A murder mystery rehearsal dinner is a KILLER idea

We got this idea from one of the most epic Halloween weddings we've featured, Sharon and Kevin's three-themed gothic wedding. We definitely got caught up in one of their ideas: a murder mystery rehearsal dinner! The best part of getting people into a themed party like this is that it's going to give guests a reason to talk to one another and let their guards down. Apparently they even kept up the characters after the party! Let's hear from Sharon on how it went down…

In lieu of a rehearsal dinner, we started off our weekend with an interactive film noir murder mystery party the night before. We designed the Cliffside Lodge to be a 1940s bar and restaurant. Our guests were assigned characters ahead of time and everyone dressed the part. There was a primary “murder” but all guests were able to acquire the means, or hire someone who did, to kill someone else who may have known too much. We had more people than roles RSVP to this party, so we had to create additional characters and story lines on the fly. Everyone had a secret, and every one of them was revealed by the end of the night. The event served as a great way for our guests to get to know each other. The next day, our guests were calling other guests by their character’s names.

You could totally apply this concept to any other party, too, like a shower, bachelor/ette, engagement party, etc. There are a couple of ways to set one of these up. You can purchase a pre-made script from game stores or Amazon or hire a murder mystery company with actors who get everyone involved. Either way can be a real hoot if you're into it.

Miss this wedding the first time around? Time to see it all!

A few of our favorite wedding vendors

Clare 2:33 am on Feb. 3, 2017

We're big fans of murder mystery dinner parties and my Rotaract group hosts a big murder mystery party annually. I love the themes and side plots-I've been a philandering aerial artist in a circus, a zombie in a mental institution, a too-rich speakeasy singer and an archeologist with a heroin addiction!

I can see all our various friends and maybe parent's friends getting in to it, at least enough to keep things going. I'd love to hear from anyone who's gotten older relatives, younger kids or guests who this would just not be their usual thing, to give it a go.

DJ Staci 8:53 pm on Feb. 3, 2017

What a fun idea!!! I love it 🙂

Maggie 7:50 am on Feb. 4, 2017

Yes yes! I did this for my bachelorette party! Neither my husband nor I were into the traditional raunchy bachelor/bachelorette party things, so when his dude friends told me they were going to kidnap him and take him laser tagging, I decided a murder mystery bachelorette party was going to be the gals' thing! It was so fun, and it totally took the edge off the stress of wedding stuff. I think everyone should have more murder mystery parties.

Join the conversation Cancel Reply

No-drama comment policy

Part of what makes the Offbeat Empire different is our commitment to civil, constructive commenting. Make sure you're familiar with our no-drama comment policy.

Biz owners & wedding bloggers

Please just use your real name in your comment, not your business name or blog title. Our comments are not the place to pimp your website. If you want to promote your stuff on Offbeat Bride, join us as an advertiser instead.