August 2nd, 2011
When it came time to start planning for Arielle Dukofsky’s Bat Mitzvah, she had built-in experts!
Her parents are Patti and Gregg Dukofsky, who are the owners of Interactive Entertainment Concepts, a full service event production company.
They celebrated her Bat Mitzvah on October 23, 2010, at Cold Spring Country Club in Cold Spring Harbor, New York.
Arielle had an “A-List” Hollywood theme complete with a sponsored step-n-repeat, “live” simulcast arrival and interactive VIP area.
All party photography was done by Interactive Entertainment Concepts and the rest of the vendor information is at the bottom of this spotlight.
Pictured left (L-R): Dad Gregg, Bat Mitzvah girl Arielle and Mom Patti.
Her invitation was created by Interactive Entertainment Concepts and looked like a ticket to a celebrity event.
Arielle’s colors of vibrant purple, lime green and turquoise blue were used throughout her celebration and on her invitations
Mom Patti wore a gun metal beaded gown from a boutique in Commack, New York and Bat Mitzvah girl Arielle wore a vibrant purple dress from Outrageous Boutique in Plainview, New York.
Mom Patti and Bat Mitzvah girl Arielle share a special moment
Dad Gregg was very involved with the planning and creative concepts for Arielle’s party. They used crystals and specialty lighting along with her A-List logo as part of the decor.
Signage featured Arielle’s logo and colors
The linens were in bright purple
Crystals adorned many of the tables
A branded light-up bar was part of the decor
A lounge area for the young guests
Guests watched a “live” simulcast as Arielle arrived in her limo with bodyguards for the premiere of her new movie, “The Bat Mitzvah.”
The entrance to Cold Spring Country Club featured signage and velvet ropes
Even the license plate featured “A-List!”
Bodyguards accompany Arielle for her arrival
Here she is!
Paparazzi greets Arielle as she arrives!
Arielle makes her entrance as MC Marco directs the crowd
Arielle’s entrance video opened with a Brady Bunch theme song and was a parody of the Rocky movie.
Watch her video here.
IEC is known for their creative extra entertainment and Arielle’s party was filled with lots of fun surprises.
There was a “Black Light” show performance after dinner. Guests were given white gloves and those glowed along with the dancers outfits
Guests also enjoyed a Jai Ho performance from IEC specialty performers
Arielle standing with a “live” strolling dessert table
Arielle’s party also featured an interactive game area featuring some of the games below:
Guests could also enjoy a swing outside! Above is “Arielle” from The Little Mermaid who interacted with guests as a play on the Bat Mitzvah girl’s name
Arielle shares a special moment with her Dad Gregg.
Arielle’s friends received a purple zip-up sweatshirt created by IEC complete with her logo.
Starbucks sponsored Arielle’s celebrity event and her step and repeat signage. As guests left they were offered Vivianos and Frappacinos with coffee and tea served Starbucks style along with Arielle’s logo.
The swag bags feature the kids sweatshirts, t-shirts and jewelery favors
Although Mom Patti plans Bar/Bat Mitzvahs as her career, it’s different when the celebration is for your own child. She has this advice.
“Make sure you are organized and think ‘out of the box.’ Also try not to sweat the small stuff!”
The following vendors helped to make Arielle’s celebration special. If you give any of them a call, please be sure to tell them you heard about their services on MitzvahMarket.com.
Venue: Cold Spring Country Club
Party Planner: Danielle Richter and Mom Patti, Interactive Entertainment Concepts
Music Entertainment: MC Marco, Interactive Entertainment Concepts
Favors: Interactive Entertainment Concepts
Arielle’s Dress: Outrageous Boutique, Plainview, NY
Invitations: Interactive Entertainment Concepts
Cake: Cold Spring Country Club
Decor/Florist: Interactive Entertainment Concepts
Hair/Make-up: NV in Huntington
Party Security: Party Police, 516-697-7206, lipartypolice@aol.com
July 29th, 2011
In the past, we wrote about “Ideas For Your Bar/Bat Mitzvah Photos” and now have another idea to add to the list!
