Archive for October, 2010
October 15th, 2010
Sports themed Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebrations have been around for a while now and when we see one that has some unique touches we get very excited!
Check out this Bar Mitzvah, courtesy of enLuce Photography, which took place at Los Gatos, California. Betty Zlatchin Catering produced the concept from start to finish. Taking off from the ESPN theme, Zach’s Mom was involved with the decor and favors around ZSPN, for Bar Mitzvah boy Zach.
The ice sculpture called “the shots”
The cocktail hour had everyone in the sports mood with a “Pre-Game Warm Up menu”
Mini stadium food….for kids of all ages
A large sign saying, “The World Wide Leader In Sports” hung on the dance floor
Place mats with the “Z” initial
Sports pins for the guests
Posters of Zach filled the room and were used as centerpieces
Hot dogs and pretzels, sports jersey’s and inflatables…This was a party for sports fans of all ages!!
These vendors helped to make Zach’s Bar Mitzvah a success!
Photographer: EnLuce Photography
Event Design: Betty Zlatchin
DJ: Joel Nelson Productions
Centerpieces and menus: Method 42 Productions
Temple: Shir Hadash Temple: Los Gatos, CA
Reception: Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center – Los Gatos, CA.
October 13th, 2010
Entertainment Tonite has all the ingredients in house to assist you in making your Mitzvah a huge success.
They have professionals working around the clock to make sure your event goes as planned. You’ll love the energy in the room from the 1st meeting all the way to last song that is being played at your event.
See all that Entertainment Tonite can do to make your child’s Mitzvah a memorable event by watching this video.
October 13th, 2010
Sometimes we find photographs on various photography Websites that make us stop in our tracks! That was the case when we saw these great Bar and Bat Mitzvah photos on the blog of Townsley Portraits in California.
The first party was at the Wynn Hotel and Casino and featured a young man named Jess who loved to cook!
He made his entrance on this giant customized magazine cover!
We love how his place cards continue the cooking theme
Pictures of Jess were part of the table centerpieces and a large collage was used in the far side of the picture
Jess’ candle lighting ceremony
The second party, a Bat Mitzvah for Jordan was at the Mandalay Bay pool.
The Bat Mitzvah girl “makes her entrance” across the pool!
We love her photos on display in the background
The pool area looks beautiful and ready for guests
Very cool table/bench that features photo of family and friends
The kids menu!
Beach balls with Jordan’s name are used as favors
We want to thank Townsley Portraits for sharing these great pictures!
October 11th, 2010
When the Golden family started planning their daughter Ally’s Bat Mitzvah service and celebration, they all agreed on one thing, they didn’t want a one-day event! Instead they booked a full weekend at a sleep away camp. Trail’s End in Beach Lake, Pennsylvania became Camp Ally for a beautiful fall weekend in September.
Their service and party were a perfect combination of camp fun and an elegant party.
Photography was done by Simphonic Events and all other vendor information is listed at the bottom of this spotlight.
Pictured above L-R: Sister Dani, Mom Leslie, Dad Lee and Bat Mitzvah girl Ally.
Trail’s End sleep away camp was the location for Ally’s fun-filled weekend Trial’s End Camp…
Camp Ally signage!
Many of Ally’s friends from home and camp friends arrived by chartered bus
Everyone heads to their bunks before lunch
Trail’s End had golf carts on hand to help bring guests and luggage to the bunks
Guests check out their accommodations
Each guest found their bed made, a flashlight, water bottle and drawstring bag with the theme, Peace, Love, Camp Ally!
A picnic lunch is served to guests
Ally’s friends get together for a group picture before beginning afternoon activities
Some guests enjoyed hitting balls on the golf range
Counselors were on hand to organize activities like basketball for the younger guests
Some hoop action
and swimming…
The Golden family wanted their invitation to reflect the theme of camp and hired Amy Wohl, FabuDesigns to design a fun camp invite and save the date. Here is the “save the date.” a rustic single mount card and set the mood for their weekend Bat Mitzvah celebration
The same design was followed for the actual invitation. The pocket folder had 4 inserts including a packing list, rsvp, direction and transportation cards
They also created a Website filled with information for their guests at www.campally.com.
The Golden girls all looked great for the evening service and party! Ally and Dani both found their dresses at Party Girl in Tenafly. Mom Leslie is wearing a Dolce and Gabbana dress
Bat Mitzvah girl Ally had her service on the lake. What a beautiful setting!
Lorraine Litvin Mann officiated the service by the lake
Special programs created by Artistic Displays
What a beautiful setting for a Bat Mitzvah service
The dining hall at Trail’s End was renovated a few years ago and is a great party space. The dining hall featuring a “Camp Ally” blue flag
The large dining hall before it’s transformed for Ally’s party
Entrance to the Camp Ally celebration
Logo’d Signage
Place cards continued the campy feel!
Centerpieces were created by local Honesdale Greenhouse Flowershop
Trail’s End created this adorable “bunk” cake covered in pretzel logs and graham crackers!
