We’ve all seen the shift happening. More couples are ditching the separate weekends and opting for one massive, inclusive celebration. Financially? It’s a genius move. Logistically? It makes sense. But socially? It can be a total minefield.
I actually went to a “Sten” party once that was painful to watch. The bride’s crew camped out in the kitchen with rosé while the groom’s guys stood on the patio smoking cigars. It was like a middle school dance—dead silent between the groups for three hours. It wasn’t until someone forced us to play a stupidly simple game that the walls finally came down.
Quick Resources:
Instantly generate crowd-approved games with the free Bachelorette Games Generator
Browse planning support beyond games in All Wedding Tools
If you’re planning a combined bash, you can’t just hope people will mingle. You need a plan. You need a list of joint bachelor bachelorette party games that actually work to bridge the gap between “His Friends” and “Her Friends” without making everyone want to crawl into a hole.
Look, if you only take a few things away from this, make it these points. You have to read the room before you force interaction.
Check the “Cringe” Level: Don’t pick games that will traumatize the bride’s conservative cousin. If it feels weird, skip it.
Mix It Up: The whole point is blending the two sides. Don’t let the bride’s friends stay in a clump.
Keep it Sober-Friendly: Not everyone drinks, and nobody likes being the odd one out. Make sure the games work with soda, too.
Keep it Simple: If you have 20+ people, do not choose a game that takes 20 minutes to explain. You will lose them.
Ask for Help: If you’re drowning in logistics, services like Bridesmaid for Hire are actual lifesavers.
Short on time? Pull ready-to-play ideas from the free Bachelorette Games Generator.
Before you lock in the itinerary, you need to be honest about the group dynamic. Unlike single-gender parties where everyone has known each other since college, joint parties are often a room full of strangers. If you’re still figuring out the vibe, check out these combined bachelor bachelorette party themes to set the tone.
You have to ask yourself: Does this game force people to talk to someone they don’t know? If the game allows the Groomsmen to stay in their corner, it’s a fail.
Generate icebreakers that actually mix the group using the free Bachelorette Games Generator.
What’s funny to a rowdy group of college buddies might be mortifying in a mixed setting. Use the “Grandma Test”: Before you put “Lap Dance Musical Chairs” on the list, imagine the Bride’s grandmother or the Groom’s religious aunt walking in. If the thought makes you sweat, save that game for the after-party. Stick to Category A or B while the family is around.
If your group is on the conservative side (or family is watching), definitely scan this list of clean bachelorette party games. They are easily adapted for mixed groups and won’t result in any awkward apologies the next morning.
Also, think about the setup. Joint parties are usually huge. Do you really want to buy props for 25 people? Probably not. Look for games that are “low maintenance.”
Quick Cheat Sheet:
Easy Setup: Games like “Medusa” or “Never Have I Ever” (Requires zero dollars and zero prep).
Hard Setup: Scavenger Hunts or Toilet Paper Dresses (Requires buying stuff, cleaning up trash, and lots of space).
Start here. These are perfect for the first hour when everyone is standing around holding their drinks awkwardly. If you need more inspo, these coed bridal shower games work great as warm-ups.
Need more low-cringe openers? Try the free Bachelorette Games Generator.
Make a bingo card with facts, not numbers. Guests have to find someone who “Has traveled to Asia” or “Went to college with the Groom.” It forces people to talk, which is exactly what you want.
Give everyone a sheet of stickers. The goal? Stick them on other people without them noticing. If you get caught, you have to take the sticker back. It’s silly, easy, and requires zero talking if people are shy.
The couple sits back-to-back answering questions with their shoes. It’s a classic for a reason. It gets everyone laughing at the same inside jokes without requiring the guests to do anything but watch.
Think speed dating, but platonic. Set a timer for two minutes and make the “Bride’s side” rotate to talk to the “Groom’s side.” Warning: This is intense for introverts, so read the room first.
Break the party into mixed teams. They have to figure out the lies together. It’s mental, not physical, so everyone can play regardless of energy levels.
Okay, the ice is broken. Now let’s get people moving. These are your high-energy crowd pleasers.
Add high-energy games without extra prep using the free Bachelorette Games Generator.
