EXPERT ADVICE
Best practices, tips and unique ideas for the BEST. PARTY. EVER.
Your Perfect Bar/Bat Mitzvah Playlist: Songs for Your Grand Entrance
When planning your child’s bar or bat mitzvah, there are many things to consider, from your budget to your venue. One of the most fun our mitzvah families have when planning is choosing the soundtrack from different moments throughout their event!
When planning your child’s bar or bat mitzvah, there are many things to consider, from your budget to your venue. While these aspects of the planning process may not be the most fun, they are definitely important and vital to the success of your child’s party. One of the most fun our mitzvah families have when planning is choosing the soundtrack from different moments throughout their event!
As noted in our previous blog, “Bar & Bat Mitzvah Traditions”, certain moments have traditionally been practiced at bar and bat mitzvahs. Some to honor Jewish tradition, others to honor family or the guest of honor. All of the traditions, have one thing in common. They all add to the flow and value to the event. The grand entrance, for instance, will help set the tone for the night. It not only introduces you, but also introduces the party portion of the evening.
Venue: Battleground Country Club - Manalapan, New Jersey
Photographer: Photography by Jen Davis - Princeton, New Jersey
Think of the grand entrance as your spotlight. You can make it as simple or as stunning as you and your guest of honor would like! Our professional party planners will help you figure out the details, logistics, and enhancements of your grand entrance, like adding indoor fireworks or using dry ice to create the illusion of walking through clouds.
With that comes the music aspect of your grand entrance. The best songs for your grand entrance will pump up both you and your guests, are special to you, and make you feel confident!
Venue: The Stirling Hotel - Stirling, New Jersey
Photographer: Kristine Foley Photography - South Orange, New Jersey
If you’re unsure of your song choice or need ideas, our experts at Xtreme Event Group will find creative and appropriate options for your party and personal tastes. Below are some upbeat and fitting examples of popular choices:
For the Guest of Honor:
“ME!” – Taylor Swift featuring Brendon Urie
“Best Day of My Life” – American Authors
“Happy” – Pharrell Williams
“Good to Be Alive (Hallelujah)” – Andy Grammer
“What Dreams Are Made Of” – Hilary Duff
“Break Free” – Ariana Grande
“Celebrate” – Pitbull
“Don’t Stop the Party” – Pitbull
“Top Of The World” – Imagine Dragons
“This Is What You Came For” – Rihanna
“Adventure of a Lifetime” – Coldplay
“My House“ – Flo Rida
“Love Myself” – Hailee Steinfeld
“The Man” – Aloe Blacc
“Can’t Stop the Feeling” - Justin Timberlake
“I Gotta Feeling” - Black Eyed Peas
“Shut Up And Dance” - Walk The Moon
“Burn The House Down” - AJR
Venue: Desmond Hotel - Malvern, PA
While our expert DJs will have you on the dance floor all night, you’ll want to hand-pick specific songs for certain portions of the night—for example, your montage, your parent-child dance, and your grand entrance songs.
Alternatively, use music to tie into your mitzvah’s event theme! Sports, for instance, is a popular theme for bar mitzvahs. Your child can choose to enter their event to their favorite stadium anthem or even ESPN’s theme music.
Venue: Middletown Ice Rink - Middletown, New Jersey
Photographer: Peter Fotolux - Princeton Junction, New Jersey
This goes far beyond sports. If you have a Star Wars-themed event, for instance, your child can feel like they rule the galaxy by using Darth Vader’s theme song. Broadway theme? Why not enter with a dramatic flair and a catchy show tune?
Your grand entrance is your chance to shine, with all your friends and family cheering you on. Your song choice can simultaneously set the tone for the party and boost your confidence—it will make all the difference.
If you’re looking to plan your child’s virtual or in-person 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.
Five Things to Remember the Day of Your Event
With our suggestions of what to bring the day of your event, you’ll be prepared for anything!
This is it. You’ve done the planning, made your montage, and even put together the perfect candle lighting ceremony. There’s really nothing left to do except enjoy the day. If you’re familiar with Murphy’s Law, you know that translates to “anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.” If you’re familiar with life, you know that Murphy’s Law likes to kick in at the absolute worst of times.
There is good news, though. You can make sure that your child’s mitzvah isn’t one of these unfortunate instances with a few of our event day tips!
We took the time to make a list of the most important things you’ll want to have with you the day of your event to avoid any catastrophes so that you don’t have to worry about it!
The best part? They’ll all fit in that cute handbag that matches your shoes!
Photo Credits: Omar Gonzalez Photography
Without further ado, here are our suggestions for your event go-bag:
1. A MINI SEWING KIT
The last thing you need at your event is a wardrobe malfunction. Sometimes, though, they happen. With a mini sewing kit equipped with tiny scissors, a needle, and thread the same color as your outfit (or your child’s or your spouse’s), you can avoid an all-out fashion emergency. Instead, the moment can just become a funny story when you’re recounting your best party ever.
2. DEODORANT WIPES OR SPRAY
If the twenty-first century has perfected anything, it’s how to sell hygiene products. At your local Target, you’ll find wall-to-wall toiletries and about a dozen different types of deodorant. Deodorant wipes in particular are handy, as they usually come in tiny packages, making them perfect for travel. Another alternative is deodorant spray, which makes for a quick refresher in a pinch. Several retailers sell them with different fragrances, so you can pack your favorite! We know you’ll be on the dance floor all night, so you might as well be prepared for it.
Photo credit: Avant-Garde Visual Productions
3. COMFORTABLE SHOES
Okay, so maybe this one won’t fit inside your cute handbag after all. However, packing a comfortable pair of shoes or even just socks will be a game changer after a long night of dancing. You’ll thank yourself when you get to the car at the end of the night. And, hey, if you wind up changing into those comfy flats during the event, we won’t tell.
4. A SNACK
Mitzvahs are big days - and busy days! If you’re traveling from your service at your temple to your venue for the celebration portion of the evening (and taking tons of pictures), you’re going to get a little snacky during the day. Keeping some granola bars or trail mix in the car will help keep the hunger at bay for you and your family until it’s time to devour your delicious meal later on.
And finally….
5. TISSUES
Yes, mitzvahs are busy days, but they’re also very emotional days - your child has accomplished something great, and that deserves to be celebrated. A mitzvah also signifies that your child is growing up. No one would blame you for shedding some tears while they read their candle lighting dedications or while watching a montage of them grow up.
There you have it - that concludes our list of things you’ll want to remember the day of your mitzvah. Little hiccups have a tendency to demoralize us on big days, but with these little tips and tricks, you’ll be a little more prepared for what life throws at you, and you’ll be fully able to enjoy your child’s best party ever.
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.