December 9th, 2015
Ruth Ridgeway of Ruth Ridgway Designs sent us a very chic Bat Mitzvah she planned and coordinated at The Loading Dock in Stamford, Connecticut.
The Bat Mitzvah girl, whose Mom is a Rabbi, wanted to celebrate her special day with Jewish tradition in a contemporary way.
Using a black, white and pink color palette, Ruth Ridgway and her team created an elegant and hip celebration of life, love and family.
Upon arrival, guests entered the gallery where a photo journey graced the walls of Bat Mitzvah girl Erin. Each section showed her at different ages with her family and friends
The banner that hung from the high ceiling included her logo, a modern take on the Star of David. Her initial “E” fitting perfectly inside
At the entrance of the service area, there were baskets that held kippot, Erin’s invitations and a beautiful flower arrangement
It is hard to imagine how an industrial space could be transformed into an intimate and chic space perfect for a Bat Mitzvah celebration
To make a tranquil ceremonial spot for the service, the Ruth Ridgeway Design team created a custom “Tree of Life” bimah using a cut-out screen table with a leaf pattern and leaf patterned Gobos that were projected on the draping behind
There were many fun areas to hang out in this unique space
The lounge furniture was alternating black, white and pink with lots of pillows and ottomans
Erin’s logo looked beautiful front and center over the Star of David themed bar
Modern black and white accent pieces adorned the wall over the communal seating
Family pictures that decorated the bar area was a lovely way to personalize the room
Erin’s Sweets and Treats – a sweet end to the evening
We thank Ruth Ridgeway Designs for sharing this great Bat Mitzvah with our readers.
Event Planner: Ruth Ridgeway Designs; Venue/Caterer: The Loading Dock/Abagail Kirsch
December 9th, 2015
EK Productions is a professional group of entertainers founded in 1986. Their company has grown from a successful DJ operation to a full scale event planning unit, specializing in videos, dancers, automated lighting and special effects, games, percussionists, MCs and other exciting entertainment for Bar Bat Mitzvah celebrations.
They are a boutique entertainment company only engaging in three to four events a weekend. They pride themselves on having the most unique and elaborate entertainment set-ups in the industry. They only use the best sound and lighting and they also event plan for their clients at no extra charge.
Introducing TECHNOBOT!
It’s the latest craze in Bar Bat Mitzvah party entertainment! Their Technobot is a “dancing machine” that guests of all ages will love. He’ll do a meet and greet during your cocktail hour and his LED lights and CO2 guns add to the fun.
Book their Technobot for your Bar Bat Mitzvah celebration at a special package price
This Robot is a big hit with kids of all ages!
To learn more about EK Productions, visit their extended profile page in our Vendor Directory.
December 6th, 2015
Pantone unveiled its 2016 Color of the Year and for the first time ever it’s two Colors of the Year.
A softer take on color, Serenity and Rose Quartz are hues of pale blue and pink and will be the in colors next year in fashion, make-up, interior design and event planning. With two colors to play with, there are countless opportunities for patterns and pairings.
Take a look at these beautiful shades!
Rose Quartz and Serenity
Check out how these Bar Bat Mitzvah vendors are already using these colors of 2016 in their Bar Bat Mitzvah planning!
The wall is bathed in the light of the Pantone colors at Chelsea Piers Connecticut
Rose Quartz and Serenity are combined for a Bat Mitzvah invitation from Cutie Patootie Creations
Pretty in Pink with pale blue accents at The Sands at Atlantic Beach
Hi-Tech Photography Events created a beautiful atmosphere using some of the Pantone colors of 2016
Lemon Leaf Prints creates a Bat Mitzvah invitation using both colors of 2016
H on the Harbor has a soft elegant look with soft pink and blue uplighting
Jaylor Party Favors created this Bat Mitzvah design on a pale pink sweatshirt and included blue Serenity in the design
A flower arrangement from Flower Power Designs made of hydrangea, stock, roses and snapdragons in the 2016 Pantone colors of the year… Rose Quartz and Serenity
We are sure we will be seeing a lot more of Rose Quartz and Serenity in the year ahead! Let us know if you use these colors for your child’s Bar Bat Mitzvah celebration. We can be reached at info@mitzvahmarket.com.
