February 2nd, 2011
The Alexander family from Old Bethpage, New York celebrated their daughter Emily’s Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, November 1, 2009.
The service took place at Midway Jewish Center in Syosset, New York and the Kiddush at Four Food Studio in Melville, New York.
On Sunday it was off to the twilight reception in Long Island City and the event space located in the Metropolitan Building. This family created an eclectic decor for Emily’s celebration combining vintage and shabby chic style with incredible results and many unique touches.
We thank the Alexander family for sharing their special day with us.
All vendor information is listed at the bottom of this feature.
Party photography was done by JoVon Photography. Pictured above L-F: Brother Joshua, Dad Jeff, Bat Mitzvah girl Emily and Mom Carie.
Mitzvah Invitation, Style & Venue
The entire family looked great. Emily and Mom Carie got their dresses at Parisa Boutique. There were two venues used for Emily’s Bat Mitzvah celebration.
The custom fun invitation was in lime green and a pink font created by Ellen Futterman of Proper Notice
We love this picture of Emily striking a pose because you can really see her beautiful dress
The Alexander's chose Four Food Studio for the kiddush lunch...
...and The Metropolitan Building for the celebration!
Mitzvah Details
On Sunday evening the reception took place at the beautiful and unique Metropolitan Building.
"The Library" used for cocktail hour
A Klezmer band really rockin' the cocktail party
The space before....
…and after with beautiful linens in rich green and purple
Elegant crystal centerpieces and flowers were brought in by florist Robert Delassandro
Different table sizes were used for guest seating. Above a long table of rich ruby tones was the perfect setting for Mom and Dad's friends
The view outside The Metropolitan Building with the New York City skyline was pretty spectacular!
Emily's sign-in book was on an elegant table where guests could also leave gifts
For a different spin on place cards, Mom Carie loved the idea of a seating chart which was designed with Emily's fleur de lis logo
Once each guest found their table they were greeted with a beautiful personalized sash on their chair!
The food was catered by New York City caterer the Raging Skillet and for the Kosher meals, Regal Caterers was called in
Beautiful food displays
The guests had many food options to choose from throughout the party
Young guests received their own "Emmy Pie" (pizza) to munch on during the party
Dad Jeff spent some time on the phone checking on guests like his Dad, who was having trouble getting to the party because the party fell on the same day as the New York City Marathon!
Mitzvah Entrance
More Than Music, with MC Kevin kept both the kids and adults dancing all night. Here two of the dancers bring Emily into the reception.
Emily made her entrance with the help of two More Than Music Dancers
For the candle lighting ceremony, each special guest was invited to come up and receive an "Emmy" (Emily's nickname)
Emily calling her co-star up to get his candle...brother Josh of course!
As part of the entertainment, the Alexander's brought in Dave Maskin who creates beautiful wire names for each guest
Mitzvah Favor
Guests received many unique favors from this party all coordinated by planner Debra Beckerman.
Guests received their own custom coffee mugs "America Runs on Emmy"
American Apparel long sleeve black t-shirts with hot pink jewels for the girls
More great details on the front
Vendor Directory
Here is a list of the Mitzvah Vendors who helped make Emily’s Bat Mitzvah special. If you call any of them, please let them know you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com. Thanks!
Venue: The Metroplitan Building 718-784-3716
Party Planner: Debra Beckerman Creative Concepts 516-942-7768
Florists: Robert Delassandro through Creative Concepts
Catering: The Raging Skillet 212-463-0872
Kosher Catering: Regal Caterers 516-437-2700
Photographer/Videographer: JoVon 516-922-3535
Music Entertainment: Music: More Than Music MC Kevin 516-626-9400
Entertainment: Wirenames.com Dave Maskin 201-358-1296
Lighting: Fusion (A Division of More than Music)
Photo booth: Creative Concepts
Invitations: Ellen Futterman Proper Notice 516-621-9523
Dress for Mom and Bat Mitzvah girl Emily: Parisa Boutique
Men: Saks
Hair/Makeup: Nubest 516-627-9444
February 2nd, 2011
Creative Custom Card Boxes is a company that creates beautiful hand-made card boxes for your gifts that can be personalized and customized to match your theme or decor.
Choose your colors. Choose your shape. Choose your ribbon. Choose your accents. The look is up to you!
