Everything You Need To Know About The Shoe Game
Looking for a lighthearted way to entertain your guests and show off your personalities? The wedding shoe game has become one of the most popular reception activities, and it’s easy to see why. This playful game is all about testing how well the couple really knows each other, while giving guests plenty of laughs along the way. From silly questions about who’s the better cook to heartfelt prompts about who said “I love you” first, the answers are always entertaining—especially when the couple disagrees!
The best part about the shoe game is that it’s simple, interactive, and requires almost no setup. All you need are two chairs, two shoes (one from each partner), and a list of fun questions. Guests love watching the couple’s responses, and the game provides a memorable way to break up the evening between dinner, speeches, and dancing.
If you’ve never seen it before, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. In this post, we’ll walk you through how to play the wedding shoe game, why it’s such a hit at receptions, and tips for making it your own. Whether you’re planning a traditional ballroom celebration, a rustic barn wedding, or an outdoor summer reception, this game is guaranteed to add laughter and personality to your big day.
Photo By: Letura Idigmia
How to Play the Wedding Shoe Game
The wedding shoe game is one of the simplest and most entertaining reception games you can include on your big day. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how it’s done:
Set the Scene – The newlyweds sit in chairs placed back-to-back in the middle of the dance floor so they can’t see each other’s answers. This keeps the game fun and surprising for both the couple and their guests.
Grab the Shoes – Each partner takes off their shoes (or brings an extra pair to use). They’ll hold one of their own shoes and one of their partner’s shoes, giving them two different options to answer with.
Pick a Host – Someone—often a close friend, family member, or even the DJ—reads a list of fun wedding shoe game questions. These can range from silly (“Who is the messiest?”) to sweet (“Who said I love you first?”) to practical (“Who spends more time getting ready?”).
Answer with Shoes – Instead of speaking, the couple holds up the shoe that belongs to the person they believe is the best answer to the question. For example, if the host asks “Who’s the better cook?” and the bride thinks it’s her, she’ll raise her own shoe. If the groom thinks it’s her too, he’ll raise her shoe as well.
Enjoy the Laughs – The fun part? Since the couple is sitting back-to-back, they can’t see each other’s responses. Guests get to enjoy the reactions and laughter when the answers don’t line up—or when they do!
This interactive game is always a crowd favorite because it highlights the couple’s personalities, sparks plenty of laughter, and requires almost no preparation. Whether you’re planning a rustic barn wedding, an elegant ballroom reception, or an outdoor summer celebration, the shoe game is an easy way to get your guests engaged and entertained.
The shoe game is more than just a silly activity—it’s a crowd-pleasing wedding entertainment idea that helps guests feel included in the celebration. It gives everyone a chance to see the couple’s dynamic, hear funny stories, and share in the laughter. Best of all, it’s family-friendly, inexpensive, and works for weddings of all sizes and styles—whether you’re planning a rustic barn wedding, an elegant ballroom affair, or a casual backyard celebration.
Traditional Questions:
Who really made the first move?
Who’s the best driver?
Who is more stubborn?
Who makes the better breakfast?
Who said ‘I love you’ first?
Who’s the ‘responsible one’?
Who would be the first to lose their keys?
Who leaned in for the first kiss?
Who’s more likely to be late?
Who complains more?
Who eats the most junk food?
Who is the social butterfly?
Who mentioned marriage first?
Who is the better dancer?
Who looks better today?
Who has the cleanest car?
Who got better grades in school?
Who is better at keeping surprises?
Who is looking forward to the honeymoon the most?
Who is more likely to eat ice cream for breakfast?
Who has been in more car accidents?
Who was the first one to have a crush on the other?
Who controls the tv remote?
Who hogs the blanket more?
Who is the messiest out of the two of you?
Who do you love more than anyone in the world? (Have this be the last question)
One thing I’ve noticed for sure, is your guests are more likely to be engaged if the questions being asked are funny and contradictive. Your guests love to see that you and your fiancé disagree about who is the messiest out of the two of you, or who is more likely to get a speeding ticket. So if you’re looking for some fun questions to throw into your shoe game, then these ideas are for you:
Funny Questions:
Who’s more likely to talk their way out of a speeding ticket?
Who’s more likely to max out their credit card?
Who’s more likely to scream at the sight of a spider?
Who has the worst road rage?
Who is always right?
Who’s more likely to pick their nose and eat it? (This one is my all time favorite)
Who is more likely to use the bedroom floor as their personal laundry basket?
Who’s more likely to burn the house down when cooking dinner?
Who takes up more than their half of the bed?
Who wears the pants in the relationship?
Who wakes up grumpier?
Who likes chick flicks more?
Who will need hearing aids first?
Who has the crazier family?
Who is the most talkative?
Who has the shorter attention span?
Who is more pitiful when they’re sick?
Who is more likely to be arrested?
Who does the dog love more?
