Happily Never After
Facts of the case
An Enchanted Evening Filled With Your Favorite Fairy Tale Femmes!
Guest Info
Kingdom News and other tidbits about the other guests attending the Fairest of Them All Ball!!!
Who to expect at the Fairest of Them All Ball
CONTESSA—EVIL QUEEN. Determined to prove to Snow and the entire kingdom that she has changed her wicked ways, this member of the royal family will do anything to establish her benevolence.
IMELDA—CINDERELLA’S STEPSISTER. As Con-tessa’s assistant, Imelda will do anything to demonstrate her devotion to the queen … and possibly win the crown in the pursuit.
SNOW—SNOW WHITE. Distraught over the missing dwarves, Snow’s only source of comfort is Contessa. It seems that even some of Snow’s closest friends have turned against her.
ALICE—FROM WONDERLAND. Once Snow’s closest confidant, lately Alice’s attention has been focused on other matters. Curiosity once killed the cat, let’s hope the same fate does not ring true for Alice.
CINDERELLA—LEGACY PRINCESS. Cinderella has all the right qualities to be the next queen… or so it appears.
BIPPETY—CINDERELLA’S FAIRY GODMOTHER. After a lifetime of guidance, this maternal figure will not let her protege lose her way or her title!
BRIAR ROSE—SLEEPING BEAUTY. Awake from her extended slumber, this princess is determined to one day rule the kingdom. With 15 years of recent rest, Briar Rose has some serious catching up to do, and she is not wasting a second!
TRINITY—BRIAR ROSE’S FAIRY GODMOTHER. Distraught over her past maternal mistakes, Trinity will do anything she can to make all of Briar Rose’s wishes come true!
EZRA—CINDERELLA’S STEPSISTER. As Briar Rose’s attendant, Ezra is determined to use Briar Rose’s popularity to make all of her desires come true.
ARIEL—THE LITTLE MERMAID. A social outcast in the kingdom, Ariel has struggled to fit in. Since becoming the kingdom’s wedding planner, will Ariel be satisfied with this subservient role or use it to procure a more desirable one?
RUBY—LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD. While away tending to her ailing grandmother, Prince Philip (Ruby’s beau) proposed to a princess. Hurt and confused, this maiden is relentless and will not let her true love escape.
JASMINE—PRINCESS. As the kingdom’s matchmaker, Jasmine has been known to both help and hurt relationships among the couples she pairs. Cinderella’s being the most recent.
LILY— FROG PRINCESS. A victim of a broken heart, Lily’s relationship may not be fixable. However, this doesn’t mean that she isn’t willing to take down those responsible for her sadness.
TINKERBELL—FAIRY. A hopeless romantic, Tinkerbell will stop at nothing to make sure that true love wins out over dark magic at any cost!
RAPUNZEL—PRINCESS. Locked away in a tower for years, there are few things Rapunzel will die for… however, preservation of her tower is one of them!
CUDDLES —BABY BEAR. After having spent her whole life searching for justice, Cuddles is ready to prosecute Goldy fully for her crimes. With Briar Rose and Bo Peep slated to testify, there is nothing to stop Goldy from going to jail!
BO PEEP—SHEPHERDESS. Another lost sheep has Bo Peep’s job on the line. If Bo can find a scapegoat, she may just get off scott free!
GOLDY—GOLDILOCKS. Under fire from her peers, Goldy may have to retreat to her old ways to get herself out of a bind once again!
GRETAL—WOODCUTTER’S DAUGHTER. Over- joyed that Briar Rose has awoken, Gretal cannot wait to have her name cleared from the deadly homicide charges that have plagued her since childhood.
MUFFY—LITTLE MISS MUFFET. With a budding tuffet factory to attend to, Muffy’s priorities lie in maximizing profit and pleasing her associates.
MATILDA—QUEEN OF HEARTS. This ruthless ruler has no jurisdiction in the land of Once Upon A Time, but may be called in to get some answers if something goes awry.
**Some characters may not be included, depending on which version you order.
Click on the characters’ names above to follow links to the stories where these characters originated.
Costumes
What will you wear to the ball?
Costume Ideas
Get inspiration for your costumes here, and check out the tabs on the side to find costumes resources!
Decoration Ideas
How to deck out your castle to make your party princess-ready!!!
Setting the Scene
Creating Your Entrance
Creating Your Entrance
• Have a trumpet sound effect announce guests as they arrive.
• Have a red runner up to the door. You can order one here.
• Create a balloon arch out of pink, white and silver balloons for your princesses to walk through.
