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Till Death Do Us Part

Facts of the case

A Night of Love, Marriage and MURDER!!!

Purchase Mystery

Guest Info

Look here for more info on what to expect at the party!

Talk the Talk: Gangster Glossary

Download this guide to help when dealing with the Father of the Bride and his Associates at the wedding
  
 

Be prepared to use you money!

AT THE PARTY, YOU WILL BE GIVEN FAKE MONEY TO DO WITH AS YOU PLEASE.

Here are some ideas on how to spend and collect money at the party! Keep in mind, there is an award at the end for the person who accumulates the most (fake) wealth!

  • Blackmail
  • Bribery
  • Extortion
  • Lie, Cheat, Steal
  • Pickpocketing
  • Pilfer “dead” bodies
  • Demand to be tipped for your services
  • Scheming with others
  • Creating a “worthy” cause
  • Collecting money for a “worthy” cause
  • Give up $ to keep your secrets
  • Pay others to divulge their secrets
  • Buy/sell drinks served at the party
  • Sell something you’ve made/brought to the party
  • Sell information you know
  • Sell information you overheard
  • Sell information you made up
  • Hold something for ransom
  • Any Creative Means You Can Think Of!!!

 

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Always a Bridesmaid….

WHERE TO FIND THAT PERFECT DRESS:

• Use (or borrow a friend’s) old bridesmaid’s dress

• Scour the second-hand shops and garage sales

• Try the clearance racks in a department store right after a high school dance (like prom or homecoming)

• Dress up any outfit or gown by adding beading, cording, fancy fabrics, fringe, etc. (Stich witchery and hot glue make great non-sew adhesives.)

• Not the right color? Take a can of spray paint to the dress.

CONSIDER:

• Coordinating with the other bridesmaids coming to the party to match.

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Traditional Italian Wedding Traditions

In an Italian wedding, the reception will begin with a cocktail hour where the bridal party and the guests separate for an hour and are served cocktails. During the cocktail hour food is served buffet style and the bride and groom will usually take this time to have photographs taken.

After cocktail hour the guests gather in the main dining room. The bride and groom enter and are formally introduced as husband and wife for the first time. The newlyweds then take the first dance with the wedding party soon joining in and then the rest of the guests. After some dancing, everyone is seated and speeches are given by family and friends and everyone joins in a champagne toast to the bride and groom.

Food is served throughout the reception, usually a three-course meal with plenty of dancing in between and then it is time for the bride and groom to cut the wedding cake just before the dessert course begins. Sicilian custom includes what is called “Venetian Hour” where a huge selection of pastries, fruit, cakes, and coffees are served on what is called a “Venetian Table” amidst much celebration.

After dessert is served there is more dancing and then gifts are given to the bride and groom. A tradition in Southern Italy is for the guests to give envelopes of money to the newlyweds who give a small token of appreciation called a wedding favor. In Northern Italy there is no tradition of envelopes with money, but the wedding favor is still given.

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Costumes

Get your creative costuming ideas here!!!

Costumes

From Blushing Brides to Gregarious Guests and Fiesty Family Members

For Till Death Do Us Part, you can find a lot of the elements to your outfit in your closet and the key to “making it special” could be that over-the-top wig or that extra prop or accessories you add to make it HIL-ARIOUS!

GUESTS:

Fancy outfits
• Tuxedos
• Suits
• Bridal gowns
• Bridesmaid’s dresses (find at a local Goodwill or thrift store)

Anything to show wealth –
• Gold cane
• Expensive jewelry
• Mink stolls
• Fur coats
• Feather boas
• Watch piece
• Suit with jacket
• Bowtie
• Top hat
• Money tucked into places, like a lapel, hatband, etc.

ADD TO ANY OUTFIT
• Boas
• Wigs (think any variety)
• Facial hair
• BLING!
• Gold or silver accessories of any type
• Fancy headdress
• Cigarette extension holders
• Props of any sort!
• LARGE hats
• Fake eyelashes
• Fake breasts
• A fake weapon of some sort – exposed or not

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Always a Bridesmaid

WHERE TO FIND THAT PERFECT DRESS:

• Use (or borrow a friend’s) old bridesmaid’s dress

• Scour the second-hand shops and garage sales

• Try the clearance racks in a department store right after a high school dance (like prom or homecoming)

• Dress up any outfit or gown by adding beading, cording, fancy fabrics, fringe, etc. (Stich witchery and hot glue make great non-sew adhesives.)

• Not the right color? Take a can of spray paint to the dress.

