EXPERT ADVICE
Best practices, tips and unique ideas for the BEST. PARTY. EVER.
The Most Unique Bar & Bat Mitzvah Venues in New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia
Looking for something different but not sure where to begin? Here’s some inspiration to get you started. We've compiled a list of the most unique (and fun) Bar & Bat Mitzvah venues throughout New York, New Jersey, and Philadelphia.
While a traditional Bar or Bat Mitzvah celebration has historically taken place in a synagogue, restaurant or country club, there are so many unique options to consider today. Before you even begin exploring venues, first think about your child’s passions, interests, hobbies or even a possible theme. This will help guide your decisions and may quickly spark several ideas.
Not sure where to begin? Here’s some inspiration to get you started. Below are the most unique (and fun) Bar & Bat Mitzvah venues we’ve come across throughout New York, New Jersey, and Philadelphia.
Search by the most popular categories:
AIRPLANE HANGERS
Princeton Airport
Princeton, NJ
CONCERT VENUES & COMEDY CLUBS
The Mann Center
Philadelphia, PA
Punch Line Philly
Philadelphia, PA
Stone Pony
Asbury Park, NJ
White Eagle Hall
Jersey City, NJ
World Cafe Live
Philadelphia, PA
DAY CAMPS
Black Bear Day Camp
Millstone, NJ
Frogbridge Day Camp
Millstone, NJ
Jeff Lake Day Camp
Stanhope, NJ
NIGHTCLUBS
Ascent Lounge
New York, NY (The Shops at Columbus Circle)
Birch Hoboken
Hoboken, NJ
Noto Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA
SPORTS VENUES
Bowlero
Various locations across USA and Canada
Citi Field
Queens, NY
Citizens Bank Park
Philadelphia, PA
High Exposure
Northvale, NJ
Ice Hockey Arenas & Skating Rinks
Various locations across USA and Canada
MetLife Stadium
East Rutherford, NJ
Red Bull Arena
Harrison, NJ
Sky Zone
Various locations across USA and Canada
SPIN
NYC & Philadelphia
Topgolf
Various locations worldwide
THEME PARKS
Dave and Busters
Various locations across USA and Canada
Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park
American Dream Mall, East Rutherford, NJ
Six Flags Great Adventure
Jackson, NJ
YACHTS & BOATS
World Yacht Events by Steven Tanzman
New York, NY
ZOOS
Central Park Zoo
West Orange, NJ
Philadelphia Zoo
Philadelphia, PA
Turtle Back Zoo
West Orange, NJ
If you're looking for a more traditional Bar or Bat Mitzvah celebration for your child, check out the most popular Mitzvah venues in:
Long Island
Philadelphia
Event Spotlight: Luke’s Bar Mitzvah
When you ask the guest of honor what their favorite part from their mitzvah was and they say “everything”, you know you’ve had a successful event!
When you ask the guest of honor what their favorite part from their bar mitzvah was and they say “everything”, you know you’ve had a successful event! All Luke wanted was to have fun and he did just that! Not having much experience with “big mitzvah parties”, they weren’t sure what to expect, but Luke’s party definitely exceeded every expectation he and his family had!
Having a bar/bat mitzvah, much like any large event, can require a lot of planning, researching, and executing to create the party you and your child are envisioning. Luke’s parents, Holly and Roger, are thankful for the help they received during this part of the process. By finding the right team of mitzvah vendors, they felt like the planning process was much easier and less stressful than it could have been than if they had just done it all themselves.
When asked about their experience with Xtreme Event Group, Holly and Roger said, “We can't say enough good things about Xtreme. From planning to execution - everything was done flawlessly and professionally. Xtreme had timelines for us that walked us through every step of the process well in advance and were always available to provide recommendations and answer any question we had. And last but not least - they made the event phenomenal and super fun! Matt, Leon and the entire team were fantastic and their passion and positive energy shines through!”
Because of the planning assistance they received prior to the party, Luke and his family and friends were able really enjoy themselves once the day finally came. The guest of honor and his guests didn’t leave the dancefloor the entire night and while there were too many good moments to choose from, Coke and Pepsi, the horah, and group dances were just a few of their favorites!