Who will be the stricter parent?
Who cries more during movies?
Who is more likely to get lost on a trip?
The new furniture you bought needs assembling. Who does it?
Who can hold their alcohol the best?
Who has the better in-laws?
Who has the smelliest feet?
Who has the better looking family?
Who is more likely to get out of something if they don’t want to do it?
When Should You Play the Wedding Shoe Game?
One of the most common questions couples ask is: when is the best time to play the wedding shoe game? The answer comes down to your reception timeline and the flow of your evening. Ideally, the shoe game works best right after dinner and before you officially open the dance floor. At this point, all of your guests are seated, paying attention, and ready for some entertainment before the party kicks off. It’s the perfect transition between the formal dinner portion of the evening and the fun, energetic part of the reception.
Some couples choose to wait and play the game later in the night, once the drinks are flowing and everyone is loosened up. While this can make for some hilarious answers, it also comes with challenges. Playing the wedding shoe game in the middle of the dance hour means you’ll need to clear the dance floor, which can disrupt the momentum. Once the music stops, it can sometimes be difficult to get guests back up and dancing—especially if some of your older guests or families with children have already left by that point.
If your schedule works best to play during dancing, one great trick is to have your DJ line up a crowd favorite immediately after the game ends. Think of high-energy songs like the Cupid Shuffle, Cha Cha Slide, or another wedding dance floor anthem that gets everyone moving. This way, the transition feels seamless and the energy stays high.
The key is to place the shoe game at a time when you have the most guests in attendance, the most attention on you as a couple, and the least interruptions to your overall timeline. For most weddings, that sweet spot is after dinner, before toasts or dancing, when everyone is already gathered together.
Tips to Make the Wedding Shoe Game More Enjoyable
The wedding shoe game is always a crowd favorite, but with a little extra planning, you can take it from fun to unforgettable. If you want your guests to be fully entertained and your answers to get plenty of laughs, here are some of the best shoe game tips and tricks to make the experience even more enjoyable:
Start Easy to Warm Everyone Up
Begin with simple, lighthearted questions to get both the couple and the guests comfortable. For example: “Who is the better driver?” or “Who made the first move?” Starting with easy prompts helps set the tone and builds anticipation for the funnier or more serious ones later.
Mix Up the Question Styles
Don’t stick to just one type of question. The best wedding shoe game questions are a mix of romantic (“Who said I love you first?”), funny (“Who snores louder?”), personal (“Who spends more money?”), and even a few slightly serious ones (“Who is more likely to apologize first?”). This variety keeps the game interesting and makes sure guests stay engaged throughout.
Keep the Questions a Surprise
One of the golden rules of the shoe game is to keep the list of questions secret from the couple. The charm of the game lies in spontaneous, unfiltered answers. If the couple knows the questions ahead of time, their responses might feel rehearsed instead of genuine.
Prepare the Right Number of Questions
Work with your DJ, MC, or wedding planner to prepare a balanced list of questions—usually between 15 and 25. Too few questions, and the game feels short; too many, and guests may lose interest. The sweet spot is long enough to get lots of laughs, but short enough to keep the energy high.
Keep Questions Focused on the Couple
Questions should always highlight the couple’s personalities, quirks, and relationship dynamic. Avoid generic prompts and instead focus on ones that feel relatable and personal. This helps guests feel like they’re learning something fun about the newlyweds.
Consider Keeping Score for Extra Fun
For a competitive twist, have the host or DJ tally up the answers to see how many times the couple agreed or disagreed. At the end, you can announce the “score” to the audience. It adds another layer of entertainment and lets everyone see “how well the couple knows each other.”
Get Guests Involved
Want to make it even more interactive? Invite guests to submit their own questions in advance, or let the maid of honor and best man face off in a mini version of the game. This keeps the audience engaged and gives the newlyweds a short break from the spotlight.
Keep It Lighthearted and Respectful
As fun as the shoe game is, remember that it’s played in front of family and friends of all ages. Avoid embarrassing, inappropriate, or hurtful questions that could make the couple uncomfortable. The goal is laughter, not awkward silence.
The wedding shoe game has quickly become one of the most loved reception activities—and for good reason. It’s simple to set up, requires almost no cost, and guarantees plenty of laughter and entertainment for both you and your guests. With the right timing, thoughtful preparation, and a fun mix of questions, this game can easily become one of the highlights of your big day.
Whether you’re planning a classic ballroom reception, a rustic barn wedding, or a backyard celebration, the shoe game is a perfect way to add personality and interactive fun to your evening. It gives your guests a chance to connect with your love story, keeps the energy lighthearted, and ensures your reception is filled with unforgettable moments.
At the end of the day, your wedding is all about celebrating your relationship—and what better way to do that than with a game that makes everyone laugh while showing just how well you know each other? The shoe game is proof that sometimes, the simplest traditions create the sweetest memories.