Archive for February, 2013
February 13th, 2013
The Weiss family celebrated their son Zach’s Bar Mitzvah on April 21, 2012 and hosted the party at Silver Spring Civic building at Veterans Plaza in Maryland.
The basketball themed bash was planned by SAVE THE DATE, LLC, an event planning company that Mom Cara runs, and took place inside the “Zach Center,” a play on “Verizon Center.” SAVE THE DATE, LLC made sure the party was a slam dunk hit. Read on to see how they transformed the venue into the Zach Center.
Party photography was by Jason Weil Photography and Sean Cooper Photography, and the rest of the vendors are listed at the bottom of the spotlight.
Pictured above L-R: Dad Joel, Mom Cara, Bar Mitzvah boy Zach, Sister Marci
Zach’s theme was a twist on the Verizon Center, complete with this clever logo.
Verizon Center? Nope it’s the Zach Center
Zach’s invitations were designed by SAVE THE DATE, LLC and Pioneer Announcements Inc. The invitation was classic and sporty, setting the tone from the beginning
Zach’s guests found out where they would be seated with a realistic VIP ticket instead of a traditional seating card
The seating card featured a photo of Zach playing basketball
Instead of a traditional sign-in board, Zach had a sign-in basketball backboard!
Guests signed the backboard instead of a traditional sign or book
SAVE THE DATE, LLC and Da Vinci’s Florist worked on the decor, and together they transformed the Verizon Center into Zach’s special place for the night. The room was spacious and the centerpieces were elegant and simple
The basketball court served as the dance floor
Zach posing with his floor logo
The entire room was set up as a VIP area, with five tents around the space with a bar inside each tent — a few of the older guests were assigned to specific sit-down tables but for the most part the guests could roam between tents as they pleased
The tents each had bright white and elegant black furniture and red and blue accent pillows
Napkins with Zach’s initials added a special touch
These referee napkins are from Theme Naps and were used for cocktail hour stations
These coasters were unique and could be kept as a memento after the party
There was a whole station set up with Zach’s sportswear called “Zach’s Hall Of Fame”
Washington Talent provided the music and entertainment and got the crowd pumped. LA was the MC
Zach was completely cool during the horah
The dancers interacted with all the guests and made sure everyone had a great time
Zach “makes an entrance” with a dancer from Washington Talent. Zach’s dancers wore referee shirts to get guests in the mood for sports
This party had some really unique food stations! Dunkin’ Donuts to go were displayed in a unique way
Sushi on a spoon
Instead of McDonald’s this party had ZDonald’s
Elegant single serving appetizers. The salmon and cream cheese were a major hit
SAVE THE DATE, LLC and Promotions Your Way took care of the party favors for the kids. Zach’s favors were cool sweatshirts with individualized names on the back
Zach’s friends model their favors
Every child got a basketball shaped bag that they could write their name on and keep their favors in
There were also cubbies for the kids’ favors
There was a lot of fun to be had at Zach’s celebration! He had a photo booth, actors, a red carpet dress lady, and much more!
A “basketball player” on stilts with tiny basket balls entertained guests
Guests could pose for “magazine covers”
At the end of the celebration, bus transportation was provided for Zach’s friends. Mom Cara decided the parents should have something to do while they waited for their kids…so she organized “breakfast” for them! Parents saw this sign when they drove to pick up their kids from the bus drop off, and they got to drink hot coffee and eat some breakfast food while they waited
Mom Cara has both practical and sentimental advice:
“Hire an event planner to keep you organized and have fun planning! Enjoy watching your child see what he or she wants to become.”
Zach held a fundraiser for the Brain Aneurysm Foundation.
The following vendors helped to make Zach’s Bar Mitzvah special. If you give any of them a call, please let them know you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com.