CONSIDER:

• Coordinating with the other bridesmaids coming to the party to match.

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Decoration Ideas

How to create that perfect wedding reception party feel!what you can do!

Decorations

DECORATE YOUR PARTY SPACE AS YOU WOULD A WEDDING RECEPTION:

• Adorn the venue with white wedding bells.

• Create a wedding arch (see some below).
To make your own balloon arch, check out this link!

• Raid the dollar store, craft store, garage sales, everywhere that has inexpensive wedding decorations. Stock up on sales!

• Recycle old wedding decorations – you can use your own, a friend’s, or look for used ones on craigslist.com

• Create your own table decorations from anything you have.
– Vases with sand and candles
– Silk flowers
– Table numbers
– Candles

• Flower it up! Fake rose petals can go a long way… as can silk flowers.
Check your local dollar store and discount store for silk flowers, candles, vases, etc.

 

LIGHTING!

• Paper lanterns are also a good light source that can double as a decoration.

• String along white twinkly lights.

• String white twinkly lights in sheer fabrics and hang for both lighting and decoration.

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Decorating Ideas

TO MAKE IT A LITTLE MORE THEME-CENTRIC, YOU COULD:

• ENTRYWAY. Have the entryway arranged like a hotel lobby with signs pointing to “The Giovanni & Simpson Reception Room.”

• Have a guest book for all of your guests to sign in! Encourage them to make comments about the party.

• Create a wedding ceremony stage, complete with an aisle for the bride to walk down.

• Use the staged area to make announcements such as the greeting, investigation report, evidence presentation, etc.

• Create a dance floor for the reception.

• Do the first dance, dance with the parents, cutting the cake and other wedding traditions.

If serving dinner, have a head table where the bridal party will sit.
– Place a “Just Married” sign on it (included with mystery).
– Balloon arch over it optional!
– Seat other guests by where their characters should sit (with their “family” members).
– Use placecards, included with mystery, at table settings.

• Have wedding favors for your guests
– Wrap candy in tulle fabric and tie with a bow! Add a little “murder” to them by dipping the ends in red fabric paint and letting them dry.

• Have bubbles available for your guests to shower the happy couple with.

• The wedding toast! Toasting glasses rimmed with “blood” (instructions with mystery – pictured below).

• Get monogrammed napkins and such with Becky and Stanley’s monograms.

• Create wedding programs! Have the programs lying about to help people remember who all of the characters are from the mystery.

• Have disposable cameras sitting out on the tables so that the guests at the wedding can capture some great candid picts of the night.

• Have a wedding arch – you can place it on your wedding area or someplace else for pictures. To create a balloon arch, follow these directions!

See “Create a Photospot” for more tips!

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Create a 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.

• You can make it as elaborate or simple as you want.

• 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.

• Use props like wedding bells, columns, balloon arches, wedding arches, lavish chairs, anything you can think of, to create a staged area for pictures.

• 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.
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.

• If having a party with 20 guests, you may ask Ronnie Rhymer to take 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).
These are two times when you can count on everyone being around and attentive.

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Use the Party Extras!

BE SURE TO UTILIZE ALL OF THE EXTRAS THAT COME WITH THE MYSTERY– 

  • Name cards for your guests
  •  Personalized menus
  •  Drink charms for all of your guests
  •  Recipe and directions to make some killer chiller glasses
  • Designed labels to put on champagne bottles for awards
  • And MORE!
 

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Setting the Scene

Looking for decoration inspiration for your party? Here’s a video to help!
Click below to start!

 

 

 

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Food & Music

Baffled about what you can serve for your wicked wedding reception – check here!!!

Food

BUFFET OR BUST

If serving a meal, consider serving a buffet-style dinner. Buffets allow you the flexibility to plan for a appetizers, a full dinner, desserts or any combination of. Additionally, it helps with food serving and allows ample time for your guests to mingle while eating.

• Check out some tips and recipes for making buffets here.

• Being a wedding, the options for foods are open to what you (as host) wish.

TIPS:

• Pick foods that you can make ahead and are easy to serve.

• Buffet-style dinners do well and cut back on the responsibilities of serving food.

• Appetizers and sweets also do well, since they allow your guests to mingle.

• Whatever you decide, input the food items into the menu (included with the mystery).

 

If serving a sit down meal:

Create a head table for the wedding party and sit guests according to their “families.”

Use namecards (included with the mystery) to distinguish where people should sit.

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Desserts

SERVING SWEETS:

What’s a reception without a Wedding Cake!

– Check out these cake toppers: Spy, Corpse Bride, Skeleton, Zombie Couple.

