The Mandel family from East Brunswick, New Jersey, had daughter Alexa’s Bat Mitzvah at the East Brunswick Jewish Center in East Brunswick, New Jersey. Her reception was held at the Renaissance Woodbridge Hotel in Iselin, New Jersey.
It was a “glowing night” with a hip club vibe. Mom Susan says that after she planned Alexa’s party, she became a party planner herself and is now owner of Mandel Group Events specializing in Mitzvahs!
Pictured L-R: Mom Susan, Dad Howard, younger brother Matthew and Bat Mitzvah girl Alexa.
The photographer was Jason Krugman of Picture Us Perfect. The entire vendor directory is listed at the bottom of the spotlight.
Alexa’s service was held at the East Brunswick Jewish Center in East Brunswick, New Jersey.
By Dana created Alexa’s custom turquoise invitation. We love how the letter “A” was accentuated in an elegant script font.
The reception was held in the ballroom of the Renaissance Woodbridge Hotel in Iselin, New Jersey. They were so happy with the party, the Mandel’s are having younger son Matthew’s Bar Mitzvah there in May 2014.
The entrance to the hotel
A beautiful display of crudites during the cocktail hour
Alexa looks great in her Mori Lee turquoise cocktail dress from Dresses and More.
The dress was embellished with crystals and tulle
The theme was @Lexa’s Lounge. All Alexa requested was a lot of “glow” and Mom Susan delivered. Everything was about the LED. Alexa’s logo was incorporated throughout, along with her favorite colors, purple and turquoise.
Alexa’s turquoise logo sparkled
The transformation of the ballroom into a “night club lounge” was easily achieved with the help of New York Lounge Decor. They supplied all of the sleek white lounge furniture, LED furniture, and up-lighting in a turquoise and purple palette. The custom lighting was changed throughout the night to give the party an authentic “club” effect. Rose Petals and Lace designed the beautiful centerpieces and floral elements around the room.
Place Cards were rock candy in martini glasses, with name cards as the “slice”
A colorful seating area was a great spot to hang out
Modern glass centerpieces were accented with Alexa’s logo and held beautiful flowers in shades of purple
Some of the adult tables had tall modern vases with turquoise water and a purple arrangement to enhance the beautiful color combination
The room looked gorgeous glowing in turquoise and purple
The kids sat together in this unique dining arrangement with large turquoise and purple balloons that were suspended on mono-filament string and hidden between the tables
The @ Lounge was branded throughout the party.
Custom @ lounge throw pillows decorated white leather couches
A floral @ hung above the bar
The Renaissance Hotel created an LED ice sculpture of Alexa’s logo
On the kids dais table, custom lollipops were used as place cards with each child’s name on a tag and tucked into the napkins
Mom Susan designed the purple and turquoise jeweled sign-in board on stretched canvas with Alexa’s logo in the middle.
The sharpie markers were turquoise and purple as well
Alexa making her way into the room after her entrance video from Green Cheese Media. Mom Susan got the idea from Mitzvah Market!
The dancer’s shirts were made specifically for the dancers using a 2nd logo and some were given out as prizes to the kids during the cocktail hour
New York Entertainment team with MC Dru had Alexa’s Lounge providing non-stop dancing.
Alexa posing with the New York Entertainment dancers
Alexa and her friends following along
Everyone loved the giveaways
The break dancers added to the fun
Alexa is joined by all her friends on the dance floor
New York Entertainment provided poker tables during the cocktail hour for the kids, and Picture Us Perfect provided the Photo Booth.
Brother Matthew enjoying everything
Mom Susan and son Matthew enjoy a photo op
Alexa and her Dad had a nice moment on the dance floor.
Alexa’s cake was designed by Mom Susan and baked by Sweet Sweet Sue’s Bakery.
The cake had an LED element that lit up from the bottom
Mom Susan designed the favors which were black sweatshirts with a splash of distressed blue and Alexa’s logo.
Turquoise favor bags ready for pick up
Hooded sweatshirts for Alexa’s friends
The Mandel guests got a preview of another celebration, Matthew’s Bar Mitzvah, in May 2014.
The Tradition Continues… a great poster of Matthew from Picture Us Perfect
Some advice from Mom Susan:
“Plan ahead….don’t worry if people say you are obsessed, even if you are just a little bit. Ask to speak to friends who have used the vendors you are considering using, and don’t be afraid to think outside the box. Ask questions if this is your first time planning a Mitzvah as there will be many. Best invitation advice I can give is to give yourself extra time when putting the RSVP date on your response. As you will need approximately 3 weeks to order and prepare any party favors i.e. sweatshirts, bags…a 4 week RSVP date will only leave you 1 week to hunt down all those kids who “forgot” to send back the RSVP or whose moms tell you, “Oh, it’s on her dresser, I thought she took care of it.”
An animal lover, Alexa volunteered at the Sayerville Animal Shelter (which has since closed) and collected donations for cat/dog food, towels and other items the shelter needed. She set up a booth at the Purim Carnival at the temple and spent the day collecting. Alexa also helped several friends find their own pets on Petfinder.com.
Alexa’s yarmulke included her Mitzvah project charity
The following vendors helped to make Alexa’s celebration special. If you give any of them a call, please let them know you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com.
Venue: Amanda Grover, Renaissance Woodbridge Hotel, 732-634-3600
Party Planner/Decor/Favors/Sign-In Board: Mom Susan Mandel, MandelGroup-Events, 732-801-5106
Music Entertainment/MC/Break dancers/Poker Tables: New York Entertainment, MC Dru, 215-355-7001
Decor: NY Lounge Decor, 516-921-201
Photographer/Videographer/Montage/Photo Booth: Jason Krugman, Picture Us Perfect, 732-239-2430
Floral: Linda, Rose Petals and Lace, 732-613-0053
Invitation: By Dana, 732-625-1471
Cake: Sweet Sweet Sue’s, 718-966-2253
Entrance video: Green Chesse Media, 818-934-8990
Bat Mitzvah girl Alexa’s cocktail dress: Dresses and More, 732-566-9474
Mom Susan’ gown: Jovani Gown
Tuxedo for Dad: Saks 5th Avenue
Matthews Suit: Macy’s