Venue: Silver Spring Civic Building at Veterans Plaza, 240-777-5315
Party Planner: Mom Cara, SAVE THE DATE, LLC, 301-983-6222
Music Entertainment: MC LA, Washington Talent
Photographers: Jason Weil Photography and Sean Cooper Photography
Videographer: Cliff Mattheson Productions, 301-652-5754
Favors: SAVE THE DATE, LLC, 301-983-6222
Party entertainment: Elite Productions, 724-864-6823; Talk of the Town, 301-738-9500; Stage Right Entertainment, 240-401-3071; Sandy O Studios, 215-487-9544; Fotographix, 301-928-2240
Invitation: SAVE THE DATE, LLC, 301-983-6222, Pioneer Announcements Inc., 305-573-7000
Cake: Cakes by Leslie, 301-652-9390; Savvy Treats, 202-422-5173
Décor: Da Vinci, 301-588-8900
Sign-In Board and Logos: Sublime Creations, LLC, 703-347-1795, SAVE THE DATE, LLC, 301-983-6222, Promotions Your Way, 515-250-1766
Special Napkins: Theme Naps, 678-720-0702
Dresses for family members/Suits for family members: Nicole Miller, Nordstrom, Haute Hippie, Nordstrom, and Florida stores
Hair/makeup: Progressions, 301-231-8757; Makeup by Jan
Transportation: International Limo, 202-388-6800
Party security: SAVE THE DATE, LLC, 301-983-6222
February 12th, 2013
At this time of the year, we have Mardi Gras on our minds, so we wanted to show you a masquerade themed Bat Mitzvah by Photos Galore and More.
The team behind Photos Galore and More created their business for those who are planning an event on a budget.
Their specialty is creating professional photo boards as well as themed thank you cards, return address labels, silk screened shirts/sweatshirts for all special occasions to be used throughout your party.
Using photography to personalize a party is a great and inexpensive way to put your child right at the center of their theme.
The photos below are from their daughter’s Bat Mitzvah.
The theme and party palette was set with this colorful invitation from Arlene Segal Designs embellished with feathers and a turquoise stone
Jyllian posing before the party with one of her masks in a beautiful dress from Ask Alice boutique
Guests were greeted at the entrance of the club by Jyllian’s logo in her color palette on poster board
One of the photo boards created by Photo Galore and More
Balloons, over sized masks and pictures of Jyllian are all the decor needed in this club
Bat Mitzvah girl Jyllian standing next to her masked image
A centerpiece with colorful feathers and a mask
All boards can be customized with graphic logos
Jyllian on the dance floor surrounded by her family and friends
Jyllian’s guests received comfy sweatshirt with her colorful pink and turquoise logo on the front
and on the back
The last thing guests receive are the thank you notes. Photos Galore and More created a card with her logo on the front.
To learn more about Photos Galore and More, email them at photosgaloreinc@yahoo.com.
February 8th, 2013
By Molly Alexander
Hi! My name is Mölly. I’ve recently started going to Bar/Bat Mitzvahs and I’m so excited to start writing about them. I love attending Bar/Bat Mitzvah parties because I feel like each celebration has a unique touch, and I love finding out what it is! I’m excited to bring my perspective to MitzvahMarket.com.
On Saturday, I attended my camp friend, Casey’s, Bat Mitzvah. It was a gorgeous party, very roomy for the guests and she looked amazing the entire night.
For her service, she wore a beautiful, silver strapless ball gown dress. At one point during the party she changed into an adorable silver ensemble, consisting of a bedazzled bustier with a tight silver skirt. Throughout the whole night she looked gorgeous.
Something unique and different I found at Casey’s was a photo booth from Superstar Photobooths, customized for her party with her logo on it. I found this clever because it was more convenient than your average photo station. The photo booth printed two copies of the photos you take, and they were easy to take home. I took about five or six turns in the photo booth with my camp friends and I came home without a huge stack of photos. The photo strips are sweet to hang up, frame, and put in scrapbooks and journals.
Another unique and fun thing I found at Casey’s was her lovely performance. She and her sisters are amazing dancers, so at one point during the party, they performed for the guests, doing a pop mix in their adorable outfits. It was a great performance and it was something I had never seen done before.
