The Potash family celebrated their daughter Isabelle’s (Izzy) Bat Mitzvah on November 9, 2013, at the Temple B’nai Chaim, in Georgetown, Connecticut.
The reception was held at the Stepping Stones Museum for Children in Norwalk, Connecticut.
The theme was “Izzy’s Igloo” and Mom Lisa’s company, PiPo Press, created the Izzy’s Igloo logo, invitation, and many of the “cool” event details.
Pictured L-R: Dad Ken, Mom Lisa, Bat Mitzvah girl Isabelle and Brother Jack.
Bentley Waters Photography was the photographer and the rest of the vendor information is at the bottom of the spotlight.
There was a morning service at Temple B’nai Chaim where the family has been members for many years.
Izzy holding the Torah with her proud Mom and Dad
After a truly meaningful service, the Kiddush luncheon was held at Weston Field Club in Weston, Connecticut. Izzy spent many of her childhood summers at the club, so it felt right to have a part of her special day at this venue
Simple and beautiful Kiddush centerpieces
Mom Lisa is co-owner of PiPo Press, a custom invitation design boutique, and created an invitation and RSVP card which set the tone and theme for the reception. The color palette of blue and hot pink was also used throughout the party.
The RSVP response card text was very clever. “Cool!, can’t wait!” or “Brrr! so sorry to have to miss it, have fun!”
The thank you card included a picture taken from the party of Izzy dancing with her dad and website information was printed on it so that the guests were able to view the photos from the evening and the highlight video as well.
The Potash family was beautifully color coordinated. Izzy looked awesome in a royal blue chiffon gown from La Femme and Mom Lisa wore a gorgeous pink gown custom made by Jennifer Butler. Dad Ken and brother Jack looked sharp in their own suits and coordinating hot pink ties from Saks Fifth Avenue.
The evening party was held at Stepping Stones Museum for Children in Norwalk, Connecticut. Another place Isabelle spent many hours in as a child. The party was held in a wonderful party space to one side of the museum. To keep it intimate, they decided not to open up the party to the entire museum.
Balloon Artistry created a balloon arch that resembled an igloo for guests to walk through as they entered the venue
The theme was Izzy’s Igloo. Rooms were lit in light blue with sparkles of silver and crystal.
The blue up lighting, clear stools and white table cloths all worked perfectly with the winter decor theme. This was a long hallway with all glass walls where the adult food and bar was set up
The large media room featured the kids’ lounge area. There was a dance floor, LED high top cocktail tables, white leather couches, a large floor to ceiling screen and video snowflakes falling throughout the evening
The gobo looked great on the dance floor adorned with animated snowflakes
MC Gio and the dancers of Jeffrey Craig Events did a fantastic job keeping everyone dancing and having fun all night.
Izzy makes her entrance
Izzy singing along with friends
Balloon Artistry created the sign-in using a mirror with Izzy’s logo in the center. Multi-colored sharpies with ribbons were attached so guests could “sign-in.”
It looked great before and after
One of Izzy’s friends writing her a message
Kids and adults had the opportunity to have custom dog tags created with their names or pictures courtesy of PBG Events. There was also an animated photo booth from The Bosco, where guests could immediately share pictures on Facebook. There was also a glitter tattoo artist from Glitter Toos with custom tattoos of Izzy’s party logo and the Weston, Connecticut town logo.
Photo engraved dog tags were a big hit!
Here is one of the fun photos from The Bosco photo booth. The photos taken throughout the evening was streamed live on two screens all night. The gift box on the right was from Balloon Aritstry.
A guest ready for his temporary tattoo
The girls showing off their arm tattoos
The highlight of the evening was a lion dance performed by Wan Chin Ming Hung Gar Institute. Being half-Chinese, the Potash family wanted to include something from Isabelle’s Chinese heritage.
A group of ten dancers and musicians performed a traditional lion dance with drums to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck to the celebration
A great moment between Izzy and her dad. They danced to “Thank You” by Natalie Merchant.
