March 30th, 2016
Evantine Design recently created an amazing camp Bar Mitzvah theme at The Ritttenhouse in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
This Bar Mitzvah was in honor of a boy who loves Camp Manitou in Oakland, Maine. Morphing the party into Camp MATTitou, they integrated special elements of his beloved camp experiences into the event decor and food styling of his milestone celebration while still maintaining a sophisticated tone.
Warm, rustic, camp-inspired party invitations
Just as campers would see as they arrived at Camp Manitou, party guests were greeted by a tall directional sign post with the camp logo and inspiring words
A weathered white wooden peg board was used to display camp-themed “activity card” seating assignments for the adults. Later, it was used as a 'grab and go' donuts board
Personalized lockers were designed for the kids to stash their shoes, phones, and favors as they collected them throughout the night. Old logs were placed around a faux bonfire
'Welcome to Visiting Day' signage was displayed at the entrance to the adult cocktail area
Bunk beds were placed near the lockers and were piled with camp gear, blankets, snacks, sports gear, towels, stickers, and personalized pillows. At the end of the evening, it became a part of the Canteen
Wood cabins for the adults made sure 'kids' of all ages got to enjoy the theme starting with the hot dog and artisan beer cabin
The kids' Mess Hall area included long wooden tables with matching bar stools along with a lit backdrop that mimicked the evening sky
The adult tables were designed with fabulous arrangements of natural elements and flowering branches
Letters from camp with sweet, sentimental notes from the Bar Mitzvah boy were created as memorable menu cards - guests were so touched!
Cocktail napkins included Camp Mattitou’s fun summer camp logos and signs
The canteen candy buffet included nostalgic old time and modern candies displayed in metal baskets and wooden boxes
S’mores were set up with table top camp ‘fires,' along with other vessels to for the sticks, marshmallows, chocolate bars, and graham crackers
We thank Evantine Design for sharing this amazing Bar Mitzvah with our readers.
Event Design/Lighting, Flowers, Furniture/Party Games/Artwork and Party Planning: Evantine Design; Venue and Catering: The Rittenhouse; Band/Entertainment: LA Stars; Photography: Susan Beard Design
March 30th, 2016
If you are a DIY type who enjoys taking on creative projects for your child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah celebration, we are happy to share several options that can help you with your projects.
It’s always good to consider hiring experts who have experience in planning Bar Bat Mitzvahs, but there are many places to find inspiration and resources online the things you want to take on yourself.
Check out these three great resources in lighting, centerpieces and candy buffets:
Lighting
DIYUplighting.com, makes it easy to transform your Bar or Bat Mitzvah party room in a convenient, easy and affordable way. They deliver anywhere in the country…free! Here’s how it works: You place your order for the amount of lights you need, and DIY Uplighting ships the lights to you a few days before your event. Set them up for as little as a $25 deposit and $19 per light. You get a professional quality lighting effect to help make your Bar or Bat Mitzvah day shine!
Purple lighting against white drapes
When you needs lots of colors, neon lighting screams fun
This 'Under the Sea' event hit all the marks with sea green lighting
Centerpiece Kits
Awesome Events DIY Centerpiece kits are designed to save you time and money….we love that! They offer DIY centerpiece kits, candle lighting boards, theme party decoration kits, styrofoam letters, foam cut out shapes, numbers and theme shapes, all in a variety of colors. Awesome Events has kits for almost any theme, so it is easy for a Bar or Bat Mitzvah Parent to DIY. Just get your glue gun or spray adhesive ready to make the centerpieces, which include techniques that professional designers use.
For a music lover
A Hollywood/movie theme
Jewish star theme
Candy Buffets
Treat Me Sweet DIY Candy Buffet kits include everything you need to create a candy buffet at your next event for up to 50 people! No need to go out and buy jars and figure out how much candy would fit in each jar. They also offer Trail Mix Buffets too. Your package arrives with 13 plastic jars, 5 different candies, labels, 3 scoops and 3 tongs, a framed saying and 50 bags with ties. You can follow their layout in the photo provided or create your own display adding some decorations or props. When the party is over, its all yours to keep!