Fractureme.com is a new way to print and frame your digital photos and it’s easy and affordable!
There’s no paper or film, just ink and glass. They have figured out a way to combine printing, framing and mounting into one simple process. Fractures have been referred to as “the HDTV of picture frames!”
It’s a one-stop, complete photo decor solution.
We thought Fracture had many uses for a Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebration. See some samples below:
Send in your favorite photo for a cool sign-in board on glass that can be hung on a wall and saved forever
Order your Bar/Bat Mitzvah invitations through Fracture and send your guests something that will last forever. Or use these as seating cards and give your guests a personalized coaster!
Another idea: grab your favorite Bar/Bat Mitzvah photo and upload it to their site and get a Fracture sent directly to you!
Prices range from $8 – $35 depending on the size and custom orders are available. They can ship anywhere in the world and in the unlikely event of fading or breaking, have a money-back lifetime guarantee.
For more information, visit their Website.
July 29th, 2011
Are there Gleeks living in your house?
Glee on Fox-TV is a biting musical comedy that has quickly become a pop culture phenomenon! This season’s shows are over, but you can still get your “Glee” fix by watching The Glee Project: A Competition Series on Oxygen.
Even if your child’s homework doesn’t get miraculously done on time for Tuesday night episodes of Glee, you will still love seeing these creative ideas on how to incorporate your child’s favorite TV show into their Bar/Bat Mitzvah theme!
We found two different Bat Mitzvahs that both incorporated the Glee theme brilliantly!
The first set of pictures are courtesy of photographer Ginny B from Austin, Texas. The event took place at the AT&T Conference Center with Amanda Barrone as the event planner. Other vendors who helped make this party special include: Korey Howell and her magical green screen, Music & Entertainment by Timo’s DJsimcha, flowers by Central Market and lighting by FILO Productions.
This above invitation was created by Beverly Designs and is beautiful and colorful! Not only does it incorporate the Bat Mitzvah girl’s picture, but can you read the invitation wording?
It says, “Hava…na…Glee…la, Come Celebrate with Rachel.” So clever!
Rachel and her friends are making the Glee “L” sign on the bus as they go from the service to the party
Colorful circles of paper serve as the place cards
A delicious and colorful cupcake display
Rachel and her friends pose as their photo is projected behind them
Rachel’s candle lighting display
The Dads are giving their girls a lift!
The second set of party photos are from Always RSVP Event Design and Coordination in Menlo Park, California. Photography by Cantrell Portrait Design.
Lockers for the young guests and McKinley H.S. signage
The greeters are dressed for Glee!
The menu card was created to look like a copy of TV Guide
The stage is set for Bat Mitzvah girl Sara!
The beautiful table decor coordinated with a Glee inspired poster of the Bat Mitzvah girl
A chocolate remote control awaiting guests are the place setting
Glee-ful dessert cake pops from Sweet Lauren Cakes
If you had a television show inspired Mitzvah, please share it with our readers at info@MitzvahMarket.com.
July 29th, 2011
Our readers are very clever!
When it comes to a Bar/Bat Mitzvah theme, sometimes your child’s name works perfectly!
Check out what Mitzvah Mom Jamie from Chicago did for her son Max’s Bar Mitzvah.
Max’s theme was “Car Max” and she created her own place cards using matchbox cars and even designed the parking lot with black oak tag and tape!
Max Bush standing beside his place cards
Here’s another look at the multi-tiered parking lot
Family members found their “cars” in the employee parking section
Too cute!
If you created your own place cards, please share your idea with our readers by sending it to us at info@MitzvahMarket.com.
July 28th, 2011
Max Rudolph is from Jericho, New York and celebrated his Bar Mitzvah at home on June 4, 2011, followed by a luncheon under a tent in his backyard.
