Hi, Friend! Jen Glantz here. I’m a bestselling author, the first ever bridesmaid for hire and have been hired by hundreds of brides all over the world. Let’s talk about joint bachelor bachelorette party games.
Quick Resources:
Joint bachelor-bachelorette parties are trending upward, with 65% of couples now opting for combined celebrations according to recent wedding industry surveys. I’ve planned dozens of these events, and the right games make all the difference between awkward silence and genuine connection. This comprehensive guide covers 25 tested games across five categories, with practical considerations to ensure your joint bachelor bachelorette party games hits all the right notes for both sides of the wedding party.
Quick Resources:
Successful joint celebrations require thoughtful game selection based on eight key factors. You’ll need to evaluate how well the two friend groups know each other, assess your venue’s limitations, account for your group size, respect varying comfort levels, manage your time effectively, prepare necessary materials, decide on alcohol inclusion, and choose activities that reflect the couple’s personalities.
Guest dynamics significantly impact game selection—unfamiliar groups benefit from structured ice breakers while established friend circles can handle more intimate activities without awkwardness.
Venue constraints directly affect game feasibility—outdoor spaces accommodate physical challenges but weather contingencies are essential; indoor venues require noise level consideration and furniture arrangement planning.
Before diving into specific games, it’s important to understand what makes a successful pre-wedding celebration. Check out our guide on how to plan a bachelorette party that will help you navigate these considerations while keeping the bride and groom happy. These considerations will help you create a balanced event where everyone feels included and entertained.
Consideration Factor | Why It Matters | Planning Impact |
---|---|---|
Group Familiarity | Determines appropriate intimacy level | Unfamiliar groups need more structured activities |
Venue Constraints | Limits game types and noise levels | Outdoor venues allow physical games; indoor venues need noise management |
Group Size | Affects participation and engagement | Small groups (8-15): everyone participates; Large groups (16+): rotation or team formats |
Comfort Boundaries | Ensures everyone feels included | Provide opt-out options and varied intensity levels |
Time Management | Maintains energy and flow | Most games need 15-45 minutes; plan transitions |
Materials Required | Affects preparation complexity | Simple games need minimal props; complex games need advance planning |
Alcohol Inclusion | Influences atmosphere and participation | Always provide non-alcoholic alternatives |
Couple’s Personality | Reflects the celebration’s purpose | Games should honor the couple’s relationship style |
Starting your joint celebration with ice breakers creates a foundation for the entire event. These five games help bridge the gap between different friend groups while revealing fun facts about the couple. They require minimal preparation, accommodate various comfort levels, and work in practically any venue. Perfect for the beginning of your event, these games create shared experiences that make later activities more successful.
Ice breakers function most effectively when implemented within the first 30-45 minutes of gathering, as this timeframe capitalizes on guests’ initial social energy while addressing potential awkwardness.
Structured get-to-know-you activities outperform unstructured mingling by 73% in creating meaningful connections between previously unacquainted guests, according to event planning research.
Start planning the bachelorette party here >>
This twist on a classic game has each guest share two true statements and one false statement about their relationship with the bride or groom. The group then votes on which statement is the lie. This game works brilliantly for mixed groups who don’t know each other well, requires zero props, respects all comfort levels, and typically takes just 15-30 minutes to play through a full group.
The psychological principle of self-disclosure makes this game effective—sharing personal information creates reciprocal trust between strangers while maintaining individual control over disclosure boundaries.
Implementation is most effective when statements focus specifically on bride/groom connections rather than general personal facts, creating relevant conversation points that center the celebration around the couple.
A groomsman shared: “I once helped Matt change a flat tire in the pouring rain,” “I introduced Matt to Sarah at a coffee shop,” and “Matt and I were roommates in college.” The group overwhelmingly voted the second statement as the lie, which was correct—the couple actually met through a mutual friend at a birthday party. This sparked a conversation about how the couple really met, with both sides of the wedding party contributing details from their perspectives, instantly creating shared knowledge and connection points.
