The loser causes the stack to come crashing down. These yard games have become an amusing way to pass the time for family and friends waiting for the wedding reception to begin.

Engaging guests are the best way to keep everyone satisfied during cocktail hour. Lawn games are fun, but an alternative entertaining activity is to request attendees to write down a few words of wisdom for the new Mr. and Mrs. The newly married couple will have a few laughs while reading the advice from friends and family once the big day has been wrapped up. Guests will enjoy writing down the lessons and offer guidance they have learned and experienced during their married life. Trivia questions about the bride and groom as well as mad libs are hilarious word games to pass the hour-long break. Not to mention, create some competition to show who knows the couple the best or which guest can create the silliest scenario.

Creating interactive guestbook activities will also keep guests preoccupied and encourage them to move around the area as well. Nontraditional guestbook ideas that guests can partake in include Polaroid guestbooks as well signing a guest globe. The Polaroid guestbook requires family and friends to take a selfie or two, wait a few minutes for the picture to develop, then place the photo in the sign in book for guests to write a little note next to their picture. For the traveling couple, they may request guests to sign their favorite location on a globe as an alternative to the usual sign in book. These amusing sign-in ideas are ideal for creating conversation and for guests to interact with one another to help pass the cocktail hour as well as create something fun for the married couple to cherish.

Hosting your wedding, as well as seeing the creative cocktail hour games you set up, would be enjoyable for us at Ma Maison. With a spacious outdoor covered trellis, in addition to the Lake View ceremony site, Ma Maison has plenty of open lawn space for yard games and various other guest activities for your cocktail hour.