An Olympics Themed Bat Mitzvah Celebration

The Kessler family celebrated their daughter Kayla’s Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, June 4, 2016. There was a Havdalah service followed by a party at Temple Avodah in Oceanside, New York. Kayla is a competitive gymnast and has been on a team since she was 4 years old and in the sport since she was 8 months old!

The theme was: Kayla’s Olympics…Let the Games Begin! 

Pictured L-R: Dad Mitch, Sister Alexis, Bat Mitzvah girl Kayla and Mom Jodi.

The photographer was MitBark Photography and the rest of the vendor information is listed at the end of the spotlight.

Invitation/Service/Venue

The family worked with Creative Expressions by Stacey Ezratty on the invitation which hinted at the theme: Kayla's name was printed in the Olympic ring colors

Kayla posed on the Bimah between her proud parents

The front entrance of Temple Avodah

Bat Mitzvah Style

Kayla's beautiful gown from Outrageous Boutique

There was beading on the top with scattered beading on the tulle skirt

Mom Jodi wore a beautiful black gown from Runway Couture

Decor and Party Details

The ballroom at Temple Avodah was decorated with party themed details including Kayla’s Olympic logo created by Kombert Caterers.

The lobby had a seating chart featuring Kayla wearing her warm-up suit and medals, and her "sign-in" locker

Kombert Caterers created the amazing logo

Giant balloons in Olympic colors hung from the ceiling

Clever signage on the bar combined her passion for gymnastics and the Olympic theme

Kayla's sign-in locker with special messages from family and friends

The staging looked amazing with Olympic Rings on a large LED screen in the background, by Mitbark Photography

Dazzling Parties created the decor using the Olympic rings as a guide. Tables were dressed in black spandex with an Olympic colored napkin that matched the seat covers

Each large 3-D centerpiece featured Kayla

The custom menu at each place setting designed by Kombert Caterers

Food and Drinks

Kombert Caterers did a great job with the food which was delicious and presented beautifully!

Kayla's name spelled out in sushi!

The lobby and entrance to the cocktail hour room housed a big display case of colorful adult beverages

The kids' colorful drinks were served in test tubes

Specialty drinks were named after the Kessler family with Olympic descriptions

Mitzvah Entrance & Music Entertainment

After a creative entrance video, Kayla changed into a warm-up and came running into the ballroom where she lit the cauldron to the sounds of the Olympic anthem.

MC Geo of Geo Events got the party going as Kayla made her entrance, "Let the Games Begin!"

Coordinating perfectly with the entrance, the screen showed flames and the music began with "Fireball" by Pitbull. The LED Screen and Lighting was done by EJ the DJ

After the amazing entrance, Kayla quickly changed back into her dress and blinged-out Converse hi-tops

Kayla and Dad Mitch had a wonderful dance together

The Kessler family loved it out on the dance floor

Geo and his staff provided Olympic Ring t-shirts as dance floor giveaways

Live Event Painter/Cake/Candle Lighting/Friend Presentation

An event artist, Painting by Jessica, set up in the corner and captured the party on a large canvas. It is now hanging in the family's living room

The Olympic themed cake by Mario's Bakery was beautiful and delicious

Kayla and Sister Alexis shared a candle lighting moment

Kayla was presented with collages made by her friends

Mitzvah Exit Treat and Favors

For the “Closing Ceremonies,” Kayla’s Mitzvah Exit treats and favors won a gold medal!

As guests left, they were treated to a full bakery complete with hot/cold items and egg sandwiches!

And, a full candy display with large sized vintage candy to go

This Olympic themed Bat Mitzvah featured an Olympic logo'd drawstring bag and sweatshirt favor

Mom to Mom Advice from Mom Jodi

“Take a deep breath and get ready for a roller-coaster ride! Planning a Bar Bat Mitzvah has its ups, downs, twists, turns and loops. From the time you receive the date and give a check for a deposit, you begin the ride. Don’t blink! The ride starts and ends quicker than you think! To make planning a little more organized, I suggest the following: When making your guest list, have a master list with names/addresses and number it as you go. Use the guest’s # on your response card (lightly in pencil on the back or in the envelope). I also have a prepared small labeled index card for each guest (or couple) with a punched hole. As the responses come in, I use the index cards to begin making the tables. I use single, metal loose leaf rings to ring the group of cards together. Each group of cards represents one table. As the responses come in, it is easier to shuffle the guests around instead of constantly crossing out names on paper. The master list is also easy to keep track of gifts and thank you cards that have been sent. I keep the master list and refer to it constantly when a party comes around and you want to check a gift amount that was given.”

Vendor Directory

The following vendors helped to make Kayla’s Bat Mitzvah special. If you give any of them a call, let them know you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com.

Venue/Caterer/Floor Logo: Temple Avodah/Kombert Caterers, 516-678-6161
Music Entertainment/MC: Geo, Geo Events, 212-572-8323
LED Screen/Lights: Ed Jacobs, EJ The DJ, 631-348-7848
Party Planner/Decor/Sign-In/Favors: Barbara Becker, Dazzling Parties, 516-766-1471
Photographer/Videographer: Harvey/Jeff, MitBark Photography Studios, 516-594-0293
T-shirts giveaways: Peter, The Baja Man, 516-378-1553
Party Entertainment: Barry, Starlight Amusements, 516-764-2061
Invitation: Creative Expressions by Stacey Ezratty, 516-983-7468
Stamps: Zazzle.com
Cake: Mario’s Bakery, 516-766-0891
Event Painter: Paintings by Jessica, 917-575-2900
Pre-Party Photo Shoot: Serengeti Design Studios, 516-623-2828
Entrance Video and Montage: Family friend Rich Ejnes
Kayla’s gown: Amy, Outrageous Boutique, 516-931-3331
Mom and Sister gowns: Kimberly Towers, Runway Couture, 516-308-4639
Suits for family members: Men’s Warehouse, 516-536-0226
Hair: Salon Montage, Richie Aiello, 516-764-6680
Makeup: Jessica, Salon Montage, 516-776-7600