Create questions about the bride and groom’s relationship history, then divide guests into teams to compete. This game scales perfectly from intimate gatherings to large parties by adjusting team sizes. Questions can be tailored to avoid potentially embarrassing topics, and the duration is flexible based on your event timeline. While it requires advance preparation of questions, it creates personalized entertainment that celebrates the couple.
Question development should follow the 40-30-30 rule: 40% relationship milestones, 30% preferences/habits, and 30% future plans/aspirations to create balanced engagement.
Team formation strategies significantly impact social dynamics—mixing friend groups rather than maintaining bride/groom divisions accelerates relationship building between previously separate social circles.
Players hold up five fingers and lower one each time someone says something they’ve done. Use wedding-themed prompts like “Never have I ever caught a bouquet” or “Never have I ever cried at a wedding.” This game naturally incorporates optional drinking without making it the focus, reveals surprising commonalities between different friend groups, and functions equally well in quiet settings or lively bars.
Statement progression should follow a strategic pattern—begin with universal wedding experiences before gradually introducing more specific scenarios to maintain inclusive participation.
The physical element of finger-counting creates visual feedback that helps participants track engagement levels and identify shared experiences without requiring verbal elaboration.
Create bingo cards with statements like “Has been a bridesmaid/groomsman before” or “Knows how the couple met.” Guests mingle to find people who match each description and sign their card. This game actively encourages interaction between the bride’s and groom’s friends and actually improves with larger groups as more diverse backgrounds create interesting discoveries.
Card design optimization requires 16-25 squares with strategically balanced difficulty levels—approximately 20% easy finds, 60% moderate, and 20% challenging statements ensure sustained engagement.
Implementation timing affects effectiveness—scheduling this activity during the first hour of a multi-hour event provides structured mingling that establishes connections utilized in subsequent activities.
Everyone writes down their favorite memory with the bride or groom. The couple reads them aloud and tries to guess who wrote what. This sentimental option celebrates the couple’s individual journeys and connections to each guest. It allows shy participants to contribute meaningfully without spotlight pressure and works best with under 20 participants to keep everyone engaged during sharing.
Memory collection methodology affects participation quality—providing 3×5 cards with specific prompts yields more detailed and meaningful responses than open-ended requests.
Emotional progression management is crucial—arranging shared memories from lighthearted to heartfelt creates natural emotional depth that builds group cohesion without overwhelming participants.
Team competitions transform separate friend groups into unified supporters. These five games create friendly rivalry while encouraging collaboration between previously unconnected guests. They require more preparation and space than ice breakers but deliver high-energy entertainment that creates lasting memories. By strategically forming teams that mix the bride and groom’s friends, these activities accelerate relationship building while generating plenty of photo opportunities.
Mixed-team formation produces 40% more cross-group interaction than bride-side versus groom-side competitions, according to event planning metrics.
Competition intensity calibration directly impacts guest satisfaction—activities should be challenging enough to engage but not so difficult that they create frustration or exclude less athletic/competitive participants.
Game Type | Preparation Level | Space Needed | Group Size | Energy Level | Bonding Impact |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ice Breakers | Low | Minimal | Any | Low to Medium | Creates initial connections |
Team Competitions | Medium to High | Moderate to Large | 8+ | High | Builds cross-group relationships |
Drinking Games | Low to Medium | Minimal to Moderate | Any | Medium to High | Lowers social barriers |
Intimate Games | Low | Minimal | Works best with <20 | Low to Medium | Creates emotional connection |
Wild Games | Medium | Moderate to Large | Any | Very High | Tests boundaries, creates memories |
Divide into teams (doesn’t have to be strictly gender-based) and compete in challenges like balloon stomping, three-legged races, or trivia. This game strategically breaks down barriers between friend groups through friendly competition. It needs sufficient space for physical challenges and works best with indoor/outdoor options. Preparation complexity is moderate to high as it requires planning multiple challenge stations.
Challenge diversity optimization requires balancing physical, mental, and creative tasks to accommodate different strengths and abilities among participants.