I also loved her sweatshirt favor because it’s cropped with thumb holes! It’s also super warm, cute and comfortable!
Clockwise from top left: Her logo was the C & G, the left hand sleeve read, “It’s All Good,” with the date of her party, the sweatshirt was cropped at the bottom, the sleeves had thumb-holes
All in all, I had an amazing time celebrating with Casey and I know she did too! Mazel Tov to Casey and her family!
Read Molly’s first post here.
About Molly Alexander
I’m in 7th grade at Seven Bridges Middle School in Chappaqua and I love to write. Every summer since 2010, I’ve been writing a summer column in my local newspaper. I also do Bat/Bar Mitzvah reports on Instagram. Follow me @mitzvahgirl!
I will mostly likely attend 60-80 Bat/Bar Mitzvah celebrations before I finish eighth grade. I am so excited to be writing for Mitzvah Market!
February 8th, 2013
Once your child’s Bar Bat Mitzvah service and celebration are over, you are left with great memories. Your photographer will create a special album, the videographer will produce a fun video and now we have ideas on how to preserve your child’s Bar Bat Mitzvah invitation too!
Many invitations set the tone for the type of party you will have and it’s an important party element. We have come across some great keepsake ideas that also make great gifts.
From creative frames to stained glass boxes and more, you can hold onto your Bar Bat Mitzvah invitation in a number of ways. Your child might even thank you for doing it…one day!
The box above is from Ribbon Made Designs, and can be made in any color combination you need or to match any decor.
Here are some other ideas we found:
From Carol Colman Creations, this collage type keepsake can hold many elements from your child’s Bar Bat Mitzvah
Sew Many Gifts uses the Bar Bat Mitzvah invitation to create a keepsake pillow. The one above was done in sophisticated Pink and Brown fabrics to complement the invitation. The original ribbon from the invitation was used on the pillow
Traditions Jewish Gifts can take your invitation and create a beautiful custom made handcrafted glass version
It Could Be Verse has a popular item: the Framed Invitation. They mount the actual invitation and surround it with fun and whimsical 3-D graphics, depicting all of your child’s favorite things. It is then matted and framed
From Lexington Studios, this personalized box features your child’s invitation painted on the outside and a special message from the gift givers on the inside. Each album comes with ten 8.5 x 11″ sheets to hold your favorite photos and can also serve as a guest sign in book!
The Pieced Palette uses your invitation to create a sign-in pillow that your guests sign during your celebration. It can be done as shown above or she can take your invitation and print it on heavyweight cotton twill. The fabric is mounted taut so that it can stand on an easel at your party for your guests to sign with permanent marker. After your celebration, she will take back the fabric and create a comfy floor pillow for lounging
Unique Glass Gifts created a smiley face Bat Mitzvah invitation memory box
So Shani on Etsy creates unique and personalized memory boxes for your child to store all the mementos from the big day. She uses pictures, programs, place cards and even parts of your yarmulkes
Artist Jacqueline Winch can created a customized jewelry box with two hinged lids using your invitation
Did you create a unique keepsake for your child’s invitation? Let us know at info@mitzvahmarket.com.
February 7th, 2013
Families looking for an unparalleled musical experience for their Bar/Bat Mitzvah will find it in Rockmitzvah—a band who makes the child the star of the performance.
Rockmitzvah’s entertainment model has broad appeal, yet it serves many interesting niche audiences. For example, Rockmitzvah has been serving the special-needs community of the tri-state area since 2007. The group caters to families whose children are looking for a different experience. In some cases the child may have behavioral issues, autism spectrum disorder, and other challenges.
Lynne Whitman says she chose Rockmitzvah for her son Ethan’s Bar Mitzvah because she says, “Our son loves music. When we asked him how he’d like to celebrate becoming a Bar Mitzvah with his family and friends he said that he wanted to rock out. So we wanted to make that happen. After a few discussions with Rockmitzvah, we knew that our son would have the opportunity make music with and for everyone in the room. And despite our initial concerns, we were assured that Rockmitzvah would work with our son and not in a cookie cutter format. This was critical to us given his love and gift for music and special needs.”