December 6th, 2015
When it comes to delectable food and flawless service for your child’s Bar Bat Mitzvah, one name stands out above the rest: KOMBERT CATERERS.
Since 1952, they have been family-owned and operated and over the years have built a reputation on satisfying clients for each and every event, from dream weddings and Bar/Bat Mitzvahs to corporate meetings and events.
Over the years, they have had small celebrations, large celebrations and everything in between. They have also seen every color combination and theme you can think of.
Here are some of the different looks of celebrations at Temple Avodah from Kombert Caterers:
A Rain Forest!
Pretty in pink!
A dressed up entrance
A sports theme
Purple accents
A pretty cake on display
If you would like to learn more about having your child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah with Kombert Caterers, visit their extended profile page.
December 6th, 2015
The Gany family of Woodbury, New York, celebrated son Ethan’s Bar Mitzvah on January 17, 2015, at Temple Chaverim in Plainview, New York.
Ethan’s love of basketball sneakers naturally led to a Foot Locker theme for his celebration.
Pictured left: Mom Bonnie, Bar Mitzvah boy Ethan and Dad Glenn
The photographer was Simon Miller from Simon Elliot Events and the rest of the vendors are listed at the bottom of this story.
Along with Mom Bonnie, the referee-striped invitation was designed by Ellen Elmaleh from TripleEproduction and ordered from My Metal Business Cards. They were sent in a black padded envelope
Ethan was all smiles on the bimah at Temple Chaverim
Matching the colors of the celebration, the yarmulkes came from Cool Kippahs
Mom Bonnie’s dress was from PeachesBoutique.com and the boys, (including brothers Nicolas & Tyler), all bought their suits at Kenny’s Boys & Menswear
Inspired by Foot Locker’s Approved campaign, Ethan’s logo appeared on all of the decor elements, favors and signage
The place cards were an identical copy of the Foot Locker gift card and each one had a different dollar amount indicating which table you were seated at
The highlight of the room decor was a handmade coffee table replica of a Nike shoe box, created by Ethan’s Dad Glenn!
All the sneakers in the centerpieces were from Ethan’s own collection and the top portion of the centerpieces rotated!
All the sneakers in the stage belonged to MC Carl. It was a total coincidence that Carl loved sneakers too!
Black table cloths with red napkins and candles added elegance to the sneaker theme
Mom Bonnie added little red, white and black Converse high tops on the tables with votive candles inside
Other tables featured striking white flowers in black vases of varying sizes
Logo’d LED tables added to the decor
Authentic shoe sizers decorated the sides of the referee-striped lighted tables
Another highlight of the decor was the incredible referee-striped dance floor!
Posters of Ethan were hung around the room
The doors to the ballroom were covered with large posters of Ethan with the logo on top
Ethan made his entrance with the ET dancers wearing logo’d t-shirts
Ethan posed with the ET crew including MC Carl
MC Carl kept the party going
Ethan’s friends had a great time
Hasson Caterers provided the red, black and white Nike basketball sneaker cake. Mom Bonnie purchased pillar candles from Michael’s, alternating black and white to keep with the referee stripe theme. She added a touch of red using letter glitter stickers, also from Michael’s
The lounge set-up included sleek white sofas and lighted furniture with red logos and referee-striped accent pillows
Friends enjoyed playing, Ethan’s House of Hoops aka Mitzvah Madness. ‘House of Hoops’ in Foot Locker stores is an exclusive section showcasing Nike basketball shoes
Ethan’s friends had trouble deciding on a design at the Elite Feet kiosk
Guests enjoyed Stick-A-Pic photo favors also from Simon Elliot Events
Sweatshirt favors were creatively distributed in authentic sneaker boxes! The shoe boxes were ordered online. They arrived flat and Mom Bonnie put them together and affixed custom labels on each one
Sweatshirts with a cool urban logo were inside each shoe box
A “Friends and Family” sign promoted “FREE dance floor socks – today only!”
