The Schuster family from Commack, New York, celebrated son Evan’s Bar Mitzvah service on November 9, 2013, at Temple Beth David in Commack, New York, followed by a luncheon at Insignia Steakhouse in Smithtown, New York.
Back in 2011, we featured Sarah Schuster’s celebration with a fashion theme. Now it was her brother’s turn!
With a great logo using Evan’s nickname (“Schooz”) and his love of basketball, the party was exactly the way this family wanted to celebrate, low key and loads of fun.
Pictured above L-R: Dad David, Sister Sarah, Bar Mitzvah boy Evan and Mom Robin.
Studio J Photography was the photographer and the rest of the vendor information is listed at the end of the spotlight.
Evan was all smiles up at the Bimah
Evan welcomed his guests at the entrance of Insignia Steakhouse
Evan’s invitation, by Wow! Creations, incorporated the red accent color that was used throughout the reception. There was an email RSVP which worked out great
Evan looked so handsome in his suit from Nordstrom and shirt from Kenny’s Men’s and Boyswear
Suzy of Wow! Creations created his logo, incorporating Evan’s nickname. It was used throughout the party and for Evan’s party favors
A version of the logo used on the place cards
Evan’s favorite team is the New York Knicks. He especially loves listening to former NY Knick and television commentator Walt “Clyde” Frazier call the games. Using Evan’s logo, Lighter Than Air, designed Clyde’s famous quotes the focal point of the centerpieces
The signage directed Evan’s friends to their VIP booths
Evan proudly displayed his sign-in book and a poster about his Mitzvah project
Guests enjoyed the amazing food served at Insignia Steakhouse
MC Frankie and the dancers from Tommy Tunes played great music that everyone really enjoyed
Everyone followed MC Frankie’s lead
Tommy Tunes also brought in lots of fun games to entertain guests and a photo booth. Foosball and Pop a Shot were a big hit
Cute photo props
Mom and Dad’s turn in the photo booth
Lighter Than Air also created the sign-in book with this amazing picture of Evan on the cover
The cake, from Alpine Pastry Shoppe, incorporated Evan’s nickname (Schooz) and replicated a basketball sneaker and shoebox
Evan had a wonderful candle lighting ceremony honoring his family and friends
Surrounded by his friends
Wow! Creations created the design for the back of the black hoodies. We love how they tied each sweatshirt with a shoelace!
The logo was placed on the back of the sweatshirt
Evan worked with a charity called Stack the Caps which began in 2008 at Camp Starlight and was inspired by a camper who died from a rare form of cancer. In her memory, Camp Starlight organized Stack the Caps to provide baseball caps to children with cancer.
Evan collected over 100 caps for the children at the Stony Brook Children’s Cancer Center.
Advice from Mom Robin:
“Listen to your children and gauge what they want and don’t want for their special day. Planning a celebration for my son was very different than when I planned my daughter’s party. He wanted something more low-key, from the décor to his involvement in typical party moments. So I tried to respect his wishes and we came up with some amazing compromises. For example, Evan didn’t want pictures of himself all over the venue so we created a logo for him that combined his nickname (Shooz) with his love of basketball. Also, he doesn’t enjoy the spotlight so instead of a typical entrance, we moved the toast to the beginning and welcomed everyone to the party as a family. We also didn’t have a traditional mother/son dance. Instead, our MC Frankie invited all the couples to the dance floor and I dedicated the song “I Hope You Dance” to my son.”
The following vendors helped to make Evan’s Bar Mitzvah special. If you give any of them a call, let them know you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com.
Venue: Keri, Insignia Steakhouse, 631-656-8100
Photographer: Jodi, Studio J Photography, 631-560-1205
Music Entertainment: MC Frankie, Tommy’s Tunes, 631-732-5886
Décor/sign-in book: Arthur, Lighter Than Air, 516- 933-3210
Invitation/Place cards/Favors: Suzy, WOW! Creations, 516-997-0451
Party entertainment: Photo booth/games, Tommy’s Tunes, 631-732-5886
Cake: Alpine Pastry Shoppe, 631-265-5610
Dresses: To Be Seen, 516-921-5777
Suits for family members: Nordstrom, shirts and ties from Kenny’s Mens and Boyswear, 516-921-2660
Hair/makeup: Karen Meyers, 631-561-9172
Transportation: First Student Bus Company, 631-842-7620
Yarmulkes: Best Kippah, 800-435-1621
