A Pretty Little Liars Themed Bat Mitzvah in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The Becker family of Gladwyne, Pennsylvania, celebrated their daughter Emma’s Bat Mitzvah at Philadelphia’s Hotel Monaco. The party followed at Tendenza event space also in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

This is a family that loves everything about Halloween. Emma’s parents got married on Halloween and her Mitzvah Project was also related Halloween. It wasn’t surprising that they decided on a black and white Halloween theme and some fun elements from Emma’s favorite television show, “Pretty Little Liars.”

Pictured L-R: Mom Hollee, Brother Dylan, Dad Lance and Bat Mitzvah girl Emma.

Photography was by Tony Hoffer Photography (who had never shot a Bat Mitzvah before!) and the rest of the vendors are listed at the bottom of the spotlight.

 Mitzvah Invitation, Service & Style

The invitation was created by Mom Hollee on Zazzle.com. It came packaged in a custom glossy black box from PaperMart.com imprinted with the Pretty Little Liars tagline “Got a Secret. Can You Keep It?” Inside, guests found a card encased in a clear envelope filled with real dirt and a mini plastic shovel. Emma’s service was held at The Hotel Monaco.

On the card was the "Pretty Little Liars" signature "Shhhh!" along with the message "Who is E?"

The invitation directed guests to the memberoftheEteam.com event website created by Hollee, where party details were revealed along with the message that "Some secrets are worth digging for."

Emma up on the bimah

Because it was Halloween, Emma's kippot were orange satin

This was a black and white themed party so Emma changed after her service into a sparkly silver and white dress from Rissy Roo for the reception

Here with MC John, Emma is wearing an additional three-tiered removable over-skirt that Mom Hollee had custom made by a designer she found on Etsy.com

Mitzvah Details

Emma is a huge fan of the television series “Pretty Little Liars,” based around the mystery “Who is A?” Since the party was held on Halloween they decided to run with the mystery, “Who is E?” Tendenza is a modern, industrial chic loft space. Beautiful Blooms created the table decor and Mom Hollee’s great ideas were incorporated all over. 

The Becker family keeping some secrets on the party details

In a nod to Halloween, white vampire teeth were used to hold the place cards

The teeth were a last minute addition and they turned out to be a huge hit with the guests!

Mom Hollee made the table numbers by "blinging" out white pumpkins

Beautiful Blooms created the mood with long communal adult tables featuring white pumpkins mixed with glistening stemmed candle cups and chunky white pillars, all wrapped in silver barbed wire

This picture captures the room which was sophisticated and fun. Episodes of "Pretty Little Liars" were playing on the video screens as guests walked in

Picking up on the “Pretty Little Liars” theme, lip pillows were on the couches in the kids lounge. There were also pillows that Mom Hollee created on Zazzle.com using pictures taken directly from Emma's Instagram feed

Mom Hollee and Dad Lance strike a pose with the greeters on hand serving drinks from smoking trays that were decorated with custom black raspberry "misfortune" cookies

The Pretty Little Lairs font was used on the kids' drink cups punctuated with custom red "E" Krazy Straws

There were E-shaped candy dishes on the tables and the "Shhh" logo on menus

Bathroom towels featuring a popular quote from "Pretty Little Liars"

Bathroom amenities also featured custom lip balm, mints, hair ties and ear plugs in jars Mom Hollee bought at Home Goods

Emma on the dance floor logo, which revealed that "E is for Emma"

The huge canvas sign-in board was designed on Zazzle.com using the "Pretty Little Liars" font

 Music & Entertainment

MC John and his crew from Unique Musique knew what a special celebration this was and kept the party going all night long.  Not only was it Emma’s Bat Mitzvah celebration and Halloween but it also was Emma’s parents anniversary!

Mom and Dad making their entrance

Emma entered with two Unique Musique dancers

Emma right over the DJ booth to drop the first beat!

Then it was Horah time, we love her expression!

Cool red sock giveaways were a big hit and came packaged in white boxes that said...

