Creative Ways To Make Your Wedding An Ispy Adventure

An I Spy wedding game is a fun and simple activity to keep your guests entertained throughout the reception. It doesn't require much work and is a cheap and cheerful addition to any celebration. All you need is some stationery, pens, and your guests' phones. You can also provide disposable cameras if it's a phone-free wedding. The game involves creating a list of events and items for your guests to look out for and capture with their phones or cameras. You can display these lists on cards at the reception venue entryway or on your guests' dinner plates. To make it more interactive, you can ask your guests to upload their photos to Instagram with your wedding hashtag or send them to you via email or a photo-sharing app.

How to play the game

"I Spy" is a simple game that will keep your wedding guests entertained throughout the reception. It doesn't require much work but will likely be a big hit, especially with younger guests.

Here's how to play:

Preparation

Before the wedding, create a list of events and items that guests should look out for and capture with their phones or cameras. This could include things like:

• The happy couple kissing
• Someone taking a shot
• Someone shedding a happy tear
• The cake before it's been cut
• Someone falling asleep
• The best dancer
• The worst dancer
• The couple's first dance
• The mother of the bride crying
• The bride playing with her rings
• An artistic shot of the food or centerpiece

You can be creative and choose any items or events you like, but remember to keep the list to a manageable length (10-20 items is ideal) so your guests can easily remember what they're looking for. You can also include boxes next to each item on the list that guests can tick off as they go.

If you're having a phone-free wedding, you can provide disposable cameras for guests to use, or create checklists that they can tick off without taking photos.

Print out your "I Spy" cards and display them at the reception venue. You can leave a basket of cards at the entryway or place one on each guest's dinner plate, along with a pen or pencil, so they can keep track of their progress.

During the Wedding

Throughout the wedding reception, your guests will keep their eyes peeled for the items and events on the list, either individually or working together with their tablemates. They can capture these moments with their phones or cameras, or simply tick them off on the checklist if you've chosen a phone-free option.

After the Wedding

After the wedding, ask your guests to upload their photos to a central location, such as a Facebook group or a specific Instagram hashtag. This way, you'll be able to see all the fun, candid moments your guests captured and maybe even add some photos to your wedding album.

If you provided disposable cameras, don't forget to collect them at the end of the night so you can develop the photos.

Creating the cards

Once you have your list, simply write out each item on individual cards, leaving space for your guests to tick or check off the items as they find or capture them. You can create these cards yourself using stationery and pens, or you can ask your stationer to create them for you if your budget allows. If you're looking for a more affordable option, you can easily print out the cards yourself.

To add a creative twist, you can include illustrations or small pictures next to each item on the list, giving your guests a visual reference to work with. You can also get creative with the design and layout of the cards, incorporating your wedding colours or theme to make them more personalised.

If you're feeling particularly crafty, you can even decorate the cards with stickers, stamps, or other embellishments. Another option is to provide your guests with disposable cameras, especially if you're having a phone-free wedding. This way, you can ensure that all the photos are returned to you, and your guests won't need to tick off items as they go.

Remember to make enough cards for each guest or each table, depending on how you plan to distribute them. Finally, don't forget to display your I Spy cards prominently at the reception venue, so no one misses out on the fun!

Where to display them

To ensure that all your guests can join in the fun, it's important to give some thought to where you display your I Spy cards. Here are some ideas for where to place them:

• At the entrance to the reception venue, you could have a basket of cards that guests can pick up as they arrive. This will ensure that everyone has access to the game and can start playing straight away.
• For a more personal touch, place a card at each guest's dinner setting. This way, they will definitely see it and be able to start playing as soon as they are seated. You could even include a pen or pencil with each card so that guests can tick off items as they find them.
• If you have a welcome table or area, you could display the cards there, perhaps with a sign inviting guests to take one and join in the fun.
• If you have a photo booth or other designated photo area, you could display the cards nearby. This will encourage guests to interact with each other and get creative with their photos.
• If you have a wedding programme or order of service, you could include the I Spy game details inside, so guests can refer to it throughout the reception.

Remember, the key is to make sure the cards are visible and accessible to all your guests, so they can all join in the fun and help capture wonderful memories of your special day.

What to include on the cards

The I Spy game is a simple activity that will keep your wedding guests entertained throughout the reception. It works just like a classic game of I Spy, but instead of looking for objects in pictures, your guests will try to capture specific events and items at your wedding.

• A group photo of everyone at the table
• A photo of each family or couple at the table
• The happy couple kissing
• A group shot of guests and their tablemates
• Someone shedding a happy tear
• The mother of the bride crying
• The cake before it's been cut
• Someone falling asleep
• The bride playing with her rings
• The best dancer (in action)
• The worst dancer (in action)
• An artistic shot of the food
• An artistic shot of the centrepiece

Remember, you don't want to overwhelm your guests with too many items to find, so aim for a list of around 10 to 20 things for them to capture. You can also include boxes next to each item on the list so that your guests can tick them off as they go.

How to get the photos back

The I Spy Wedding Game is a fun activity to add to your wedding reception to ensure your guests are entertained and happy. It's a great way to get some candid wedding photos and create a fun atmosphere for your guests.

• Provide disposable cameras: If your budget allows, consider providing disposable cameras for your guests to use during the game. This ensures that you get all the photos back at the end of the event. Simply instruct your guests to leave the disposable cameras with you before they leave.
• Use a wedding hashtag: Create a unique wedding hashtag and ask your guests to upload their photos to Instagram using the hashtag. This way, you can easily find and save all the photos in one place.
• Use a photo-sharing app: There are apps specifically designed for collecting photos from guests at events, such as the Wedshoots app mentioned on WeddingWire. You can also use other apps like DropBox or email. Provide clear instructions to your guests on how to use the chosen app and share their photos with you.
• Collect cameras or phones: If you've provided cameras or phones for the game, make sure to collect them all at the end of the event. This ensures that you have access to all the photos taken during the game.
• Set up a photo station: Create a designated area or photo station where guests can upload or transfer their photos before they leave. This could be a laptop or tablet connected to a wireless network that guests can easily access.
• Instruct guests to send photos: If you don't mind waiting a little longer, you can simply instruct your guests to send you their photos via email or a file-sharing platform. Make sure to provide clear instructions and, if possible, include this request in your thank-you notes.
• Offer a small prize: To encourage guests to participate and return their photos, consider offering a small prize or favour for those who submit their photos. This could be something simple like a small gift or a discount voucher.

Remember to clearly communicate your preferred method of collecting photos to your guests, either through signage at the event or by including instructions with the I Spy game cards.

Frequently asked questions