• Have castle guards and/or the evil queen greet your guests as they enter.
• Park a fairytale stagecoach outside.
• Hang your “Stagecoach Parking” sign (included in packet) to direct your guests where to park.
• Hang a “Once Upon A Time” sign as your guests enter.
• Create an “enchanted forest” outside the party space – Litter space with fairies, gnomes, elves, etc.
• Make a castle façade with Styrofoam (Pictured below. Instructions included in the packet.)
• Lay out wood planks to create a drawbridge leading up to your entrance. (Look in the discount bin at your local hardware store for inexpensive wood.)
• Make a black construction paper chain to simulate large chains for your drawbridge or dungeon.
• Have stone signs around the venue. (Pictured below. Instructions included in the packet.)
• Create a dragon out of cardboard boxes and spray paint to guard your castle.
• Have a wishing well, with a gold ball and frog (stuffed or garden decoration) and a “Kiss me” sign by it. (Pictured below. Sign included with mystery purchase.)
• Make some banner flags to fly for your kingdom of Happily Ever After (directions and templates included with mystery)
Inside Your Party Space
Inside Your Party Space
• Use stone wall scene setters to easily and inexpensively give you castle walls.
• Make an elaborate ballroom floor with plastic “marble” laminate tiles (found inexpensively at local hardware stores). You can piece them together on an old sheet of plywood.
• Make a chandelier out of hula hoops – CLICK HERE
• Have a gallery to honor some of the princesses in the kingdom. (Designs included in mystery, just print and hang.)
• Hang as many white twinkle lights as you can find to give your party a magical, mystical feel.
• Have the Queen’s riches on display.
• Create a throne by spray painting a chair gold. Add a bit of realness with a velvet cushion or accent.
• When the characters read the introduction, investigation report, evidence presentation & solution, have them presented on a scroll. (Follow directions on how to make a scroll invite—included with a party packet.) OR have them sealed with a wax seal.
• Make Fairy Dust lanterns and place them throughout the party space. Find directions here.
• Hang a large mirror with a sign above it that reads: “Who is the fairest of them all?”. (Designed sign included with packet – you just print it out and hang on/by mirror.) We printed ours on clear paper and hung it directly on the mirror.
• If throwing a party in the daytime, use stained-glass window clings to transform your windows.
• Tiny plastic fairies, dragons, gnomes and other fairy tale creatures may peek out from potted plants, behind curtains and from the tops of windows.
• Consider garden gnomes in and around your party space.
• Hang a poster of a glass slipper or perhaps a ladies dress shoe decorated with the saying “Have You Seen this Slipper?”
• Have a bowl full of red apples with a “POISON” sign on it.
Setting Your Table
Setting Your Table
• Set table with fairytale stagecoach place cards for each guest. SEE HERE.
Your guests can take them home as favors. (You can also set them out by their money, objectives, etc. at the beginning of the night.)
OR, create your own place cards (designs included in mystery).
Ideas for Decorating your Table
• Make a pink table skirt out of tulle. Directions here.
• Construct one long table for dinner. Use a brightly colored or metallic piece of fabric for a runner.
• Drape table with gossamer and put white twinkle lights underneath to illuminate.
• Decorate the table runner with gold fabric paint.
• Include jewels glued to the edges of tablecloths and gold, pink or silver-toned paper plates, cups and silverware.
• Purchase gold or pink colored plastic cups and hot glue fake jewels to the outside of the cups.
• Use a centerpiece of white roses (fake or real) in a clear vase filled with sparkly gems or beads.
• Finish off by tying a tulle fabric bow onto each chair.
• Display your menu for everyone to see or have it at each place setting. (Template included with package.)
Lighting
Lighting
When considering the lighting for your party, you will not want anything too harsh or bright.
Consider the following and what might work best within your space:
• Fairy Dust Lanterns.
• Twinkling Christmas lights
• Candles
• Electric candles set inside plastic lanterns and suspended from the ceiling or set on tables provide light.
• Paper lanterns
• Twinkle lights placed under fabric on tables
• Twinkle lights strung throughout fake trees and foliage
Create Your Photo Spot!
Create Your Photo Spot!
Give your guests an unforgettable souvenir by setting up a photo area where they can capture a picture of themselves in character.
A few suggestions:
• Pick a place where there will be good lighting.
• Accessories and decorations can make the difference. Have some extra props on hand that your guests can pose with.
• An easy way to create a background is to use a “scene setter.” These affordable rolls of images transform your room instantly and make for a good backdrop to your picture.