Lynne says her son’s experience was amazing. “He loved every minute of it. He’d do it again in a heartbeat.” When asked how Rockmitzvah made her son’s day special, she said “They listened to us. They listened to our son. During the rehearsal they became a band. They focused on making it work for our son and our family.”
Rockmitzvah is a band whose roster is comprised of real rock musicians. The group works with each family in advance of their party to make the child the star while also incorporating guests into the day’s performances. The band will customize the music to match the needs and tastes of those in attendance. The musicians can easily offer today’s pop music, rock music, R&B, Broadway show tunes, popular Jewish music, and classics appealing to older generations.
Guests have fun with Rockmitzvah too!
“Families immediately understand that we are all about the child and the child’s comfort level on stage,” says Marc Jacoby, founding member of Rockmitzvah. “We are life-long musicians, performers, and music educators. But first and foremost, we are dads. We understand that every child has unique needs and every child deserves to be respected and listened to.”
A happy Bar Mitzvah boy posing with the Rockmitzvah band
Rockmitzvah is a great option for kids and families seeking an alternative to the typical DJ or loud over-the-top musical experience.
For more information on Rockmitzvah, visit their extended profile page in our Vendor Directory.
February 6th, 2013
We found a great Mitzvah Find called, Logo Lenses. They supply party sunglasses with your custom logo printed directly on the lens.
These glasses make a great fashion statement and you can use them for dance floor giveaways or favors.
Their Website features an easy-to-navigate customization tool which helps you customize your shades or you can pick one of the many styles they offer.
A collection of their popular lenses
Part of the Neon Collection
For NY Giants fans!
Printing on the arm of the glasses is also available
Visit Logo Lenses or call them at: 727-674-1465. Tell them Mitzvah Market sent you.
February 5th, 2013
The Riech family of Woodbury, New York celebrated their daughter Jenna’s Bat Mitzvah on May 24, 2012 at Congregation Simchat HaLev in Syosset, New York. Their evening reception was held at Engineers Country Club in Roslyn, New York.
Jenna had a club theme and incorporated lots of pink and some special Yankee touches, a passion she shares with her dad.
Among many special details for this celebration were the beautiful hand made invitations that Jenna’s grandmother created for Jenna’s guests!
Jeffrey Studios was the photographer and the rest of the vendors are listed at the bottom of this spotlight.
Pictured L-R: Mom Stacey, Sister Alexa, Dad Frank and Bat Mitzvah girl Jenna.
Each of Jenna’s beautiful chocolate brown and pink invitations were hand cut, hand stamped and printed for Jenna by her Grandma Norma! She is an avid stamper and wanted to give her granddaughter something special and different for her invitations! It took her months to accomplish because each invitation had to dry individually.
Grandma Norma’s husband Emmet helped design a plate to hand cut each invitation to the precise measurements
The R.S.V.P. card and stamp below coordinated beautifully
The invitation was beautifully displayed in the yarmulke basket which offered both hot pink kippot from A1 Skullcap and from Pro-Kippah, official N.Y. Yankee uniform mesh kippot.
Jenna’s white gown embellished with gold accents is from Outrageous Boutique.
Jenna wanted a club feel for her celebration. Scott Neglia of DanceJock Productions/Atmosphere Lounge Dezinz created her sophisticated lounge. Charles from United Floral created the amazing floral centerpieces using Jenna’s favorite color hot pink with a modern flair.
United Floral designed a sophisticated entrance table adorned with pictures of the guest of honor
Bat Mitzvah girl Jenna enjoying her beautifully decorated room before anyone arrives
The kids area had communal tables lit up in neon pink and the white leather couches that created a seating area right near the dance floor
This fun pink crystal centerpiece was on the tables during the cocktail hour
These perfectly round pom pom centerpieces were placed atop clear vases surrounded by pink petals
The cocktail napkins were done by Theresa Gordon of Sealed With A Kiss
Growing up with a father who works for Majestic Sportswear, the company that is the uniform provider for Major League Baseball and going to all the New York Yankee games since she was very young made Jenna an avid Yankee fan.
