The Selitto family celebrated son Joshua’s Bar Mitzvah with a service and Kiddush luncheon at Bay Terrace Jewish Center in Bayside, New York. A party was held in Joshua’s honor at Warehouse 5, an event space in Island Park, New York.
This theme was all about baseball since Joshua is not only a fan, but a player himself. It also had to be about his favorite team, The Amazin’ New York Mets.
Pictured L-R: Dad Jim, Bar Mitzvah boy Joshua, Mom Leemor and Sister Terry.
Simon Elliot Events was the photographer and the rest of the vendor information is listed at the bottom of the spotlight.
The family worked with Invitations & Calligraphy by Andrea to create their invitation using New York Mets colors, font and pinstriped background.
The service was at Bay Terrace Jewish Center.
Joshua’s family on the bimah
This family went with “baseball chic” for their attire. They wore their favorite party accessory over their dress clothes for this picture. Sister Terry’s beautiful royal blue cocktail dress was from Outrageous Boutique.
Mom Leemor and Sister Terry chose their birth-dates for their numbers. Joshua’s number, 17, is “his” number when he plays baseball, chosen in honor of Keith Hernandez, the former NY Mets first baseman. Dad Jim’s number is for his favorite Mets player when he was young
Warehouse 5 is an event space on the South Shore of Long Island offering great water views.
Joshua’s friends enjoyed the outside deck and water views
Dalsimer Floral and Event Decorators transformed the room into a sea of royal blue and orange; colors of the New York Mets. When guests arrived they were welcomed to “Selitto Stadium.” The entrance was designed to look like an authentic baseball stadium. 
The place cards had Joshua’s logo on them.
The balloon version of Josh, posed with real Josh, made by Balloon Artist, Brian Asman.
One of the great pictures of Joshua in his New York Mets uniform that decorated the room
Tall centerpieces embellished with baseballs, mini bats and pictures of Joshua
Mom Leemor created the sock basket in royal blue and orange, of course!
Joshua’s Amazin’ baseball themed entrance video was produced by Simon Elliot Events. Watch here.
After the video played, Joshua’s friends greeted him with much excitement and high 5’s
Joshua and his love of baseball was the focus of this celebration which included many special moments.
Getting ready to throw the first pitch to dad
Dad Jim ready to make the catch
MC James and the EJ the DJ team got everyone into a dancing mood.
MC James and Sister Terry
Everyone had fun on the conga line
Much of the delicious food was served baseball style. Check out this custom tray with Joshua’s logo.
You can’t have a baseball themed party without hot dogs and soft pretzels!
Custom water bottles with Joshua’s logo and a quote from Babe Ruth
Simon Elliot Events hit it out of the park providing fun and entertainment in the form of a custom Selfie Booth and Beatz Station. The popular Selfie Booth allows guests to post photos from the booth directly to their Facebook and Twitter accounts with a custom caption.
Joshua showed-off his custom Beatz headphones
Each guest received a pair of headphones in a custom box designed for Joshua
Josh covered all bases with his puzzle candle lighting ceremony from, It Could Be Verse.
Putting the pieces together for his current picture.
Treat Me Sweet created this 3-tiered New York Mets cake worthy of a die-hard fan.
Treat Me Sweet also hit a home run with the custom concession treat display for guests to enjoy as they were leaving.
The candy buffet featured all his favorite candy including New York Mets Pez dispensers
Each of Joshua’s guests received a cool drawstring bag and t-shirt designed and printed by F and M Expressions.
Joshua volunteered his time to the Steven Petillo Fields of Dreams Foundation. This foundation was started by Mike and Maria Petillo in honor of their son Steven, who was killed in a car accident in August of 2011. Joshua and Steven were friends and Little League teammates. Joshua attended fundraisers and sold raffle tickets at various events. The mission of the foundation is to foster the love of baseball in children who may not otherwise have the opportunity to play.
Some advice from Mom Leemor:
“I think the best advice that I can give is to tackle one aspect of your planning at a time and focus on that. At first, I was trying to do too many things at once, and began to feel overwhelmed with the enormity of all the things that needed to be done. When I took on one thing at a time, I became more relaxed and focused.”
The following vendors helped to make Joshua’s Bar Mitzvah special. If you give any of them a call, let them know you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com.
Venue: Warehouse 5, 516-432-2400
Photographer/Videographer: Simon Elliot Events, 516-586-6822
Music Entertainment: MC James, EJ the DJ, 631-348-7848
Décor/florist: Dalsimer Floral and Event Decorators, 516-569-2100
Favors: T-shirts designed and printed by FM Signs and Designs, 516-521-6635
Party entertainment: Selfie Booth, custom Beatz Station: Simon Elliot Events, 516-586-6822
Invitation: Invitations and Calligraphy by Andrea, 516-794-7259
Concession Candy Buffet/Cake: Treat Me Sweet Candy Buffets, 914-355-3350
Puzzle/Candle lighting: It Could Be Verse, 732-679-8093
Balloon artist: Brian Asman, Balloons Equal Fun
Entrance Video: Simon Elliot Events, 516-586-6822
Dress for sister Terry: Outrageous Boutique, 516-931-3331
Makeup: Audra The Makeup Artist