Purple and white DIY color scheme
Rainbow DIY candy buffet
Your guests can make their own trail mix
You can also ask questions and get advice about DIY ideas in our regional Bar Bat Mitzvah planning groups on Facebook. Join here.
March 30th, 2016
Hi Tech Events is a family business dedicated to making your child’s Bar Bat Mitzvah unique and memorable. They are one of the leaders in the Mitzvah Décor and Photography niche in the New York Metropolitan area and offer a wide variety of services including photography/videography, montages, photo favors, party décor, entertainment, and everything in-between.
Hi Tech will be there for you from the moment you create your invitations, until the time you design your keepsake album to reflect on your event; treating every client’s party as if it was their own family occasion.
Hi Tech Events Offers Photo, Video, Decor & More!
With more than 30 years experience, they know the business of Bar and Bat Mitzvahs.
By trade, they are photographers. They are trained in photo journalism and instinctively know the special moments of your child’s big day; from pre-shoot to the final good-byes.
A gorgeous candid after sneaking a peek at her elegantly decorated party room
On the grounds of the beautifully manicured Oheka Castle moments before the guests arrived
Great family shot touched with some special effects
All smiles while embracing her room as her guests enter
Hi Tech Events offers Bar Bat Mitzvah clients high-quality videography and video montages.
Watch Julia’s video
When it comes to Décor, Hi Tech says the sky’s the limit – from flowers to balloons – they do it all. They have a team of event planners and decor experts that create extraordinary room decor and centerpieces. Attention to detail is their specialty.
Elegant, yet fun, decor for a beautiful night
A touch of floral goes a long way in making the room spectacular
Who doesn't love a little crystal throughout the room?
Florals and floating candles greeting the guests with a fabulous centerpiece
The grand entrance beautifully decorated while guests are greeted with a gorgeous shot of the honoree
And, there’s more! Create a gorgeous lounge set-up at your child’s celebration with unique furniture and accent pieces or try their photo favor package with custom step n’ repeats, green screens and endless favor options.
To learn more about Hi Tech Events, visit their extended profile page in our Vendor Directory.
March 27th, 2016
The Marx family celebrated Seth’s Bar Mitzvah with a service and party at Eagle Oaks Golf and Country Club in Farmingdale, New Jersey, on Saturday, October 10, 2015. The weather was perfect and during the Havdalah service, guests were treated to a view of the sunset overlooking the golf course.
For Seth’s brother Gregory, they celebrated with a basketball theme to reflect his love of the sport and the New York Knicks. For Seth’s party, his colors were purple and yellow for the Los Angeles Lakers, but his theme was all about SETH and centered around his favorite things.
Pictured left: (L-R) Dad David, Bar Mitzvah boy Seth, Brother Greg and Mom Robin
Mitzvah Service
Seth’s Bar Mitzvah service and celebration took place at the Eagle Oaks Golf & Country Club.
Seth was all smiles as he lead the service
The Havdalah service was held in a room overlooking the golf course with a beautiful view of the sunset
Invitation
Seth’s invitation was an acrylic square in his party colors created “by dana,” a graphic design company.
The back of the invitation featured a pocket which held the response card
Top left photo: The save the date cards were magnets. The logo was based on the logo used for Master Chef, one of Seth's favorite television shows. Top right photos: Each one of the response cards was personalized with the guests' name and in the shape of the letter S. Bottom right photo: "Power Banks" (phone chargers) with Seth's name and Bar Mitzvah date were also used as seating cards
Place Cards, Decor & Sign-In
Marquis Florals designed the decor for this celebration including the place card table and centerpieces for the adult and kids’ tables.
As guests arrived, they were greeted by an oversized "S" and a phone charger place card
A dual purpose favor/place card that guests loved!
