A B’nai Mitzvah pARty In NYC

The Caress family of New York City celebrated the B’nai Mitzvah of their daughter Amanda and their son Ryan on December 5, 2015, at Temple Israel in New York City. There was an evening reception at the Edison Ballroom, an event space, also located in New York City.

They used the first initials of both Amanda and Ryan for their logo. This was one amazing pARty, enjoyed by family and friends.

Pictured L-R: Bat Mitzvah girl Amanda, Dad Jeffrey, Mom Tammy and Bar Mitzvah boy Ryan.

The photographer was H&H Photography and the rest of the vendor information is listed at the bottom of the spotlight.

Invitation and Service

Ryan and Amanda’s service was at Temple Israel. They both did a beautiful job chanting their Torah and Haftorah portions.

The family worked with Reed Cohen Paper and Events on the Tiffany blue and gold layered invitation

Amanda at the bimah

Ryan at the bimah

Tammy and Jeffrey Caress along with grandparents Dr. Danny and Madelyn Zelman and Dr. Donald and Amy Caress were beaming on the bimah with Amanda and Ryan

As guests entered the temple, there was a beautiful picture of Amanda and Ryan on display along with the kippot in a basket, candy and a framed note to guests

Mitzvah Style

The family was all smiles ready for the celebration to begin

Amanda posed in her cream and gold service dress

Ryan looked handsome in his suit and coordinating tie

For her celebration that evening, Amanda changed into her Jovani gown from Party Girl

Ryan looked sharp in his black DKNY suit and silver tie for the evening party

Mitzvah Decor and Details

The place cards, signage, posters and sign-in were created by Balloon Artistry.

The Edison Ballroom is a historic private event space in Manhattan

Twinning: Amanda sparkled in a long beaded and sequin Tiffany blue Jovani dress from Party Girl in Tenafly, New Jersey, while Ryan wore a crisp, black DKNY silk suit from Lubin’s, which was accented with a silver pocket square and worn over a white shirt and silver tie

Amanda in front of her oversized poster

Ryan in front of his poster

Their party logo, which featured the first initial from each of their names, looked great on the place card table by Balloon Artistry

Each table featured glowing custom lampshade centerpieces with pictures of Ryan and Amanda

Elegant table linens were used to complete the look

The party logo and monogram were alternately placed behind the bar

Small arrangements of roses completed the look

Iluminated custom centerpieces personalized the tables

The ballroom was lit in turquoise and blue uplighting accented with a gobo monogram on the dance floor

Customized lamp shades with wine glass bases dazzled the room

Pillows were made in navy, teal and silver with 'ACRC' and 'pARty' logos

Balloon Artistry created life size posters of Amanda and Ryan framed in lights

Ryan's poster

Balloon Artistry designed sign-in boards with over-sized pictures and Lucite overlays

Mitzvah Logo

Top Elements designed many logos which were used for the room decor and favors.

This logo was used around the room

Ryan's logo incorporated tennis

Amanda's logo incorporated dance and piano

Music Entertainment & Special Moments

MC Benny and the crew from EK Productions provided non-stop fun and dancing. Ryan and Amanda each had a special entrance. 

Ryan made his entrance with a big smile

Amanda entered escorted by two dancers

The Horah, twice as fun!

Nice moves Ryan!

The dance floor was packed all night

Costume Change: After the candle lighting, Amanda changed to a silver-beaded cocktail dress by LEXIE from Party Girl and Sarah Jessica Parker rhinestone stilettos for the father-daughter dance. After the dance, she changed into high heel Nike sneakers that were blinged-out with rhinestones

Ryan and his Mom danced to Ed Sheeran's song, “Thinking Out Loud”

Mitzvah Entertainment

Mentalist and magican Oz Pearlman from America's Got Talent fame was on hand to wow guests

Phil the Magic Man entertained during the cocktail hour

Guests enjoyed the Poker table and a Blackjack table where the dealers used custom playing cards with the pARty logo

Some fun hockey action

Ryan being roasted by his friends

Candle Lighting and Challah

Balloon Artistry created candle lighting displays for both Ryan and Amanda.

Amanda and Ryan lit the candles with their parents

With their friends

Grandparents Madelyn and Donald are being honored with a candle

Prayers over the challah with Grandpa Don Caress and Grandpa Danny Zelman

Favors

The girls got shopping bags and the boys got gym bags with the pARty logo

All the kids at the party customized sweatshirts from the Bling Bar from Top Elements

Ryan wearing his sweatshirt favor

Amanda enjoying her beanie cap with custom logo which was also given to each friend

Mitzvah Project

For their B’nai Mitzvah Project, these siblings raised money and awareness for stomach cancer, specifically for www.DebbiesDream.org, which was started by their Aunt Debbie. They organized multiple promotions and sold lemonade and cookies and sold tickets to a NYC event, Night of Laughter. Mitzvah Market recently profiled their great Mitzvah Project.

Amanda baking the cookies they sold

Delicious cookies and poster at the all day lemonade stand

Ryan working the booth

Mom to Mom Advice from Mom Tammy

“Start going through your pictures for your montage early, The day of bring slippers and make sure to take a family photo at the photo booth. Start your speeches early. Make a timeline of the night and stick to it! I hired a ‘day of’ person and I highly recommend that if you are not working with a party planner.”

Vendor Directory

The following vendors helped to make Amanda and Ryan’s B’nai Mitzvah special. If you give any of them a call, let them know you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com.

Venue: Edison Ballroom, 212-201-7650
Day of Event Person: Laura Goldstein
Cocktail Party Musicians: Metro Electric Trio
Music Entertainment: MC Benny, EK Productions, 718-982-6000
Signage, sign-in board, candle lighting and blow-ups: Balloon Artistry, 845-352-2828
Photographer/Videographer: H &H Photographers, 914-591-4200
Favors/dancer T-shirts: Top Elements, 732-972-8290
Décor and Florist: Atlas Floral Decorators, 212-707-8355
Photo lamp shades: Illuminaria, 978-706-1797
Party entertainment: Oz Pearlman
Magician: Phil the Magic Man, 914-260-5686
Invitation: Reed and Cohen Papers and Events, 212-757-7702
Cake: Cakes N Shapes, 212-629-5512
Linens table clothes: The Finishing Touch, 516-827-7433
Dresses for family members: Party Girl, 201-568-8804
Suits for family members: Lubins of Westchester, 914-713-0300