There is no assembly required. They ship all over the United States and prices start at $60.00. It doesn’t get easier than that!
Hot pink and orange color combo
Blues and yellow
Chocolate and gold
The Tiffany box look!
Check out their Website here.
January 30th, 2011
When your guests enter your child’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebration, one of the very first things they will do is to check on their table assignment. They want to know who will be sitting at their table and where their table is located.
We recently stumbled upon such clever solutions to table cards and just had to share.
Please enjoy these examples below and get inspired…
Every few months we come across some very creative ideas for seating cards, some are even DIY ideas. Take a look at what we recently found below:
We found pictures of guests in lollipop form coming out of mini cupcakes on Ana Dolan’s Website Invitations by Ana. The photo is by Jen Huang, cupcakes by Nine Cakes and it was styled by Tammy Golson Events
Another Ana Dolan creation…her checker board seating cards appeared in The Knot magazine!
This chart was Melangerie’s answer to the escort card table. Why not have your family in purple, Mitzvah child’s friend’s in brown, your college friends in green, etc. Customize the chart with colors your child likes and you have a keepsake!
These adorable place card bags with the table number card and candy inside from Paper Crew on Etsy
We wanted to show you the bag close up!
Rustic DIY escort “cards” stones/rocks from WeddingBee.com
Events by Allyne created a very US Open feel with this seating chart
Did you do something unique for your child’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah place cards? Let us know at Sheri@MitzvahMarket.com.
January 26th, 2011
Once upon a time, in the land of Chicago, a 13-year old girl named Gabby got her fairy tale Bat Mitzvah.
The service took place at Congregation Solel in Highland Park with a reception at the Chateau Ritz in Niles, Illinois.
Her dream was to be a princess and her fairy godmother, (we mean her event planner Larissa Goldenberg) made sure every wish was granted!
The photos are by Slav Zinger of Leuxo Photography. The custom gobo by Frost Lighting was projected onto the dance floor.
Designed by Joseph Twardozs of Decor Galore, this was the entrance into the kids ballroom
A close up of the guest list and table assignment
This beautiful seating card table was done by Yanni Design Studio
For the adults horse drawn place cards!
The ballroom had a castle, carriage and crystal embellished horses by Decor Galore
Linens for the kids room by Covered Affairs
Crowned centerpieces on Swarovski stands by Yanni Designs with lighting by Frost Lighting
Children’s table with sweet ending dessert table in background
This looks like a magical celebration. Thanks to all the vendors involved who allowed us to share this with our Mitzvah Market readers.
January 23rd, 2011
With the Super Bowl here, we are in football heaven here at Mitzvah Market.
So if your son or daughter are football fans and you are planning a football themed party, we have your game plan.
Additionally, if you are planning any type of sports party, here are some great ideas you can incorporate:
Luscious Verde scores with this great invite
This custom invitation from Simply Invitations and Party Planning used a boxed invitation set with lines and the look of turf
For those on a tighter budget, PaperLessPost.com now features sports Bar/Bat Mitzvah motifs
Used as a favor and place card from A Dozen Eggs Bake Shoppe in Vermont
These adorable football place cards holders can also be used as a balloon weights and are from Awesome Event
Linzi Events did a Miami Dolphins Mitzvah and created these posters of the Bar Mitzvah boy posing as his favorite players
One of our favorites! Bleachers for the young adults set up by Linzi Events
We profiled the Kratz Family’s football themed B’nai Mitzvah last year which included these sign-in lockers from Global Industrial
Check out this “football field” table from Eventful Productions
Also from Eventful Productions, this locker room set-up with cutout football players!
Have your child’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah service and/or celebration where the Jets practice! Click here to read all about the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center in Florham Park, New Jersey
A-BnC Parties created this centerpiece for a Chicago Bears fan
Party Perfect created these pennants that were displayed on a tiered stand. Tags with guests names and table assignments were attached with ribbon and waved as the Bar Mitzvah boy made his entrance
A football theme sweatshirt favor from A Promos USA dba The Imagemaker
Customized mini football favors from MiniSportsBalls.com
Atop the first tier sits a football and football player holding a Heisman trophy from Pink Cake Box
Here’s another option, a four tier football theme Mitzvah cake that’s from Van Earl’s Cakes!
