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!
I was super excited to attend my best friend, Jaimie Ludwig’s Bat Mitzvah–we’ve been friends since preschool and we have so many wonderful memories together. I got a little teary because Jaimie and I have grown up together, and now she’s a young woman in the eyes of the Jewish community. Her service at Temple Shaaray Tefila was amazing, and I love that for her Mitzvah Project, she picked a charity that donates shoes to people who need them. She is such a shoe girl!
When I first walked into the reception at Slate, there was a step n’ repeat with a red carpet and a logo that spotlighted her initials, “JL” in the logo, “Just Love to Party.” Clever, huh?
A photographer snapped pics of us on the red carpet as we entered. I felt like a real celeb!
Pink and pretty was her choice for a sign-in book. I loved the feather pen–so Jaimie!
While the adults mingled, there was a big kids lounge featuring a huge pool table, foosball, a photo booth, even shuffleboard. I took tons of photos with Jaimie, who looked absolutely beautiful in her long silver gown with a sequin bodice
Then, it was time to eat! There was a buffet for the kids with yummy sliders, french fries, mac n’ cheese, and onion rings, all of Jaimie’s favorite foods!
For the parents, there was a table set up with a beautiful white and pink flower display. The adults were served steak and salmon–my parents said their food was delicious!
Then, it was time to dance off our meal with the DJ playing us today’s hits!
We did the “Whip Nae Nae” and then the Horah, of course
But the highlight of the reception was Jaimie’s besties presenting her with special mementos. I gave her a pillow with pictures of us over the years–nearly 200 of them in a collage!
We all lined up and shared our favorite memories of the Mitzvah girl
Dessert time! Jaimie had a dessert bar with mini ice cream cones, cookies, brownies, and mini cheesecakes. In a word…delish!
I am so proud of Jaimie and I had so much fun at her incredible party. Her logo says it all, the guests “Just Loved To Party With Her!”
VENDORS: Party planner: Mari Ann Giliberto, Plan a Partymare; Venue/Food: Slate Bar and Grill; Photographer: Frank Padrone, Full Circle Photography; Photo Booth: Party Up Productions; Custom Made Dress: Gotham
Read more of Carrie’s blog posts:
Blog #1
Blog #2
Blog #3
Blog #4
Blog #5
Blog #6
