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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 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.
The Importance of An Event Entertainment Team
Learn about the importance of having an event entertainment team for your mitzvah, directly from our team!
Planning a mitzvah can truly take a village. As we’ve discussed in previous blog posts, there a lot of things to consider - from something as small as your logo to larger aspects like picking a venue. What you and your guests will truly remember about your event, though, is how it all came together and made you feel.
Here at Xtreme Event Group, we’ve built a team of dedicated and talented entertainment professionals, all of whom know how to do their part to bring you a remarkable experience. When you think of event entertainment, you likely think about a DJ - and while DJs are certainly important to the event experience, there are several other roles that make our team what it is. At any given event, an entertainment team could be comprised of:
Emcees
DJs
Motivators
Technicians
Photo Credits: Memory Creations Photography
Rather than tell you what each person does, we want you to hear directly from our some of our Xtreme team members about how each person brings their A-game to contribute to the BEST. PARTY. EVER.
Adam, Emcee:
“As the MC we set the tone for our events by having great energy and personality. We lead the way to everyone having an awesome time celebrating together.”
Lauren, Motivator:
“Helping to create the best party ever really starts with the team I’m working with. We are so lucky here at Xtreme Event Group; truly everyone I get to work with is an amazing energy to be around. As a Party Motivator, my job is to make sure everyone in the room is involved and having a great time, and I think part of the reason we are able to do that so successfully is because we are actually having fun! Through the years I have made some amazing friendships and I think the clients can feel the loving and open energy we have with each other - and that helps them let their hair down and party with us.”
Alyssa spoke of the importance of connecting with the guests of honor.
Alyssa, Motivator:
“My role as a Party Motivator creates the best party ever by leaving a lasting impression on the kids and personally making sure every single child has a good time. I love connecting with the kids and making amazing memories that will stick with them forever!”
There are also aspects of event preparation that begin way before the event. For instance, Gregory stressed that to perform his best for clients, he makes sure to take care of himself.
Gregory, DJ:
“My role in creating the best party ever includes a few steps - the right communication with the team, being prepared with the duties that suit my role, eating properly/getting the right sleep days before the event and lastly understanding why I took the role will determine the ‘best party ever!’”
Zach talked further about how the role of a DJ can impact a mitzvah.
Zach, DJ:
“Being able to balance song selection for many age demographics is important if every guest is going to walk out of the party impressed. To quote Celeda and Danny Tenaglia, ‘Music is the answer/ To your problems/ Keep on moving/ Then you can solve them.’ So without music, there isn’t a best party ever!”
From behind the scenes, Maggie shared how crucial her role is regarding team communication and executing a client’s vision.
Maggie, Client Care Manager:
“Although I am not at the events, I’m behind the scenes working closely with our clients to determine everything they want to do for their big day and painting the picture to meet their expectations. I’d say my role helps to create the best party ever because I work closely with each client to understand their expectations and gather all needed items to execute them perfectly. The information I gather is passed to the entire team so they have a clear picture of what has to happen.”
Finally, Nicole summed up the purpose of an event team, short and sweet:
Nicole, Motivator:
“We have unity in diversity. We are all different, but we come together for the same goal - make it the best party ever!”
You might not remember what, exactly, was said throughout the night, but you will remember the exhilaration of dancing to your favorite song with the people you’re most fond of by your side. After all, that’s what makes the 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.
Your Perfect Bar Mitzvah Playlist: Ultimate Throwback songs
A curated list of perfect throwback songs that guests of all ages at your mitzvah will enjoy!
Since bar and bat mitzvahs typically hosts guests of all ages, a good DJ knows how to cater to their audience, whether guests are comprised of thirteen-year-olds, seventy-year-olds, or anyone in between.
While the guest of honor will likely have a large say in what music is played, we also want to make sure everyone from the youngest to the oldest has something that caters to them.
Photo credits: Bart Gorin Photography
That being said, here is our list of the BEST throwback music for your event - music that will make guests of all ages get out of their seats and sing out loud. Ironically, many of these hits have become popular again on TikTok.
