The shoe game is fun and interactive, often played at wedding receptions. As the wedding MC, it will be your job to host and facilitate this game. The shoe game is a great way to get the bride, groom, and guests involved and build excitement during the reception. Here is a complete guide on hosting the shoe game as one of your main wedding mc duties.
Check out DJ or MC to Host A Wedding Reception? Here.
What is the Wedding Shoe Game?
A hilarious reception tradition, the wedding shoe game playfully reveals how well the newlyweds know each other. Also called the newlywed game, the bride and groom sit back-to-back in chairs so they can’t see each other’s answers.
The MC asks funny questions about their relationship and personalities – “Who snores louder?” “Who spends more time getting ready?” For each question, the bride and groom raise the shoe of the person that fits the question best, leading to surprised reactions and lots of laughter as quirks are exposed.
The bride and groom will each hold up the shoe of the person the question best applies to. For example, if the bride is notoriously tardy, she would raise her shoe when asked, “Who is more likely to be late?” She will hold up her shoe if the question is about the bride. If it applies more to the groom, the bride will hold up one of his shoes.
This is done for a series of lighthearted questions and is usually good for lots of laughs, surprises, and funny revelations about the couple.
How do you Play the Shoe Game at a Wedding?
Here are the step-by-step instructions for how to play the shoe game at a wedding reception:
1. Set Up the Chairs
Before starting the game, set up two chairs in the center of the dance floor or reception space. Position the chairs several feet apart, facing away from each other. The distance between the chairs should prevent the bride and groom from viewing one another’s shoe selections during the game.
2. Gather the Shoes
Prior to beginning the shoe game, instruct the bride and groom to remove their shoes. Ensure their shoes are easily grasped and distinguishable to be used effectively as props during the game. The shoes are key props for the game.
3. Seat the Couple
Place the bride in one chair and the groom in the other chair positioned back-to-back, so neither can see the other’s shoes or signals. Neither should be able to see the other’s shoes or signals.
4. Explain the Rules
As the MC, briefly explain the rules – you will ask a question about their relationship, likes, or habits. When answering, the bride and groom will hold up the shoe belonging to the person the question most applies to.
For example, if the question is “Who snores louder?” and the bride snores louder, she would hold up her shoe. If the groom answers that he snores louder, he will hold up his shoe.
5. Ask the Questions
As the MC, you will ask a series of 10-15 fun questions about the couple. See the question ideas in the next section. Leave a brief pause after each question for the couple to hold up their shoe answers.
Some questions may have them both holding up their own shoes, indicating the question applies to both of them. Other questions will have them holding up each other’s shoes.
Wedding Shoe Game Questions
The questions you ask as the MC are key to making this game fun and engaging. Here are some example shoe game questions to ask:
- Who is more likely to run late?
- Who will be in charge of the TV remote?
- Who has more pairs of shoes?
- Who is the better cook?
- Who is more stubborn?
- Who spends more money on clothes?
- Who initiates kissing more?
- Who is the better driver?
- Who is more competitive?
- Who is the bigger baby when sick?
- Who is messier around the house?
- Who said “I love you” first?
- Who will plan and book your vacations?
- Who will take longer to get ready to go out?
Aim for a mix of lighthearted, funny, and revealing relationship questions. You want surprises, discrepancies, and moments for the audience to get to know the couple better.
How to Introduce the Shoe Game at a Wedding
Here are 7 tips for introducing the shoe game as the mc:
- Build up anticipation by saying you have a fun game planned to get the audience involved.
- Ask the bride and groom to come take the center seats, facing back to back.
- As they are seated, explain you will be asking revealing and funny questions about their relationship.
- Briefly explain the shoe-holding answering system.
- Lightheartedly warn the bride and groom that this game may expose some unknown quirks or habits about each other.
- Start with an easy, light question to demonstrate how the game works.
- Maintain high energy and encouragement throughout the introductions so the audience is primed for the game.
Check out How to Write a Great Wedding MC Introduction Speech here.
When Can the Shoe Game Be Played?
The shoe game is perfect for a wedding reception or engagement party. It works best midway through the event when guests have had a chance to eat, settle in, and get festive.
It can be played any time after the main meal and before the open dancing begins. The shoe game helps transition the reception from placid dining to high-energy dancing and partying.
It also serves as a nice break between other reception events like the first dance, parent dances, cake cutting, and toasts. Discuss timing with the couple to find the right time slot.
Should the Shoe Game Go Before or After Speeches?
The shoe game can be placed either before or after the speeches and toasts.
Doing it before speeches allows the groom and bride to playfully “get back” at each other before praising each other in speeches. It builds fun tension.
Doing it after speeches enables the audience to learn more about the couple through speeches first, then see the couple’s answers played out in the game.
Either timing can work well. Just avoid back-to-back serious speeches followed immediately by a silly game. Space things out to prevent abrupt tone shifts.
Where Should Guests Be During the Shoe Game?
The shoe game works best when guests are seated at tables around the reception area so they are close enough to see the shoe answers and hear the questions.
If space allows, guests can stand around the dance floor perimeter so they encircle the bride and groom. This adds to the energy.
Having guests seated far away or behind the couple will limit their ability to feel connected and engaged. Position guests as close to the action as possible.
How to Host a Fun Wedding Shoe Game
Hosting the shoe game is a fun highlight of being a great wedding MC. Time the game well, prepare great questions, and build energy in the room. Follow the tips above to make it a reception game that guests will remember and talk about for years!
Special Thanks
Photographer: Renata Dominik
Celebrant: Marry Us Gary
Shoe Game Wedding MC