Thanks to Greenvelope, Fingerprint Promotions, Minutemen Press, 580South, Lola’s, VeroLuce, 4Sixty6 and Xtreme Event Group for helping to make the planning process easier and for making Luke's bar mitzvah the BEST. PARTY. EVER.
Event Information:
Event Entertainment, DJ, and motivators: Xtreme Event Group
Photography: Veroluce - Montclair, New Jersey
Invitations: Greenvelope
Party Favors: Fingerprint Promotions
Party Decor: Minuteman Press
Event Outfits: 580 SOUTH - Livingston, New Jersey & Lola’s - Manalapan, New Jersey
Venue: 4Sixity6 - West Orange, New Jersey
A lot goes into making your child’s mitzvah a huge success. Start proactively preparing for this day with our mitzvah planning toolkit, complete with a realistic budget projector, a customized planning timeline, guidance on how to find the right vendors, venues, and so much more!
7 Questions To Ask your Mitzvah DJ
The entertainment you select for your child’s upcoming bar or bat mitzvah will be the most important decision you will need to make. Here's 7 questions to ask any mitzvah DJ company you are considering to hire.
The entertainment you select for your child’s upcoming bar or bat mitzvah will be the most important decision you will need to make. It’s vital to ask smart questions while considering any DJ company to hire to ensure that they are the best fit and truly understand your vision.
Here are 7 of the most important questions to ask any mitzvah entertainment company that you are considering:
How many years of experience do you have doing Bar and Bat Mitzvah celebrations?
What makes your company different from other entertainment companies?
In addition to DJ entertainment, what other services can you provide?
What is your cancellation/postponement policy?
What is your backup plan (equipment and personnel)? Are you fully insured?
Do you have a list of other recommended vendors that you regularly work with?
Are you able to provide references from families who have used your services at a recent mitzvah?
A lot goes into making your child’s mitzvah a huge success. Start proactively preparing for this day with our mitzvah planning toolkit, complete with a realistic budget projector, a customized planning timeline, guidance on how to find the right vendors, venue, and so much more!
Unique Candle Lighting Ceremony Ideas and Songs for Your Child’s Mitzvah Celebration
Want a bar or bat mitzvah candle lighting ceremony that stands out? Here are some unique ideas and special songs to consider.
The mitzvah candle-lighting ceremony is a fun and meaningful tradition to honor the special people in your child’s life. To recognize those who have positively impacted your child, the guest of honor may dedicate a candle to the individual (or group of individuals) and play a special song while the honored guests help light the candles. Not only does the candle-lighting ceremony allow for your child to turn the spotlight on their family and friends by showing appreciation for the impact they’ve had on their life, it also allows for a break within the party and helps create a natural flow and meaningful moment during the event.
Photo credit: Photography by Jen Davis - Princeton, New Jersey
It’s easy for bar and bat mitzvah candle lightings to get repetitive, so you and your child will want to work together to plan an extra-special ceremony that your guests will remember. Here are some ways to really wow your guests with a unique ceremony and mitzvah candle-lighting songs.
Unique mitzvah candle lighting ideas
1. Decorative, themed candle displays
Many mitzvah celebrations feature candlesticks in individual holders or glass votives. To make your child’s candle lighting ceremony more unique or on-theme, think outside the box and create a customizable display. Your guests will love looking at a stunning visual display of large letters with your child’s name or candle holders filled with things like marbles, gel water beads, seashells, or colored sand.
2. Sand pouring
Rather than lighting a candle, have your child give each of their honorees a designated glass or cup of colored sand. As each guest or group is called up, have them pour their sand into one bowl in the center of the table. This represents the unique bonds they share and all of their special loved ones coming together in unison.
3. Giant puzzle pieces
This option is a fun one for everyone involved. Set up a frame with a blank on a tripod for all to see, and designate a puzzle piece to each honoree. They can then come up and stick their velcro or magnetic piece to the background. The puzzle represents your child’s life thus far and shows that each honored guest is an important part of it.