The ballroom at Eagle Oaks Country Club
The adult tables featured beautiful floral arrangements with purple and yellow flowers
Each table had a centerpiece that reflected one of Seth's interests: Los Angeles Lakers, cooking, television shows, movies, soccer, college basketball, Green Bay Packers and Marvel comics
This centerpiece reflects Seth's love of The Big Bang Theory
For
Seth's sign-in board, a Basketball backboard was used and guests left special messages using a Sharpie pen
Music & Additional Entertainment
Pure Energy provided the music with Jason as the MC.
Seth made a grand entrance
Guests used rally towels to help welcome Seth to the party!
Having fun with MC Jason
Jack Ryan performed basketball tricks to the delight of Seth and his guests
The Hoop Wizard in action!
Candle Lighting
Their candle lighting ceremony featured a cooking theme (which they learned about on Mitzvah Market). Each group that was called up added an ingredient into the bowl. Mom and Dad added love and Seth stirred the mixture.
Favors
Top Elements created many of the favors for Seth’s guests.
Rally towels were used by guests as Seth entered his celebration
Seth's friends received shorts which they personalized right at his celebration
Young guests took everything home in this drawstring bag
Mitzvah Exit Treat
For his Mitzvah Exit Treat, Marquis Florals created a replica of a Dunkin’ Donuts stand.
Guests took home coffee, donuts and bagels for the ride home
Mitzvah Project
Seth collected unused school supplies from his classmates when they cleaned out their lockers before summer vacation. After sorting through the boxes of donated items, some of these supplies were donated to Boys Town Jerusalem. Seth’s Bar Mitzvah tutor’s daughter brought the supplies to Israel. The rest of the supplies went to the Boys and Girls Club of Monmouth County.
Mom-To-Mom Advice From Robin
“Since this was our second Bar Mitzvah, I was much more relaxed than the first one. I used many of the same vendors because I was happy with the job they did the first time. Whenever I felt myself getting stressed I reminded myself that this is a happy occasion.”
Vendor Directory
The following vendors helped to make Seth’s celebration special. If you reach out to any of them, please let them know you heard about them on MitzvahMarket.com.
Venue: Eagle Oaks Golf and Country Club, 732-938-9696
Music/Photo Booth: Pure Energy Entertainment, 732-952-8772
Decor/Sign-in board: Marquis Florals and Event Design by Kim, 732-441-4800
Invitations/Save The Date/Favors: by dana, 732-625-1471
Photography/Videography: Unlimited Exposures, 732-617-1588
Favors: Top Elements, 732-972-8290
Extra Entertainment: Hoop Wizard, 917-754-2486
Mom’s Dress: Diane & Co., 732-625-8001
Mom’s Hair: Kristina Lauro, 732-616-5781
Mom’s Makeup: Pro Makeup Artistry by Dee LLC, 732-470-6499
Mom’s Jewelry: Kravit Jewelers, 516-766-3855
March 27th, 2016
Once you receive a Bar or Bat Mitzvah invitation, you will start thinking about the gift. Some will give the guest of honor an actual gift like jewelry or tickets to a show or sporting event, but most of us will give money to the Bar Bat Mitzvah child.
Tendr is a smarter and more elegant way to give and receive cash gifts and works well for a Bar or Bat Mitzvah. Tendr makes giving a cash gift simple and hassle free. One click – and you know that your gift has been taken care of quickly and securely.
This is an easy to use online service not only allows guests to give gifts, but also has an area where they can learn more about your Bar or Bat Mitzvah celebration and Mitzvah Project. Tendr eliminates the awkwardness, and risk, of giving the recipient a check or cash, which can be misplaced or otherwise go unaccounted for.
For a Bar or Bat Mitzvah celebration, the family throwing the event can register for an account on Tendr in minutes. They’ll get their very own giving page – complete with a custom URL. This page can be personalized and specifically used to inform friends and family members about the Bar bat Mitzvah service/celebration and Mitzvah Project, or they can simply express gratitude and excitement about the event. It’s entirely up to the family.