– Have a wedding cake with a butcher knife and “blood” dripping from the cake.

– Have a wedding cake made and use toy pistols as cake toppers.

– Add candied skulls or Halloween candy to the wedding cake for added “mystery” appeal.

Chocolate fountains and candy bars – another popular trend for weddings.

 

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Music

Click on the image to get to our Spotify Playlist for this party!

WEDDING “CLASSICS”: If planning a wedding reception, don’t forget some of the “classics” like the chicken dance, the hokey pokey, the cha-cha slide, macarena and more!

MIX IT UP! Weddings are popular for having a variety of music played by a DJ. Make a mix of your favorite songs to have your crowd dancing and sleuthing at the same time. See section above for dances you will want to make sure are on your mix list.”The Wedding Singer” soundtrack is one to consider. Here is a list of the top 200 songs for wedding receptions!

MOBSTER MUSIC- Since the father of the bride has some questionable ties to organized crime, you might want to look to such soundtracks as The Godfather, The Sopranos and Bugsy to add a soundtrack to your own party!

LOVE MUSIC- Find a compilation of love songs perfect for any romantic day. Find it here.

FOR FREE MUSIC- Visit your local library for a number of compilations and artists.

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Click on the image to get to our Spotify Playlist for this party!

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Host Information

Ways to go above and beyond with THIS wedding theme!

Host Info

Some extra special hosting tips for THIS party!

Creating the buzz about your party is a sure-fire way to get your guests excited about attending.

• Send out your “Save The Date” postcards (included with the mystery) as you would for a wedding.

• Create invites to your party on wedding invite stationary. You can find some inexpensively at your local craft store or office supply store.

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Themed Ideas to do AT the party!

TO MAKE IT A LITTLE MORE THEME-CENTRIC, YOU COULD:

ENTRYWAY. Have the entryway arranged like a hotel lobby with signs pointing to “The Giovanni & Simpson Reception Room.”

Have a guest book for all of your guests to sign in! Encourage them to make comments about the party.

Create a wedding ceremony stage, complete with an aisle for the bride to walk down.
Use the staged area to make announcements such as the greeting, investigation report, evidence presentation, etc.

Create a dance floor for the reception.
Do the first dance, dance with the parents, cutting the cake and other wedding traditions.

If serving dinner, have a head table where the bridal party will sit.
• Place a “Just Married” sign on it (included with mystery).
• Balloon arch over it optional!
• Seat other guests by where their characters should sit (with their “family” members).
• Use placecards, included with mystery, at table settings.

Have wedding favors for your guests
Wrap candy in tulle fabric and tie with a bow! Add a little “murder” to them by dipping the ends in red fabric paint and letting them dry.

(Signs included with mystery)

Have bubbles available for your guests to shower the happy couple with.

The wedding toast! Toasting glasses rimmed with “blood” (instructions with mystery – pictured below).

Get monogrammed napkins and such with Becky and Stanley’s monograms.

Create wedding programs! Have the programs lying about to help people remember who all of the characters are from the mystery.

Have disposable cameras sitting out on the tables so that the guests at the wedding can capture some great candid picts of the night.

Have a wedding arch – you can place it on your wedding area or someplace else for pictures. To create a balloon arch, follow these directions!

See “Create a Photospot” for more tips!

Close Tab

Utilize All the EXTRAS!!!

BE SURE TO UTILIZE ALL OF THE EXTRAS THAT COME WITH THE MYSTERY– 

  • Name cards for your guests
  •  Personalized menus
  •  Drink charms for all of your guests
  •  Recipe and directions to make some killer chiller glasses
  • Designed labels to put on champagne bottles for awards
  • And MORE!

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Tips

All of the information regarding how to run your Till Death Do Us Part party can be found online at Night of Mystery. We highly suggest that you take time to look over our website and download the Till Death Do Us Part preview file. Upon reading the introduction file, 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.

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.

For even more party planning ideas, check out our Till Death Do Us Part Pinterest Board here. It is s filled with ideas for recipes, costumes, decorations, etc. for the perfect Till Death Do Us Part 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:
– SAVE THE DATE POSTCARD DESIGNS
– SIGNS (3 designs)
• Just Married
• Eat, Drink and be Married/Murdered!
• Reception Sign
– JUST MARRIED BANNER
– DESIGNED NAME CARDS
– DRINK CHARM DESIGNS
– DESIGNED DINNER MENUS (you can personalize with your menu items)
– Champagne Bottle labels to use as awards!
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!!!

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