Wedding Games: Buy or Hire? Costs Compared

A hire quote lands in your inbox with a reassuring headline figure. Two croquet sets, a set of skittles, delivery included. It looks tidy until you read the small print, where the delivery window, the collection fee and the damage waiver quietly add up.

The question worth asking is a simple one. If you are paying a good sum to borrow games for a single afternoon, how far off is the price of owning them outright? Well-made lawn games are not disposable. A set built from FSC-certified timber, with balls and mallets tested to UKCA and CE safety standards, can serve a family and its friends for years after the confetti has been swept up.

The Office for National Statistics recorded roughly 242,842 marriages in England and Wales in 2019, so a great many couples face exactly this decision each summer. Here is the maths the hire brochures tend to leave out.

What Wedding Lawn Games Hire Actually Costs (And What the Quotes Leave Out)

Wedding lawn games hire looks cheap until you tally the extras. A typical package covers the games themselves, but the quoted figure is rarely the figure you pay.

Delivery is usually charged by distance, and rural venues attract the steepest rates. Then there is collection, often billed separately, plus a setup fee if you want the supplier to lay the pitch rather than leave a pile of boxes by the marquee.

Most contracts also carry a damage waiver or a deposit against loss. Grass stains, a cracked ball, a mallet left out in the rain: any of these can be deducted. Guests at a wedding are not always gentle with borrowed equipment.

Add the figures and a weekend of hire frequently sits between £120 and £250 for a modest spread of games. That is money spent once, for one day, with nothing to show for it afterwards.

Compare that to owning a set outright. A pair of quality croquet hoops, a decent ball set and a few games from our outdoor games range cover the same ground for a similar sum, and they stay with you. See our full croquet range to price it against your quote.

The break-even point arrives faster than most couples expect. If you host so much as one garden party the following summer, or if a family member marries within a few years, the owned set has already paid for itself. Our guide to garden games for a wedding sets out the options in more detail.

What to Look for in Wedding Lawn Games: Quality, Safety and Size

Not all lawn games are built to the same standard, and a wedding is exactly where the difference shows. A hundred guests, many in heels, a few holding a drink, all playing on grass that may be damp: the equipment needs to cope.

Timber is the first thing to check. Look for FSC-certified hardwood mallets and skittles, which hold their shape and weight rather than warping after a single wet afternoon. Cheap softwood splits at the head and the game is over before the toasts.

Weight matters more than people realise. A ball that is too light skids across the lawn and never sits true; a full-size croquet ball is heavy for a reason. Our Challenge Croquet Ball Set is made to competition weight, so play feels the same on your lawn as it would on a club court.

Safety testing is not a detail to skip when children are among the guests. Equipment tested to UKCA and CE standards has been assessed for the hazards that matter, and reputable makers publish that.

Size is the quiet decider. Full-size croquet hoops suit a broad, level lawn; a tighter garden plays better with a shorter court. Our Intermediate Croquet Hoops strike a sensible middle, while the Playmate Croquet Hoops suit smaller spaces and younger players.

Browse our outdoor games to match the set to your venue rather than the other way round.

Which Lawn Games Work Best for Weddings, and for Which Guests

A wedding crowd is a mixed one. Grandparents, small children and a cluster of friends fresh from the bar all want something to do, and no single game serves every one of them.

Croquet is the great leveller. It rewards a steady hand over brute force, so a careful aunt can beat an athletic best man, which is precisely why it has entertained English gardens since Jaques of London published the first rules in 1857. The game rewards patience, and it looks handsome on a lawn.

For younger guests, skittles and quoits offer instant play with no rules to learn. Children can join a round in seconds, which keeps them happy while the adults line up a croquet shot.

The livelier corner of the party tends to gravitate towards games with a bit of throw and cheer to them. A few of these dotted around the lawn keep energy flowing between the formal moments.

Set the games apart rather than in one cluster. Croquet needs a settled patch of grass; the boisterous games are better placed away from tables and toddlers.

If the weather turns, having a few of our board games indoors keeps the afternoon going. Our note on the best games to have at your wedding pairs each game to the guests most likely to enjoy it, and the best lawn games guide covers the rest of the lawn.

Our Picks: Jaques of London Sets Worth Buying Outright

If owning wins on the maths, the next question is which set to own. Three from our range cover most wedding lawns without overlap.

For a broad, level lawn, the Intermediate Croquet Hoops at £33.65 are the all-rounder. They give a proper game without demanding a championship pitch, and they suit the run of ordinary garden parties you will host long after the wedding.

Where space is tighter, or where younger cousins will be swinging the mallet, the Playmate Croquet Hoops at £26.99 are the value choice. They set up a shorter, forgiving court that still plays a true game.

The Challenge Croquet Ball Set at £79.99 is the piece to buy if you want the game to feel right for decades. At a full twelve ounces, these balls run true and are heavy enough to hold their line on real grass. They also make a fine wedding gift in their own right.

Jaques of London registered the trade mark for croquet in the 1850s and is credited with bringing the game to England, and the sport gained its governing body, the Croquet Association, in 1897. That history is why our sets are built to a standard that outlasts a single season.

See the full croquet range, and our wider traditional games, to build a spread that fits your lawn and your budget.

How to Care for Wooden Lawn Games So They Last Decades, Not One Summer

A wooden lawn game that lasts decades is not luck. It is a few sensible habits, none of them onerous.

Dry before storing. The single quickest way to ruin good timber is to pack it away damp. After a wedding on dewy grass, wipe mallets, balls and hoops down and let them air before they go in the shed.

Store off the floor and out of extremes. A cold, damp corner invites warping and mildew; a hot loft can crack the finish. A shelf in a garage or a dry cupboard suits them well.

