When it comes to bachelorette parties, bridal showers, baby showers, or even birthday parties, you just know there’s going to be a game on the agenda. And don’t get us wrong, we love a good game. But some are definitely better than others! One of our personal favorites, especially for wedding related events, is the Newlywed Game! Not only is it fun for the couple getting married to find out what their partner knows (or doesn’t know) about them, but it’s a great way for guests to have a good laugh as well. Because trust us, there are going to be some hilarious and potentially embarrassing things that come out of these Newlywed Game questions, which is the point!
What is the Newlywed Game?
If you’re under the age of 30, chances are you might not even know what the Newlywed Game is. The Newlywed Game started as a TV game show in 1966, originally hosted by Bob Eubanks. Since it first aired, there are have been several new iterations of it as well as hosts (including the most recent version hosted by Sherri Shepard in 2013).
The basic format of the show over the years featured four couples who were newlyweds. To start, one spouse would be taken off stage while the remaining one was asked questions about them. The one spouse then returns to the stage and is asked the same questions about their partner, with the answer being displayed on a blue card. The couple would then earn a certain number of points based on correct responses.
The show, especially considering it debuted in the 60s, was initially deemed as a bit risqué, mostly because it involved revealing questions and answers about sex. It was even funnier because Bob Eubanks referred to it as “making whoopee,” which became a catchphrase for the show. OK, enough about that! Let’s get into the details!
How to Play the Newlywed Game
The most important thing to know is that for parties like a bridal shower or bachelorette where there’s only one couple being asked questions, you won’t have to keep score. It’s more for laughs and for the couple getting married to see what the other says about them. But if you’re playing with other couples you’ll want to keep score, but more on that below! Here’s how to play for different situations:
For a bachelorette party or bridal shower:
If you’re hosting a bridal shower or bachelorette party for the bride and their partner will not be there, you have two options. You can e-mail the questions to the bride’s partner ahead of time. You would then take their answers and rephrase them to the bride and get her to answer the questions AT the party. Or, you can send the questions to both the bride and her partner ahead of time, and then go over their answers at the party. (This is the shortest option). Just make sure to e-mail the correct version of questions, since the bride will be answering what she thinks her partner said. To help, we’ve outlined each version you would use at the bottom of this article.
Alternatively, a fun new way to play is to get the bride’s partner to record their answers in a video. You can then cue it up to play at the bridal shower or bachelorette party, and play each correct answer after the bride guesses.
Overall, you should aim for 10-20 questions. No matter which option you choose, you should make sure you leave yourself enough time to send and receive the answers, and print them out for your event. Also remember if the couple is getting the questions ahead of time, they should answer them in secret and not talk about them.
For a couple’s game night:
Not throwing a bridal shower or bachelorette party and just want to play the game with a few couples for a fun game night? The questions would stay the same, just use the following rules:
- Pick a host (this can be a dedicated host for the entire game, or you could rotate based on who is/isn’t answering questions at the time)
- Have one partner from each couple leave the room while the remaining partner is asked a series of questions (anywhere from 10-20 should do). The host should then write down their answers. Alternatively, you can have each partner answer the questions on a piece of paper at the same time if you want to play a quick version. Remember that there are two versions to give: The partner who answers the questions (this would be the person “onstage” on the Newlywed Game), and the other partner who guesses what their partner answered (the person who goes “offstage” or temporarily leaves the group).
- Once the partner returns to the room, the host asks them to guess what their partner’s response was.
- Switch partners and repeat the process with a new set of questions.
- If the partner guesses the other partner’s answer correctly, they get a point. The couple with the most points wins!
LISTEN: We played a version of the Newlywed Game with my parents on our podcast.
What are Some Good Newlywed Game Questions?
The good news is you can go as funny, normal, or weird as you want. Just make sure to know your audience. If you’re playing this game at a bachelorette party with close girlfriends, you might want to ask more bawdy questions than if you were at a bridal shower with grandma. Or, if it’s a game night with other couples in different phases of a relationship, make sure the questions are sensitive enough so nobody is offended.
With that in mind, we came up with questions inspired by the original Newlywed Game, below.
Questions for the “Onstage Partner” (the one who answers) | Questions for the “Offstage Partner” (the one who guesses) |
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Note: At a shower or bachelorette party, these would be the questions you would send the bride’s partner ahead of the event. In a group game night, these are the questions you would ask the partner who did not leave the group: | Note: At a shower or bachelorette party, these would be the questions you would ask the bride. In a group, these are the questions you would ask once the person comes back and their partner has answered: |
What’s the best gift you’ve ever given your partner? | What’s the best gift your partner has ever given you? |
What about the worst? | What about the worst? |
Where did your first kiss take place? | Where did your first kiss take place? |
If your partner asked you to cook dinner, what would you make? | If you asked your partner to cook dinner, what would they make? |
What was the last thing you both argued about? | What was the last thing you both argued about? |
What’s your partner’s most annoying habit? | Which habit of yours does your partner find the most irritating? |
If you could do any job in the world, what would it be? | If your partner could do any job in the world, what would it be? |
What is your favorite movie? | What is your partner’s favorite movie? |
What about band? | What about band? |
What color are your eyes? | What color are your partner’s eyes? |
How do you like your eggs cooked? | How does your partner like their eggs cooked? |
Who is handier around the house? | Who is handier around the house? |
Which actor or actress would yo want to play you in a movie about your life? | Which actor or actress would your partner want to play them in a movie about their life? |
Who is your celebrity crush | Who is your partner’s celebrity crush? |
What’s the one article of clothing your partner wears that you hate? | What’s the one article of clothing you own that your partner hates? |
Who said ‘I love you’ first? | Who said ‘I love you’ first? |
What is your shoe size? | What is your partner’s shoe size? |
What’s your favorite holiday? | What’s your partner’s favorite holiday? |
What’s the most unusual place you and your partner have made whoopee? | What’s the most unusual place you and your partner have made whoopee? |
What’s your favorite thing about your partner’s body? | What will your partner say is their favorite thing about your body? |
What is your most unusual talent? | What would your partner say is their most unusual talent? |
What song do you sing when they think nobody is listening? | What’s the song you partner sings when they think nobody is listening? |
Who is the better driver? | Who is the better driver, according to your partner? |
Complete this sentence: “My partner may be good at many things, but they can’t _____ to save their life!”? | How would your partner complete this sentence: “My partner may be good at many things, but they can’t _____ to save their life!”? |
If you had to eat one food for the rest of their life, what would it be? | If your partner had to eat one food for the rest of their life, what would it be? |
Hopefully these questions will help you have a fun bridal shower or game night!
What games are you going to play at your bachelorette party of bridal shower? Let us know in the comments section, below!
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