Custom Bar Mitzvah page
Custom Bat Mitzvah page
Once the family has finished setting up the simple-to-personalize page, its URL can be sent via email or printed on the formal invitations, and linked to from their Twitter or Facebook accounts. You name it. The idea is to give all your guests a one-stop site to learn about your event – and contribute to it.
There is a 5% service fee that is charged to the Bar Bat Mitzvah family, but guests are not charged… and can securely transfer their monetary gift directly from their bank account for free – or by using their credit card.
Many Bar Bat Mitzvah kids are using tendr to describe their Mitzvah Project and ask for a funding gift towards the fulfillment of that charitable goal.
When guests visit the custom URL to give the Bar or Bat Mitzvah child a gift, they can select from a variety of online cards which will be sent to the recipient.
To learn more about Tendr, visit their Website.
March 23rd, 2016
Mitzvah Mom Holly Weinstein of Port Washington, New York, sent us a very creative Bat Mitzvah montage, created by her husband Greg for their daughter Danielle’s Bat Mitzvah.
We then learned about many of the unique details that were incorporated and we couldn’t wait to share!
This Bat Mitzvah took place at the Woodbury Country Club in Woodbury, New York, and the photographer was Ellen Wolff Photography.
The hot pink and gold invitation set the tone for the party palette
Right after the Bat Mitzvah service, outside of the sanctuary, there were apple cider donuts for their guests. The very clever sign read, “DoNut get lost. See you at my party!”
What a great idea…the napkins served with the donuts had directions to the party venue where guests were headed!
At the venue, guests were greeted with place cards that matched the invitations. A special surprise was inside!
Bat Mitzvah girl Dani wrote a special message inside each adult place card, as she is very close to her guests
The decor, which kept with the color scheme, was provided by Lighter Than Air Events
Dad Greg painted the horah chair in hot pink, Dani’s favorite color. It was also used for guests to sign and is now a special reminder of a great day and is in her bedroom
Dani up for the horah in the chair her guests signed. It was so special and made her feel that everyone who signed it helped to “lift her up”
You will understand the significance of "the shirt" after watching the montage below
It was a very powerful and emotional moment
Blanket favors for Dani’s guests were beautifully wrapped with a pink bow
For their Exit Treat, the family gave out Hershey Bars with a funny text message conversation to “Save the Date” for youngest daughter Brooke’s Bat Mitzvah in 2018
Now for the montage created by her Dad Greg. Before the video was shown, Mom Holly told the story of “the shirt” and asked Dani to wear it while the video played
Please watch here
Photographer: Ellen Wolff Photography; Decor: Lighter Than Air Events; Music/MC: Jamie Aronson, Lovett Entertainment;
Caterer: Woodbury Country Club; Blanket Favors: Spectrum Designs, Bat Mitzvah girl Danielle’s dress: Outrageous Boutique; Sister Brooke’s dress: Designing Dreams; Invitations/Place cards: Barefoot Creations Inc, Etsy.com; Napkins: Fast Balloons; Hershey Bar Save the Date Exit Treat label: Vista Print
March 23rd, 2016
Watermill is a beautiful catering venue located in the heart of Suffolk County, Long Island, specializing in Bar Bat Mitzvah celebrations. Owned by the Scotto Family, the Watermill prides itself in serving award winning cuisine with a unique flair.
Newly renovated, the Watermill features all new décor, intelligent lighting and sound, plus indoor and outdoor banquet space. It features elegant ballrooms, sprawling gardens and award winning service with attention to every detail. From the moment you arrive at the Watermill, you will feel the luxury of this unique atmosphere which has a grand lobby, stunning ballrooms, private suites and cocktail rooms.
Watermill Caterers Has Newly Renovated Ballrooms And Outdoor Gardens, consider this venue for your child’s Bar Bat Mitzvah celebration!
The beautiful Astor Room
Watermill Caterers entrance
Rendering of new Astor Ballroom which will be completed by the end of 2016
Gorgeous lighting and decor accents
Outdoor Patio
To learn more about Watermill Caterers visit their extended profile page in our Vendor Directory.