Water bottles wrapped in labels with Ethan’s custom logo
Hasson Caterers provided a Good Humor ice cream truck
For Ethan’s Mitzvah Project, this past fall he participated in the Lustgarten Foundation’s Walk for the Cure for Pancreatic Cancer. He did this in support of his dad’s childhood friend Paul Forman. Featured above: Ethan with Paul and Dad Glenn at Jones Beach after completing the walk
Advice from Mom Bonnie:
“It’s a lot of work. So many little details to juggle, but totally worth it when you see it all come together in the end result! I can’t stress enough how important it is to stay calm no matter what hiccups happen along the way. And they will! Just let the people you hire assist when they offer, and trust that they know what they’re doing. Also, if you’re going to do a lot of it yourself, as I did, it definitely doesn’t hurt to have a helpful husband and some good friends to run ideas by!”
The following vendors helped to make Ethan’s celebration special, if you give any of them a call, let them know you read about their products and services on MitzvahMarket.com.
Venue: Temple Chaverim
Catering/Cake: Scott, Hasson Catering,
Music Entertainment: MC Carl, ET Events
Party Planner/Favors: Mom & Ellen Elmaleh, TripleEproduction
Photographer/Videographer/Party Entertainment: Simon Miller, Simon Elliot Events
Invitation: Design, Mom & Ellen Elmaleh, TripleEproduction
Invitation: My Metal Business Cards
Logo Design/Water Bottle Labels/Hot Chocolate Labels/Shoebox Labels/Seating Cards: Ellen Elmaleh
Shoe Boxes: U-line.com
Shoe box Labels: Onlinelabels.com
Kippot: CoolKippahs.com
Décor/florist: Combination of Hasson Caterers (Tables, Draping & Balloons), ET Events (Dance Floor, Cubbies, Stage), Simon Elliot Events (All the Blow-ups, Mitzvah Madness, Green Screen & Elite Feet)
Suits for men and boys: Kenny’s Boys & Menswear
Mom’s dress: PeachesBoutique.com
Hair/makeup: Unique Salon Syosset
December 2nd, 2015
Sometimes it is hard to come up with a Bar Bat Mitzvah theme for your child. Thinking about their first name and initials can often spark an idea. As was the case for this Bat Mitzvah celebration.
With the help of LIghter Than Air Events, Emily’s Bat Mitzvah theme centered around her first name and her love of Emojis!
EM, as in Emoji’s, was tied into “Emily’s” theme in very creative ways since there are Emojis for all of her different emotions and expressions.
Get inspired with the below photos from this adorable celebration:
Emily’s celebration took place at Jewel in Melville, New York
The step n repeat, featuring her Emoji logo, was created by Party Harty who provided the music entertainment
Poster-size photos of Emily decorated the room at the Jewel Restaurant
The centerpieces included a logo’d lamp shade with a glass vase filled with yellow gumballs
The gumballs had smiley faces like the Emojis
The sign-in mirror decorated with the Emoji logo
The long tables ready for guests
Light-up cylinder centerpieces with Emily’s logo on tables in the kids’ area
Custom logo’d pillows for the couches
VENDORS:
Decor/Theme: Lighter Than Air Events
Music Entertainment: Party Harty
Venue: Jewel Restaurant
Photographer: White Light Photography & Videography
November 29th, 2015
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November 29th, 2015
Chelsea Piers Connecticut is excited to announce the newest addition to its 465,000 square foot complex. The LOFT opened in March 2015 and is a 4,000 square foot fully-customizable event space ideal for Bar Bat Mitzvah parties and corporate events.
This high-end industrial-style event space is perfect for your child’s Bar Bat Mitzvah celebration. It can accommodate 50 to 260 guests and a wide range of event formats.
Guests love the high ceilings
Chelsea Piers Connecticut is quickly becoming one of the most popular destinations for unique and entertaining special events and parties. The entire Chelsea Piers complex can accommodate up to 6,200 guests, with event formats that include Team Building, Activity Outings, Meetings, Holiday Parties and Receptions. With unparalleled sports venues and a range of dedicated event spaces, Chelsea Piers Connecticut can also be booked for Experiential Marketing Programs, Media Events, Expos and Location Shoots.
