When it comes time to delegate which table gets to go first to the buffet at your wedding reception, you may think it’s a conventional process that doesn’t require any creativity. However, besides the head table always going first; you can use this as an opportunity to have some fun and get your guests in the spirit of enjoying the party. Consider creating a simple “first to the buffet” wedding reception game. You can turn an ordinary, and usually chaotic, part of your reception into a fun time for everyone.
There are a few different methods to playing this wedding reception game; and you can certainly use your own variations or methods to make the game your own! Below, we will go over a few of the most common methods.
Sticker Method
The first method is probably the simplest. Place a colored or numbered sticker under the flower centerpieces at each of the reception tables. Next, decide when you will begin serving your dinner. Then, have the emcee or DJ announce one of the colors or numbers. You can have them just choose randomly, or they can pull them from a hat. Whichever table corresponds to what has been announced can proceed to the buffet line and begin eating.
Pick-a-Card Method
Just before serving dinner, have someone walk around to each table with a standard deck of cards and have the oldest person (or youngest) at the table choose a card. Once every table has selected a card, each table can go in order of highest to lowest card. If more than one table picks the same card, you can establish a hierarchy of which suit is higher than others. Sadly, it’s a bit more complicated than the sticker method. However, it’s also more interactive and can be a really fun way to execute your “first to the buffet” wedding reception game!
Bingo Method
While this method requires the most preparation, it also is the most fun for everyone in the room. While there are several ways this can work, the easiest is to hand out bingo cards to each of your guests and instruct them that you will be playing “4 corners” bingo (least amount of work for whoever is checking numbers). Once you get your “4 corners” bingo, you get to go up to the reception buffet line. While this takes a little longer than calling full tables at a time, it really adds some fun and whimsy to your celebration.
Sparkler Method
One cool way to find the winner of this wedding reception game involves sparklers. Simply hand out wedding sparklers to each of your guests and light them. Whoever has the last sparkler burning wins! However, this method requires that you have an efficient way to get everyone going at roughly the same time. I suggest a proper sparkler torch to get it done quickly; at least one for each table. That way, you don’t have to worry about people crying “foul” before they get their plate filled.
Spin the Bride
This is my personal favorite! No, we aren’t talking about laying the bride on the floor and spinning her. Instead, you simply blindfold the bride, spin them around, and let them walk until they find a table. Whichever table they bump into first wins this wedding reception game. Just make sure there’s a helper; you never want to leave the bride unattended.
No matter if you use one of the methods above, modify them, or come up with your own unique way of orchestrating it; creating a “first to the buffet” wedding reception game is a unique and exciting twist on serving your buffet-style reception dinner.