Give teams 10 minutes to make a wedding outfit out of toilet paper. It’s cheap, it’s chaotic, and the photos are always gold. Pro Tip: Give them a weird theme like “Zombie Bride” or “80s Prom.” It forces the team to brainstorm, which builds bonds faster.
Teams pass an orange neck-to-neck without using hands. It gets up-close and personal very fast, so maybe wait until everyone has had a drink or two.
Blindfold one person and have them apply makeup to their partner. The results are terrifyingly funny, and it’s super low-stakes.
Cover a balloon in shaving cream and hand someone a razor. If it pops, they get messy. Definitely do this outside unless you want shaving cream on your Airbnb rental rug.
If you have a loud group, this is the winner. Have the couple judge the performances. Just make sure you have a designated “stage” area.
These are for later in the night. And remember—all of these can be played with water or soda. Don’t pressure the non-drinkers!
Customize drinking or sober-friendly options with the free Bachelorette Games Generator.
Sober Swaps:
Instead of a shot: Eat a lemon wedge or a sour candy.
Instead of sipping beer: Do 5 squats.
Bride’s Team vs. Groom’s Team. It’s simple, it gets people yelling (in a good way), and it creates instant camaraderie.
It’s Beer Pong, but classier. Use Prosecco or sparkling cider. It feels a little more “wedding” and a little less “frat house.”
Write challenges on the blocks. “Text your ex” or “Finish your drink.” It keeps people gathered around a table chatting.
Put on the AC/DC song. Every time you hear “Thunder,” you drink (or do a jumping jack). It’s chaotic and loud, perfect for pumping up the energy.
Stand in a circle with heads down. On the count of three, look up at someone. If you make eye contact, you both yell/drink/out. No props needed.
These games test how well everyone knows the couple. They are great for a breather between the high-energy stuff.
Have the crowd place bets on whether the couple will match answers. It gets the audience involved so they aren’t just staring at the couple for 20 minutes. Need questions? Check out this guide to the newlywed game.
Send teams out with a list of tasks like “Take a selfie with a stranger” or “Find something blue.” Everyone has a phone, so this is the easiest game to set up.
Collect baby photos of the guests beforehand. People have to guess who is who. It’s cute, low-cringe, but does require you to nag people for photos weeks in advance.
Write a story about how they met, but leave blanks. Let the guests fill them in with nouns and verbs. The result is usually ridiculous.
It’s musical chairs, but for adults. People get competitive. Just be careful—I’ve seen dresses rip during this game.
Warning: Only play these if the group is close-knit and the vibe is right. If parents are present, skip this section entirely.
Pairs have to pop a balloon by grinding it between their bodies. It breaks the touch barrier immediately, but it can be awkward if people don’t know each other.
Passing a card mouth-to-mouth. It’s a classic, but it’s high-cringe and spreads germs. Know your audience.
The fastest way to learn everyone’s secrets. It requires zero prep, just a willingness to be embarrassed.
Pick up a paper bag with your mouth. Cut the bag shorter every round. It’s fun to watch, but tough for people in tight dresses or with bad knees.
The loser of the round has to sit on someone’s lap. This is maximum cringe factor. Proceed with caution.
Planning a joint party means managing double the egos and double the budget. When the Bride has a “vision” and the Groom’s friends just want chaos, you might need backup.
If you feel like you’re herding cats, check out Bridesmaid for Hire. Jen Glantz and her team offer Maid of Honor Coaching that can talk you off the ledge. I also love The Newlywed Card Game by them—it’s a great digital tool to get things moving without you having to invent questions.
Take one thing off your plate by letting the free Bachelorette Games Generator handle game ideas.
The “Budget Meltdown” Scenario: The guys want $500 scotch, the girls want custom balloons. Who wins? A professional coach can actually act as a neutral third party to solve this stuff so you don’t have to be the bad guy.
And if you’re just doing a chill weekend at an Airbnb, keep it low-key. These bachelorette party games at home are perfect for when you just want to hang out in sweatpants and drink wine.
The success of a joint party isn’t about how fancy the games are. It’s about getting people to actually talk to each other. Pick a few games that fit your group’s specific brand of weird, and trust that the fun will follow. Whether you go for the spicy stuff or just some simple trivia, the goal is just to get everyone on the same team before the big day.
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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.