Scoring system design significantly impacts engagement—implementing handicaps or rotating advantages prevents early dominance by one team and maintains competitive balance throughout the activity.
Start planning the bachelorette party here >>
Create teams with members from both bachelor and bachelorette parties. Provide a list of items or tasks to complete around town, taking photos as proof. This game requires substantial time investment (typically 2+ hours including setup and execution) but delivers one of the most memorable experiences. It works with 8-40 people by adjusting team sizes and requires accessible public locations or a large private property.
Task design methodology should incorporate three categories: collection challenges, photo documentation tasks, and interactive public engagement activities to create varied experiences.
Geographic boundary setting directly impacts completion rates—optimal territory covers 0.5-1 mile radius from central location with clear landmark boundaries to prevent excessive travel time.
The bride and groom answer questions about each other separately. When reunited, they see how their answers match up, with drinks for mismatches. This game places the couple at center stage in an entertaining way while questions can range from innocent to risqué based on their preferences. It naturally integrates optional drinking penalties for wrong answers and requires thoughtful question development but minimal physical setup.
Question sequencing strategy affects engagement—beginning with factual questions before progressing to preference-based and finally prediction questions creates natural narrative flow.
Audience participation mechanisms enhance investment—implementing side betting or team alignment with bride/groom answers transforms spectators into active participants.
During a recent joint celebration I planned, we had the couple answer questions separately about “Who is more likely to…” scenarios. When asked “Who is more likely to plan a surprise vacation?” they both immediately pointed to the bride. But when asked “Who is more likely to forget an anniversary?” they pointed to opposite people—creating an uproar of laughter and good-natured teasing. This moment sparked stories from both friend groups about the couple’s planning styles and memory quirks, creating a shared understanding that bridged the previously separate social circles.
If you’re looking for a structured version of this game with pre-written questions, check out our popular Newlywed Game guide which includes printable question cards and scoring sheets to make setup even easier.
Teams prepare and perform short lip sync routines to songs chosen by the bride and groom or significant to their relationship. This game allows both performers and spectators to participate at their comfort level. It needs audio equipment and performance space but works with any size group by forming teams or having volunteers. It’s best for couples with theatrical friends or performing arts backgrounds.
Performance preparation time significantly impacts quality—allowing 15-20 minutes of rehearsal produces entertaining routines without creating performance anxiety or excessive downtime.
Song selection methodology affects participation willingness—providing pre-selected options rather than open choice reduces decision paralysis and ensures appropriate content.
Set up stations with quick challenges like stacking cups, cookie face races, or penny stacking. Teams compete for points in rapid succession. This game offers time flexibility as it can expand or contract based on available time and engagement levels. It accommodates varying attendance through rotation or tournament structures and requires moderate preparation to gather supplies for multiple quick challenges.
Station design optimization requires physical spacing of 6-8 feet between activities to prevent interference while maintaining spectator visibility.
Challenge rotation scheduling affects energy levels—implementing 60-second time limits with 30-second transition periods maintains momentum while preventing physical exhaustion.
Start planning the bachelorette party here >>
These five games incorporate optional drinking elements while remaining inclusive for non-drinkers. They range from simple conversation starters to structured competitions, all with straightforward non-alcoholic alternatives. These activities work well after ice breakers when guests are more comfortable with each other. By making alcohol optional rather than central to the games, you ensure everyone can participate regardless of their drinking preferences.
Non-alcoholic alternative implementation requires equivalent “consequence” mechanisms—substituting specialty mocktails or challenging physical tasks creates balanced participation incentives.
Drinking pace management directly impacts event trajectory—games scheduled earlier should emphasize socialization over consumption while later activities can incorporate more drinking elements as appropriate.
Create a list of statements like “Drink if you’ve known the bride/groom for more than 5 years” or “Drink if you’ve ever been late to their event.” This game is easily adapted for non-drinkers with alternate beverages. It can be improvised on the spot or prepared in advance, and questions can be tailored to match the group’s boundaries. It functions anywhere guests can hold drinks and hear each other.
Statement progression strategy affects group dynamics—beginning with universal experiences before introducing more specific or revealing prompts creates natural conversation development.