According to his family, having a small, intimate ceremony and gathering at their house allowed close friends and family to truly focus on the real meaning of Bar Mitzvah. They said, “Max did an outstanding job and enjoyed his Best Day Ever!”
Max’s Dad Jess is very creative and produced his Bar Mitzvah video invitation himself!
Watch it here.
If you are interested in having a video invitation, you can reach Jess at emmabaker@me.com
The service was led by Max, who was tutored during the year and assisted on Saturday morning by Mrs. Cheryl Green.
Close family and friends gather inside for his Bar Mitzvah service
Max with his Uncle Morris
A tent was set up in Max’s backyard. It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon in June.
Balloons and blow-up photos lined the inside of the tent
Simple arrangements of fresh roses served as centerpieces
Max and his friends!
Max’s older sister (second from the left) and her friends
The buffet luncheon was catered by Mar Slocum Catering company (516-641-9341). Hors d’oeuvres of chicken satay, pan seared shrimp and more was followed by a summer endive and avocado salad, and a beautiful cheese platter. Main dishes included a chicken piccata, beef tenderloin and a pasta and broccoli in light tomato sauce.
Magnolia Bakery cupcakes were the hit of the luncheon
We want to thank Max and his family for sharing his Bar Mitzvah celebration with our readers.
July 28th, 2011
On April 17, 2010 the Leinwand family from North Miami Beach, Florida celebrated their daughter Sarah’s Bat Mitzvah at Temple Solel in Hollywood, Florida.
Their reception took on a chic nightclub feel even though it was an afternoon reception.
Pictured L-F: Mom Holly, brother Jack, Bat Mitzvah girl Sarah and Dad Jonathan.
All party photography was by Michael Anthony Elite Photography.
The rest of the Mitzvah vendors are listed at the bottom of this spotlight.
Sarah stands proudly on the Bimah.
The family selected white, lime green and teal as the colors. This combination was used for the save-the-dates, invitations and weekend itinerary. All were designed by creative South Florida party planner Andrea Ganes.
The save-the-date cards
Sarah’s Bat Mitzvah invitation
Weekend itinerary
Party planner Andrea Ganes, Life of the Party Productions created their decor using Sarah’s favorite colors from the invitation as a guide. She explains, “We wanted to create the feeling of a nighttime celebration done in the middle of the day. The look and vibe needed to mimic Sarah’s personality and love of simplicity with a young contemporary feel.” Mom Holly adds, “The way Sarah is, event planner Andrea made all the right decisions without over doing it for a daytime reception.”
A large place card table with a beautiful floral arrangement was first visible when guests walked into the cocktail reception
Square place cards with fun button accents looked great lined up
The kids lounge area featured personalized name gobo and different size and shaped white paper lanterns which hung from the ceiling
Illuminated cocktail tables along with white and teal lounge furniture mimic the contemporary decor
The adult tables had apple green taffeta linens with embroidered green circle overlay and teal satin napkins
Pure Energy, with David as the MC provided the music entertainment and had the guests on their feet.
The Pure Energy dancers strike a pose in the custom t-shirts made for the party in lime green of course!
The kids had a great time making their own dog tags, air-brushed hoodies and T-shirts.
Art Spot airbrush artist Freddie creating a shirt
A great family moment.
Guests were treated to a colorful candy buffet.
Of course custom M&Ms in Sarah’s favorite colors!
Mitzvah Mom Holly has this advice, “Plan your party within your budget and if you can, hire a party planner/designer to help coordinate everything.”
Here is a list of the Mitzvah vendors who helped make Sarah’s Bat Mitzvah special. If you call any of them, please let them know you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com. Thanks!