Bat Mitzvah girl Jenna posing next to her sign-in New York Yankees jersey
Jenna makes her entrance with the help of the DanceJock Productions.
The team from DanceJock and MC George kept the adults and kids entertained all evening and kept everyone on their feet!
Jenna poses with the DanceJock Production crew
MC George hopes Jenna will sing
Dortoni Bakery created this pink and silver cake with the design of Grandma Norma’s beautiful invitation as inspiration.
The Riech Family enjoying their candle
A beautiful crystal “J” at the top of the cake
Since Dad Frank works for Majestic Sportswear, Jenna’s friends received some great favors.
The girls received a “J Lounge” pinnie with pink writing and the boys received the “Property of JBR” in grey
Everyone also got one of these sweatshirts
When Jenna’s guests left for the evening they were treated to churros and pretzels and water bottles with custom labels.
Some advice from Mom Stacey:
“Be organized, stay calm, make a list and get everything done in advance. Relax and have fun doing everything! Try to do something a little different. I had my Mom make all the invitations, so it was very special because no two were exactly the same. It meant a lot to Jenna and everyone thought they were so beautiful because they were hand done. It all works out in the end.”
The following vendors helped to make Jenna’s celebration special. If you give any of them a call, let them know you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com.
Venue: Ben, Engineers Country Club, 516-621-5350
Temple: Rabbi Jay, Congregation Simchat HaLev, 516-922-4224
Party Planner: Scott, DanceJock Productions, 631-242-0042
Photographer: Jeffrey Studio provided by DanceJock Productions
Décor/florist: Charles, United Floral Events, 516-829-8890
Lounge Furniture and Lighting: Scott, Atmosphere Lounge Dezinz 631-595-2511
Favors: Dad Frank
Party entertainment: DanceJock Productions
Invitations: Grandma Norma Miller
Cake and crystal initial: Dortoni Bakery, 516-796-3033
Sign-in shirt: Mom Stacey, Majestic Sportswear
Jenna’s Dress: Outrageous Boutique
Dresses for family members: Mom Stacey, Cache, Sister Alexa, Bloomingdales
Custom Napkins: Theresa, Sealed With A Kiss, 516-921-7227
Hair/makeup: Dianna Honeycutt, Saks Fifth Avenue
NY Yankee Kippot: Pro-Kippah, 972-248-1909
Pink Kippot: A1 Skullcap, 718-633-9333
Exit Treats: Engineers Club
Water Bottle Labels: Mom Stacey
February 1st, 2013
Space, located inside Space Odyssey in Engelwood, New Jersey is a unique party venue used exclusively for Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. It features all high tech games, extravagant entertainment, unique decor and customized menus.
Owner Elvira Grau served as the event designer & planner for this Winter Wonderland themed Bat Mitzvah. For this magical Bat Mitzvah, guests arrived and immediately saw a white carpet runner with fake snow and twinkle lights leading them inside where 300 white roses were arranged into small arrangements and used throughout Space.
See all the details below:
This custom stamp was used on Chloe’s Bat Mitzvah invitation and became the inspiration for all party details including the custom gobo projected on the wall, custom pillows for the couches in the lounge area, custom blankets as favors, custom labels on Chinese take out boxes used for the candy table and for custom cups with hot chocolate that guests received as they were leaving
The invitation served as the inspiration for custom created table linens (see below)
Inspired by the invitation, Elvira bought a beautiful roll of blue fabric, cut it into overlays, then used bling by the yard to frame the linen
Each table had a different tall clear glass vase filled with fake snow, snowflakes, white & silver branches & lots of bling
Lighting sets the mood for this celebration with round and square tables
Mom Tracy shows off the custom sign-in book. Guests wrote their special message to Chloe after taking their picture in the photo booth nearby
She told Elvira, “Everyone that came had a blast! Thank you for all your kindness and help planning my daughter’s Bat Mitzvah. The party was inconceivably over the top in every detail and beyond our expectations. You took Chloe’s vision and made a true fantasy Winter Wonderland!”
