The shoe game: rules and 50 questions for the newlyweds
Updated on October 2, 2026 · 4 min read
In short
The couple sit back to back, each holding one of their own shoes and one of the other's, and raise the shoe of whoever fits the question. Here are the rules, how to run it well, variations and 50 questions sorted by theme.
- 2 players
- 10–15 min
- Nothing needed
- No alcohol
Contents
The shoe game has become a classic of wedding receptions: in a few minutes, the newlyweds reveal in front of all their guests who cooks better, who snores louder and who made the first move. It needs nothing but their shoes, and the whole room laughs. Here are the rules, the right moment to play and 50 questions ready to read.
The rules
- The newlyweds sit back to back in the middle of the room, unable to see each other.
- Each takes off their shoes, keeps one of their own and takes one of their partner's.
- A host (the best man, the maid of honour, the DJ) reads a question starting with “Who…?”, for example “Who cooks better?”.
- Each newlywed raises the shoe of the person who fits: their own or their partner's.
- When both raise the same person's shoe, they agree. When they don't, the room reacts… and the host can ask for an explanation.
Count the answers where they agree: 15 out of 20 makes a perfectly matched couple. The disagreements make the best memories.
Running it well
- The right moment: between two courses or just before dessert, when everyone is seated and listening.
- The right length: 15 to 20 questions are enough. Beyond that, attention drops.
- The right order: start with easy questions, keep the funniest for the end.
- The couple's agreement: tell them about the game, without giving them the questions. Leave out anything that could embarrass either of them or their families.
- A microphone for the host, and one or two people filming: the video will become legendary.
50 questions for the shoe game
Everyday life
- Who cooks better?
- Who does more washing-up?
- Who is late most often?
- Who takes longer to get ready?
- Who leaves their things everywhere?
- Who snores louder?
- Who gets up earlier?
- Who hogs the remote?
- Who always loses their keys?
- Who drives better?
- Who spends more?
- Who is the neat freak?
The couple
- Who made the first move?
- Who said “I love you” first?
- Who was more in love at the start?
- Who is more romantic?
- Who apologises first after an argument?
- Who has the last word?
- Who forgets birthdays?
- Who plans the best surprises?
- Who is more jealous?
- Who chose the wedding date?
- Who was more nervous this morning?
Personality
- Who is funnier?
- Who is more stubborn?
- Who talks more?
- Who cries at films?
- Who is the bigger party animal?
- Who is sportier?
- Who grumbles more?
- Who has the sweeter tooth?
- Who is more adventurous?
- Who is grumpier in the morning?
- Who is more generous?
Memories and the future
- Whose idea was their first trip?
- Who got lost on holiday?
- Who made the biggest blunder in front of the in-laws?
- Who will be first on the dance floor tonight?
- Who will be last to leave the party?
- Who will change more nappies?
- Who will be stricter with the children?
- Who will choose the next holiday?
- Who will turn grumpy faster with age?
- Who will have the last word in fifty years?
To finish in style
- Who sings more off-key in the shower?
- Who wants to dance more tonight?
- Who has more embarrassing photos on their phone?
- Who is more impatient to go on honeymoon?
- Who had tears in their eyes during the ceremony?
- Who loves the other more?
Variants
- The paddle game: each newlywed holds two signs with their names instead of shoes.
- Guests' questions: before the game, each table slips a question into a box. The host draws them.
- The newlywed quiz: the other way round, the guests answer questions about the couple. See our 100 newlywed quiz questions.
Frequently asked questions
What are the rules of the shoe game?
The couple sit back to back, unable to see each other, holding one shoe of each in each hand. For each question ("Who is the better cook?"), they raise the shoe of whoever fits, and the guests count the matching answers.
How many questions should you ask?
About twenty, so ten to fifteen minutes: enough for laughs, not enough to bore the room. Save the most anticipated question for the end.
When during the wedding should you play?
During the meal, between two courses, when the whole room is seated and paying attention. Announce the game on the microphone so everyone can follow the answers.
With the Partizo app
To get the guests playing too, prepare a quiz about the couple with the Quiz's My quizzes feature (Premium): your questions, 4 answers each, the timer and the score, all together or as a duel between two teams. More ideas in our wedding games.