THE SHOE GAME

One popular trend that has popped up over the last few years is The Shoe Game.  

An easy game to play, The Shoe Game sets the stage for a lot of laughs,  and your guests are sure to enjoy it.  Modeled after the 1970s television game show The Newlywed Game, The Shoe Game really is a lot of fun. The questions I ask can be sweet, family-friendly, and insightful. They can also be hilarious or even downright dirty and divisive. I always defer to the couple. They know their guests best, of course; therefore, the bride and groom choose which types of questions they feel most comfortable answering. In case you don't know how to play—or if you just want to  get the most out of the experience—I’ve made this guide especially for you. A better Shoe Game = funnier moments, a more memorable reception, and better wedding photos! 

The Shoe Game is a fun reception game that tests how well the bride and groom know each other through a variety of questions without seeing each other’s answers. It’s a great first game to play after the meals and the toasts or as a program insert later in the evening for some downtime. Check with your event coordinator or DJ to see when it’s best to play the game.

How to Play

Position two chairs back to back. It is important that the bride and groom can not see one another.  It is recommended that the chairs be set up in the middle of the dance floor or in front of the head table—you want all of your guests to be able to see the two of you and the answers you give. To play, the bride and the groom each take off their shoes and swap one so they each have one of their own shoes and one of their partner’s shoes. Then, the fun begins. I ask the newlyweds a series of questions. The bride and groom will raise a shoe to answer. They will raise their own shoes if they believe the question describes them more. They will raise their partner's shoe if they believe the question best fits him or her.   

Note: As your DJ and Master of Ceremonies, I usually host the game myself. However, that honor can be given to someone else. The Best Man or Maid of Honor are both good choices. Or, you can have one of your "life-of-the-party" friends or family members take the lead. No matter who you choose to ask the questions, it is important that he or she can read the room and command the crowd. Be sure, too, that the host of the game has not had too much to drink. And no matter who hosts the game, he or she should take short pauses between questions to give you and your guests time to react (or object!) to the answers given.

The Questions

Need help choosing your questions? I've got you. Here are some suggestions arranged by category. Choose 25–30 questions, and you’re good to go!