4. Write a poem or perform a rap
Each person that you’d like to give the honor of lighting a candle during your mitzvah is unique. So what better way to honor them, than with a unique way of introducing each of them? Rather than a speech or story, you can take the time to make them feel special by putting together a poem or rap specific to your relationship with them. Not only will this make it more meaningful to the guest you’re honoring, but it will make it even more enjoyable to watch as a guest in the crowd, as there are many ways that you can go with the format you choose: funny, sentimental, etc.
Photo credit: Fotolux - Princeton Junction, New Jersey
Songs to play during your bar or bat mitzvah candle ceremony
The music your child chooses for each of their dedication candles can be deeply personal and special, but sometimes it’s overwhelming to choose a song. If your child is stuck, here are a few popular options for the different groups of people in their life:
Parents
Siblings
Grandparents
Aunts and Uncles
Cousins
Friends
Family Friends
Guest of Honor
Memory Candle
Photo credit: Dom Pierre Photography - New York
Venue: Rushmore Estate - Highland Mills, New York
A lot goes into making your child’s mitzvah a huge success. Start proactively preparing for this day with our mitzvah planning toolkit, complete with a realistic budget projector, a customized planning timeline, guidance on how to find the right vendors, venues, and so much more!
Bar & Bat Mitzvah Traditions
Here we have listed a timeline of events that typically occur at a bar and bat mitzvah, the meaning they have, and how they add to the flow and value of the event.
A bar/bat mitzvah is an important tradition and a rite of passage for young boys and girls in the Jewish faith. As a mitzvah entertainment company for over the last decade and having mitzvahs ourselves, we understand the meaning of tradition and the significance of the moment, as well as the importance of being current, staying fresh, and putting your own spin on things!
Photo Credit: Peter Fotolux - Princeton Junction, New Jersey
Venue: The Boathouse at Mercer Lake - West Windsor Township, New Jersey
Over the last 20 years, we have honored practices that we feel are not only important in the Jewish faith, but also ones that, while they may not have a religious significance, have become common during the mitzvah celebration. These traditions, religious or not, create a special moment and meaning for our guests of honor and their families during this rite of passage. On top of that, they are a great way to break up different moments of the party and create natural transitions that flow seamlessly. Even though we as a team love when everyone is out on the dancefloor, we realize that not everyone can or may not want to dance the entire night. That is why it is important to have moments that break that up but still make sense to the flow of the party and add to the value of the event. While our job as entertainers is to create an entertaining atmosphere, it is also our job to make sure your child’s mitzvah runs smoothly.
Below we have listed a timeline of events that typically occur at a bar and bat mitzvah, the meaning they have, and how they add to the flow and value of the event. Although they may be common practice, ultimately your child’s event and the way it runs is solely up to you and your family and what you feel should be performed during it. No matter what you decide to do, new or old, our team has got you covered through all of it!
Introductions
As a way to start the night, each family member is introduced and makes their way into the party, followed by the guest of honor. This is a fun way to start the party and put all of the focus on the guest of honor and their family. The introductions allow for each family member to be uniquely introduced and “come out with a bang”! Whether that’s choosing the best bar or bat mitzvah entrance songs or choosing the perfect move, the better your entrance, the better start to the party!
Venue: Desmond Hotel - Malvern, Pennsylvania
Ha-Motzi / Blessing
The Ha-Motzi, a prayer and blessing, honoring God and celebrating the guest of honor over challah bread, is a perfect transition into having everyone sit down for dinner. Not only is the Ha-Motzi one of the more meaningful Jewish traditions practiced during a mitzvah, it also allows for a member of the family to acknowledge the guest of honor and their faith, as well as create a break of events that feels natural and meaningful.
Photo Credit: DR Photography Studio - New Jersey / New York
Venue: Grand Marquis - Old Bridge, New Jersey
Bar/Bat Mitzvah Candle Lighting
With their family, the guest of honor performs the candle lighting ceremony. The first candle lit is typically done in honor of the family members who have passed away. Not only does this tradition honor family that is no longer here, but it shows appreciation to the family that still currently surrounds them. The guest of honor may say a few words or even read out a short poem for each member of the family that helps light a candle. This gives the guest of honor another opportunity to really show their personality and make their family feel special with how they choose to honor them.
