16 Dec Bar/Bat Mitvah Party Planning

A bar or bat mitzvah is an important milestone for every Jewish family, as their son or daughter has reached adulthood.

That said, a bar or bat mitzvah is also a birthday party! It’s a time of both reflection and celebration, so it’s important to make sure the event is one to remember. Careful planning and attention to the smallest details will ensure that this special celebration is everything a bar or bat mitzvah should be.

Bar/Bat Mitvah Party Planning

In many ways, planning a bar or bat mitzvah party is much like planning any other party. At the most basic, your guests need to be invited, fed and entertained. But this isn’t an ordinary party!

Our ten easy steps will guide you through the process of planning a truly memorable bar or bat mitzvah party.

1. Set a date

No party can happen without a date! Usually, the date of the bar or bat mitzvah will be near your child’s birthday. However, keep the time of year in mind when you’re planning a date. Out-of-town guests may be more readily available to attend during the summer; the school year and holidays can make free time difficult.

2. Plan your budget

Setting out a budget is a great way to plan to spend comfortably. By determining your upper limit, you account for a margin of error without breaking the bank. Budgeting is also a great way of narrowing down your venue, catering, and other expenditure options.

3. Lay out a preliminary guest list

When brainstorming your first guest list, put everyone you can possibly think of inviting on the list – no matter how likely or unlikely they are to attend. Then, let it sit for a few days. This gives you time to add people you may have initially forgotten.

4. Choose and book a venue

Decide if your bar or bat mitzvah will take place in the synagogue or another venue. If booking another venue, you’ll need to consider if you will have separate rooms for adults and children during cocktail hour.

5. Hire a party planner – or not

Whether you hire a party planner or take a DIY approach, now is the time to design the structure of the party. Which events will take place first? When will the cocktail hour be? When will dinner be served? Set up a comprehensive time frame so that the big day flows smoothly.

6. Decide on a theme, if desired

Themes are a great way not only to unify everyone’s attire, but to narrow down the options of party favors and decor! There are dozens of thematic options available, including:

• Casino
• Hollywood
• Spa Day
• Sports
• Tropical
• Theatre
• Dance
• Charitable Donation

7. Book your entertainment

What’s a party without entertainment? Collaborate with your child and decide what type of entertainment they’d like to have – within the budget, of course!

8. Book your other vendors

Once your entertainment is sorted, it’s time to work on the nitty gritty details. Where will food, transportation, and decoration come from? Now is the time to get all your pieces in order!

Vendors may include:

• Catering
• Lighting
• Transportation
• Florist
• Cake baker
• Calligrapher
• Photographer
• Videographer
• Decorator

9. Finalize your guest list and send out invitations

Order your invitations, which can be formal, casual, or something between. Then, go over the guest list one last time and finalize who will get an invite. Remember to include as many details as possible, including time, place, and attire.

This is where party themes come in handy! People can generally get a good idea of attire and mood if they have a theme to hold on to.

10. Final plans and preparation

Now that the hardest part is done, it’s time to smooth out the details. There are plenty of questions you can anticipate, and plenty which you can’t. By planning for as many possibilities as you can, the smoother your bar or bat mitzvah will be!

Questions you may want to ask:

• Will there be a kids vs. adults party?
• When will the cocktail hour be?
• Will there be a first dance with the parents?
• Will a candle lighting ceremony be included?
• Will a hora be played, and will the guest of honor be lifted in a chair?
• What kind of music will be played throughout the evening?
• What time of day should the party take place?

Birthday Bottle Service

At Birthday Bottle Service, we do more than birthday parties! Our party planning service is perfect for corporate events, bar or bat mitzvahs, and any occasion where people get together to have fun! Let us help make your bar or bat mitzvah a night of fun and fond memories!

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