Participation observation provides valuable social information—tracking which statements generate the most drinkers reveals unexpected commonalities and conversation starting points.
Have you ever noticed how quickly people bond when they discover shared experiences? This party games bachelorette staple works perfectly for joint celebrations because it highlights connections between seemingly disparate friend groups.
Set up a tournament with teams representing the bride and groom. This game creates friendly rivalry between bride and groom supporters while requiring dedicated table space throughout the event. The tournament format can fill an entire evening if desired, and preparation needs are moderate as it requires equipment setup and tournament structuring.
Tournament bracket design significantly impacts duration—single elimination formats complete faster but reduce participation while round-robin or double elimination extends play time and engagement.
Table positioning considerations affect spectator experience—central placement with 360° access maximizes viewership while corner placement with backdrop prevents ball loss.
Play the classic card game but with wedding-themed rules. For example, drawing a King means telling a story about the bride or groom. This traditional structure with a wedding twist makes it accessible to those familiar with the game. It functions best with 5-12 players as larger groups may lose engagement. Preparation is minimal—just a deck of cards and wedding-themed rule modifications.
Rule modification strategy should maintain core gameplay mechanics while incorporating 5-7 wedding-specific elements to create familiar yet themed experience.
Circle formation dynamics affect participation equality—tight circles with clear card visibility and consistent turn direction maintain engagement and prevent side conversations.
Start planning the bachelorette party here >>
A classy version of beer pong using champagne flutes and prosecco or sparkling cider. This game elevates a college classic to match a sophisticated celebration. It requires stable surfaces and consideration for potential spills. For larger groups, it works through rotation, and preparation level is medium as it requires specialized glassware and playing surface.
Glassware selection impacts gameplay mechanics—standard 6-8oz champagne flutes with stable bases reduce spillage while maintaining appropriate difficulty level.
Surface protection implementation is essential—waterproof tablecloths with absorbent underlayment prevents damage to venue furnishings while maintaining elegant presentation.
Watch a classic wedding movie (like “Bridesmaids” or “The Hangover”) and drink when certain events occur (someone says “wedding,” there’s a disaster, etc.). This game is ideal for winding down after more active games and offers passive participation options for less outgoing guests. It needs viewing equipment and comfortable seating and works best with groups under 20 for a shared viewing experience.
Trigger event selection affects consumption pace—balancing high-frequency triggers (common words) with rare occurrences (specific plot points) creates sustainable drinking rhythm.
Viewing environment optimization requires consideration of seating arrangement, sound quality, and lighting control to maintain engagement during longer film duration.
Drinking Game | Non-Alcoholic Alternative | Preparation Level | Best Time to Play | Group Size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Drink If… | Use specialty mocktails or juice | Low | Early to mid-event | Any size |
Beer/Prosecco Pong | Use water, soda, or juice | Medium | Mid to late event | 4-20 (rotation) |
Ring of Fire | Use different drinks for non-drinkers | Low | Mid-event | 5-12 |
Movie Drinking Game | Use popcorn or candy as alternatives | Low | Late event/wind-down | Up to 20 |
Dare or Drink | Complete a different challenge | Medium | Mid to late event | 6-15 |
These five games create lasting mementos while building emotional connections between guests. They focus on celebrating the couple’s relationship and future together through personalized contributions from friends and family. These activities require minimal preparation but deliver significant sentimental value. They’re perfect for balancing high-energy competitions with quieter, more reflective moments during your celebration.
Sentimental activity timing significantly impacts emotional resonance—scheduling these games after energetic activities creates natural emotional pacing throughout the event.
Keepsake preservation planning requires consideration of collection methods, storage solutions, and presentation formats to maximize long-term value for the couple.
Provide cards for guests to write marriage advice, date night ideas, or predictions for the couple’s future. This creates a lasting keepsake for the couple beyond the party itself. It allows private contribution without public speaking, requires just cards, pens, and a collection method, and can be completed throughout the event at guests’ convenience.