Photo Credit: Dom Pierre Photography - New York
Venue: Rushmore Estate - Highland Mills, New York
Hora
The hora, a Jewish traditional dance that is simple, fun and gets everyone involved. With everyone still on the dance floor, it is customary to lift the guest of honor and their family up in their chairs. Not only is this fun and interactive for the family and their guests, it also makes for great photos! On top of that it holds great symbolic meaning. The hora symbolizes being brought closer to a spiritual place as well as always having the support of others.
Photo Credit: Impressions Photo & Video - Marlboro, New Jersey
Venue: Forsgate Country Club - Jamesburg, New Jersey
Toast
After the hora, a toast is made by the guest of honor’s parents. This gives the family an opportunity to thank their guests for coming to their child’s mitzvah and for taking part in the important celebration with them.
Photo Credit: Photography by Jen Davis - Princeton, New Jersey
Venue: McLoone's Pier House - Long Branch, New Jersey
Photo Montage
While this may not be a Jewish tradition, it has definitely become a mitzvah tradition. A bar/bat mitzvah montage is a great way to gather everyone around, take a break from dancing, and focus on photos highlighting your son or daughter’s childhood. This moment allows your child to honor their friends and family that have been a part of their lives, as well as show how much they've grown.
Photo Credit: Peter Fotolux - Princeton Junction, New Jersey
Guest of Honor Dance
Not only is it tradition to have a guest of honor dance with their mother or father, it also allows for a moment away from the party that creates a special memory for the guest of honor’s parents that they are sure to hold on for years to come.
Photo Credit: Photography by Jen Davis - Princeton, New Jersey
Venue: River House at Odette's - New Hope, Pennsylvania
At the end of the night, your child has officially become a man or woman of faith. This is a huge achievement and should be celebrated as such, throughout the party. This means that while it is important to honor your faith and the traditions that are commonly practiced during the event, it is also important to have fun and make the event unique to your son or daughter. This can mean choosing the best bar/bat mitzvah themes that represent your child’s interests or even arranging a surprise for them during the night. Whatever you decide for their event, our team of mitzvah entertainment experts will make sure it runs seamlessly!
A lot goes into making your child’s mitzvah a huge success. Start proactively preparing for this day with our mitzvah planning toolkit, complete with a realistic budget projector, a customized planning timeline, guidance on how to find the right vendors, venues, and so much more!
The Most Popular Bar & Bat Mitzvah Photographers in New Jersey
We've compiled a comprehensive list of the most popular professional photographer across NJ to document your child’s upcoming Bar or Bat Mitzvah.
There are countless event photographers in New Jersey, but not all of them have been hired to capture a bar or bat mitzvah. While any photographer may be able to capture the “party” segment of your child’s mitzvah celebration, many families feel more comfortable hiring a photographer who understands the importance of the sacred religious ceremony and is able to document it with the respect and reverence it deserves.
A seasoned mitzvah photographer will know the timeline of a typical bar or bat mitzvah by heart, so they’ll already know which traditions and moments to focus on, like the hora or candle lighting ceremony. Someone with experience capturing mitzvahs is also a great person to have on hand when you’re trying to get a group of excited teenagers to pose for those all-important family portraits!
When choosing a photographer for your event, it is important to do your research and find the right photographer for you, your child, and the vision you have for their bar/bat mitzvah! Your child’s mitzvah will be an important day for your family, and you want to make sure you have a photographer there that can capture all of the special moments that will undoubtedly happen during it and that you’d like to continue looking back at over the years to come!
There are so many New Jersey mitzvah photographers, that it may sometimes seem hard to choose or even know where to start. In our almost two decades of working as a mitzvah entertainment company, we’ve had the pleasure of working with many in the area and are often able to make suggestions to our mitzvah families! Because of that, we thought we’d make it easier for you by making a list here of the top bar and bat mitzvah photographers in the New Jersey area that we’ve worked with in the past and that we feel may be the right fit for you! Be sure to check out their website, look at their past work, and of course contact us if you have any questions in your search for a mitzvah photographer.