January 12th, 2011
The snow keeps falling! Winter is officially here, so embrace it and use some of these great ideas if you are going to have a winter wonderland theme for your child’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah.
(The snowflake place cards on the left are from here.)
Start the theme off with these name cards from Beaucoup.com
NYC Event Planner Harriette Rose Katz created white floral centerpieces, faux snow, ice sculptures, and lucite seating for this Mitzvah
Beautiful Backdrops provides a wonderful setting for your Mitzvah and no plane ticket needed!
Atlas Florists provided the beautiful centerpiece for the Reisman’s which we featured in our Mitzvah Family Spotlight
The draping, linens, chairs and centerpieces all add to the wonderland theme from L.A. celebrity event planner Mindy Weiss
Balloons can even add to the winter wonderland feel by Exquisite Balloons
Custom candle lighting piece by Parties by Deb
SessySweets created this snowflake cookie with a picture of the Bat Mitzvah girl
Courtesy of Todd Shapera Photography, this winter wonderland decor by X-Quisite Design was elegant and festive featuring snowflakes and twinkle lighting
Silver and blue cake from the Pink Cake Box
Amy Atlas puts a purple spin on her dessert design for this Winter Wonderland Mitzvah
January 12th, 2011
Recently we reported on the trend of Gourmet Food Trucks. Now we would like to share two kosher options!
Quick Stop Kosher, a food truck that bills itself as a “breakfast, lunch, and waffles” joint, opened this past summer. This truck travels around Manhattan offering kosher-certified sandwiches, omelets, sushi, blintzes, waffles and will come to your child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah to provide an array of kosher fare.
Quick Stop Kosher will wow your guests with a Make-Your-Own–Sandwich or Waffle Station. Call them at 212-674-6666
Sub on Wheels is a kosher food truck catering located in Monsey, New York and is part of Brucha Caterers. They offer a wide selection of unique menus to accommodate all type of functions. Reach them at 845-839-2579.
January 8th, 2011
On Saturday, October 30, 2010, the Weilheimer Family celebrated a B’not Mitzvah for their daughters Carly and Brooke.
The Mincha Maariv, Havdallah service took place at the family’s synagogue Congregation Ohev Shalom in Marlboro, New Jersey. The girl’s Torah portion was ironically a story about twins!
Following the service, guests went to Congregation B’nai Tikvah in North Brunswick, New Jersey for the celebration.
We want to thank the Weilheimer Family for sharing their ideas with our Mitzvah Market readers.
All party photography was done by Unlimited Exposures. Vendor information is at the end of this spotlight.
Pictured above (L-R): Mom Jackie, Bat Mitzvah girl Brooke, Bat Mitzvah girl Carly and Dad Matt
Mitzvah Invitation and Style
Brooke and Carly look beautiful in their sage gowns and Mitzvah Mom Jackie looks great in her strapless black dress. All three were custom made from Diane and Company
The beautiful invitation by Arlene Segal Designs is cream color with a burgundy velvet border and a cream satin bow
Mitzvah Details
The theme was “Carly and Brooke Live in Concert.” Spitz and Peck, the event decor and floral designers created a concert vibe from the moment guests arrived!
The "Weilheimer Will Call” window provided guests with their ticket place card for table seating
The young guests received "VIP Backstage Passes"
The kids tables were lit up in different colors and labeled as “section blue," “section pink," “section yellow,” etc. There were also some couches and a coffee table on each side to complete the lounge feel!
The adult tables had black tablecloths and chair covers with each table labeled, “lower level 101” or “front row center”
Beautiful bright colored flowers decorated each adult tables
The lighting in the kid’s cocktail room really added to the ambiance
Mom Jackie had a great idea. Channeling her inner Martha Stewart she decorated all the cocktail tables herself by adding a collage of black and white pictures of each girl under the glass
Custom pillows added a touch of glam and bling! "C" for Carly
"B" for Brooke
Closet doors from Carly and Brooke’s bedrooms were used as sign-in boards and were made to look like dressing room doors!
Music & Entertainment
Each girl made their entrance in true rock star fashion…making their fans wait. Pure Energy Entertainment with MC Morgan had this party rockin! Mom Jackie said that no one stopped dancing all night.