March 23rd, 2016
Who better to find the latest and greatest for all things Bar Bat Mitzvahs than our own Mitzvah Moms!
We have spotlighted over 200 families and we thought it would be fun to call out some of the “Mom Finds” that you might have missed.
Whitney Gnat is from Toronto and found many unique touches for her daughter Kendall’s Bat Mitzvah. She wanted to add something special to her candle lighting ceremony and the letter dishes below did the trick!
Ceramic love letters by Ivy Lane Designs spells out Kendall and are filled with candy sixlets. The candle bases were filled with candy flowers
Crafty Mom Whitney also created a huge gumball letter “K” (Size: 24”H x 17”W). She glued the gumballs on the large letter “K” that she bought at a Jo-Ann Fabric
To see the rest of this Mitzvah Family Spotlight story, click here.
March 20th, 2016
Traditionally, Bar Bat Mitzvah invitations are mailed to guests and include an RSVP card and envelope with a postage stamp (sometimes custom!) to allow guests to send their attendance confirmation.
The problem, as we have all experienced at one time or another, is that not everyone takes the time to reply, and mail can be lost or misplaced.
RSVPify is the FREE online RSVP service that allows you to create custom RSVPs for your special event.
With RSVPify you can sign up for an account and then create your event. Once you create your event, you will be asked to name the URL of the event’s RSVP page. This way you’ll have a simple web address (nameyoupick.rsvpify.com) which you can print on your invitations or insert cards.
It’s easy to add custom questions to your RSVP, add a logo or banner, include colors and backgrounds and much more!
For more information check out their Website at RSVPify.com.
March 20th, 2016
The Scarselli family of New York City celebrated daughter Sofia’s Bat Mitzvah on October 31, 2015. The morning service was held at Central Synagogue and later that evening was a reception in Sofia’s honor at the W Hotel, both in New York City.
Sofia’s favorite holiday has always been Halloween and when the Temple gave her a choice of a few dates she immediately chose October 31st. Since it fell on a Saturday, she decided it would be a costume themed Bat Mitzvah party.
It had a mix of all of the essential Halloween elements with a touch of NYC glamour!
Pictured L-R: Dad Bruno, Bat Mitzvah girl Sofia, Sister Isabella and Mom Lysa.
Michael Priest Photography was the photographer and the rest of the vendor information is listed at the end of the spotlight.
Invitation
The invitations, by Sara Schwartz Mitzvah Paper Company, were carefully designed not to distract from the seriousness of what the Bat Mitzvah service means.
The second part of the invite incorporated some fun Halloween wording
The RSVP card
The
Scarselli family hinted at the theme with the invitation's color palette of black, orange, white and hot pink which set the tone for the entire party
Halloween Style!
Talk about Halloween Glam! Sofia and her family were made up by Face Art by Melissa who used skeleton makeup on one side of their face and bodies. Sofia was made up in pink. All the guests had fun in their costumes as well.
Even Sofia's grandfather got in on the action, he dressed as Donald Trump!
Lysa with her guests, including the guest who was dressed as "Mom Lysa" too!
These guests came as Alexander Hamilton and wife Elizabeth
Party Decor
Mom Lysa is a jewelry designer and loves styling parties. She worked with Nancy of Shimmer NYC to create a sophisticated and spooky ambiance. Everything at the W Hotel was decorated with items Lysa started purchasing the year before. As the assortment grew, the family found themselves sharing a NYC apartment with 20 skeletons, zombies and monsters!
Entrance decor and signage
Decor props were hidden everywhere
Pictures of Sofia from past Halloween celebrations were placed throughout the room
Count Dracula lying on the bar
20 zombie hands and bodies (battery operated) crawled around the dance floor
Even the bathroom mirrors were themed
Each table featured something different. Here's what looks like Sofia's head in a jar!