Instead of a traditional candle lighting ceremony, Ally decided to light one candle
Pure Energy provided the music entertainment for the party with Jared as the MC. Ally “makes her entrance”
The guests all having fun!
Ally’s sign-in book was created by Artistic Displays and continued the “peace, love, Camp Ally” theme.
A wonderful memory of a special celebration
After the celebration, guests traded their high heels for flip flops and headed back to the beach for s’mores and a surprise fireworks display!Everyone enjoyed making smores by the camp fire!
After the celebration, guests traded their high heels for flip flops and headed back to the beach for s’mores
And a beautiful surprise fireworks display lighted up the sky over the lake
Ally’s friends received sweatshirts created by Gotham T-shirts and all guests enjoyed a photo booth provided by Simphonic Events.Peace, Love, Camp Ally!
Photo favors by Simphonic Events
Bat Mitzvah Project
She volunteered at Sunrise Day Camp, the only day camp in the country for kids with cancer and their siblings. On May 2, Ally and her camp friends participated in Planting Day. And, on June 6, she and her friends and family participated in a Walk-a-Thon at the camp. She raised almost $2500 for Sunrise Day Camp!
Advice From Mom Leslie
Mitzvah Mom Leslie is already looking forward to planning her younger daughter’s celebration. She has this advice for our Mitzvah planning Moms. “The key to a successful party is a relaxed host…once your event starts, let your trusted vendors run the show so you can enjoy yourself.” She then adds, “It takes a village to plan a weekend away and I couldn’t have pulled this off without the help of my two wonderful sisters!”
Leslie’s sister, Melissa and Andrea with Dani and Ally
Each of Ally’s guests received the bracelet below with their “thank you” note!
Vendor Driectory
The following Vendors helped to make Camp Ally a huge success. If you give any a call, please tell them you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com. Thanks!
Venue/Caterer/Fireworks?S’mores/Cake: Trail’s End Camp
Invitation, Save The Date & Graphic Design: Amy Wohl, FabuDesigns, 312-513-1698
Sweatshirts/Drawstrings bags: Howard Zwang, Gotham T-shirts, 516-676-0900
Place cards/Sign-in book/Banner Camp Ally/Siddur: Lori Zaransky, Artistic Displays
Flags/Flashlight: Good As Gold
Photog/Videographer/Montage/photo favor: Simphonic Events
Florist: Honesdale Greenhouse Flowershop
Girls Dresses: Party Girl,
Mitzvah Mom Leslie’s Dress: Dolce and Gabanna
Dad’s Suit: Nordstrom
Bracelets: Michelle Collins, Off The Cuff 516-459-6495
Water Bottles: Pride Products
Officiator of Service: Lorraine Litvin Mann
October 9th, 2010
The Vatkin Family celebrated their son Dylan’s Bar Mitzvah at Restaurant 353 in Mount Kisco, New York.
As you will see, Dylan loves rock n roll – thus the theme!
Their guests were mainly Dylan’s friends with about 40 adults who celebrated in a casual way.
Most of Dylan’s Rock n Roll theme decor and other ideas were the result of his creative Dad – who is a photographer/videographer.
We want to thank them for sharing all their ideas with Mitzvah Market!
All pictures are courtesy of Infinite Images Photography. Pictured above: Dylan with his brother William, sisters Ilana and Esther and his parents.
Restaurant 353 in Mount Kisco, NY was the setting for this rockin’ party!
Album covers line the walls of Restaurant 353
Custom guitar picks served as decor and favors for guests
Infinite Images (Dad Leo’s company), created a Website for RSVP’s and further information about their celebration. Check it out here!
This save the date was mailed to guests
Leo bought old 45 records and created his own labels with information about the service and party on the back and front! (Pictured above and below)
Dylan’s Dad worked magic and designed popular album covers starring Dylan! These served as party decor and were hung around the restaurant. See below
We love the vinyl records hanging from the ceiling!
Starlight Express provided the musical entertainment along with Dylan’s band called, The Justice League, which they formed together at their camp, Frenchwood for the Performing Arts. Dylan enters his party upside down with his MC from Starlight Express!
The Justice League performs for guests
The Vatkin’s bought a Rock n Roll coffee table book and as guests arrived they wrote special messages to Dylan
Lexington Square Cafe created the most perfect Bar Mitzvah cake for Dylan!
Dylan and friend model his sweatshirt favor
Photo favors included these cool themed backgrounds created by Dad Leo
Here is a list of the Mitzvah Vendors who helped make Dylan’s Bar Mitzvah special. If you call any of them, please let them know you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com. Thanks!
Venue: Restaurant 353
Musical Entertainment: Starlight Express Entertainment DJ/MC Mike Pericas, 516-761-8884
Favor/Sweatshirts: Donald Kramer, Trans Trade 203-445-9558
Photo favors/Photography/Videography/Invitation/Decor: Leonardo Vatkin Photography, 516-640-5688, 845-878-2222
Cake: Lexington Square Café, Mount Kisco NY, Pastry Chef: Garald Alcin
Guitar picks: www.gtpicks.com 702-375-7090
Bar Mitzvah Website design: Infinite Images: www.dylansbarmitzvah32010.com
October 9th, 2010
Today’s Mitzvah Inspire is from Beautiful Blooms a full service florist and design company located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They worked with Eclatante Event Design on this colorful Bat Mitzvah celebration. Photography was courtesy of Jean Valentin also of Philadelphia.