• Make sure there is enough room to fit everyone in to the frame.
• For individual shots of guests, designate someone to be in charge of pictures as your guests arrive.
or Consider your character list and which character would fit the role of taking the picture. Ie, if you want mug shots, perhaps ask the investigator to be in charge of taking the pictures.
• For a group picture, take one just before the introduction is read or right after the solution is read (before people may start heading out).
o These are two times when you can count on everyone being around and attentive.
BACKDROP IDEAS for the fairytale theme
• Create a “castle wall” backdrop using scene setters or directions in mystery.
• Decorate a deep blue sheet with some stars for a magical night feel.
• Create a throne by spray painting a chair gold. Add a bit of realness with a velvet cushion or accent.
• Make a large banner that says “Happily Never After”.
• Have additional props for posing in pictures (crowns, tiaras, wands, trumpets, big glasses, fairy wings, etc.)
Setting the Scene
Food & Drinks
Serving a Grand Buffet or simply snacks – look here for ideas and options on what to serve your princesses at the Fairest of Them All Ball
Food
Food
One option is to serve a number of pink delicacies! Pink champagne, pink lemonade, pink popcorn, pink macaroons, etc. You name it. Check out this website for more ideas and recipes for pink food for this fantasy murder mystery game.
HIGH TEA, ANYONE?
- For princess party food you could look to the English tradition of ‘Afternoon Tea’ for inspiration. Any princess or maiden would love a menu filled with food that is delicate and lady-like.
- Traditionally, afternoon tea is served in teapots with tea cups and saucers alongside bite-sized sandwiches cut into small triangles with the crusts removed.
- All the sandwiches are usually presented on a tiered cake stand accompanied by a selection of small cakes or scones with jam and Devonshire (clotted) cream.
- If you want to make the sandwiches a little less formal, use cookie cutters to shape them into crowns, castles and glass slippers to turn them into princess party food. Don’t forget to include some frog shaped ones too.
- You can go wild making other sweet treats and yummy desserts in small portions!
If serving a meal, consider a grand buffet for your Fairest of Them All Ball.
• There are many, many recipes on the internet for this theme. Simply decide what you would like to serve (roast chicken, lamb, et.c) and then search for the recipe that you desire.
• Try to make your food something that is easy to prepare ahead of time and takes little to no preparation as the party approaches.
• To pull through the theme for your party, you can name your foods to reflect the stories and storylines that are interwoven throughout Happily Never After. A Seven Dwarf Salad, The Queen’s Chicken Wings, Poisonous Apple Pie, Magical Mushroom Caps, are a few examples.
• Some other words we’ve found: prince, princess, king queen, evil, elf, cursed, enchanted, cruel, maiden, sleeping, loyal, true, storybook, whimsical, magical, mystical, etc. In addition, you can use any of the character’s names to describe your food and beverage.
Don’t forget to put your food choices into the menu (provided with the mystery) and display it for the guests! (pictured below)
Desserts
Desserts
Accentuate your dessert table with any or all of these Fairy Tale themed desserts!
• Create a Castle Cake (see many examples here).
• Make Rapunzel’s Tower Cupcakes
• Gingerbread house – in honor of Gretel, who will be attending.
• Have a basket of Little Red Riding Hood’s Goodies – sticky buns, baked goods and/or sweets!
• Poisonous Apple Pie or Carmel Apples.
• How about some edible magic wands? Recipe here.
In many instances, your dessert can act like your centerpiece for the beginning of the party… until you eat it!
Setting Your Table
Setting Your Table
• Set table with fairytale stagecoach place cards for each guest. SEE HERE.
Your guests can take them home as favors. (You can also set them out by their money, objectives, etc. at the beginning of the night.)
OR, create your own place cards (designs included in mystery).
Ideas for Decorating your Table
• Make a pink table skirt out of tulle. Directions here.
• Construct one long table for dinner. Use a brightly colored or metallic piece of fabric for a runner.
• Drape table with gossamer and put white twinkle lights underneath to illuminate.
• Decorate the table runner with gold fabric paint.
• Include jewels glued to the edges of tablecloths and gold, pink or silver-toned paper plates, cups and silverware.
• Purchase gold or pink colored plastic cups and hot glue fake jewels to the outside of the cups.
• Use a centerpiece of white roses (fake or real) in a clear vase filled with sparkly gems or beads.
• Finish off by tying a tulle fabric bow onto each chair.
• Display your menu for everyone to see or have it at each place setting. (Template included with package.)
