Many of you might know Dr. and Mrs. Mitzvah from the blog posts they’ve written for Mitzvah Market leading up to their son Blake’s Bar Mitzvah.
Their celebration took place at Temple Beth Am of Margate, Florida, and the reception at the Double Tree by Hilton Deerfield Beach, Boca Raton, Florida.
“Best of Blake ” was their fun theme and the collaboration of wonderful vendors, including Mom Danielle’s edible chocolate favors, which made the planning experience that much more special.
Pictured above L-R: Bar Mitzvah boy Blake, Dad David, Mom Danielle and Sister Skylar.
Michael Lelchuk of Flash Photo and Video took portraits of the family at the temple. At the reception, Aaron Lurie of VMA Studio and Michael Lelchuk of Flash Photo and Video were on hand. The rest of the vendors they used are listed at the end of the spotlight.
The custom invitation in black, red and white was modern and elegant with a silver name plate on the front. The family worked with Joy, owner of Joy Bofshever Stationery and Invitations. The front featured a glossy “faux croc” texture
The text “Walk the red carpet, Dine and Dance,” hinted at the theme
Event planner Bianca Cirillo, of Tied With A Bow! was responsible for the unique calligraphy
The service at Temple Beth Am was wonderful as friends and family watched Blake become a Bar Mitzvah. Blake during his formal portraits
Blake in the middle of his extended family including grandparents and great grandparents
Mom Danielle created the service program featuring Blake on the cover
Red suede star design on the kippot
The cute inscription inside each kippot
The DoubleTree by Hilton Deerfield Beach-Boca Raton was the venue and Director of Catering, Michelle Brooks, took care of everything. With the help of day-of-event planner Bianca Cirillo, of Tied With A Bow!, David Dalsimer of Dalsimer Atlas Floral and Event Decorators and Chad Everett of Galaxy Entertainment Productions, the theme, “Best of Blake,” was expertly woven into every aspect of the evening.
The Ockman family wanted to create a formal “Red Carpet” Bar Mitzvah theme to celebrate Blake’s achievements. Guests were greeted by this sign letting them know they have arrived at Blake’s Premiere!
From the minute guests walked the red carpet into the venue they were wowed by the decor of Dalsimer Atlas Floral and Events.
The entrance into the ballroom draped in black and gold
Black, red and gold linens and gold Oscar-inspired statues, along with “Best of…” posters, decorated the room
Statuettes were used as vases that held lush rose centerpieces
Lower centerpieces had “Oscar” on top
The ceiling treatment made a real statement in alternating black and gold fabric enhanced with lighting
It’s all in the details and this Bar Mitzvah had so many great ones! Signage for Blake’s “V.I.P.” area designated for kids
“Best of Blake” wall gobo from Chad Everett of Galaxy Productions was a beautiful design element in the room
The star-studded Step n Repeat from Cocktail Hour entertainment
The custom gold Gatsby bar from Jamie Oristano of Just Bars had a real Hollywood vibe
The valet, Global Parking Solutions, used this sign to guide the guests
The custom “Red Carpet” menu
At each place setting there were chocolate covered Oreos in mini martini glasses created by Mom Danielle’s company, Favor It Things
The Pieced Palette created a pillow with Blake’s invitation which was on display at their celebration
Amy Kratish of MYFace Instant Photos and Montages created the sign-in book.
Blake looked like a star!
Living statues, strolling tables and LED robots were just some of the wow factor from Galaxy Entertainment Productions that came “alive” to interact with guests.
A strolling “live” table to welcome guests
This illuminated LED giant robot was looking for a dance partner
MC Alberto of Pure Energy Music Entertainment and owner Mike Sipe were on hand to host the party. The DJ played great music and kept everyone on the dance floor all night! Blake made a grand entrance into the ballroom
Blake with his Dad
Blake posing in the middle with Pure Energy Music Entertainment dancers and MC Alberto
The dancers entertained the guests
Handing out give-aways on the dance floor
There was no shortage of fun at this party starting with an assortment of arcade games from Cocktail Hour Entertainment. There were glow-in-the-dark cotton candy sticks from Top Hat Entertainment and The Amazing Starbooth, a karaoke activity, provided by Scott Edelsberg of Funtastic Photo favors.
So was the claw machine!
Guests enjoyed glow-in-the-dark cotton candy sticks
The family had seen the “The Starbooth” in local malls and wanted one for the reception. It’s a karaoke booth that records the performance and is given to the guest as a party favor. It also gets uploaded to the Starbooth website
Blake’s friends loved the airbrush hats by Freddie Venezia of Art Spot Entertainment
Chad Ehret of Timeline Video Productions created a great teaser summing up Blake’s celebration including special words from his parents. Watch the video here
Blake was lucky enough to have his great grandparents, Stan and Evelyn Wissner, attend and give a speech during his Bar Mitzvah, what a wonderful Mitzvah moment!
Blake in between his grandfather, Richard Marks, and great grandfather.
A custom challah cover, decorated with a Red Carpet image, had Blake’s Torah portion embroidered on top… A treasure for many Shabbats to come!
The 5-tiered cake by Paloma Klaymer Souza of Dona Doce Cakes was delicious and included edible pictures of Blake! The cake was a work of art!