FEATURED NJ MITZVAH PHOTOGRAPHER:
Mazel Tov Studios - Manalapan, New Jersey
Mazel Tov Studios exclusively specializes in Mitzvah photography, capturing authentic and unstaged moments that reflect the true essence of each child's special day. Their experienced photographers ensure every cherished smile and tradition is beautifully documented, delivering nearly 1,000 unique images in under two weeks. With transparent pricing, clients can expect all-inclusive coverage, from temple ceremonies to lively celebrations, with no hidden costs.
NJ MITZVAH PHOTOGRAPHERS (A to Z)
Andy Foster Photography - Montclair, New Jersey
Using non-traditional angles, unique poses, and different lighting, Andy makes his photos and the subjects in them larger than life. Andy is best at capturing raw emotion, your chosen theme which you worked so hard on to showcase, and the biggest moments throughout your event.
Bart Gorin Photography - Millburn, New Jersey
With 30 years of photography experience, Bart has solidified himself as one of the top New Jersey mitzvah photographers. His portfolio, showcased on his website, is extensive and a great example of his work and style, which you can expect if you choose him for your event.
Bonnie Wireback Photography - Blackwood, New Jersey
If you hire Bonnie, not only will you be getting a photographer, but you’ll feel as though you’re gaining a friend through the process. She does her best to fully understand your vision before the event, so that you have photos you can cherish forever after it. Being a mother, teacher and mitzvah photographer, she feels that she has the skills and experience to get the best of your child when photographing their event.
Brad Photographers and Video - Wayne, New Jersey
With 40 years of experience and thousands of events photographed, Barry and his team at Brad Photographers and Video are ready to help your event last forever. Their team offers a large variety of options including videography, projections, montages, photo favors, and albums, making them a great option if you are looking for more than just a photographer for your child’s mitzvah.
Captured Event LLC - Scotch Plains, New Jersey
For Josephine, the creator of Captured Event LLC, photography is her life. She has photographed hundreds of events and understands the importance of executing the client’s vision while capturing their individual style. The only thing that exceeds her level of professionalism is her passion, and that is made clear in her many reviews about her work ethic and talent.
DR Photography Studio - Marlboro, New Jersey
David does something not many photographers do; he gives you all of the photos taken, not just the edited ones. This gives you the power to choose which photos you like and what ones you feel best show the memories made at your event. David also gives you full access to all of your digital photos for no additional cost, rather than charging you for prints, so that you can decide on your own what you’d like to do with your photos. David loves photographing and creating memories for his clients and by doing this, he feels that you will get the most out of his work and your special event.
Elena Mitchell Photography - Morristown, NJ
Elena Michelle may have stumbled upon photography at a young age, but that discovery turned into a true love of hers and has led her to become an award-winning photographer. Elena’s style is progressive, fresh and natural. She focuses on capturing moments as they happen, rather than staging them, to create genuine memories that her clients can look back on and relieve through.
Giulianna Marie Studios - Wayne, New Jersey
Giulianna isn’t your everyday photographer. She specializes in making you feel like you’re the only one in the room and captures memories that will last you a lifetime. Giulianna is the perfect mix of elegant, creative, traditional, attentive, and cutting edge, and this is shown in her portfolio of photos which you can view on her website.
Impressions Photo and Video - Marlboro, New Jersey
Impressions Photo and Video of Marlboro has covered more than 2,000 events, but the team still approaches each event with freshness, drive, and passion. They pride themselves on forming personal relationships with each of their mitzvah clients and bringing your vision to life with images captured from exciting angles with interesting lighting and perspectives. Impressions’ mitzvah coverage includes a religious session and coverage of the celebration by a two-person team, with no travel charges within New Jersey.
Ira Casel Photography - Millburn, New Jersey
Ira Casel has an extensive portfolio of bar, bat and b’nai mitzvah photography at a long list of New Jersey and NYC venues. As a parent who has made two mitzvahs, Ira understands and appreciates how meaningful and emotional this milestone event is. He strives to make the whole mitzvah process easy, stress-free, and fun for his clients, who often describe him as “the hardest working photographer that they’ve ever seen.”