1. Don't Stop Believin’ - Journey (1981)
2. Anything by ABBA, especially Dancing Queen (1976) and Mamma Mia (1975)
3. Bohemian Rhapsody- Queen (1975)
4. Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond (1969)
5. You Shook Me All Night Long - AC/DC (1980)
6. I Want You Back - The Jackson 5 (1969)
7. Come On Eileen - Dexys Midnight Runners (1982)
And we couldn’t forget classic songs by our favorite New Jersey natives:
8. I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me) - Whitney Houston (1987)
9. Livin’ On A Prayer - Bon Jovi (1986)
10. Dancing in the Dark - Bruce Springsteen (1975)
These songs are guaranteed to please everyone at your mitzvah, no matter how old!
Photo Credit: Captured Event
Our experts at Xtreme Event Group can discuss your ideas and provide suggestions while going through your event details, making sure that each aspect of your event - including your playlist - is a perfect fit for you and your child.
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.
Your Perfect Bar Mitzvah Playlist: Songs for Your Honor Dance
A curated list of perfect songs for your bar or bat mitzvah’s honor dance.
A mitzvah celebration is full of ceremonies and traditions. These traditions can include a candle lighting ceremony, hora, and even an honor dance.
The honor dance - also commonly referred to as a parent-child dance - is a special moment that demonstrates the connection and bond between the guest of honor and their parent.
Much like at a wedding, the bar mitzvah child will traditionally dance with his mother while the bat mitzvah child will traditionally dance with her father. If a parent isn’t present, the guest of honor might choose to dance with a sibling, grandparent, step-parent, aunt, uncle, or any other family member that is important to them.
Photo credits: Peter Fotolux
For those families that choose to partake in this custom, it’s important to find a song that the guest of honor and their family member can comfortably dance to and signifies their relationship.
Honor dance songs are typically clean, happy songs that describe familial or parental love. While these types of songs seem difficult to find, we’ve compiled a list of popular songs that could be fitting for your and your child’s dance, including old favorites and new hits:
1. Photograph - Ed Sheeran
“You won’t ever be alone, wait for me to come home.”
2. What a Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong
“I hear babies cry, I watch them grow. They’ll learn much more, than I’ll ever know.”
3. Never Grow Up - Taylor Swift
”I won’t let nobody hurt you, won’t let no one break your heart.”
4. Daughters - John Mayer
“Fathers be good to your daughters, daughters will love like you do.”
5. Isn’t She Lovely - Stevie Wonder
”Isn’t she lovely, isn’t she wonderful?”
6. My Girl - The Temptations
“I’ve got sunshine on a cloudy day with my girl.”
7. God Only Knows - John Legend
“God only knows what I’d be without you.”
8. My Wish - Rascal Flatts
“My wish for you is that this life becomes all that you want it to.”
9. Simple Man - Lynyrd Skynrd
“Mama told me when I was young, come sit beside me my only son.”
10. Father and Daughter - Paul Simon
“I’m gonna watch you shine, gonna watch you grow.”
Photo Credit: Photography by Jen Davis
When choosing a song, it’s most important to pick something that you and your child enjoy, even if it might not be seen as “traditional” or “typical.” If your event’s theme, for example, is Broadway, then you could tailor your song even more and choose a song from a musical, like “No Matter What” from the Broadway version of Beauty and the Beast.
While many song choices, such as the ones listed above, are sentimental, you can choose any song that has meaning to you. If the guest of honor is a dancer, you could even consider choreographing a dance routine to perform for your guests.
Our experts at Xtreme Event Group can discuss your ideas and provide suggestions while going through your event details, making sure that each aspect of your event - including your honor dance - is a perfect fit for you and your child.
Choreographing your own moves can make for a fun and unique twist on an honor dance.
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 Your Mitzvah’s Logo
Who knew something so small could mean so much?
What’s the first thing that you think of when you hear “Target”? I’d bet a red and white bullseye popped into your mind. What about “McDonalds”? I’m sure you pictured those famous golden arches.
These are examples of logos so well-known that they don’t even need the company’s name featured within the design. Logos can be a symbol of longevity and professionalism for a company. But did you know they can play an important part in your child’s mitzvah as well?
Photo credits: Photography by Jen Davis
The creation of a logo is one of the more creative and less business-oriented aspects of planning a mitzvah. It’s a chance for artistic expression, but it’s also significant for cohesion and theming. Here are three reasons why you should consider creating a logo for your mitzvah:
1. It unifies each aspect of your event.
While your logo doesn’t have to relate to your theme, a logo is a great way to display your theme even further and reinforce it. Those little images signify that each thing at your mitzvah is yours and yours alone. Like a company, once you have a logo, it becomes your brand. It can be incorporated on invitations, decor, and even within the lighting.
