The men and women who make up your wedding party are often some of the closest friends and family members you’ve known throughout your life. Since you and your significant other likely have your own groups of friends, the party could be comprised of a number of random people of importance with no connection to one another. If this is the case, you definitely want to have some kind of preliminary event to break the ice and make everyone feel comfortable. The wedding party does a lot as a group, so an early meeting can establish some familiarity.

There are plenty of ways to go about an initial hang with the people in your party. Consider these ideas and find the perfect way to kick things off.

Host a Simple Gathering at Home

The easiest way to go about introducing people in your party to each other is by hosting a simple gathering at your home. This is a no-pressure solution in which everyone can get together in a low-key setting and simply chat and get to know each other. As the common factor, you and your partner will be responsible for facilitating conversation throughout the night. Avoid awkward lulls by trying to keep discussions lively. Offer light food, come up with some easy games, and you’ll have a fun night with some solid results.

Attend a Group Activity 

If you’re someone who likes to be out and about, there are plenty of group activities worth considering. These days “escape rooms” have become quite a popular trend, where groups are put into a locked room together. The goal is for the team to work together and use observational clues of the room around them to figure out a solution for escaping. This is definitely a bonding exercise that will help people get to know each other in a fun and playful way. You can also consider other activities like bowling, attending a sporting event, or going to a winery.

Go Out Together

The road to a wedding is packed with events. From the bachelor and bachelorette parties to the rehearsal dinner, the people in your party are likely to share some drinks together a few times before the wedding arrives. A great way to kick off things and bring everyone together is by going out as a group. Hitting a local bar is a fantastic way to really unwind and encourage a sense of frivolity. Whether you hop from one bar to the next or you go to a local brewery for a tour, there are many options.

Grab a Bite

Food has been known to bring people closer together for as far back as history goes. If you want to really help a group of friends from different parts of your life to feel connected, grab a bite together. If your party is very large, this might require a bit more planning. However, a group of about a dozen is ideal for making a reservation at a local restaurant. From brunch to dinner, you can easily make the gang feel comfortable with each other by breaking bread together.

Create an Online Group 

Finally, the digital age offers plenty of straightforward ways to bring a group of people together without anyone needing to travel outside of their own homes. A text chat or video hangout can bridge the gaps created when members of your party live in very different parts of the world. Plus, a text chat is a very easy way to at least give everyone the chance to introduce themselves without any real pressure.

Having an eclectic group of friends is the sign of a rich and varied life. To bring the people in your wedding party closer together, find an activity that will best work with the group you are gathering.