Jeremy Messler Photography - Marlton, New Jersey
Solely a mitzvah photographer, Jeremy has learned a thing or two from photographing them over the last 15 years and having one of his own as well. Understanding the importance of the event and the uniqueness it has from others, his goal is to capture the essence of your child at this special moment in their life When choosing a photographer, Jeremey believes it is important to find a photographer that make the experience fun, feel comfortable, and provides a portfolio of past work that you can picture yourself in.
JKP Photographers - Livingston, New Jersey
Starting as a child photographer and later moving on to events and senior photos, JKP has years of experience photographing kids during important moments of their lives. Their goal is to empower young adults through the photos they take, and give them the confidence through their art!
Joy Yagid Photography - Mapplewood, New Jersey
Self proclaimed as a “documentary style” photographer, Joy loves capturing common moments in different ways. She always makes sure to find the joy in the event, not just capturing photos of who attended it.
Memory Creations Photography - Clifton, New Jersey
With photography, experience is key and Brian at Memory Creations Photography has plenty of it. With over 17 years of experience and hundreds of satisfied clients, Brian has a true passion for his work and the ability to capture special moments that can last a lifetime.
Mitzvah Mayhem - New Jersey
Scott Roth at Mitzvah Mayhem prides himself in being able to match the enthusiasm and excitement that kids bring during their mitzvah. Never putting the camera down, he always captures the important moments during your event. Although they have been in the industry since 2003, Scott never lets that stop him from staying fresh and appreciating each event for the new experience it is.
Mitzvahtography by Sharon Fullerton
Sharon shot her first bat mitzvah in the 80’s - not long after her own. She’s a recent mitzvah mom herself, and understands the emotions from both sides of the camera. As a mitzvah-only photographer based in Delaware, Sharon is in demand and regularly travels a couple hours in several directions – to Jersey, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Virginia. All her collections include free high-res downloads and print release for both her clients and their guests. There’s a reason she books up years in advance.
Omar Gonzalez Photography - Hoboken, Westfield, Montclair, New Jersey
Being a kid a heart and a self-proclaimed goofball, Omar feels that he has an edge when photographing teens at their mitzvahs. Having the ability to relate quickly to all ages, he finds it easy to capture the peak of emotion and find the greatest reactions.
Photography by Jen Davis - Princeton, New Jersey
Jen Davis is a master at photographing bar and bat mitzvahs. In fact, these celebrations are the only large events she photographs. Located in Princeton, Photography by Jen Davis offers a range of mitzvah photography packages to suit any family’s budget. Each one includes formal portraits, high-resolution digital files, and an album delivered after the event.
VeroLuce Photography - Montclair, New Jersey
Veronica L. Yankowski, founder of VeroLuce Photography, has been a professional photographer for over 25 years, capturing everything from breaking news to fashion shoots to family and solo portraits. Known for her soulful portraits, Veronica loves to do bar and bat mitzvah pre-shoots, where she collaborates with the child to plan a session around their mitzvah theme so they feel excited and involved. Then, she captures the day itself with style and flair.
We hope this lists aids you in your search and helps you find the right fit for your event! If you do decide to hire one of these incredible photographers, let them know Xtreme Event Group referred you!
If you’re looking to plan your child’s bar or bat mitzvah, Xtreme Event Group will take care of all your mitzvah entertainment needs. Schedule a consultation with one of our bar/bat mitzvah planning experts today.
Mitzvah Planning While The Kids Are At Camp
Summer is here and for a lot of families that means signing your kids up for summer camps! But that doesn’t mean that the mitzvah planning should stop, if anything, it gives you more time to plan the things they may not need or want to help with!
Summer is here and for a lot of families that means signing your kids up for summer camps! But that doesn’t mean that the mitzvah planning should stop, if anything, it gives you more time to plan the things they may not need or want to help with! While a bar/bat mitzvah is about your child and we encourage them to be as involved as they’d like during the planning process, we know there are things that they don’t need to be involved with, and now is a great time to get those things done while you can!