In this example, Logan’s logo was based on his love of baseball and the Yankees. His logo translated well on to our screens and his giveaways, such as the theme-appropriate baseball cap. Photo credits: Omar Gonzalez.
2. It sets you apart.
Chances are, you and your child are attending a bunch of mitzvahs right now. Guests will walk home with party favors, but in a blur of events, will they really remember which party each of the favors are from? Incorporating your logo with your favors, or anything else that you might give away to guests, prevents this from happening. Each time they see your logo, they’ll remember your amazing party!
3. It represents you.
Like theme of the mitzvah, your child’s logo can represent their interests, your hobbies, or passions…it really represents whatever makes you YOU. It can be as simple or as complex as you like, and inspiration can include sports teams, movies, or musicians. Your logo should be one-of-a-kind - because you are too.
Now, how to make your logo? It comes down to only a few options here: you can tap into your creative side and do it yourself - maybe your child will want to design their own logo! - or you can enlist a designer to work with you to create one. If you have the skills and a vision that you know you can bring to life, then go for it!
If you have any doubts or find that you have enough on your plate with party-planning, then it might be worth the time, money, and effort to work with a designer. Here at Xtreme Event Group, we also offer in-house professional logo design.
While a logo likely won’t make or break your event, it will add something a little extra professional and a little extra special to your child’s big day.
Photo credit: Fotolux NJ
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.
The Most Popular Bar & Bat Mitzvah Event Planners in New Jersey
Need help planning the perfect Mitzvah? Here are the top-recommended New Jersey Mitzvah event planners.
Planning a Bar or Bat Mitzvah can be overwhelming. Hiring an event planner who specializes in Mitzvahs can help you keep your plans on track and alleviate some of the stress of crafting the perfect celebration for your child.
Here's a comprehensive list of the best New Jersey Mitzvah event planners and why you should consider hiring a professional event planner for your event.
Why Hire a Mitzvah Event Planner?
If you’ve ever planned a big celebratory event, you know it can be stressful. To alleviate that stress, you should hire a Mitzvah event planner for your child’s celebration rather than trying to do it yourself.
The biggest reason to hire an event planner is that they will save you time and energy. You won't have to spend hours of your day contacting vendors and figuring out a budget, in addition to working and supporting your family. Planners have expertise that cuts down on the time and stress that comes with the planning process and keeps you updated every step of the way.
The other reason is that hiring a planner can actually save you money. While hiring a planner is an additional cost, planners are well-connected in the events industry and know how to get their clients the best prices possible on venues, caterers, and other vendors. Those savings can add up, making the investment in a planner worth the expense.
The Most Popular NJ Mitzvah Event Planners
AH Solutions
Owned and operated by media veteran Amy Hochberg, AH Solutions is a multi-service firm that helps clients find solutions to all of life’s events, projects, and relocations. AH Solutions prides itself on researching, planning, and coordinating top-notch events by working with great vendors before and during the event. Whether you’re planning years in advance or a few weeks away, AH can help you pull off the perfect mitzvah celebration.
Bella Events & Decor
Nicole Banki has over 13 years of innovative, resourceful, and professional experience in the event planning industry. With great talent in interfacing clients, vendors, and her team, you can be assured your child's Bar/Bat Mitzvah will be pulled together flawlessly. Nicole's impeccable integrity and exemplary work performance rooted in superior customer service will ensure your vision will be transformed into a reality.
Beth Fink Events
With over a decade of experience planning hundreds of successful events Beth Fink Events will assist you in conceptualizing, planning, creating and executing an exquisite and memorable event experience. Beth and her team will reduce the stress of making venue and vendor selections, menu planning, décor, and entertainment by focusing on not only the big decisions at the beginning of the planning stage, but all of the tiny details that will personalize your event every step of the way. Beth Fink Events will be onsite the day-of your event to ensure that you are able to be a guest at your own affair.
Chandelier Events
Founder Amy Shey Jacobs works hand-in-hand with clients to conceptualize and customize a living experience. With an artistic eye, attention to detail, and knowledge of the most stylish and groundbreaking trends, Amy arrives at event planning with an equally grounded understanding of logistical production, timing, and budgeting. She works closely with her clients and a carefully curated team of trusted professionals to create a unique one-of-a-kind event that guests won't soon forget.
