Nigerian weddings are known for their lively atmosphere, vibrant colors, and the seamless fusion of tradition and modernity. From heartfelt ceremonies to extravagant receptions, a Nigerian wedding is not just a celebration of love—it’s a full-blown cultural experience! And while the dance floors stay lit with Afrobeats, Highlife, and Fuji, wedding games are quickly becoming a popular way to add even more joy and laughter to these special occasions.
If you’re planning a Nigerian wedding or attending one, why not sprinkle in some fun wedding games? Whether it’s a small, intimate gathering or a grand traditional affair, these games will keep your guests engaged and create lasting memories for everyone. Below are some exciting wedding games you can introduce at a Nigerian wedding to take the fun up a notch!
1. Couple’s Trivia: How Well Do You Know Each Other?
Kick off the festivities by testing how well the bride and groom know each other. A wedding MC can ask fun questions like, “What’s the groom’s favorite meal?” or “Where did the bride and groom first meet?” The couple can answer by holding up cards or saying their answers out loud, and the guests get to enjoy the hilarity that unfolds. The real fun comes when the answers don’t match – cue the laughter!
2. The Ultimate Dance-Off: Bride’s Friends vs. Groom’s Friends
When it comes to dancing, Nigerians don’t play! So why not up the ante with a friends dance-off? Invite all friends – bride’s friends vs. groom’s friends – onto the dance floor, and let them show off their best moves. Each side competes for crowd approval, with guests cheering on their favorite team. From Azonto to Shaku Shaku, this game will get everyone on their feet and hyped up!
3. Musical Chairs with a Twist
You can never go wrong with a classic game of musical chairs! It’s simple, fun, and guarantees loads of laughter. To give it a Nigerian wedding twist, play the game using traditional Nigerian songs or hit Afrobeats jams. Watch as guests scramble for seats when the music stops, leading to light-hearted fun that breaks the ice and gets everyone in the spirit of celebration.
4. Money Dance Game: Who Sprays the Most?
Spraying money is an iconic part of Nigerian weddings, where guests shower the couple with cash as they dance in celebration. Turn this into a friendly competition by inviting key family members or friends to “spray” the couple. The person who sprays the most wins a playful title, like “Spraying Champion of the Day”—and possibly a little prize! It’s a fun way to involve guests and keep the energy high.
5. Couple’s Shoe Game
This game is a wedding classic, but it’s particularly fun at Nigerian weddings because of the infectious energy of the crowd. The bride and groom sit back-to-back and each hold one of the other’s shoes. The MC asks a series of funny questions, such as “Who is the better cook?” or “Who is the better dancer?” Each one raises the shoe of the person they think is the right answer. Get ready for some hilarious moments as the couple shows just how well they know – or don’t know – each other!
6. Find Your Partner
Here’s a game that always gets the crowd going! Blindfold the bride and groom, then line up a group of guests (usually the bridal party or close family members). The goal is for the bride to find the groom—and vice versa—based solely on touch, scent, or voice. It’s sweet, funny, and a great way to bring in close family members and friends to join the fun.
7. Catch the Bouquet and Garter Toss
A timeless tradition that never fails to entertain! All the single ladies gather to catch the bouquet tossed by the bride, while the single men compete to catch the garter thrown by the groom. The lucky individuals who catch these items are believed to be the next to get married! Make this moment even more fun with upbeat music, and maybe even give the winners a special prize.
8. Guess the Dress
If there’s one thing Nigerian brides do exceptionally well, it’s changing outfits—and they do it in style! A fun pre-reception game can be to have guests guess what the bride will wear when she reappears in her traditional attire. Will it be regal in Aso Oke? Perhaps she’ll go bold with lace? The correct guessers can win small prizes, adding extra anticipation for the bride’s grand entrance.
9. Scavenger Hunt
Take the fun up a notch with a wedding-themed scavenger hunt! Create a list of things for guests to find or take photos of, like “someone wearing a traditional Yoruba cap (Fila)” or “the bride’s bouquet.” Guests can work in teams to collect the items, and the first team to complete the list wins. This game will get everyone moving around and engaging with each other—and might even make them see the wedding in a new way.
10. Speech Bingo
Speeches at weddings are often heartfelt, but they can also be long. Keep your guests engaged by giving them bingo cards with common phrases they might hear during the speeches, such as “love,” “family,” or “forever.” The first person to fill their card can shout “Bingo!” and win a prize. It’s a fun way to ensure no one dozes off during the more formal parts of the evening.
11. Mimic the Couple
Have some fun with this light-hearted game by asking family members or close friends to act out the couple’s courtship story or unique relationship quirks. Guests can recreate iconic moments from the couple’s love story—first dates, funny habits, and proposal moments. The reenactments will leave everyone laughing and bring back beautiful memories for the couple.
12. Who is the Better Dancer?
Another dance game (because let’s face it, Nigerian weddings thrive on dancing)! Pit the bridesmaids and groomsmen against each other to see who’s the better dancer. They can each take turns showing off their best moves to traditional or modern Nigerian music. The crowd will decide the winner based on applause – don’t be surprised if it turns into a tie with both sides giving it their all!
Incorporating these games into a Nigerian wedding will ensure that the celebration is not only a reflection of love but also full of joy, laughter, and cultural pride. Whether it’s the bride and groom showing off their dance moves or the guests scrambling for musical chairs, these games add an extra layer of excitement to an already unforgettable day.
So, when you’re planning or attending the next Nigerian wedding, don’t forget to throw in a few of these fun-filled activities – they’ll leave everyone talking about the day for years to come! Book a wedding consultation with us today.