Photo Credit: Chad David Kraus Photography
Venue: Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen - Morristown, NJ
Order Save-the-Dates
Save the dates are a must for your guests. While invitations can be a bit more creative and personalized with the help of your son/daughter and their chosen bar/bat mitzvah themes, the save the dates can be much simpler and may be something you can do without their help!
Photo Credit: StudioGNP
Venue: The Loft at 350 - West Orange, NJ
Choose Montage Photos & Write Toast
A bar/bat mitzvah is more than just a party, it’s a celebration. A celebration of your child’s growth not just personally, but within their community and faith. Choosing montage photos and writing toasts are a great way to take a step back from making plans, and instead, allow yourself a moment to remember what their big day is all about and to reminisce on all that they’ve accomplished thus far, while still getting
Make sure you give yourself enough time for this, as you will be looking through a lot of photos to find the best ones for your montage!
Photo Credit: Jen Davis Photography
Venue: Battleground Country Club - Manalapan, NJ
Book Bar/Bat Mitzvah Vendors
It is important when researching and reaching out to vendors that you have your child be involved in the ones that are most important to them, like DJs and caterers. Get a good sense of the ones they’d like to help pick, that way you can make sure to do it while they're around and save the others for while they’re away.
Venue: Wave Resort - Long Branch, NJ
Shop for Your Outfits / Focus on You
All of the focus while planning your event has been on your son or daughter, but while they’re gone at camp, you have the time to focus on your part in all of it. Don’t forget that even though it is their special day, you can feel special too! Take this time to shop for an outfit you’ll love, pick a walk-out song, or think about a mother-son / father-daughter song for your dance.
Photo Credit: Ris Productions
Venue: Industry Event Space - Huntingdon Valley, PA
Set Up a Surprise
If your child has been very involved in the planning process thus far, they’ll know most of the details of their party, and that’s fine! But wouldn’t you like to suprise them a bit on their special day? The surprise can be big or small, that’s up to you, but just something that is unexpected enough to make their big day even more memorable! Need some ideas? We can help you think of a few!
If you’re looking to plan your child’s bar or bat mitzvah, Xtreme Event Group will take care of all your mitzvah entertainment needs. Schedule a consultation with one of our bar/bat mitzvah planning experts today.
A Few of the Most Popular Bar/Bat Mitzvah Themes
In our almost two decades of providing entertainment for mitzvah families at their event, we’ve seen a wide variety of themes, but a few stick out as what have been the most popular over the years and the most widely used.
Deciding your child’s mitzvah theme is an important part of the planning process. Not only is it a way for them to express themselves and feel that their party is fully customized to their interests, it’s also the first thing your guests will see when they walk through the door and what you can plan the rest of the night around! In our almost two decades of providing entertainment for mitzvah families at their event, we’ve seen a wide variety of bar/bat mitzvah theme ideas, but a few stick out as what have been the most popular over the years and the most widely used.
Here are just a few of the best bar/bat mitzvah themes we’ve seen:
1. Sports
Sports is maybe one of the most popular themes we see, especially for bar mitzvahs. While you may think it could be overplayed, it’s the level of customization you can have with it and the variety of sports and teams, that allows it to be unique for each event! With this theme, we’ve seen everything from team centerpieces to jerseys for the guests and entertainers to dancefloors decorated to look like football fields, hockey arenas used as venues, and much more! This theme can easily influence other aspects of your event, like invitations, party favors, food, props, and decorations throughout the party. It also gives you a great reason to bring in “arcade” type games like air hockey or foosball, which not only goes along with the theme but provides more entertainment for the kids!
2. Color
Everyone has a favorite color and what better way to showcase that than at your mitzvah! This theme may seem simple, and while it can be, it can still be just as fun as the others! Having a simpler theme may mean the more you’re able to do with it. For instance you can easily incorporate it into almost any aspect of the party. Invites, party favors, outfits, logo design, and party decorations.
3. Name/Word Play
This theme really allows you to get creative and personalize the event to the guest of honor. The theme is typically a common phrase but is given a special touch with your child’s first name, last name, or initals. Below are just a few of our favorites and some of the most clever ones we’ve seen!
The best part of planning your child’s mitzvah and choosing a theme is that there are no rules and no limits to what you can do! If they can’t decide on just one theme and want a mixture of a few, go for it! If they decide on just one idea, really focus on it and make it the best it can be.