There’s plenty of space for guests to mingle
Beautiful wood floors
The space is flexible to accommodate all types of event themes
The primary catering partner for the LOFT is Great Performances Catering. Great Performances, one of New York City’s premier catering companies, is known for incorporating seasonal ingredients into its delicious, innovative and beautifully designed food presentations. Great Performances counts many of the city’s most high-profile cultural institutions and landmark properties as clients, including Sotheby’s, The Plaza Hotel, the Asia Society, BAM, and Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola at Lincoln Center. Great Performances is the only New York City-based caterer to own and operate its own 60-acre organic farm, Katchkie Farm, in Kinderhook, New York. Chelsea Piers Connecticut is currently accepting reservations for events to be held at the LOFT.
To learn more about Chelsea Piers Connecticut, visit their extended profile page in our Vendor Directory and check out the Social Events page on their Website.
November 28th, 2015
By Carrie Berk
About Carrie Berk
I’m an 8th grade Bar & Bat Mitzvah teen blogger for MitzvahMarket.com and live on the Upper East Side in NYC. I love fashion, soul cycle, theater, hanging out with friends, and cupcakes (I have a blog about them: www.facebook.com/PLCCupcakeClub). My Bat Mitzvah Project is for my dance teacher and friend, Elizabeth Maria Walsh, who died of a rare form of cancer at just 26 years old. Direct message me on Instagram (@carrieberkk) for information on how to donate, and follow me for more fun Bat Mitzvah photos!
Since my camp friend Hailey Levine is such a high-energy, outgoing, and fun-loving girl, I knew that her Bat Mitzvah would match her personality.
Hailey and Carrie
Hailey with her proud parents
She chose pink (her fave color) for the theme as well as the letter “H.” All her fellow Camp Hillard CITs got a big kick out of it and teased that the H was for Hillard!
When we first walked into the venue—Guastavino’s under the 59th Street Bridge in NYC—there was a huge poster of Hailey. So glam!
At the cocktail hour, we played a game called “Friendly Feud” where Hailey’s besties could answer trivia questions in teams. There was also a huge buffet serving a large variety of delicious foods, from sushi and sliders, to mozzarella sticks.
Signage included her name hung over the bar
Then it was time to go upstairs for the main party. I made a beeline for the Nail Art Bar. So cool! My friends and I had photos of our faces “painted” on our nails in less than 3 minutes!
There was a green-screen photo booth, and also a karaoke booth, where you could pick your favorite song and sing it with a friend. The best part: I got to take home a CD with the song to remember Hailey’s special day!
The boys surrounded the basketball hoops…and I have to admit, I shot a few as well.
After we danced and danced, we sat down to chill on white sofas and comfy chairs. I loved the giant “H” in the center of the lounge. Everything felt so special and customized for Hailey.
Hailey up in the chair for the horah
When it was time for dessert, they served vanilla and chocolate milkshakes. But I have to admit, I stole a bite of one of the adult’s plated chocolate lava cakes. It was sooo delicious!
Hailey’s cake was enormous and as beautiful as the Bat Mitzvah girl: pink, white, and gold details on multiple tiers. The inside was vanilla cake with milk chocolate icing, and my friends and I inhaled it!
For favors, Hailey chose grey hoodies and white beanies, all with a golden “H” emblazoned on them. Guess what I wore the next day?
As we left the party, guests were welcomed into a candy bar with sweets “to grab and go,” and invited to take home a slice from the pizza truck stationed outside.
I am so proud of Hailey and glad to have spent her incredibly beautiful Bat Mitzvah with her!
