Matthew Tyler Bennett celebrated his Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, May 11, 2013 at Temple Beth Am in Parsippany, New Jersey and a reception at Skylands at Randolph in Randolph, New Jersey.
Mom Inez is a top party planner in New Jersey and incorporated many great details and vibrant colors to capture Matthew’s love of paintball.
Pictured L-R: Mom Inez, Bar Mitzvah boy Matthew, Dad Andy and Sister Kaitlyn.
Joselyn Diaz of Majestic Entertainment was the photographer and the rest of the vendor information is listed below.
There was a beautiful service at Temple Beth Am. Matthew included a memory candle for his grandfathers, Antonio and Albert, who passed in 2007. His maternal grandmother Maria read a prayer in Spanish, which she wrote for Matthew.
A family picture with paternal grandmother Lottie next to Matthew and maternal grandmother Maria next to sister Kaitlyn
Matthew looked very handsome in his suit from Jos. A. Bank.
Matthew’s theme was paintball, one of his favorite activities, and the place cards set the tone for the party.
Each place card was attached to a lanyard and had Matt’s logo with splashes of paint
The majestic entrance to the Skylands at Randolph.
Mom Inez owns Elaborate Parties by Bennett and was involved in every aspect of creating the vibrant paintball themed decor. Working with the florist, The Potted Geranium, they created vivid centerpieces using different primary colors on each table.
The entrance to the adult cocktail area with the adult place cards
This blue table had blue flowers, with blue paint splats, blue menu cards, blue table numbers and blue napkins
The Bennett family created the centerpieces for the kids’ tables, which had a paintball silhouette on top and real paint balls in the tube.
A table decorated in red
Even the ice sculpture incorporated the paintball decor
Displayed in a paint splattered frame, the signature cocktail, “Orange Creamsicle Matt-tini,” was a play on Matt’s name
When it was time for Matthew to make his way into the reception, he changed from his service suit into all black. He stood out in the crowd with a paint splattered tie which mom Inez said was “quite a challenge to find!”
Wearing some cool shades, Matthew is escorted into the ballroom by two Gemini DJ dancers
Gemini DJ’s and MC Joe created a great party and dancing atmosphere.
Matthew’s up in the chair!
Matthew and his friends having a great time
The dance floor was always packed
Always time for a photo op
There was an abundance of entertainment during the cocktail hour.
Listening to the calypso sounds of the Tropical Beat Steel Band
Matthew’s friends enjoyed some gaming tables provided by Events Plus Entertainment
Multi-talented performer R.J. Lewis entertained on the ground
And on stilts
Some of the additional decor elements that also included the paint ball theme were:
The gift box, where envelopes were kept, read “Eat, Sleep, Paintball” and had paint splats with Matthew’s name and date
Personalized chocolate bars and personalized menu cards done in different primary colors to match napkins and table numbers
Matthew had a traditional candle lighting ceremony and a modern cake with pops of color.
Matthew’s cake was baked by the Skylands at Randolph’s own baker
Matthew with his friends after honoring them all with a candle for friendship
After finishing his candle lighting, Matthew posed with his family
The kids favors were white t-shirts with Matthew’s silhouette playing paintball created by Party Art. During the reception, NPA Party Productions provided airbrush graffiti artists that personalized the t-shirts on the front and back any way the kids wanted.
Matthew’s logo and date
Guests picked up their custom made t-shirts on their way out
Guests were treated to a candy buffet which the Bennetts decorated with glass containers and paintball tape.
Matthew chose the Cuban Relief Project which collects over the counter medicines for under privileged Jews in Cuba. Twenty people, including the Bennett Family and 8 students from Hillel at Drew University, personally delivered the medications to Havana, Cuba. The trip required a humanitarian license from the United States Government. Matthew organized a paintball fundraiser in February to raise money for his project. His goal was to reach $1,000 in donations. He surpassed his goal by raising $2,500.
Honoring both his Cuban and Jewish heritage, Matthew showed off his collection of much-needed medicines for Cuba’s diminished Jewish population
Advice from mom Inez:
“Since I am a planner by trade, I plan everything way in advance. Try to tackle projects one day at a time and don’t wait until the last minute to do things because the last month gets really crazy with everything else. On the day of, “take it all in” and enjoy every second. If something goes wrong, don’t sweat the small stuff and remember what’s really important is the unity of all your family and friends and your child achieving such a great milestone.”
The following vendors helped to make Matthew’s celebration special. If you give any of them a call, please let them know you read about their products and services on MitzvahMarket.com.
Temple: Temple Beth Am, 973-887-0046
Venue: The Skylands at Randolph, 973-328-8600
Party Planner: Mom Inez Bennett, Elaborate Parties by Bennett, 973-660-0912
Photographer: Joselyn Diaz, Majestic Entertainment, 973-296-0016
Decor/Invitation/Place cards: Elaborate Parties by Bennett
Florist: The Potted Geranium Florist, 973-515-3433
Music Entertainment: MC Joe, Gemini DJ’s, 973-686-1003
Steel Band: Tropical Beat Steel Band, 800-335-8647
Magician: R.J. Lewis, 908-387-0114
Extra Entertainment: Gaming tables, Phreddy Cantor, Events Plus Entertainment, 973-503-1700
Air Brush Artists: NPA Party Productions, 917-446-2228
T-shirts with Matt’s Logo: Party Art, 973-216-8067
Cubbies: Lounge It Up, 973-616-7818
Cake: The Skylands at Randolph
Gift Card Box/Menu cards/Chocolate Bars: Elaborate Parties by Bennett
Dresses for Mom Inez: Nicole Miller; Kaitlyn Lord & Taylor
Bar Mitzvah Boy Matthew: Jos. A. Bank
Dad Andy’s suit: Calvin Klein
Hair/makeup: Denise, Gabanti Salon, 973-240-7731
Transportation: First Student
