How to Play the Newlywed Game: Tips and Sample Questions

Have you heard of the Newlywed Game? This popular activity is all about quizzing the couple. From their favorite food and drink to their real first impressions of each other, it delves into a variety of topics and is a great way to spice up any wedding-related event. While it is most commonly played at the bridal shower, you can also enjoy it at the couple’s engagement party, at the bachelorette party, or even during the wedding reception.

If you’re thinking about playing it with the newlyweds, speak to them in advance to make sure they are comfortable doing this at any of their events.

What Is the Newlywed Game?

Though the Newlywed Game is often played at engagement parties, bridal showers, and even wedding receptions today, that's not where it originated. The original iteration was actually a television show: The Newlywed Game premiered on ABC in 1966 and was initially hosted by television personality Bob Eubanks and was a play on The Dating Game. The show featured four couples who were married for less than a year, then took the wives off stage while husbands answered questions based on how they thought their spouses would respond; the wives then returned to the stage and gave their answers. Couples who had the same responses were awarded points.

The show has continued to air on and off over the years, but it's now most commonly played as part of wedding events. At a bridal shower, for example, the groom might come towards the end of the event and play against his bride-to-be. At a wedding reception, the newlyweds might answer questions before opening up the dance floor or cutting their cake. Ultimately, when you choose to play is up to you!

It's important to note that origins of this game were very focused on heterosexual couples, but it's a game that any couple can play and can be easily customized to any pair.

How to Play the Newlywed Game

There are different ways to play the Newlywed Game, so before planning to play it a wedding event, make sure you decide on your process. For instance, you may choose to ask the couple all of the questions and have them come up with answers on the fly. However, this approach can be tricky and slow since the couple will need time to think.

With that in mind, here’s a breakdown of how to play with some advance planning.

Step 1: Prep Ahead of Time

Send the couple your list of questions to answer about one another. Request that they send you their responses separately, without discussing them with one another! You can hold on to the answers until the big event when all is revealed.

Step 2: Run Through Basics

When it comes to playing the game, someone will need to act as the host. That person—usually a member of the wedding party—should start by introducing the game and explaining how it works. To kick off, read each question from your list and have the couple guess what their partner has said. For example, for the question "Describe what you first thought of them in one word," they should each guess what their partner said about them. Next, the fun begins when you compare those guesses to what the couple actually said about each other.

Step 3: Keep Score

Keeping score is relatively simple. For every answer each member of the couple gets right, they get one point. Someone should be assigned the task of writing the points down. Whoever has the most points at the end of the game knows their partner the best and is declared the winner.

65 Newlywed Game Questions

Ready to give it a whirl? If you’re scratching your head and wondering what questions to ask, we’ve got you covered. Here are some questions to get you started:

• How did you meet your spouse? 
• What did they wear on your first date?
• Where did you go on your first date?
• Describe what you first thought of them in one word. 
• When did you know that they were "the one?"
• Who said “I love you” first?
• When and where was your first kiss?
• Who is a better kisser?
• Who is the tidiest?
• Who is the funniest?
• Who is their celebrity crush?
• Which one of you is the better driver?
• Who does most of the cooking?
• Who is the best cook?
• Who does the most cleaning?
• What’s your spouse’s favorite TV show?
• What’s their favorite movie?
• What would be your spouse’s ideal date night?
• What is their pet name for you?
• What was the first movie you saw together?
• What’s their favorite band and/or artist?
• Do you have a song, and if so, what is it?
• Which celebrity couple are you most like?
• What is your partner's silliest fear?
• What is their favorite junk food?
• Which ice cream flavor do they love the most?
• What is their favorite candy bar?
• Name the best gift they ever gave you. 
• If your spouse was a Disney character, who would they be?
• What is their star sign?
• How does your spouse like their steak cooked?
• How many cousins do they have?
• How often do you go on dates together?
• What was the name of your spouse’s first pet?
• If you won the lottery, what’s the first thing you’d buy together?
• Name your spouse’s favorite restaurant. 
• If your spouse had a superpower, what would it be?
• What would they say is your best feature?
• What is your spouse’s best feature?
• What is your spouse’s dream job?
• Who has the worst handwriting?
• Which one of you would win at Trivial Pursuit? 
• How does your partner like their eggs in the morning?
• Who is more adventurous?
• Who is more honest?
• Which of you finishes your meals first?
• Who would win in an eating contest?
• What color are your spouse’s eyes?
• What was their first job?
• Who is the better listener? 
• Who is more emotional? 
• What is your spouse’s favorite color?
• What was the last date you went on?
• If your spouse needed a lift at 3 a.m., who would they call?
• What high school did your spouse go to?
• Who would play your spouse in a movie?
• What is your spouse’s favorite book?
• If your spouse were an animal, which would it be?
• What’s your spouse’s best personality trait?
• How many children does your spouse want?
• What’s your spouse’s worst habit?
• What’s their hidden talent?
• How does your partner take their tea or coffee?
• What is your spouse’s ideal vacation?
• If money were no object, where would you live?