Prompt specificity directly impacts response quality—targeted questions like “What’s your best advice for handling disagreements?” yield more actionable insights than general “marriage advice” requests.
Collection methodology affects completion rates—designated submission stations with visual progress indicators motivate participation better than end-of-event collection.
For a recent joint celebration, I created three different colored advice cards—blue for marriage wisdom, green for date night suggestions, and pink for predictions about their future. We placed these at a dedicated table with sample responses to inspire guests. Throughout the evening, attendees would drift over during natural breaks to contribute their thoughts. The bride later told me she and her husband read one card each night for the first month of their marriage, creating an extended celebration that carried the party’s positive energy well into their new life together.
Start planning the bachelorette party here >>
Each person shares a funny story or gentle roast about the bride or groom, keeping it lighthearted and loving. This game requires some familiarity with the couple for meaningful contributions. It can be intimidating for shy guests but rewarding for storytellers. Preparation is minimal, though guests may want to prepare remarks in advance.
Participation structure options affect comfort levels—offering both planned speaking slots and spontaneous contribution opportunities accommodates different preparation preferences.
Tone management techniques are essential—establishing clear “roast with love” parameters and having a designated moderator prevents crossing into uncomfortable territory.
Everyone contributes something small for a wedding time capsule to be opened on a future anniversary. This creates a meaningful future moment for the couple. It requires advance notice so guests can bring contributions, works with any number of participants, and allows private or public contributions based on preference.
Contribution guidance parameters significantly impact capsule quality—providing category suggestions and size limitations ensures diverse, meaningful items without overwhelming the container.
Preservation planning for various materials (paper, fabric, photos) affects long-term viability—acid-free storage and humidity control recommendations should accompany the capsule.
Create wedding-themed Mad Libs for guests to fill out about the couple’s future together. Preparation level is moderate as it requires creating custom templates. This quick activity produces entertaining keepsakes with low-pressure participation suitable for all personality types. It easily scales by printing the appropriate number of templates.
Template design strategy affects humor potential—balancing predictable fill-in-the-blank spots with unexpected narrative turns creates more entertaining results.
Implementation timing flexibility makes this ideal for transition periods—having templates available during natural downtime (while waiting for food, between activities) maximizes participation.
Teams draw relationship milestones or inside jokes about the couple for others to guess. This game works best when participants know the couple’s story. It requires drawing surfaces and visibility for all participants, functions best with 6-20 people divided into teams, and needs just drawing supplies and topic ideas.
Drawing prompt selection methodology affects engagement—balancing obvious milestones with obscure couple-specific references creates varied difficulty levels.
Time limit optimization directly impacts entertainment value—60-90 second drawing periods maintain energy while allowing sufficient detail for recognition.
Start planning the bachelorette party here >>
For groups seeking higher energy and more daring activities, these five games push boundaries while maintaining choice and comfort. They range from mild challenges to potentially outrageous performances, all with built-in options for guests to participate at their comfort level. These games work best later in the event when inhibitions have lowered and group cohesion is stronger.
Comfort boundary management techniques are essential—implementing clear opt-out mechanisms and alternative participation options maintains positive atmosphere despite varying comfort levels.
Activity progression strategy affects participation willingness—scheduling increasingly adventurous games as the event progresses aligns with natural social barrier reduction.
Prepare cards with dares. Players choose to complete the dare or take a drink. This game offers choice between participation and drinking, respecting individual boundaries. Preparation level is moderate as it requires creating dare cards appropriate to the group. It works in various settings, but privacy may enhance participation.
Dare card development requires strategic difficulty distribution—creating three tiers of challenge levels allows participants to self-select appropriate boundaries.
Choice mechanism psychology increases participation—the option between physical action and drinking creates agency that reduces resistance to potentially uncomfortable situations.
Hide items representing the bride or groom around the venue. Teams search for items and must explain their significance to the couple. This game educates friends from both sides about the couple’s history. It needs space with hiding spots and a gathering area, and preparation complexity is high as it requires collecting meaningful items and creating clues.