Events by Joni
Events By Joni is a full-service event planning and catering firm that can help you with multiple aspects of the Mitzvah planning process. This company specializes in personalized planning for any size event, from small, intimate gatherings to huge celebrations.
Events Custom Taylored
Taylor Keenan of Events Custom Taylored brings more than 15 years of event planning experience to her work. Past clients have described her as “a seasoned pro who knows how to manage vendors and keep every aspect of an event on track.” Taylor believes in a personalized, boutique approach to planning every event and works hard to make each celebration as unique and special as her clients are.
The Finer Details
The Finer Details is a full-service event planning business founded by Cheryl Reiner and Beth Lessick. With over a decade of event planning experience all over the tri-state area, Cheryl and Beth's expertise is assisting clients with a variety of special occasions, including Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. They are seasoned professionals who will plan and execute your event seamlessly from start to finish.
Full On Events
Full On Events bring a cutting-edge approach to planning events. Owned by Stacey Rothschild Nisenson, this company prides itself on sophisticated, innovative, and reliable event production for any special occasion. Full On Events’ Instagram profile (@full.on.events) showcases the company’s spectacular work on a wide range of themed mitzvah celebrations.
Lauren Perry Events
Lauren Pasternack, founder of Lauren Perry Events, LLC, brings over 16 years of event planning experience and understands the need for high quality service and customized multi-faceted events. Lauren provides start-to-finish service from event ideation to actualization, and partners with a distinctive array of vendors to produce unforgettable events.
Lisa Ivler Events
Lisa Ivler Events is an exciting and innovative styling and events company, offering inspired designs and a fresh perspective for your Bar or Bat Mitzvah. Born from Lisa’s desire to create original, captivating and unforgettable experiences with a touch of theatrics, Lisa Ivler Events offers a unique and refreshing approach for styling, production, and management. Lisa’s genuine passion combined with her impeccable eye and breadth of knowledge, produces occasions unrivaled in style, personality and experiential value. Her unique strength is coordinating and maintaining strong relationships with a stable of dedicated suppliers to achieve stunning results for her clients.
Michael Marielli Events
Schooled in the arts and raised on attention to detail, Michael pours his creative imagination into each event he designs, producing flawless and innovative experiences that leave lasting memories. Calling on his experience in art and entertainment, Michael brings unique life to each event, enabling his clients to showcase their personal taste and style. With contagious enthusiasm, Michael expertly guides his clients through the event design process, provides attentive planning and support during event preparation, and produces the day’s event from beginning to end.
Rubel Event Management
Directed by Amy Rubel, with over 25 years of experience, Rubel Event Management, LLC is a full-service event management and consulting company that will help you create your dream event. From concept to budget to day-of logistics, they handle and oversee all aspects and details of your special event, working with the most exceptional vendors in the marketplace, so you can relax and celebrate.
Smiling Through Chaos
As the creator of Smiling Through Chaos, LLC, Amanda Hudes dedicates her time to helping women and families smile more and stress less. When working with Amanda, you can rely on seamless and organized event planning, honed through a decade of experience in event planning. And with Amanda's fashion background as a graduate from the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC, you can also rely on perfectly designed events.
If you need more Mitzvah planning expertise, book a consultation with Xtreme Event Group. Whether you hire a professional Mitzvah planner or not, we will work with you and all your vendors to help you create an unforgettable event.
5 Tips for Plan a Flawless Virtual Mitzvah Celebration
Thinking of hosting a virtual bar or bat mitzvah? Here are some tips to plan the perfect celebration your child deserves.
Planning any type of celebration today is difficult, especially in colder areas where an outdoor gathering isn’t ideal. As the pandemic continues, many people are opting for virtual rather than in-person events to safely accommodate all their loved ones, no matter where they’re located.
If you’re looking to host a virtual bar or bat mitzvah for your child, here are five tips for hosting an engaging celebration.
Image credit: Mitch Messinger
1. Host it on Zoom.
Zoom is a great video conferencing platform that can host hundreds of guests and allow for fun, interactive chats and other features. At Xtreme Event Group, we’ve pivoted to offering Zoom mitzvahs to meet our existing clients’ needs and open our business to new clients, both nationally and internationally. We love Zoom because it allows everyone involved in the event to visually see everyone as well as their emotions and expressions. It’s also easy to use and allows you to record everything, which makes an incredible keepsake memory of your child’s special day.