"Trick or Treat, Smell My Feet"

In keeping with the "Pretty Little Liars" theme, guests could get their "Mug Shots" taken in the "Rosewood Police Department." Guest booth provided by Hoffer Photography

Since it was Halloween, guests could get into the spooky spirit at the Glam Bar from Lexi Style Boutique. Make-up artists were on hand to bling out the girls with fake eyelashes and sparkly eye art

They also offered glittery Halloween-themed tattoos

An airbrush station was available where guests could create their own custom designs on black and white trucker hats

Guests were asked to "Instagram" the night by posting their pics with the hashtag #emmasbatmitz from Jones Street Press

Emma and her friends getting into the Halloween spirit

Instead of a traditional candle lighting, Emma handed out red glow sticks to her guests

Then she asked them to "Bend it like Becker," and drop them in a vase to help her "light up the night"

Mitzvah Moment

The biggest highlight of the night was the surprise hip hop routine Emma and Dad Lance broke into a few seconds into their traditional father/daughter dance.

Watch here

Both did a great job!

Another highlight was younger brother Dylan's speech. He made Emma an acrostic poem spelling out the letters of her name

During the cocktail hour, Emma's friends presented her with this awesome "Pretty Little Liars" themed "E" mirror

Mitzvah Treats & Favor

At the end of the night, waiters dressed in costumes circulated with desserts. The sweatshirt favors were from The Mitzvah Mavens. 

Cescaphe Events created the striking black and white cake Emma found on Pinterest.com

The topper was a Lucite red 'E" Mom Hollee purchased from Peachwik on Etsy.com

Some of these delicious treats included Oreo Chipwiches, E-emblazoned black and white cookies, and mini black and white milkshakes with fries

These Halloween buckets made a great presentation for their Bat Mitzvah favors

Members of the "E" Team (camp friends) rocking their new hoodies the next morning!

It was Halloween, so of course there was an amazing assortment of candy along with Philly Cheese Steaks and soft pretzels!

The Philly Cheese Steaks and soft pretzels were sealed with a custom label that read: "The Party's Not Over Until I Say It Is"

Emma giving all her guests a farewell high five at the end of the night

Mitzvah Project 

When it came time to choose a Mitzvah Project, it was clear it had to be connected to Halloween! The Becker family helped Emma with her fundraiser, “Costumes for a Cause” benefiting Little Smiles.  We featured it on Mitzvah Market, to read more about this great project click here.

 Emma sitting on top of all the costumes she collected

Mom to Mom

 Some advice from Mom Hollee:
“Emma and I had the best time planning this party! Once she came up with the theme, we just embraced who she is and ran with it. It was such a great bonding experience, and I am so grateful for the time we spent brainstorming and tackling some of the smaller projects. There are so many great resources online — don’t be afraid to use them! And once you figure out what you want the night look like, focus on what you want your party to feel like. We had a lot of guests, but we wanted the room to feel lively and intimate — like a whimsical dinner party that suddenly turns into an awesome dance party where every single person becomes part of the celebration. Let your child lead the way. Then just let go, soak up all the love and laughter in the room and enjoy every single moment because it goes by way too fast!”

 Vendor Directory

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

Venue: Tendenza, 215-238-5750
Photographer/Guestbooth: Tony Hoffer Photography, 484-693-0055
Videographer: Trabbland, 215-867-9208
Event Website/Montage/Logos/Labels: Hollee Becker
Music Entertainment: MC John, Unique Musique Entertainment, 732-431-4082
Table Decor: Beautiful Blooms, 215-925-9300
Greeters: Jewelz Entertainment, 267-241-0577
Favor Sweatshirts: The Mitzvah Mavens, 610-642-4002
Airbrushed Trucker Hats: P Mad Graffix
Glam Bar: LexiStyle, 201-401-2703
Invitation/Sign-In Board/Pillows: Zazzle.com
Instagram signs: Jones Street Press, 770-851-9807
E straws: Krazy Straws
Cake: Tendenza, 215-238-5750
Custom Black Raspberry Fortune Cookies: KCFortuneCookieFactory.com
Clear Envelopes with Mini Shovel and Real Dirt: GoldenOpenings.com
Custom Imprinted Glossy Black Boxes: PaperMart.com
Save the Date Magnets: WeddingPaperDivas.com
Custom Kids Stadium Cups: ForYourParty.com
Orange Kippahs: Skullcap.com
Emma’s dress: Rissy Roos and Angel Bridal on Etsy.com
Mom Hollee’s dress: Intermix