Chloe with Elvira and one of her custom pillows
A custom candelabra “CHLOE” for the candle lighting ceremony
Delicious custom cake designed by Elvira to match the theme
Of course there were cupcakes too!
Chloe next to her candy bar
Fuzzy custom blankets were the favors for Chloe’s friends
To learn more about Space, visit their extended profile page in our Vendor Directory.
February 1st, 2013
We read about a Hollywood art trend: celeb silhouettes and thought it was Mitzvah-worthy!
Jennifer Lopez and Reese Witherspoon have sat for master scissor artist Karl Johnson from Cutarts.com to have their silhouettes created. We checked him out and love it! Especially one of the ideas written about on his blog.
Although this example was used for a Wedding, you can have a custom silhouette done of your Bar/Bat Mitzvah child to use as the sticker on favors, place cards or even thank you notes. Karl can work by email, just send him a photo of your child and he will send back the art work.
Based in California, Karl is also available to come to your child’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah and create silhouette’s of the guests. He does travel and will be appearing at a Mitzvah in New York next month!
February 1st, 2013
A signature mock-cocktail is a great way to incorporate your theme or child’s name into your celebration. We’ve seen some clever drink names!
Pictured above: Bat Mitzvah guests enjoying flavored drinks from Maui Wowi.
So drink up some of these non-alcoholic ideas and cheers!
Sometimes the signage is just as fun as the drinks from Simple Details Events
Hudson Terrace loves creating mock-tails to match the Bar Bat Mitzvah theme or likes of the child like these: “The Bieber-Tini” – ½ lemonade, ½ iced tea over crushed ice, the “1D (One Direction) Daiquiri” made from strawberry puree, lemon-lime Soda, or the “The Gangnam Style” chilled lychee juice a splash of Ginger Ale and a pink sugar rim
The Goldstein Family spotlight featured a special drink just for their celebration called, “Bat-tini,” and it was served in martini style glasses but was completely kid-friendly and alcohol-free
At Ryder’s Bar Mitzvah, The Garden City Hotel featured a cucumber martini on the rocks for their adult guests
Carlyle Catering creates a “Mock-tail Juice Bar” for Bar Bat Mitzvahs. The Juice Bar contains all difference Juices and Drinks such as our Ruby Red Grapefruit and Pear with Cucumber, Blueberry Pomegranate Juice and a Lemonade with White Grape, Rosemary and Lavender. Carlyle serves the Juices in Mason Jars with colored paper Straws. This Juice bar is very trendy and the Mason Jars are great for kids to drink out of all night long!
It’s fun to tie your beverages into your theme like they did at this “Science inspired” Bat Mitzvah from Cait & Jules
Justin Bieber isn’t even old enough to drink in many states, but he already has his own cocktail, the Biebertini!
Tropical mock drinks were offered at the Fleisig-Klesse Bar Mitzvah
Sandra Downie Events paired up the Zoe-tini design with the table numbers
This bar set up for the kids looks appealing and tasty from Naturally Delicious Catering
Root beer floats in champagne glasses for kids…and grownups from Southern Weddings
Philip Stone Caterers’ Minted Lemon Fizz made with fresh lemonade, fresh mint leaves, Sprite and sparkling water. Zesty!
Beautiful Blooms created a travel vignette by the bar offering “Specialty Sips”
Magic Perrier is a fabulous and fun non-alcoholic signature drink which makes it especially perfect as a Mitzvah mocktail from Party Favorites
The signage here is simple but framed, and makes a statement from Karen Ard Photography
Lemonade drinks were delivered to guests in test tubes, at this outdoor cocktail party from Kracke Photography
Here is another Party Favorites drink idea and really, is there a more perfect way to end a party than with a s’moretini shooter?
Did you include a delicious mock-tail at your child’s Bar Bat Mitzvah celebration? Let us know at info@mitzvahmarket.com.
