Smoky Wedding Ideas: Poems for Action

Seeking a way to inspire your friends and family to engage at your wedding?  Growing up in the North and attending numerous German heritage weddings, I have fond memories of clinking glasses to get the bride and groom to kiss and polka dancing.  However, I wanted to challenge my guest even more during the dinner reception, so I wrote poem and printed a challenge paper for each table.  Everyone had a blast and attendees asked me to share:

(Bride's name) and (Groom's name) are in wedding bliss
Yet clincking glasses won't cause them to kiss
Instead complete a task they can't miss

Greet those at your table, for they are your new team
Perform the following as you smile and gleam

(insert task, see examples below)

Don't be bashful, don't hide behind the bar
Laugh and have fun, you'll shine like a star

Table #1 Task
Create a new cheer about love and shout it out
You all have lots of energy, there's no doubt

Table #2 Task
Write a romantic love poem, read it aloud
You're so creative and charming, you'll be proud

Table #3 Task
Act out "I'm a Little Tea Pot"
No need to sing, just hum a lot
Your team's show will be Hot! Hot! Hot!

Table #4
Do the Chinese Fire Drill around your table
Move quickly, go twice, we know you are able

Table #5
Try to whistle or make a bird call
Flap your arms and stand up tall
Don't worry, we won't let you fall

Table #6
Begin the wave, move your arms with grace
Fast or slow, you win at any pace

Table #7
Include the word "love" while you sing a song
We'll love you even if you hit a note wrong

Table #8
Touch head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes
Please repeat three times, show us how it goes

Table #9
Stand up and pretend you're an eight piece band
No bow?  No stick?  No pick?  We'll understand

For table mates meeting each other for the first time, it was a fun ice breaker.  I was impressed with my friends & family's enthusiasm and creativity.  They were laughing so hard and when we watch the video, it makes us smile all over again.  Feel free to use the idea, just write a comment after the wedding reception to let me know whether your guests enjoyed it.