This unique theme was “cruising” and as you will see it will make you wish you were a passenger, we mean guest, at this party! When the doors opened guests were wowed by the beautiful splash of colors as each table was covered with vibrant linens.
Bright colored napkins and chair cushions add lots of pop
One of the centerpieces was a large vase filled with aqua water and bright colored feathers
The brightly colored logo giveaways were put on the chairs for both the adults and kids
The focal point on the table was made up of a variety of tropical leaves and flowers. Two Paper Dolls provided these unique cabin numbers which hung from all of the arrangements
For the kids, Beautiful Bloom created their own “Lido Deck” with hi tops and low tops with market umbrellas
For those of you who have been on cruises you know you need to have the elephant, rabbit and swan towel art – some of which were placed on tables
As if there was not enough color… check out the flip-flops the kids made
Thank you to Beautiful Blooms, Eclatante Event Designs and Jean Valentin for sharing this great celebration with Mitzvah Market.
October 6th, 2010
Event Kings strives to provide outstanding service to their clients while offering exceptional event elements of off-premise catering, entertainment and decor. They are sharing this “casino” style Bat Mitzvah with Mitzvah Market.
This Bat Mitzvah young lady wanted a cool lounge for her friends to “relax” and a casino for both the young adults and older adults to play and mingle. It all worked perfectly! The guests all mixed at the tables and everyone was entertained by either a black jack table, money wheel, roulette game or dancing.
Guests were greeted by black, red and white balloons down a red carpet
Check out these adorable themed place cards!
Guests enjoying a round of blackjack
To learn more about Event Kings, visit their extended profile page in our Vendor Directory.
October 6th, 2010
Baking for Good is a new online bakeshop that donates 15 percent of sales to a charity of the customer’s choosing; options include organizations benefiting literacy, disaster relief, hunger, and animals among others.
Owner Emily Dubner, formerly a management consultant, works with a commercial bakery that can handle large orders of her recipes.
You can customize your own creations but her offerings include cinnamon blondies, mocha fudge brownies, whoopie pies, granola, and several types of cookies….yum!
Custom cookies
Candy cookies
Gluten-free brownies and chocolate chip cookies and dairy-free gingersnaps are also available. Dubner offers corporate gifts of assorted treats packaged in eco-friendly boxes with twine. Prices range from $25 to $85, and the items can be shipped in eco-friendly boxes throughout the U.S. and Canada. Click here to see the organizations this wonderful company benefits.
October 4th, 2010
By Ellen Futterman, Proper Notice
After years and years of helping Bar and Bat Mitzvah families with the selection of their invitations, I have found there are a few important things you can do to ensure a pleasant experience during this process:
1. Think about your venue, the season and what type of event you want to have.
2. You should have a discussion with your child before you start the invitation search. Decide how much input they are allowed to have. Many parents think that they are “on the same page” as their child only to come in to pick invitations and find out very differently.
3. A budget is very helpful. We want to please you at every price point, remember postage and calligraphy add up too.
4. Think about the details of your child’s special day. Are you inviting everyone to the service, do you need separate celebration cards, are you providing transportation? These details are very helpful when creating your own custom suite.
5. Do you want to show your theme or keep it quiet until the big day.
6. Last but not least, it’s very helpful to bring in samples of things you and your family like and don’t like.
Believe or not, a popular trend right now involves the back of the invitation. That’s right, surprise your guests with something unexpected with the detail on the back. All the examples below follow this trend.
This invitation uses a heavy 2 layered card and an animal print, zebra to be exact, on the back!
Danielle’s invite used 2 color letterpress with a fashion forward design on the back
In this example, heavy museum board is used with a custom “pop” inspired design
Lindsey’s invite is 2 color thermagraphy with a custom floral design
Matt’s invitation uses a 4 color digital print with a sports motif
Ross’ custom photo invitation is oversized and metal with rounded corners
To learn more, visit Proper Notice.
October 3rd, 2010
On a cold January afternoon, guests arrived at the Pine Hollow Country Club in East Norwich, New York for Jessie’s Beach Club themed Bat Mitzvah. How perfect that her initials are JBC!
Thanks to Mitzvah Mom Lisa for sharing some pictures from her daughter’s Bat Mitzvah celebration. She tells us Victor Hatami, the owner of Great Neck Games transformed the room. She walked in and was blown away.
In keeping with her theme, Jessie “made her entrance” on a surf board carried by the staff of More Than Music
Jessie’s sign-in board was created by Surfboard Beach Art
Great Neck Games found these adorable coconuts that served as guests’ place cards!
Part of the kids lounge area featured tiki styled huts
Cubbies kept the kids favors organized
A beach scene covers the walls
If you would like to share pictures from your child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah party, please let us know at info@MitzvahMarket.com. Thanks!
