Need help with ideas for 1920s Murder Mystery party!

[Stucas]

I posted this on another message board I go to, but I decided to post it here so I can get some more ideas




DH is turning 30 in September and has never had a big birthday party. I am a crazy over the top with details planner type person so I decided we were going to blow through a nice chunk of change (while keeping it budget..total oxymoron) and have a killer (literally) 1920s speakeasy murder mystery party! My hope is to have it at my parents house since they have the most amazing house for parties, but they are trying to sell this summer so I don't know if they will still be there come September. The backup plan (or really plan A right now) is to have it at my in laws house. There will be about 30ish guests and I'm planning on a sit down meal. I'll rent tables/linens/chairs and have it catered. I have a pretty good over all idea of how I want things to look but I don't know what to do when it comes to details.

My MILs house is a 3 split level home and each level is fairly small. Bottom floor has the front door living room/office, 2nd floor the family room/dining/kitchen (plus deck to outside) and top is the bedrooms.

Now that you maybe have a mental image here's a rundown of my plan so far:

Entrance of "the club" will have a velvet rope w/ doorman and you'll need a password/phrase to get in. When guests first enter they will go directly to have their picture taken either as a mug shot or just a theme backdrop (not sure which yet). The living room will most likely have a casino game or 2.

At the stairs going up to the next level will be some red curtains that say something along the lines off staff only or keep out, but will be partially drawn open so guests know they can go up. Middle floor will be where all the alcohol is. I'm going to try and get some old bottle and label them moonshine and maybe a big barrel or 2. I'm toying with the idea of hiring a bartender.

Here's my big issue, To have a sit down dinner we need to rent tables, ideally they will be outside under a tent, but if it rains they will have to be inside. This means putting MILs furniture in the garage so we have the full space to work with ( I haven't mentioned this part of it to her yet, and don't know how she'll feel about that) If she won't let us move the furniture I just don't know how this will all work. Shes all for having people eat off their laps and has in the past and its just no fun for anyone. Whats your suggestion for this? Change the food to just finger foods/ hours devours or find a way to make the seating work?



Also does anyone have any specific ideas for little details? As I was posting this I was also looking stuff on online and found a suggestion to use mason jars as glasses. I'm looking for crazy little ideas like that.


Thanks!

 

[fofinia]

Not sure I have any suggestions. But I've always wanted to go to a party like this. It sounds Awesome. If MIL will object you could switch to a station type setting for food. I've been to some swanky weddings that were set up like this. 3 or 4 stations around the room with different food items at them. Small plates available and people could travel around with them. That might be helpful for the getting information on the murder mystery. They also have tents that can stay pretty dry even with rain if you keep the outside tent theme.

Have fun!

 

[muffyn]

Here's my big issue, To have a sit down dinner we need to rent tables, ideally they will be outside under a tent, but if it rains they will have to be inside. . Shes all for having people eat off their laps and has in the past and its just no fun for anyone. Whats your suggestion for this? Change the food to just finger foods/ hours devours or find a way to make the seating work?


Thanks!

the tent would not work in the rain? we have used tents before & they do a good job in the rain.
I agree eating off your laps is NO FUN. especially when you want it special.

now we ran into this problem ( with food) at the last family christmas eve gathering. very small house with 50 people in it, hardly any seating , let alone tables! they also decided on finger food appetizers this year instead of a meal..(we rotate houses) . I originally thought, ,that sucks..... but it actually turned out MORE food than we could possibly eat with a lot of variety!
stuff like, chicken fingers ( I made them homemade) chicken wings. stuffed artichokes ( not sure what they were but good suckers), stuffed mushrooms, egg rolls, someone made tiny slider hamburgers on those small square rolls, ( cook up the hamburgers & let them sit in onion soup). this is good for snacking for quite a while. do small pastries. get heavy duty paper plates. main problem is somewhere to set drinks.. very awkward.
now, please let us know how you 'scripted' your party, I have looked up those before but never could find a good plan.
good luck!

 

[Stucas]

The tent wouldn't work only because the IL's backdoor leads out to a 2nd story deck. If it rains people would have to go out on the deck, walk down the stairs and then over to the tent.

 

[englishteacha]

What about renting a hall? If you're renting a tent, tables, chairs, caterer, etc., it might be worth looking into to rent a function space.