Venue/Caterer: Temple Solel 954-989-0205
Party Planner Andrea Ganes, Life of the Party Productions 305-454-7313
Florist: Life of the Party Productions
Music Entertainment: MC David, Pure Energy 954-782-6989
Photographer/Videographer: Michael Anthony, Elite Photography 954-680-5606
Photo Favors: South Beach Photo Booth Company 954-253-6015
Party Entertainment: Freddie, Art Spot Airbrush 772-335-4323
Invitation: Life of the Party Productions
Outfits for Family: Neiman Marcus
Men’s Suits: Brooks Brothers
Hair: Rachel, Rachel and Jovan Hair Studio 305-932-8251
July 27th, 2011
The below “Best Bar Mitzvah Invitation” ever has been circulating around the internet for years. If you are in the throws of planning your child’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah, it will certainly make you laugh.
We wish we knew who to credit for this creative work, but a Mitzvah Market reader forwarded it to us.
Enjoy!
It is with great stress, emotional and physical fatigue and incredible financial sacrifice beyond comprehension,
that we invite you to join us as our wonderful son
Jacob Adam
is called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah
Saturday, May 12th – (yes we realize its Mother’s Day Weekend)
Temple Israel
14 Coleytown Road
Westport, Connecticut 06880
at the ungodly hour of 9 am
Even though you don’t really need to be there until 10:20am to catch the real action
If you make it through the 3 hour service,
please skip the kiddush (it’s just cookies and cake)
and join us instead for the ostentatious evening meal (Kosher, my husband’s idea),
which starts at 7 PM, (not 8 PM or you will miss out on the 2000 canapés)
Birchwood Country Club
25 Kings Hwy S
Westport , CT 06880
(Which we had to join just for this event and you would not believe the initiation fees)
Please have the courtesy of showing up if you RSVP that you are
attending, or you will be billed for $210.00 a plate if you are a
no-show. Please RSVP as soon as you get this and not the day before the
cut-off date. I can’t take the stress
The gift of choice is either green, or contains a routing and account number
Hope you can make it! Lisa and David Miller
Dress: Black Tie optional
Theme: 007 James Bond
Kippot and Matching Eye Patch will be provided
July 27th, 2011
Sarah Schuster celebrated her Bat Mitzvah on June 4, 2011 with a service at Temple Beth David in Commack, New York followed by a party at Temple Chaverim in Plainview, New York.
She absolutely loves fashion and everything coordinated with this theme, from her magazine-style sign-in book and the fashion inspired centerpieces to the shopping bag cake.
All party photography below was done by DanceJock Productions. The rest of the vendor information is listed at the bottom of this spotlight.
Featured above (L-R): Dad David, Bat Mitzvah girl Sarah, younger brother Evan and Mom Robin.
Sarah’s bright pink invitation created by Beth Regino conveyed “fashion” as soon as it was opened.
Sarah’s beautiful short white dress with accents of pewter flowers was from It’s Simply For You in Syosset, New York.
Lighter Than Air worked closely with Mom Robin on the decor. She tells us she wanted to use wire forms as part of the centerpieces and found wire shoes, pocketbooks and a mannequin form online. She decorated them herself with silk flowers, ribbons and rhinestones! She went on to explain that Arthur from Lighter Than Air was great to work with and incorporated some of the forms into very cool, large glass vases.
Sarah’s red carpet entrance outside of Temple Chaverim
Ligther Than Air added a hot pink base to this mannequin form for a unique “fashion” inspired centerpiece
This centerpiece, with a wire shoe form in the vase had a hot pink base and hot pink shade!
DanceJock Productions supplied two unique “shoe” chairs which the kids lounged on during the party
DanceJock Productions provided the musical entertainment for Sarah’s celebration with George as the MC. Mom Robin says he was the perfect blend of fun for the kids and adults without being too overwhelming at the party.
Sarah “makes her entrance”
Sarah with the DanceJock crew
MC George gives her a spin
The sign-in book was designed by Mom Robin with some help from a friend who was able to photo shop images together. She used the Website Blurb.com and although it was time consuming, she says if you’re computer savvy (or have friends who are) it’s worth it and is also very cost effective. See some of the pages below which alternated with color coordinated blank pages where guests could sign-in:
Hasson Caterers created Sarah’s amazing shopping bag cake that matched the theme perfectly.