 Family-Friendly Questions

1. Who wakes up earlier?

2. Who’s always on the phone?

3. Who usually cooks breakfast?

4. Who is more likely to skip breakfast?

5. Who’s the better dresser?

6. Who has more friends in the office?

7. Who spends more time on Facebook?

8. Who spends more time on Instagram?

9. Who spends more time binging Netflix?

10. Who usually does the dishes?

11. Who’s more likely to reply first?

12. Who never picks up the phone?

13. Who always knows where everything is?

14. Who’s the better driver?

15. Who’s the funny one?

16. Who falls asleep first?

17. Who’s always up late?

18. Who got better grades in school?

19. Who can't keep a secret?

20. Who is more likely to hold grudges?

21. Who is more likely to get sunburnt?

22. Who is more likely to be eaten by mosquitoes?

23. Who is more likely to wake up in a grumpy mood?

24. Who never replaces the toilet paper roll?

25. Who kills the spiders in the house?

26. Who has the cleaner car?

27. Who would rather be outdoors?

28. Who is always cold?

29. Who takes the longer showers?

30. Who will be the stricter parent?

31. Who is most likely to eat ice cream for breakfast?

32. Who is more likely to be arrested?

33. Who is more likely to talk their way out of a speeding ticket?

34. Who has the better taste in music?

35. Who has been to more of the 50 states?

36. Who is more likely to clean their plate?

37. Who is the gamer?

38. Who is the bigger nerd?

39. Who is more likely to have a garden?

40. Who is more likely to cancel plans to go out with friends?

Personal Questions

1. Who do the pets like more?

2. Who can hold alcohol better?

3. Who’s the better dancer?

4. Who always loses things?

5. Who’s the boss in the relationship?

6. Who would survive longest in the zombie apocalypse?

7. Who’s afraid of the dark?

8. Who is more likely to start an argument?

9. Who is more likely to win the argument?

10. Who has more pairs of shoes?

11. Who’s the bigger spender?

12. Who has a better sense of direction?

13. Who’s the life of the party?

14. Who has the better sense of humor?

15. Who has the better in-laws?

16. Who would win in Scrabble?

17. Who takes up more space in bed?

18. Who is more likely to steal the covers?

19. Who wants more kids?

20. Who says ‘I love you’ more often?

21. Who is more likely to forget birthdays or anniversaries?

22. Who controls the remote control?

23. Who is more likely to throw tantrums?

24. Who spends more time in front of the mirror?

25. Who is the picky eater?

26. Who has the bigger sweet tooth?

27. Who is the better tipper?

28. Who pays the bills?

29. Who is more likely to sing in the shower?

30. Who is more likely to be "hangry"?

31. Who is more likely to have road rage?

32. Who is more likely to max out their credit card?

33. Who is more talkative?

34. Who is the introvert?

35. Who is the extrovert?

36. Who is more likely to read a novel?

37. Who is more organized?

38. Who is more likely to cry at a sad movie?

39. Who gives the better gifts?

40. Who is more likely to go to the gym?

Funny Questions

1. Who snores the loudest?

2. Who has the smelliest feet?

3. Who has the crazier family?

4. Who would win in a hotdog eating contest?

5. Who farts more?

6. Who gets crazier when drunk?

7. Who watches more rom coms?

8. Who is more likely to become jealous?

9. Who’s most likely to accidentally kill someone?

10. Who is better at pretending to listener?

11. Who is more likely to buy lottery tickets?

12. Who is more likely to hit the snooze button?

13. Who watches more reality TV?

14. Who skips bathing more often?

15. Who is always right?

16. Who is always hungry?

17. Who can drink more?

18. Who has hairier legs?

19. Who is afraid of birds?

20. Who is more forgetful?

21. Who is more likely to destroy clothing in the laundry?

22. Who is the better swimmer?

23. Who is better at planning dates?

24. Who is more likely to carry cash?

25. Who is more likely to call off sick from work when they aren't?

26. Who is more afraid of shots from the doctor?

27. Who is more likely to not go to the doctor when sick?

28. Who is more photogenic?

29. Who presses the lock button on their key fob the most times?

30. Who is more likely to snack late at night?

31. Who is more likely to burn down the house?

32. Who is more likely to wear an ugly Christmas sweater?

33. Who is more likely to gossip?

34. Who is more likely to get out of something they do not want to do?

35. Who is more likely to put off getting an oil change?

36. Who should not be trusted with power tools?

37. Who is more likely to make the bedroom floor their laundry basket?

38. Who is more likely to injure themself?

39. Who is more stubborn?

40. Who is more likely to watch cartoons?

Naughty Questions

1. Who is the bigger flirt?

2. Who gives the better hugs?

3. Who is the better kisser?

4. Who gives the better massage?

5. Who slept over first?

6. Who initiates more?

7. Who has the higher sex drive?

8. Who is more kinky?

9. Who is more adventurous?

10. Who is more likely to send nudes?

11. Who is more likely to walk around the house naked?

12. Who is more likely to go skinny dipping?

13. Who is the better sexter?

14. Who is always up for an afternoon delight?

15. Who is more creative during foreplay?

16. Who is better at role play?

17. Who is more flexible?

18. Who has more fetishes?

19. Who likes to keep the lights on?

20. Who makes more noise?

21. Who is more dominant?

22. Who likes it in the shower?

23. Who is more likely to use toys?

24. Who is more likely to try a threesome?

25. Who is more likely to say "not tonight"?

Last Question: Always end the game by asking, "Who do you love more than anyone else?"

An Alternative: Open Mic

If you are a more daring couple, go ahead and allow some time for questions from your guests. The host can pass the microphone around to allow friends and family to ask their own questions. Your family and friends will love this. You might want the host to hear the questions first before you broadcast them aloud, though, just in case they are too racy or inappropriate (or just super lame). The biggest risk to this is that a guest may ask something in reference to an inside joke. It’ll be funny for you perhaps, but it might leave the rest of your guests scratching their heads. 

A Final Word

It is always best to make the game too short than let it go on too long. Don't overstay your welcome. Nothing kills the vibe of this game more than going on too long. Just because there are a 145 questions above, does not mean that you should use them all. Pick your favorites and instruct the host to call it quits with that final question, “who do you love more than anyone else in this world?” Typically you only want the game to run ten to fifteen minutes. Have more questions than you need, but don't feel the pressure to use them all.