Each girl came out from behind a shadow box with fog blowing out to add to the effect!
Here's Carly…
…and here's Brooke!
Danny Weltman played during the cocktail hour
The girls being lifted by the dancers
MC Morgan interacts with the guests
Brooke and Carly surrounded by their friends
Brooke and her dad sharing a Father-Daughter dance
Carly's turn to dance with her dad!
Mitzvah Food
Classical Caterers served everything from sliders, to sweet potato fries, to BBQ steak on the grill, sushi, and even a poo poo platter. The desserts looked pretty awesome too!
Steak on the grill
Huge assortment of desserts
The delicious looking cake kept in the theme and was also done by Evan Bernstein of Classical Caterers
Mitzvah Favor & Exit Treats
Guests received these awesome sweatshirts designed by Debbie Harbakin.As the clock struck 12 midnight it was Halloween and the guests were sent home with lots of treats. Below you can see the sign that read: “Happy Halloween” Love, Carly and Brooke.
Cool designs on the back and front of the sweatshirts
The sweatshirts came in this logo’d bag
Some of the treats included orange cookies, biscotti, cupcakes and of course lots of candy
Mom to Mom
Mitzvah Mom Jackie has this advice for our readers: “It was definitely the best night of our lives and we will never forget it! I recommend that you enjoy every minute, don’t sweat the small stuff and stay organized, relax and enjoy. It all goes by so fast.”
Mitzvah Project
Carly and Brooke have been helping two great causes for the past 2 years.
Carly loves soccer and she wanted to help children with disabilities play the game in a non-judgmental way. Once a week for an hour in the spring and fall she volunteers as a buddy in a program called, Just 4 Kix, part of the Old Bridge Soccer League in Old Bridge, NJ and she is still continues volunteering her time
Brooke loves to cook and she wanted to cook meals for families who were staying at the Ronald McDonald House in New Brunswick, New Jersey. It is called Caring Cooks. Brooke plans the meals, does the shopping and cooks the food and then delivers it to the families. She makes dinner, dessert and appetizers!
Vendor Directory
Here is a list of vendors who made Carly and Brooke’s B’not Mitzvah special. If you call any of them, please let them know you read about their services on Mitzvah Market.
Venue: Classical Caterers at Congregation B’nai Tikvah 732-297-6444
Party Planner/Decor: Spitz and Peck 973-535-5600
DJ/MC: Pure Energy MC Morgan 732-536-8991
Photographer/Videographer: Unlimited Exposures 732-617-1588
Favor person: Debbie Harbakin 732-696-1018
Party Entertainment: Photo Bar through Pure Energy 732-536-8991
Airbrush tattoos: Bernadine Ferrari 201-321-0712
Invitation: Arlene Segal Designs
Calligraphy: Special paintbrush calligraphy Dorothy Gutman 732-972-1283
Cake: Classical Caterers
Sign-In board: Around the Corner Art Studio 732-308-4666
Mitzvah Girl’s Custom Gowns: Diane & Co 732-625–8001
Hair/makeup: Studio 455, Hair by Dawn/Make-up by Sonia 732-972-9890
Transportation: Shamrock Stagecoach 732-787-1113
Acoustic guitarist: Danny Weltman 732-241-0919
January 6th, 2011
This Bat Mitzvah was held in November at The Chop House in Gibbsboro, New Jersey and designed by the very talented group from Beautiful Blooms. They put a very new spin on the Broadway themed Mitzvah celebration – scroll down, the show is about to begin!
For the kids tables they created four designs based on Bat Mitzvah girl’s favorite plays – Mary Poppins, The Lion King, Wicked and Annie. Perfect colored linens and napkins were used as the base of the designs. All photos were taken by Michael Branscom.
Two Paper Dolls created all of the paper products including table numbers and place card tickets
For the Mary Poppins tables, black umbrellas were placed in cylinder vases filled with blue crystals and blue napkins were used
Mary Poppins dolls were purchased for the tables
These very cute “official” Lion King animals were used as the centerpieces
Khaki linens with brown napkins were used to keep the natural jungle color palette
Annie dresses in cylinders with white vases filled with tight bundles of red carnations accented the tables. There were also a few Annie wigs for the kids to try on
The green and black color palette and a witches hat, broom, wand and light up crystals was all this table needed
A mold of a head in green and a witches hat
We would like to give a standing ovation to this creative Mitzvah and hope you can take some of these ideas to make your own. Many thanks to Beautiful Blooms, Michael Branscom and Two Paper Dolls for sharing their creative work.