A porcelain cake topper in the likeness of Blake holding an “Oscar” statue
Caterina Macarons were a delicious addition to the celebration
During the candle lighting, or “Best of Blake” ceremony, guests received stars.
Grandmother Michele Ockman
Carolyn’s Creationz designed a star-studded colorful candy buffet for Blake and his guests. Carolyn also made the banner behind the candy buffet
Wicked Awesome Sweets and Treats… Shirley Weiss made the logo cookies for the “Best of Blake” theme!
Near the end of the celebration, there were many edible favors from Favor It Things, including a custom VIP pass for guests made from 100% edible chocolate
Edible chocolate camera for the “paparazzi”
Chocolate picture frames with edible images of Blake
The end of night surprise was great as Blake and sister Skylar hopped on a dessert food truck, “Sweet Cravings NY,” to help owners Russ and Jana D’Agostino serve homemade sweets and ice cream creations to guests. The montage played on the side of the truck as guests mingled
They look like naturals
Blake and friend, Brandon Rozales, chose to raise funds for children in need and were able to secure enough funds to fulfill the holiday wish lists of seven children at Jewish Adoption and Foster Care Options (JAFCO). They felt that family is the most important thing to them and they wanted to make sure that they supported an organization that helped these children maintain their Jewish identity and wanted to let the children know that they not forgotten.
Blake and Brandon sold bracelets imprinted with the message “Every child is a gift.” They also had chocolate sales and collected donations
Some advice from Mom Danielle:
“The best way that we survived planning a memorable event for all of our family and friends was to start planning early (2 1/2 years out) and reaching out to other parents for support and friendship. We found that support on Mitzvah Market and through the development of our successful “South Florida Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah Planning Group” on Facebook. Thanks to our careers and our ‘Bar Mitzvah planning turned hobby on steroids,’ we became known as “Dr. and Mrs. Mitzvah.” Supporting other parents and linking us all to the right vendors made our own planning stress free and a wonderful experience. Our group’s motto, ‘good luck is the result of good planning.’ We enjoyed every minute of our planning and watching our son shine in the presence of those who adore him as he reached this spiritual milestone.”
The following vendors helped to make Blake’s celebration special. If you give any of them a call, please let them know you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com
Venue: Michelle Brooks, DoubleTree By Hilton Deerfield Beach-Boca Raton, 954-427-1779
Day of Event Coordination/Calligraphy: Bianca Cirillo, Tied With a Bow, 954-864-9100
Temple/Reception Photographer: Michael Lelchuk, Flash Photo and Video, 561- 640-7753
Reception Photographer: Aaron Lurie, VMA Studios, 561-251-1917
Videographer: Chad Ehret, Timeline Video Productions, 954-571-5155
Event Producer: Chad Everett, Galaxy Entertainment Productions, 954-851-9599
Music Entertainment: Mike Sipe, MC Alberto, Pure Energy Entertainment, 800-969-5121
Invitations: Joy Bofshever, Joy Bofshever Stationery and Invitations, 954-694-4355
Décor: David Dalsimer, Dalsimer Atlas Floral and Event Decorators, 954-418-0608
Logo: John Place, Green Box Studios, 954-588-9221
Specialty lighting, video and furniture: Chad Everett, Galaxy Entertainment Productions, 954-851-9599
Living statues, stilt walker, electric robot: Chad Everett, Galaxy Entertainment Productions, 954-851-9599
Cocktail hour games/Step n Repeat: Eric Cutler, Cocktail Hour Entertainment, 954-612-7431
Montage/Photo Sign In Book: Amy Shorr Kratish, MYFace Instant Photos and Montages, 954-520-4591
Eventz Photobooth: Elliot Weiss, 561-391-9100,
Air Brush Favors: Freddie Venezia, Art Spot Entertainment, 1-772-335-4329
Photo favors: Scott Edelsberg, Funtastic Photo Events, 561-306-3700
Custom Chocolate: Mom Danielle, Favor It Things, 954-263-6046
Candy Buffet: Carolyn’s Creationz, 954-632-4377
Glow Cotton Candy: Sandra Hermens, Top Hat Entertainment, 954-389-0802
Airbrush and glitter tatoo artist: Michelle Zymet, Fun Photo Booth Parties, 786-295-4819,
Rented Bar: Jamie Oristano, Just Bars, 1-888-625-3055
Food Truck: Russ and Jana D’Agostino, Sweet Cravings NY, 516-448-7492
Cake: Paloma Klaymer Souza Dona Doce Cakes, 954-588-6240
Custom Cookies: Wicked Awesome Sweets and Treats, Shirley Weiss, 561-386-2177
Custom Macarons: Catarina Merlo Macarons, 954-594-0923
Custom Pillow: Jane Sheinfeld, The Pieced Palette, 914-420-1746
Tallis: Brad and Wendy Gordon, Traditions, 1-800-493-0520
Yad: J and B Judaica, 954-721-5660, Belle Reynolds
Challah Cover: Ann McKay
Hair and Make Up: JL Styling, 954-856-0180, Jessica Guzman and Laura Phillips
Suits and Tuxedo’s: Andrea Kramer, Men’s Wearhouse, 561-482-7533