The family gathers around the cake for Sarah’s candle lighting ceremony
Parties By Commack Girls created Sarah’s T-shirt favors.
The double “S” logo was used throughout the party
There were two different designs. The girls received a fitted v-neck and it was a crew neck for the boys
Mom Robin tied a ribbon around the favors and created the name tags herself using the double “s” logo
Mitzvah Mom Robin has this advice for our readers, “My best advice is to stay organized and above all else, try to stay sane. You’ve likely spent lots of time meeting with numerous vendors and believe you’ve chosen the best DJ/photographer/caterer for your affair, right? Don’t be afraid to ask for their advice and don’t get crazy if something doesn’t go exactly as planned because you’re the only one who will know! Everyone else will just see a beautiful family and an awesome party. We had the celebration my daughter was dreaming of!”
Sarah turned her love of fashion into a successful clothing drive. She collected roughly 50 bags of clothing for the Nachlas Maharim Clothing Drive. This organization has been collecting and distributing clothing for Jewish families in need for over 20 years. Contact Shelley at 631-225-7915 to donate.
The following vendors helped to make Sarah’s Bat Mitzvah special. If you give any of them a call, please let them know you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com.
Venue: Temple Chaverim
Caterer: Hasson Caterers 516-367-1200
Music Entertainment: MC George, DanceJock Productions 631-242-0042
Favors: Parties by Commack Girls, Inc. 917-686-6426
Party Entertainment: Photo booth, DanceJock 631-242-0042
Invitations: Beth Regino 631-499-3628 invites4u@verizon.net
Cake: Hasson Caterers
Décor/Florist: Lighter Than Air 516-933-3210
Sign-In Book: Blurb.com
Sarah’s Dress: It’s Simply For You 516-921-2863
Mom’s Dress: 2 B Seen 516-921-5777
Dad and Evan’s Suits: Lord & Taylor
Transportation: First Student Bus Company 631-842-7620
Photographer (Temple): Shari Manko Photography 516-467-6760
Photographer (Party): DanceJock Zap shots 631-242-0042
Videographer: DanceJock 631-242-0042
July 24th, 2011
NY Lounge Décor is a full service décor company.
They provide lounge set ups that include sofas, ottomans, and lighted acrylic furniture. They also have many unique pieces that they build themselves. Their extensive décor includes piping and draping as well.
David Flood from NY Lounge Decor says, “You can change the atmosphere of your event with just a little lighting and décor…any room can look amazing.”
Check out how NY Lounge Decor transformed these rooms by clicking here
For more information on NY Lounge Decor, visit their extended profile page in our Vendor Directory.
July 21st, 2011
We all wanted summer to be here and now that it’s here, we all want to cool down!
Serve some of these great treats at your Bar/Bat Mitzvah reception and you are sure to please your crowd!
Here are some ideas:
Pop Bar in New York City’s Little Italy offers their gelato pops (plus they have pop sorbet and pop yogurt) in many different flavors
Add the spirit of Aloha to your Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebration with fresh fruit smoothies from Maui Wowi in a dozen all-natural, non-fat flavors
The Mojito and Limoncello Granitas from Abagail Kirsch Catering are a big hit with adult guests with watermelon vodka lime granite
From Drinks Fantastic. Strawberry and regular Margaritas cools things off in Dallas
From Cake Central: Believe it or not the Bat Mitzvah girl’s last name was Hagen. The cake was made from Rice Krispie treats!
A Mr. Softee truck after your child’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah will hit the spot. This one was featured in the Barzilay Bar Mitzvah Family Spotlight
Do you have an “Icy” Mitzvah exit idea? Let us know at info@MitzvahMarket.com.
