Murder Mystery Party

Invitations

I found this invitation kit at Walmart clearance for 10.00

There are 50 invitations and 50 reply cards

Theye were a simple black and white design so I used the Chic Halloween

Cricut cartridge and cut out the mask at 2" and the chandelier at 2"

Then I cut Black and white card stock paper the long way to wrap around the invite.

Black paper 2" thick and white paper 1/2 " thick and glued the white paper on the

black to make a white and black band around the invite.

Then I put the mask I cut out on top of the band and glued it together.

For the invites I also used a JPEG inage that I found on line of a magnifying glass

and set it behind the text.

For the font of the text I downloaded a free Halloween font from

http://www.fontspace.com/boltonbros/fiddums-family

WE got the invitation kit "Murder at Mardi Gras"

Which is why I chose the masks and chandelier.

The kit comes with invitations name tags and Character info but 

I always like to make my own.

I had many requests from friends about the character they would be

so they could start shopping for costumes so I printed up

 these cards on the reply cards to give them the info they should know about

who they will be.

The rest of the characters info will be given at the party.

Since the set only came with 8 characters

I created 4 supporting characters to

give to husbands and wives or guests who might not be into 

playing a role through out the party.

I bought name place cards at Michael s with a 40%'coupon
for 3.00 for 40.  Most of which I will use next party.
I bought a pack of 12 place card holders at Michael's for 24.00 but with the
50% off coupon they were 12.00.
I coordinated everything to mach the invites by putting masks on the
place cards that I cut with my cricut at 1"
I also cut masks for each place and attached a wooden BBQ skewer
to them.
The whole party was black and white to match the invites
(plus, I thinkMardi Gras colors are kinda tacky).
Under each white plate instead of a charger I used
a 12x12 cardstock piece of paper.
White table cloth and white napkins.

Boy had the traditional Mask shape and

ladies got the more feminine mask

For dinner we has a friend make us Brisket.
I made Red Potatoes, Asparagus, and we had a salad
Total cost for dinner including brisket for 12 was 60.00
I made cupcakes and put the chandeliers that I also
used on the invites on toothpicks and stick them into the
cupcakes.
White frosting with black masks, chandeliers Candelabra's  ect.

Everyone came dressed the part.
Maid, Chef, Jazz Musician, Gothic Writer,
Gator Sausage maker ect...
We all had a ball.

Printable Mask Template...

Pirate Party

Invitations

 For the skulls and rats I used cut outs from 

Martha Stewart halloween cuts

I used a certificate like paper and burned & ripped

 the edges to 

make it look like old treasure map paper.

I found the paper at Michael's 
I used Harrington Font for the invites and always use 
"shadow" on your font to make it pop more.

Free Template

Decor 

 I found these letter stickers at Joann'es

The traced certificate paper with a top of a frosting

lid the red paper with a 

CD and finally the black paper with a small kids bowl.

I also printed a skull from clip art that I used on the invites

onto the certificate paper.

cut 2 holes in each  circle with a 

paper hole puncher and then 

tied them together with black ribbon.

Food

For the table I used halloween decorations that I got for 90% off at 

Target that year.  I got scull centerpieces found vultures to 

put on the table and scattered gold coins all over the table as well.

I also used scull cupcake toppers to put in the veggies and cheese.

Cake

Attire

 Each kid was given a pirate hat, and eye patch,

mustaches and tattoos when they arrived.

Games

We also arranged a treasure hunt

for the kids...instead of word clues I drew

pictures of objects in the house for then to find there

next clue.

I did 5 clues for 2 different groups of kids

1 for older and one with easier clues for

the younger kids.

At the end of the treasure hunt, each group was lead to the 

basement were our wooden toy box was 

filled with goodie bags containing 

chocolate coins

Wedding on a Dime

Invitations were 40.00 but had a 50% off coupon

from Michael's so they were 20.00 for 40.00

The invites were beautiful but I wanted 

make them unique.

I personalized each invite by adding clip art of a tree

with hearts.  

All the little touches make a difference.

I used a wax stamper to seal each invite.

I purchased the flowers from Trader Joes

Irises were only 3.00 a bunch and roses were

15.00 for 2 dozen at Costco.

 Set Up

Food
it was purchased at Costco...it was a
simple shrimp tray
soup and sanwiches
as well as a self made fruit & veggie tray from produce
from Aldi
It was about 100.00 total for all the food items

 Mums were purchased for the tables from my Aunt.

It was not my choice but since it was 

for my brother's Wedding I rolled with it. 

Candles were clearance from left over valentines day decor

They were 10.00 for 20 but Michael's sells packs of 10 for 10

don't forget your coupon!

very cheap tea lights from Ikea as well as candle holders.

I owned chair covers and table cloths for him to borrow

but you can usually rent them for 3.00 each or craigslist

or even purchase them from 

http://www.tableclothfactory.com/

for the same cost as renting and them sell them 

when you are done with them.

 We bought this tulle from Michales for $10 each roll 

and used 3 rolls

Another Idea is to use 1" robbon from Costco's Craft section

You get 50 yds for $6-7 bucks. 

Use about 2 yards per chair to tie a proper ribbon

Ceremony Site

 The ceremony was a quiet one help in a quiet ridge overlooking 

Minnehaha falls in Minneapolis

Lucky for my brother, my Aunt was clergy and did the 

ceremony for free

Reception Site

We found a newly renovated room with large windows overlooking

The lake.  It included a kitchen for our "Caterers" to prepare the food.

Programs

 Another self print option from the 

"Brides Collection" at Michale's

30.00 for 20 and of course we cad a coupon

for 40% off

Finally the cake.

Luckily for my brother, I do cakes 

so I made it for him as his gift

Pictures were taken by my husband so they were 

free but you can get a friend to do them 

by looking at photography websites to see good angles

and get good ideas for shots.

Renting a great camera is also another option

Check your internet for camera shots and

get some recommendations from their staff 

for what is best to use.