Forget the traditional first dance. A new wave of couples, both globally and in India, is hitting 'pause' on conventional wedding receptions and pressing 'start' on a more personalised celebration. They are trading dance floors for gaming floors, swapping DJs for game controllers to mark their union in a way that truly reflects their shared passions and personalities.
Controllers Instead of Choreography: The New First 'Game'
The classic scene of a newly married couple's first dance is being reimagined. Take the example of Dayna and Gary Yendell from Wiltshire, England. After their dinner and speeches in October 2024, they bypassed the dance floor entirely. Instead, they picked up controllers for a split-screen session of Mario Kart, serenaded by its familiar soundtrack.
"We've been to many weddings with dancing, and it's just not our thing," explained Dayna Yendell, who works in quality compliance. Video games were a cornerstone of their relationship since they met in primary school in Cornwall. To bring their vision to life, they hired Joypad, a London-based video game rental company, which supplied consoles including a Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4s, and a VR headset.
"We got to spend time with all our guests, replaying some of our favourite games," Yendell said. The setup was a hit, even with non-gamers, especially the PlayStation VR. The couple's experience is part of a significant shift. George Swain, owner of Joypad, reports a 35% annual increase in inquiries over the last decade, with over 300 couples requesting quotes for wedding gaming last year alone. In 2016, they serviced just eight weddings.
More Than Entertainment: Games as Identity and Icebreaker
For many couples, incorporating gaming is deeply personal. Eric Elzy, 36, and Jenny Bales, 38, from Torrance, California, both met while working for a major video game developer. Their July 2022 wedding was themed around Kingdom Hearts, the first game they completed together.
They took it a step further by introducing their wedding party through a Super Smash Bros. Ultimate tournament. "We actually made our party members fight," Bales laughed. They set up four Nintendo Switch units for their 150 guests, creating an atmosphere of friendly competition and nostalgia.
This trend is about authenticity and guest experience. Alex Alvarez, 35, a production engineer at game studio Bungie, chose games for her September 7 wedding to Amelia Bozarth in Tacoma, Washington. "The majority of our friends and family aren't super extroverted," Alvarez noted. They replaced a potentially unused dance floor with a gaming centre featuring Dance Dance Revolution pads, a Nintendo Switch, and even axe throwing.
"I knew I didn't want to spend my day just sitting, eating, and smiling awkwardly," she added. "Having games around would be like an icebreaker." The highlight was seeing Bozarth's 58-year-old mother, initially hesitant, laughing after a round of Dance Dance Revolution and challenging a guest to a rematch.
The Bigger Picture: Personalisation Trumps Tradition
Event planners are noticing this move away from rigid etiquette. Nancy Park, co-owner of So Happi Together event design in California, confirms a definite increase in diverse gaming and entertainment at weddings. "No one is adhering to traditional etiquette and rules anymore," Park observes. "The only rule is to be authentic and know the meaning behind the choices you're making."
This global trend resonates strongly in the Indian context, where weddings are famously grand but often formulaic. Modern Indian couples, inspired by global movements and their own love for gaming, are increasingly seeking ways to infuse their personalities into their big day. Whether it's setting up a console lounge alongside the sangeet or having a gaming station for younger guests, the desire for a unique, memorable, and authentic celebration is universal.
The message is clear: the modern wedding is no longer a one-size-fits-all affair. From England to California, and increasingly in India, couples are writing their own rules, choosing shared joy over prescribed tradition, and creating memories that truly level up their celebration.