January 6th, 2011
Hi All!
The Margolis Family from Jericho, New York celebrated their son Kyle’s Bar Mitzvah on September 11, 2010. After services at Temple Beth Torah in Jericho, the reception was held at North Shore Synagogue in Syosset.
After celebrating with a black tie party for their oldest daughter, they decided on a fun kid oriented party for Kyle.
Photographer Neal Bloom captured all the fun. All other vendor information is listed below.
Pictured left to right: Mitzvah Mom Lauri, Bar Mitzvah boy Kyle, Mitzvah Dad Barry, younger sister Katie and older sister Danielle.
Mom Lauri and Danielle had beautiful navy blue dresses made for them by Kimberly of Runway Couture. Katie found her adorable dress at Designing Dreams.
Kyle’s handsome navy invitation was created by Invitations By Laura.
We thought this was a great idea. Mom Lauri made this beautiful needlepoint tallis bag for Kyle. Not sure where she found the time!
Kyle is a sports enthusiast so Simon Elliot Events did their magic in the lobby area of North Shore Synagogue.
This Will Call booth was manned by an attendant who handed out blue envelopes to guests as they arrived. You could also hear Kyle’s pre-recorded voice welcoming everyone and asking trivia questions
Kyle holding his guests seating cards which were made to look like will call envelopes
Guests seating cards, which are pictured above, were inside the envelopes
Part of the lobby decor included the above screen which had a loop of the kids names to welcome them to the party
Paul from Party Interiors did a great job with the lighting and crystal centerpieces
The illuminated tables are ready for guests!
Kyle hangin’ in the kids lounge area
Kyle’s sign-in board was created by Simon Elliot Events and featured a baseball uniform shirt. Guests signed right on the plexy glass frame!
Entertainment Tonite provided the music entertainment with Carl as the MC.
Kyle with the entire ET crew
Magician Chris DeLeo entertained guests and left them speechless!
Kyle and his Mom share a moment
Games were provided by Simon Elliot Events
For Kyle’s montage, a funny sequence was taped and produced by Simon Elliot Events.
Watch it here.
North Shore Caterers made Kyle the striped cake below.
Kyle’s friends all received sweatshirts created by And That.
Field of Dreams design matched his theme!
The sweatshirts were distributed in these drawstring bags
As guests were leaving Kyle’s party, they stopped by the Waffle truck for a treat!
For his Mitzvah Project, Kyle collected baseball hats for Stack The Caps. He included a note with his invitation explaining more:
“Stack The Caps began in 2008 at Camp Starlight, my sleepaway camp. The event was inspired by a camper, Brielle Namer, who died from a very rare form of cancer. In her memory, Camp Starlight’s owners and campers have organized drives to provide new baseball caps to chilren with cancer. My goal is to collect at least 200 caps which will stack approximately 12 feet high in honor and memory of the many children afflicted with cancer.”
Kyle proudly standing with the caps his guests brought for donation as part of his Mitzvah Project
Here is a list of Vendor’s who made Kyle’s Bar Mitzvah special. If you call any, please let them know that you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com.
Venue: North Shore Synagogue 516- 921-2282
Invitations: Invitations By Laura 516-783-9864
Lauri and Danielle’s Dresses: Kimberly, Runway Couture, 516-308-4639
Katie’s dress: Designing Dreams
Photographer: Neal Bloom, 631-754-7442
Videographer: Simon Miller at Simon Elliot Events 516-660-1812
Lobby decor/seating cards: Simon Elliot Events
Needle Point bag for Tallit: Needle Paint Knook in Merrick 623-0250
Decor: Party Interiors by Paul 516-586-5492
Music Entertainment: Carl as MC, Entertainment Tonite
Sweatshirts: And That 516-364-9222
Drawstring bags: totallydrawstringbackpacks.com
Magician: Chris DeLeo 516-314-5319
Waffle Truck: wafesanddinges.com