Wanting an informal, “kids party” atmosphere, AMG Catering provided a cocktail style party for the entire evening with passed hors d’oeuvres and stations all night. The kids had a similar set up with Isabelle’s favorite foods. There was a taco bar and a mashed potato station for dinner, served buffet style.
For the adults, winter inspired ice blue martinis served on trays of shredded coconut snow
Guests enjoyed Italian ices and snow cones from a truck parked at entrance
The kids’ bar was set up with a rainbow soda bar of glass soda bottles in every color
Some of the delicious hors d’oeuvres
Milk and cookies, one of the many dessert options
Snowball cake pops on mirror trays
The Cake Boutique created this igloo themed cake which was used for the candle lighting ceremony.
At the end of the evening, Izzy’s friends received clear drawstring goody bags with sweatshirts and bags of blue and silver candy with logo name tags.
Sweatshirts with Izzy’s logo all wrapped up
Izzy and her friend posing in their new sweatshirts
As guests departed, they left with ice blue slushes in logo plastic cups.
Isabelle’s Mitvah project was for Cookies for Kids’ Cancer. They are a national non-profit organization raising funds for pediatric cancer research. She sold cookies to family and friends and raised over $2,000 for the pediatric unit at Dana Farber Cancer Institute. The caterer, AMG Catering donated kitchen time and Isabelle and her friend, Audrey, spent an afternoon there baking hundreds of cookies that were handed out after her Bat Mitzvah service. She wrapped each package in cellophane and tied them with hot pink and cobalt blue string, her party colors. She paid for the ingredients with her allowance and 100% of the proceeds were donated to Cookies for Kids’ Cancer.
Cookies beautifully wrapped by Izzy and her friend Audrey
Some advice from Mom Lisa:
“Everyone says this, but keeping yourself organized is the only way to go. I purchased a cute little notebook about a year before the event. Scribbles from every meeting with every vendor is in that notebook. Any thoughts I had or suggestions from other friends were recorded in the same spot. Pinterest.com was also a great source of inspiration. Something else I learned through this process is that so many of the little details that I slaved on were only noticed by me, so if you are on a budget, let those little things go. Focus on what is important to your child and let that guide the party planning. Finally, hire great people with good referrals and you will be in good shape!”
The following vendors helped to make Izzy’s Bat Mitzvah special. If you give any of them a call, let them know you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com.
Venue: Tabitha Carter, Stepping Stones Museum for Children, 203-899-0606,
Caterer/Party Planners: Alison Milwe Grace/Olivia Savarese, AMG Catering, 203-227-5535
Photographer: Bentley Waters, Bentley Waters Photography, 914-953-4155
Videographer: Jack Craymer, Jack Craymer, 203-434-7882
Invitation/thank you cards/logo: Mom Lisa Chin Potash, PiPoPress, 203-221-1181
Music Entertainment: Scott Sica, MC, Gio, Jeffrey Craig Entertainment, 800-690-9370
Balloon arch/sign in board/gift box, Shaina, Balloon Artistry, 845-352-2828
Party Furniture rental/dog tags: Nancy, PBG Events, 646-430-4107
Animated Photo Booth: Lisa Fertig, The Bosco, 917-407-3802
Lion Dance Dancers: Warren Wan, Wan Chin Ming Hung Gar Institute, 917-922-6877
Sweatshirt Favors/Slushee cups: Chrissy Nasi, Professional Marketing Services, 203-984-1915
Caterer Rentals: Taylor-Rentals, 203-762-9611
Tattoos: Liana, Glitter Toos
Candy bags: Swirl, 203-544-7057
PJ’s Italian ices/snowcone truck: PJ, 203-331-7017
Cake: Sonia, The Cake Boutique, 203-761-7990
Bat Mitzvah girl Izzy’s gown: La Femme, Neiman Marcus
Mom Lisa’s gown: Jennifer Butler, 203-256-5768
Dad Ken and brother Jack: Their own suits, coordinating hot pink ties, Saks
Transportation: Hoyt Livery, 203-966-5466
Hair & makeup, Blow Dry Southport, 203-557-4789