Check the fittings each spring. Mallet heads can loosen over a winter, and a quick tighten prevents a wobble that would otherwise worsen. Hoops that have bent underfoot can usually be eased back true.

An occasional wipe with a soft cloth keeps the FSC hardwood looking its best. There is no need for heavy oiling on a well-finished set; a light touch is enough.

Balls last longest when they are not left out in sunlight for weeks, which can fade the colours. Bring them in when the game is done and they will match for years.

Treated this way, a set bought for one wedding becomes the game your children learn on, and perhaps the one at their own. That is the real return the hire quote never shows. When the season turns, the same care applies indoors, and our Christmas games ideas and board games for younger players keep the family playing through the winter.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wedding Lawn Games Hire

Is it cheaper to buy or hire wedding lawn games?

Buying wedding lawn games is almost always cheaper if you compare total cost honestly. A quality giant Jenga set from Jaques of London costs roughly the same as two or three hire quotations from event companies. Hire fees typically range from £30–£80 per game per day, plus delivery charges. Buy four games and you could break even against hiring after a single wedding. You also keep the sets for garden parties, anniversaries and Christmas gatherings, meaning the cost per use continues to fall with every occasion.

What is the best lawn game for a wedding?

Croquet is widely regarded as the most elegant choice for a wedding lawn game, pairing naturally with a garden-party atmosphere and formal dress. Jaques of London is credited with introducing croquet to England and published the first rules in 1857, giving the game an authenticity that resonates with guests. Giant Jenga and Pétanque are strong alternatives for less formal receptions, encouraging mixed-age participation. The best game ultimately depends on your venue's surface, your guest demographic, and whether you want structured competition or casual socialising.

Are wooden lawn games worth the money?

Yes, high-quality wooden lawn games are worth the investment when bought from a reputable manufacturer. Solid hardwood sets withstand repeated outdoor use, resist warping better than cheaper alternatives, and present far more attractively in wedding photographs. Well-maintained wooden pieces can last decades, reducing cost per use significantly over time. Cheaper plastic or low-grade timber sets frequently crack, splinter, or warp after minimal use, requiring replacement. Buying once from a trusted maker is more economical and safer for guests than replacing budget sets every season.

How many lawn games do I need for a wedding of 100 guests?

For 100 guests, plan for four to six lawn game stations running simultaneously. This prevents queuing and keeps energy levels high during the drinks reception, typically the peak period for outdoor games. A practical mix might include croquet, giant Jenga, Pétanque, and giant Connect 4. Not every guest plays at once — realistically 30–40% participate at any moment — but having variety ensures different preferences are catered for. Position stations with enough space between them so spectators can gather without crowding adjacent games.

What age are giant garden games suitable for?

Most giant garden games are suitable from approximately five years old upward, making them genuinely multigenerational entertainment at weddings. Giant Jenga and Connect 4 suit older children and adults equally, requiring light physical coordination rather than strength. Croquet can be enjoyed from around seven or eight years old with adult guidance. Always check manufacturer age and weight guidance for specific sets, particularly for very large Jenga blocks which can be heavy when stacked. Supervising young children near toppling Jenga towers is sensible regardless of age rating.

Can you use lawn games indoors at a wedding venue?

Several lawn games translate well indoors, provided ceiling height and floor space permit. Giant Jenga works on any flat, hard floor and requires minimal clearance. Pétanque can be played on smooth indoor surfaces, though metal boules may mark wooden floors — check with your venue first. Croquet is not suited to indoor use due to the swing arc and surface requirements. Giant Connect 4 and Kubb adapt readily to indoor settings. Always confirm with your venue coordinator before setting up, as some listed buildings have restrictions on games near fragile fixtures.

What should I look for when buying wedding lawn games?

Prioritise build material, joinery quality, and finish. Hardwood such as beech or FSC-certified timber outperforms softwood for outdoor durability. Check that pieces are sanded smooth — splinters are a particular concern for bare-legged guests at summer weddings. Storage cases or bags matter more than buyers expect; loose pieces get lost quickly. Verify the manufacturer's heritage and after-sales support, as replacement pieces can extend a set's life significantly. Finally, consider aesthetics: natural wood tones photograph better than painted or brightly coloured pieces in a wedding setting.

How do I choose between giant Jenga and giant Connect 4 for a wedding?

Choose giant Jenga if you want one game that plays continuously with any number of spectators and creates a natural social focal point — the collective tension as the tower sways is universally engaging. Choose giant Connect 4 if your guest list includes younger children or competitive adults who enjoy a clear win condition and faster game turnover. Both are compact to store and easy to set up. If budget allows, buy both: they serve different moments in a reception, with Connect 4 suiting quieter periods and Jenga building energy as the evening approaches.

Is wedding lawn games hire worth it if we only use them once?

Hire rarely represents good value when the maths are examined honestly. A single-day hire of four games — including delivery, collection and damage waiver — commonly costs £200–£350. Quality sets purchased outright for a similar budget remain yours indefinitely. With approximately 242,842 marriages recorded in England and Wales in 2019 alone, hire companies set prices knowing couples feel they have no alternative. Unless storage is genuinely impossible, buying and later reselling second-hand typically recovers 40–60% of purchase cost, making ownership cheaper than hire even for a single occasion.

Do hired lawn games come with someone to set them up?

Most lawn game hire companies deliver and collect equipment but do not provide staff to supervise or assist guests during the event. Setup is usually completed by the delivery driver, who will demonstrate basic rules before leaving. Some premium event hire packages include a games host, but this adds considerably to cost. If you purchase your own sets, setup instructions are straightforward and most games are ready to play within ten minutes. Nominating a willing groomsman or bridesmaid as informal games organiser ensures guests are encouraged to participate without requiring paid supervision.