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Murder Mystery Bridal Shower or Engagement Party

A murder mystery gives a bridal shower or engagement party something that guests who have never met can do together. Everyone arrives as a suspect, the two families end up questioning each other, and by the reveal they have a story in common.

It works best for the smaller events around a wedding: the shower, the engagement party, the rehearsal dinner, or a night of the wedding weekend with 6 to 16 people. For a reception of 50 or more it is the wrong game; for those, keep it to the wedding party.

Set up this party, freePay $29 once, when you press Start. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Recommended mystery

Death at the Speakeasy

1920s · 6–16 players · about 2 hours

Death at the Speakeasy suits a wedding crowd: a glamorous 1920s jazz club, a costume brief everyone can manage, and 6 to 16 characters, so it covers a small shower or a full wedding-weekend dinner. The guest of honour can take the headline singer, the star of the club.

Read the full mystery page

✓ 16 characters, choose 6–16 on the night
✓ Each guest gets a private link: character, secret, objectives
✓ Host runs three rounds from a phone; TV shows the clues
✓ Everyone votes on their phone; reveal on the screen
✓ Print view included as a backup

What the night looks like

Chicago, 1927. Vinnie Marlowe, owner of The Velvet Hour, is found poisoned in his office during a police raid that turns out to be fake. The singer, the bootlegger, the heiress, the cop on the take, the rival club owner: everyone in the room had a reason.

Guests open their character link a few days before and plan a 1920s outfit. On the day, the host presses Start, reads a short paragraph at the start of each round, and the clues come up on the TV and on every phone. Guests mingle, question each other and trade secrets between rounds.

Three rounds of 20 to 30 minutes, then everyone votes on their phone and the reveal plays on the screen. About two hours, which fits around food, gifts and toasts.

Tips for a bridal shower or engagement murder mystery

Mix the two sides

When you assign characters, pair people who don't know each other as rivals or partners. The game gives them a reason to talk all evening.

Gifts before, toasts after

Open gifts before round one, and save the toasts for after the reveal, when everyone is already standing and loud.

A dress code people already own

"1920s: pearls, feathers, braces or a hat." It photographs well and nobody has to buy a costume.

Keep it surprise-proof

If the guest of honour should not know the plan, the host can set everything up and send their link on the day.

Questions hosts ask

Is a murder mystery appropriate for a bridal shower?

Yes, for most crowds. The story has a murder, some drinking and a lot of lying, but no gore. The stories are written for adults; guests 15 and over can play.

How many guests can play?

Death at the Speakeasy takes 6 to 16. For more than 16, two guests can share a character, or you can run two rooms with two hosts.

Can it work for a wedding reception?

Not for a full reception; the game needs everyone listening and talking, which suits 6 to 16 people. It works well for the rehearsal dinner, the shower, the engagement party or a night of the wedding weekend.

Do we need to print anything?

No. Every guest has a private link on their phone. If you want paper on the tables, there is a print view with every character card once the mystery is unlocked.

How much does it cost?

Setting up is free. You pay $29 once, when you press Start Round 1. There is a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Set up your bridal shower or engagement party, free.

Two minutes to set up. Pay $29 once, when you press Start.

Set up a party, free