A fun way to feature a pumpkin
Just some guy hanging around the lounge
Celebration Details
Halloween toilet paper
Bathroom signage
Spooky socks for dancing
Over 20 skeletons were dressed in Sofia's school and camp uniforms and were placed around the room
Skull pillows chic and scary
Spooky Sign-In
The sign-in was a dressed up skull headed mannequin. Sofia has always wanted her own mannequin, so now it stands in her room with her friends’ notes and wishes.
Creepy Food!
There were creepy crawling spiders and scary hands on all displays at the delicious food stations.
Skeleton hand toothpics
A few extra hands to pour the punch
Mitzvah Entrance
Sofia entered the room in a cage by illusionist Eric Wilzig and afterward he performed a show. He was amazing and even the adults couldn’t figure out how he was able to do some of his tricks.
Sofia Scarselli made her entrance with the help of illusionist Eric Wilzig who also performed a show for guests
Magician Eric starting his show
Party Entertainment
MC Shiran Nicholson of Nicholson Events was amazing. There were many great giveaways including LED skull masks and LED devil horns.
Up in the chair for the Horah
The Nicholson dance crew got into the spirit of the night
Great music all night long
Sofia and her friends having a great time singing along
Special Mitzvah Moments
Family doing a West Side Story skit but changed all the words to fit Sofia
Sofia's friends giving a toast
Extra Mitzvah Fun!
Boom Event Source provided interactive activities such as live mummies, wax zombie hands, roller coaster fun and a graffiti wall photo booth.
Sofia's getting her hand dipped in wax
Roller coaster fun was a big hit
Custom Instagram photobooth frame
Favors
There were many great giveaways and favors at this party. The girls were excited to receive a Lolo brand coin key chain and ID cases and the boys received black skull t-shirts. Mom Lysa told her guests if they liked something on a skeleton in a particular outfit or a sign that was part of the decor, they could take it home with them.
Boys received a black skull t-shirt the girls received key ring holders and luggage tags
Witch favor bags
Mitzvah Dessert
At the end of the night there were many dessert options to enjoy. Max Brenner chocolate syringes, Wafels and Dinges candy apples and of course, a trick or treat candy table by Mom Lysa.
Sofia in front of her dessert table
Guests enjoying the famous Max Brenner chocolate syringe
Waffles and Dinges supplied the Halloween sprinkled candy apples
Wrapped chocolate bars with Sofia's Halloween pictures
Mitzvah Project
Sofia was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes recently and has put her energy into JDRF (formerly known as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation). JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Their strength lies in their exclusive focus and singular influence on the worldwide effort to end T1D. Sofia is working towards starting an organization where children would be visited in hospitals by other T1D children to make them feel at ease with their new diagnosis.
Mom To Mom Advice
Some advice from Mom Lysa:
“Instead of taking this so seriously, enjoy and have fun and put your own creativity to use,,,,your child will love that you are involved.”
Vendor Directory
The following vendors helped to make Sofia’s Bat Mitzvah special. If you give any of them a call, let them know you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com.
Venue: Tina Birch, W Hotel, 212-755-1200
Party Planner: Nancy, Shimmer NYC, 646-524-6491
Creative Decor/Sign-In Mannequin: Mom Lysa Scarselli
Photographer: Michael Priest Photography, 212-462-2250
Invitation: Sarah Schwartz Mitzvah Paper Company, 844-446-2935
Entertainment Company: MC Shiran Nicholson, Nicholson Events, 212-534-6868
Extra Entertainment/dance floor/furniture: Jeff, Boom Event Source, 800-862-7805
Magic/Illusionist: Eric Wilzig, The Extreme Magic of Eric Wilzig, 516-374-6186
Party supplies/Halloween Decor: Dawn Sherman, Party Fair, 973- 366-5909
Candy Table: Mom Lysa Scarselli
Chocolate Syringe Dessert: Max Brenner, 646-467-8803
Skeleton makeup: Face Art by Melissa, 212-876-3332
Head in a jar: Little Jars of Horror