Spotify Playlist
Other Music Ideas
Other Music Ideas
To set the mood for your party, you he music for such a theme can come from one of the many soundtracks for the fairy tales. If this is not music you will listen to in the future, consider borrowing it from your local library.
Some fairy tale movies include:
- Snow White and the Huntsmen
- Red Riding Hood
- Mirror, Mirror
- Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
- Aladdin
- Once Upon A Time (t.v. series)
- Grimm (t.v. series)
- Cinderella
- Shrek
- Hoodwinked
- Tangled
Host Information
Ideas, tips, tricks, etc. to help you go above and beyond as a hostess with the hostess for your Happily Never After party!
Send a Scroll Invite!
Send A Scroll Invite
With this mystery theme, you have a unique opportunity to make special themed invitations to help create even more excitement for your fantasy murder mystery game party!
Along with this mystery, we have included a templated, editable design that allows you to enter in your party information and print out on parchment (suggested) and create a scrolled invite for each of your guests. This is one way to be certain your guests are excited for what’s inside… and for what’s to come at the party!
Resources for more inspiration
Looking for inspiration?
Check out some of these movies or T.V. shows! These productions depict some of the fairy tales and fairy tale characters that you will find in Happily Never After and its genre. Not only will they help get you in the mood for throwing the party, but can provide inspiration and ideas on other things you may want to do when hosting your Happily Never After Party!
Check out: Tangled, Snow White and the Huntsmen, Mirror, Mirror, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Aladdin, Once Upon A Time (T.V. series), Grimm (T.V. series), Cinderella, Shrek, and Hoodwinked. Or you can pick your own from this list of fairy tale movies.
ALSO, Check out Our PINTEREST BOARD for loads more ideas for your Happily Never After party!!!!
Find these and many, many more by CLICKING HERE!!!
Create Your Photo Spot
Create Your Photo Spot!
Give your guests an unforgettable souvenir by setting up a photo area where they can capture a picture of themselves in character.
A few suggestions:
• Pick a place where there will be good lighting.
• Accessories and decorations can make the difference. Have some extra props on hand that your guests can pose with.
• An easy way to create a background is to use a “scene setter.” These affordable rolls of images transform your room instantly and make for a good backdrop to your picture.
• Make sure there is enough room to fit everyone into the frame.
• For individual shots of guests, designate someone to be in charge of pictures as your guests arrive.
or Consider your character list and which character would fit the role of taking the picture. I.e., if you want mugshots, perhaps ask the investigator to be in charge of taking the pictures.
• For a group picture, take one just before the introduction is read or right after the solution is read (before people may start heading out).
o These are two times when you can count on everyone being around and attentive.
BACKDROP IDEAS for the fairytale theme
• Create a “castle wall” backdrop using scene setters or directions in mystery.
• Decorate a deep blue sheet with some stars for a magical night feel.
• Create a throne by spray painting a chair gold. Add a bit of realness with a velvet cushion or accent.
• Make a large banner that says “Happily Never After”.
• Have additional props for posing in pictures (crowns, tiaras, wands, trumpets, big glasses, fairy wings, etc.)
Utilize ALL the EXTRAS
Utilize All the EXTRAS!
Once you order, in your mystery packet you will receive directions and/or printables to make unique and original decorations specific to your party! Included will be:
• SCROLL INVITE DIRECTIONS & TEMPLATE (1 design)
• HOW TO MAKE STONE CASTLE WALLS AND SIGNS
• PRINCESS SILHOUETTES
• GUEST NAME PLATES
• DESIGNED MENU (1 design you can personalize with your menu items)
• SIGNS (7 designs):
Once Upon a Time (on front door) and Happily Ever After (on door as exiting) signs,
Kiss Me! (2 designs).
Castle Parking, Privy, Queen’s Quarters, Grand Ballroom signs.
Missing sheep poster.
Simply print out and hang around your castle.
• AND MORE!!!
Win a FREE Party
Win a FREE Party
Each month we highlight one of our customers who has posted on our blog and award them a FREE party!
To get your $5 coupon AND be entered in the Party Of the Month contest for a chance to win a FREE party, please email nompartyofthemonth@gmail.com
Don’t forget to add all the important details and party highlights that made your party one to remember! We love to hear about all of the hard work you, as host, put into your party. From the decor to the food, costumes, whatever. As well as how you and your guests acted (and reacted!) throughout the night! Everything that made your party one your guests will never forget — tell us about it! And be sure to attach some pictures!!!