Vendors: Event Decor: Stefan Event Decor; Music Entertainment/Photo booth: Total Entertainment; Venue: Guastavinos;
Cake: Cakesbyandrea; Photographer: iNsYnc Photography; Party planner: Michelle Farber, mstudioevents; Dress: Mori Lee Sticks and Stones; Food Truck: Eddie’s Pizza Truck
Read more of Carrie’s blog posts:
Blog #1 here
Blog #2 here
Blog #3 here
Blog #4 here
November 22nd, 2015
The Calderon family of Springfield, New Jersey, celebrated their daughter Alyssa’s with the service at Temple Sha’arey Shalom in Springfield Township, New Jersey, and a party following at Cedar Hill Golf and Country Club in Livingston, New Jersey. The celebration was themed after the popular ice cream snack, Dippin’ Dots, but for this party was called, Alyssa’s Creamery.
Abella Studios was the photographer and the rest of the vendor information is listed at the end of the spotlight.
Pictured above L-R: Dad Alan, Bat Mitzvah girl Alyssa, Brother Jason and Mom Marci.
The family worked with Kindly RSVP Designs on the pocket invitation. The RSVP card and directions were in the right side pocket
After her celebration, Alyssa’s invitation was made into a glass jewelry box by CBL Fine Art
Alyssa on the Bimah with her Yad that she created at Religious School
The logo, designed by Balloon Artistry, was inspired by Dippin’ Dots ice cream, Alyssa’s favorite
Guests’ place cards were attached to jars filled with varying colors of sprinkles — perfect for an ice cream themed party!
Alyssa looked great in her silver beaded cocktail dress from Seng Couture and blinged-out Converse sneakers
Each table was named after an ice cream flavor using logo’d boxed centerpieces and featured clear sparkle balloons with LED lights and purple up lighting
The sign-in mirror is now in her bedroom; a perfect reflection of Alyssa’s celebration
Alyssa made her grand entrance onto a ‘smokey’ dance floor!
Alyssa with MC Ronnie of Party King Entertainment
MC Ronnie entertained Alyssa and her friends
Chalkboard signs added to the fun
Claudia of It Could be Verse designed the candle lighting puzzle created from a poster size photo of Alyssa as a baby and mounted into 13 inter-locking puzzle pieces. Then as the guests come up for their honor they completed the puzzle and a current picture of Alyssa is revealed. Alyssa posed next to her baby picture at the beginning of the puzzle lighting ceremony
As the honorees were called up, each one used a puzzle piece to make Alyssa “whole”
Ta-da! The big reveal!
Balloon Artistry created the basketball pinnies for the boys and lacrosse pinnies for the girls.
Bat Mitzvah Project
Alyssa volunteers at The Friendship Circle in Livingston, New Jersey, which provides services to students with multiple disabilities. She routinely volunteers on Sunday mornings, assisting her friends with a variety of activities including music, gym and art. Additionally, she participates in monthly cooking classes and has assisted her buddies in both the summer and winter camps held there this past year.
Alyssa (2nd from left) with her friends at the Friendship Circle Volunteer banquet. She received the Presidential award for volunteering so many hours!
Mom Advice From Marci:
“Explore your options early enough so you don’t have to “settle” for a venue, DJ, etc. Be organized and keep a spreadsheet of your vendors deposits and due dates. Create one master guest list and then use that list to give to the invitation lady or calligrapher, the decorator for place cards and for yourself to print labels for your child when they write their Thank You notes! Also, have fun and enjoy the process. It all works out in the end!”
Vendor Directory
The following vendors helped to make Alyssa’s Bat Mitzvah special. If you give any of them a call, please let them know you read about their products or services on MitzvahMarket.com.
Party Venue: Cedar Hill Country Club, 973-992-4700
Photographer/Videographer: Abella Studios, 732-254-8000
Music Entertainment/Photo favors: Party King Entertainment, 973-575-5511
Logo/Place cards/Centerpieces/Favors: Balloon Artistry, 845-352-2828
Invitations: Rachel Zemel, Kindly RSVP Designs, 410-935-1413
Candle Lighting puzzle: Claudia, It Could Be Verse, 732-679-8093
Invitation Jewelry Frame: CBL Fine Art, 973-736-7776
Bat Mitzvah girl Alyssa and Mom’s Marci’s cocktail dresses: Seng Couture, 908-322-8700
Suits for Dad Alan and brother Jason: Sams Fine Men’s Clothing, 973-422-1000