Just because these three themes are some of the most popular does not mean they are the only ones you can choose from. Ask your child what they’d like and go from there. After all, this day is truly about them, and what better way to celebrate than to include all of their favorite things. If you ever need any help with bar/bat mitzvah theme ideas or on how to begin, we’d be happy to talk it over with you. Our team has a lot of experience that we’d love to share!
If you’re looking to plan your child’s bar or bat mitzvah, Xtreme Event Group will take care of all your event entertainment needs. Schedule a consultation with one of our mitzvah planning experts today.
The Importance of Music at a Bar/Bat Mitzvah
Music is an important part of mitzvahs and as a mitzvah entertainment service, we understand that importance. It is a way to transition through different moments throughout the night, to create and carry high energy all night long, and to get everyone involved whether they’re the youngest or oldest in the room!
Music is an important part of mitzvahs and as a mitzvah entertainment service, we understand that importance. It is a way to transition through different moments throughout the night, to create and carry high energy all night long, and to get everyone involved whether they’re the youngest or oldest in the room!
As professional and experienced mitzvah DJs and entertainers, we fully understand the art and science of getting people on the dance floor. Our team constantly reads the room, reacts, and adjusts our approach to always maximize engagement on the dance floor. Of course, our DJs will play the most popular party songs guaranteed to create energy, however, it is also important to incorporate your personal style of music into the event.
Nothing is worse than going to a party or an event, and the music does not resemble the feeling or the people in the room. On top of that, we know a lot of mitzvah families’ main concern is making sure everyone will enjoy the music. And it doesn’t take “Baby Shark” or “My Girl” by The Temptations to get the young and old up on the dance floor. You’d be surprised how many people, no matter what their age, like “Uptown Funk” by Bruno Mars. It’s all about finding those songs everyone will enjoy, without sacrificing the energy already in the room, and that’s what we’re here for!
We realize everyone has their own preferences and our experts at Xtreme Event Group would be happy to discuss your vision and provide suggestions based on that. We greatly encourage you to provide our team with song requests across the following categories to clearly identify your preferences and your vision for your party:
Must Play (up to 5 songs)
Play If Possible
Do Not Play
This allows our DJs to easily manage and craft the perfect mix of music to cater to everyone, making sure that each aspect of your event - including your music - is a perfect fit for you and your guests.
If you’re looking to plan your child’s bar or bat mitzvah, Xtreme Event Group will take care of all your event entertainment needs. Schedule a consultation with one of our mitzvah planning experts today.
The Best Buffet Options For Your Child's Bar/Bat Mitzvah
We see every aspect of a mitzvah as an opportunity to express your child’s personality and interests, and we don’t think food should be an exception! When it comes to food, you want to make sure you can offer something everyone will like, but most importantly, something your child will love!
We see every aspect of a mitzvah as an opportunity to express your child’s personality and interests, and we don’t think food should be an exception! When it comes to food, you want to make sure you can offer something everyone will like, but most importantly, something your child will love!
With buffets, you can offer a variety of food that’ll be sure to have something for everyone, while also focusing on some of your child’s favorite foods and getting creative with the different flavors that are offered! Here are just a few of our favorite buffets we’ve had in the past and ones we think you should consider for their future mitzvah!
Appetizer:
Sushi
Charcuterie (Cheese Boards)
Dinner:
Pizza
Sandwiches / Subs
(MORE!) Sushi
Pasta
Dessert:
(Make Your Own) Ice Cream
Donuts
Cookies
Candy
Milk Shakes / Smoothies
If you put as much thought into planning the food options as you do with everything else at your child’s mitzvah, you and your guests will be able to enjoy every aspect of the event, and make that just as memorable as many of the other moments of the night!
If you’re looking to plan your child’s bar or bat mitzvah, Xtreme Event Group will take care of all your event entertainment needs. Schedule a consultation with one of our mitzvah planning experts today.
Photo Credit: Omar Gonzalez Photography / Sean Sime Photography / Joy Yagid Photography / Photography by Jen Davis