Item selection methodology affects educational value—choosing objects representing different life phases and relationship milestones creates comprehensive couple narrative.
Clue design complexity directly impacts completion time—implementing progressive difficulty with occasional hint mechanisms prevents excessive frustration while maintaining challenge.
Teams of two dress up as famous couples with limited time and supplies. The bride and groom judge the results. This game requires costume supplies and preparation space, needs at least 30 minutes for creation plus judging time, and encourages creativity while maintaining comfort through partnering.
Supply curation strategy significantly impacts creativity—providing diverse materials (fabric pieces, accessories, makeup) rather than pre-made costume elements encourages originality.
Judging criteria establishment affects competition quality—balancing creativity, execution, and couple resemblance categories creates multi-dimensional evaluation.
Teams choreograph short dances to songs chosen by the bride and groom, with points for creativity and enthusiasm. This game can intimidate shy guests but offers spectator roles. It needs a music system and performance space, works through team formation for larger groups, and is ideal for couples with dancing backgrounds or performance-loving friends.
Choreography time allocation affects participation willingness—10-15 minutes provides sufficient preparation without creating performance anxiety or perfectionism.
Song selection strategy impacts engagement—choosing tracks with recognizable beats and clear sections facilitates easier choreography development for non-dancers.
Play the classic game with wedding-themed questions and dares. This game offers choice between revealing truths or completing dares, is most effective with groups under 15 for engagement, can be improvised or prepared with wedding-themed prompts, and privacy may encourage more authentic participation.
Question category balance affects gameplay dynamics—distributing inquiries across relationship history, wedding planning experiences, and future expectations creates comprehensive engagement.
Circle formation considerations impact intimacy levels—smaller, tighter circles increase psychological safety for revealing responses while maintaining group cohesion.
This party games bachelorette classic gets a wedding-themed upgrade that creates memorable moments while still respecting everyone’s boundaries. Have you ever noticed how much more willing people are to participate when they know they have options?
Start planning the bachelorette party here >>
Planning a joint celebration involves juggling numerous moving parts while keeping both sides of the wedding party happy. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by planning these joint celebrations, our professional team can step in to handle everything from guest coordination to game facilitation, similar to how we help with traditional bachelorette parties. Bridesmaid for Hire steps in with expert coordination services that remove the burden from friends and family. Their comprehensive planning tools deliver customized itineraries, themed suggestions, and detailed logistics management. With experience spanning hundreds of pre-wedding events, their team navigates the potential pitfalls of combining different friend groups, ensuring everyone feels valued and included regardless of which side they represent.
Professional coordination eliminates the responsibility burden from wedding party members, allowing them to fully participate rather than manage logistics.
Third-party facilitation improves cross-group integration by removing existing social dynamics from activity implementation.
The most successful joint celebrations strike a balance between structure and spontaneity. Begin with connection-building activities before progressing to team competitions, then incorporate meaningful moments and conclude with higher-energy games as comfort levels increase. Focus on creating genuine interactions between previously separate friend groups while honoring the couple’s journey.
Strategic activity sequencing creates natural energy progression throughout the event, following psychological patterns of social connection development.
Intentional documentation planning preserves memories beyond the immediate experience through designated photo opportunities and collection methods.
For more ideas on creating memorable pre-wedding events, explore our guide on planning combined bachelor-bachelorette parties that covers everything from themes to logistics beyond just the games. By selecting games that align with your specific circumstances—venue constraints, group size, comfort boundaries, and the couple’s personalities—you’ll craft a pre-wedding event that feels authentic, inclusive, and memorable for everyone involved.
Looking for more ways to create unforgettable moments at your pre-wedding celebrations? Check out our collection of creative wedding reception games that can easily be adapted for joint bachelor-bachelorette parties.
Read the weekly newsletter from Bridesmaid for Hire, 1-800-Bridesmaid, to hear about real stories, from strangers, who need advice on love, life, friendship, and so much more.
Looking for the perfect wedding gift for someone you adore? Grab The Newlywed Card Game. It's a fun and interactive game they can play on their honeymoon or future date nights.