A typical evening long party runs anywhere from 3 to 4, or 4+ hours when let to run on its own time. This includes time for food and beverage service to be included. The party length is flexible and you may alter the running time, but we do not recommend anything under 2 hours since so much goes on during the party. (You don't want to shortchange yourself out of all the fun.)
When staging a mystery weekend. (For Inns, B&B's, Lodges, Hotels, etc.):
If you are staging a mystery over a weekend at an Inn, B&B, Lodge, Hotel, etc. one popular format is as follows:
Friday Night Arrival: Have a "meet & greet" get together. Serve wine, beverages, cheese. Show a movie that ties in to the theme you are staging. For example: Show an old gangster movie from the 30's when staging the Velvet Room Mystery. Or show "Casablanca" when staging our 1940's Casablanca theme.
Saturday Night: The mystery party is staged. Action is stopped at one of two places. Stop either before the vote for whodunit is taken or just after. Stopping before will have the effect of continuing the investigation unit morning.
Sunday Morning: Over coffee, juice, muffins, etc., Pick up the action where you left off and continue through revealing the solution and giving out the awards.