Upon submitting, we will email you back a coupon to use for $5 off your next party AND enter you in our “Party of the Month” contest, where you could win a FREE party! Once submitted, you will not have to resubmit, but will be entered EVERY MONTH until your party wins!
Tips
All of the information regarding how to run your Happily Never After party can be found online at Night of Mystery. We highly suggest that you take time to look over our website and download the Happily Never After preview file. Upon reading the introduction file to this fantasy murder mystery game, it will give you a better understanding about how the parties are run and what to expect once you purchase a full mystery file.
If you still have question, the Frequently Asked Questions page at Night of Mystery is a great resource or you can contact us.
If you still have question, the Frequently Asked Questions page at Night of Mystery is a great resource or you can contact us.
Since our games are custom written for the size of the party (ie, we don’t just create a mystery with 8 characters and then keep adding more characters to it), each mystery size is unique unto itself. That being said, going from 10-15 version to 15-20 version, will not only add in more characters, but it will change the storylines of the existing characters, and vice-versa in going from a larger version to a smaller one.
Because of this, WE STRONGLY SUGGEST you get a guest count before formally ordering. You can do so by downloading an invitation, inviting your guests and then purchasing your mystery once you have a more accurate number of people attending. Unfortunately, if you find yourself purchasing the wrong sized party, you will have to purchase another version of the mystery for the size you want unless you are moving from the 15-20 version to the 20+ version.
You can download an invitation here before ordering.
Because of this, WE STRONGLY SUGGEST you get a guest count before formally ordering. You can do so by downloading an invitation, inviting your guests and then purchasing your mystery once you have a more accurate number of people attending. Unfortunately, if you find yourself purchasing the wrong sized party, you will have to purchase another version of the mystery for the size you want unless you are moving from the 15-20 version to the 20+ version.
You can download an invitation here before ordering.
Check out some of these movies or t.v. shows that depict some of the fairy tales and fairy tale characters that you will find in Once Upon A Murder: Tangled, Snow White and the Huntsmen, Mirror, Mirror, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Aladdin, Once Upon A Time (t.v. series), Grimm (t.v. series), Cinderella, Shrek, and Hoodwinked. Or you can pick your own from this list of fairy tale movies.
OTHER RESOURCES:
– Look above on this page in the Costumes, Decorations and Food & Music tabs.
– Be sure to check out our Happily Never After Pinterest Board that is filled with ideas for recipes, costumes, decorations, etc.
– All of the *Extras* that come with the mystery!!! (see below for more info!)
OTHER RESOURCES:
– Look above on this page in the Costumes, Decorations and Food & Music tabs.
– Be sure to check out our Happily Never After Pinterest Board that is filled with ideas for recipes, costumes, decorations, etc.
– All of the *Extras* that come with the mystery!!! (see below for more info!)
For even more party planning ideas, check out our Happily Never After Pinterest Board here. It is s filled with ideas for recipes, costumes, decorations, etc. for the perfect Happily Never After party!
Once you order, in your mystery packet you will receive directions and/or printables to make unique and original decorations specific to your party!
Included will be:
– SCROLL INVITE DIRECTIONS & TEMPLATE (1 design)
– HOW TO MAKE STONE CASTLE WALLS AND SIGNS
– PRINCESS SILHOUETTES
– GUEST NAME PLATES
– DESIGNED MENU (1 design you can personalize with your menu items)
– SIGNS (7 designs)
• Once Upon a Time (on front door) and Happily Ever After (on door as exiting) signs.
• Kiss Me! (2 designs).
• Castle Parking, Privy, Queen’s Quarters, Grand Ballroom signs.
• Missing sheep poster.
• Simply print out and hang around your castle.
AND MORE!
Each month we highlight one of our customers who has posted on our blog and award them a FREE party!
To get your $5 coupon AND be entered in the Party Of the Month contest for a chance to win a FREE party, please email nompartyofthemonth@gmail.com
Don’t forget to add all the important details and party highlights that made your party one to remember! We love to hear about all of the hard work you, as host, put into your party. From the decor, to the food, costumes, whatever. As well as how you and your guests acted (and reacted!) throughout the night! Everything that made your party one your guests will never forget — tell us about it! And be sure to attach some pictures!!!
Upon submitting, we will email you back a coupon to use for $5 off your next party AND enter you in our “Party of the Month” contest, where you could win a FREE party! One submitted, you will not have to resubmit, but will be entered EVERY MONTH until your party wins!
Check out some of our past winners here! Night of Mystery POM Blogs
Thanks again for hosting with Night of Mystery and we can’t wait to hear all about your party!!!
