mbm_planning

Murder by Mail's "Get you started" Planning Guide

Here is an easy guideline to follow when planning a mystery party. Use it as a quick overview or a time line reference guide.

1. Starters/Advance Planning (It's never too early to think about planning a mystery!)

Pick:

A date for your party.
A place: home, inn, restaurant, etc.
A theme (select from our list).

(Optional) Order our Advance Planner's kit to get a jump start on planning details.

Order our advance planner kit. The Advance Planner Kit contains the complete Planner's Guide (included with all party orders detailing everything you will need or want to know about staging your party), invitation samples /templates, and sample cast of characters to review. You may order this Kit in advance of ordering the actual player kits. (Order player kits later when you have your confirmed numbers.) In this way you can get started on planning your event ahead of time and work on it whenever you wish. This is highly recommended for planners working on fundraisers, large social parties, Clubs, Inns, restaurants, etc.
The planner's guide will help you pre-plan for decor, food service ideas, general layout, etc.
Cost of Advance Planner Kit: You send a $150 deposit plus $10 postage & handling. The $150 deposit is credited to your account. When you place your complete order, you pay only the balance owed. Note: Deposits are non refundable.
To order the Advance Planner's Kit, select your theme and call us. (508) 693- 5205 or use our email order form.
Advance Party Planner Kit Order Form
See also Mystery Package/What's included for more detail on the Planner's Guide:

2. Make your guest list and invite your guests. (Usually anywhere from 3 to 6 weeks ahead of party date.)

Send out invitations, call guests, email them, get the word out anyway you wish.
For fundraisers: send out invitations, flyers,reservation forms, place ads. or notices, publicize/promote the event. This is generally done anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks in advance.
Set your RSVP deadline as early as practical for your situation. (3 to 4 weeks is common) Hint: build in extra time for slow pokes by pushing up the due date.
Collect any money from contributing guests as you receive RSVP's.

3. Plan your decor, food service, layout, etc. (Usually 1 to 6 weeks ahead of party date.)

Refer to planner's guide for ideas or call us.
We are also happy to make ourselves available to your caterer or any party planning liaison who may be working with you.
Food service can be anything you like: from a full sit down dinner to hors d'ouevres and snacks. Most popular style of service is buffet. Hint: Since the party is so entertaining, keep the food service simple.
Many hosts plan their food to fit into the theme of the party. For example: a BBQ to go with the Country & Western theme, Middle Eastern/ Moroccan food for the Casablanca theme, hamburgers and malts for the 1950's sock hop, etc.

4. Place your order. (Usually done 3 to 6 weeks ahead of party date. If you are placing a rush order, see below.)

Place your order for character kits and any extra player parts by phone or mail completed order form to us. You will need to know:

Which theme you have selected.
The total number of people attending the party (including yourself). If you do not know the exact number, give us your best estimate. You may order add'l. parts at a later date if need be.
The number of men and women who will be playing character roles. (Description detail of Character Role Parts)
The number of people who will be playing "extra parts" if any. (Description detail of Extra Player Parts)
Your package will be customized to the size you are ordering.

5. Supplemental ordering, if needed. (Up to last week before party date.)

If you find that you need additional parts (characters or extras), you can call us to place a supplemental order. Hint for fundraisers or those selling tickets: You may continue to sell tickets or take reservations after your RSVP deadline. Thereby extending your selling period.
Generally, you may place additional orders right up to the week leading up to the event. You may always consult us during this process to get a "must order by" date as needed and as the party date draws near. We are happy to work closely with you to insure optimizing your event turnout.
Some planners opt to have a few of the "extra player" parts on hand for day of the party sales or reservations.

Notes: The number of add'l. character roles you order supplementary may be limited depending on the original size of your order and other story line factors. We can tell you at the time of ordering how many add'l. roles you can order. There is no limit to the number of extra player parts you may order.

6. Assign character roles and give out the kits. (Usually done one to two weeks ahead of party date.)

Upon receipt of the character kits, you should assign the parts using the special "Planner's Cast" notating for you all of the various the types of character roles: outgoing and supporting cast roles, roles which may be cut , flexible roles, etc. Note: Don't forget to assign yourself a part. Suggestions for planners are included. And if you just can't live with the suspense, you may opt to know the identities of the killer and/or victim in our plot.
Mail kits, hand deliver, or arrange for guests to pick up their kits ahead of time. At least one week before if possible. This will insure that your guests have plenty of time to pick our their outfits, get familiar with the theme and their individual roles and be ready for a little murder, mystery and mayhem!

7. Relax. (You've done your part. All you have to do now is enjoy the party!)

8. If all the above timely planning steps fail, then YES, we do take RUSH ORDERS upon confirmation.

We've helped people plan a party in less than a week! Be sure to call us with your rush order and to confirm acceptance and turn around time. We can help you with all the rest.

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