It can often be a bit tricky to think of fun ideas to keep your guests entertained during the time between your ceremony and reception. You are often off having your photographs taken with your partner and bridal party – but what are your guests to do?
At Grange Cleveland Winery, we recently hosted a wedding where the couple decided to provide a series of fun lawn games to entertain their guests, including giant Jenga, Bocce, Croquet and Ring Toss as well as the classic Noughts and Crosses.
Our all time favourite was the giant Jenga. We loved the smiles that we saw on the guests’ faces when they first laid eyes on the oversized pieces. Another popular game with the adults was the Croquet and Bocce. The kids loved playing with the Ring Toss as well as Noughts and Crosses.
Croquet involves hitting plastic or wooden balls with a mallet through hoops embedded in a grass playing court; it is the perfect game to be played just in front of our historic homestead as it has a lovely stretch of green lawn right next to it.
Bocce is usually played on natural soil, which again we have the perfect spot for. It is played between two players or teams. A simple way to describe the object of the game is to relate it to the game of soccer. In soccer the only real object of the game is to get the ball into the goal of the opposing team more often than they do, within an allotted time period. In Bocce, the only object is for one or more of your team’s balls to be closer to the pallina (small target ball, often white) than any of your opponent’s balls at the end of every set. Rather than a time period, you can play a fixed number of ends and total the highest score to win or be the first team to reach a pre-determined score.
With lots of wide open spaces around Grange Cleveland Winery we were able to help our couple organise the games. We spread them around different areas on our lush green lawn and the outcome was just fabulous. Guests, both young and old, had lots of fun with them…after all, it’s not everyday you see these sort of games laid out all ready to play!
All the guests mingled and relax on our lawns. Cocktail and canapés were served and we created a really relaxing atmosphere; all the guests were playing games, eating, drinking and just having fun. Exactly what couples want at their weddings!
All images by Elk and Willow Photography
Ms Chinoiserie Says: Such a fun idea to keep guests entertained! Try one or include them all – Bocce anyone?
About Grange Cleveland Winery: At Grange Cleveland Winery, we offer an impeccable location for a winery wedding, located just under an hour from Melbourne. From getting ready for your wedding in an impressive 1887 gothic style Homestead to exchanging vows in the vineyard, by the lake or in one of our beautiful private cottage gardens, our professional dedicated wedding planner will help you tailor make the wedding of your dreams.
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