Once you set the date and time, we’ll help you create a private Zoom link for the event and send it as an invite to your guests. This makes it easy for everyone to log onto your child’s virtual mitzvah celebration when the big day comes.
2. Create engagement with live entertainment.
Live entertainment is a must-have for mitzvahs, so integrating that into your virtual celebration is important. Be strategic and intentional with your choice of activities to drive engagement from guests. You want to make it different than the standard boring “Zoom meeting” you do for work and school every day by creating create a sense of community and love that radiates off the screen.
There are many ways you can do this, including having a professional entertainer as your event host, creating collaborative song playlists in real-time, and inviting performers to join the Zoom conference. For example, we recently hosted a virtual mitzvah for a client on Zoom where a mentalist was able to demonstrate his mind-reading skills. Despite the distance between all the guests, the entire party was wowed by this live performance.
Image credit: Lisa Klein
3. Include your favorite mitzvah traditions.
Setting an agenda, just as you would with an in-person mitzvah, will ensure a smooth and seamless event. There’s no need to cut out traditional mitzvah rituals, either: you can still incorporate a hora, a candle-lighting ceremony, and even a dance with Dad. If you or your child wanted to do it for a live event, it can be done over Zoom.
4. Consider everything that might go wrong.
Hosting virtual events comes with all kinds of technical and security risks. Aside from poor cameras and lighting or a bad WiFi connection, you may also run into a Zoom bomber if you don’t have a password-protected meeting link. When we host a Zoom mitzvah, we help our clients with best practices to eliminate any hurdles or obstacles from occurring.
5. Work with a mitzvah expert.
Working with a mitzvah-planning agency allows you the freedom to focus on the exciting parts of your celebration while knowing the rest of the planning and dirty work is being taken care of for you.
At Xtreme Event Group, we do it all. We are your personal event planner, IT coordinator, technical support team, professional event host, game master, virtual photographer, virtual videographer, and production expert. We also offer features like a virtual photo booth and curated music playlists for a personalized experience.
Check out The Virtual Simcha by Xtreme Event Group to better understand how we can help you celebrate your day, or schedule a consultation call with our mitzvah-planning experts!
How to Host the Perfect Hybrid Mitzvah This Spring
Looking to host a mitzvah with both in-person and online festivities? Here’s how you can host the perfect hybrid mitzvah this spring.
As the pandemic continues to change the event-planning industry, many parents planning bar and bat mitzvahs are deciding on hybrid celebrations to accommodate all their guests. This typically involves a smaller in-person event (often held outside, weather permitting) that is live-streamed for other guests to attend virtually.
As a premier mitzvah entertainment company, we’ve worked with clients all over the country (and the world) to plan virtual and hybrid celebrations for this important family milestone, even during COVID-19. If you’re considering a hybrid mitzvah celebration for your child this spring, here’s what you need to know about planning and executing the best party ever — no matter where your guests are located!
Image credit: Lisa Klein
What is a hybrid mitzvah?
A hybrid mitzvah combines an in-person celebration with an online gathering, accommodating both on-site and remote attendees. In addition to all the elements of a traditional mitzvah event, a hybrid event can also offer interactive virtual activities like real-time curated music playlists, photo booths, and video messages.
Since the start of the pandemic, Xtreme Event Group has been offering virtual mitzvahs that are fully online, allowing families and friends all over the world to safely celebrate their loved one. As smaller in-person social gatherings become safer, unique hybrid mitzvah experiences have been a go-to for families that want to engage both live and virtual guests simultaneously.
To achieve this, we work with a wide network of national A/V vendors that can facilitate an on-site technical experience while we operate the fun, interactive online elements. With this format, we are able to seamlessly integrate in-person entertainment with virtual fun for all your mitzvah guests.
Tips for hosting a virtual mitzvah
If you’ve decided to host a mitzvah with both on-site and virtual components, here are some tips to ensure the day goes smoothly and all your guests have a great time.
1. Test equipment/video before the event.
Taking the time to test any computers, audio/video components, or livestreaming equipment can help you work out any bugs before the big day. Xtreme and our A/V partners provide our clients with a dedicated day-of tech support team and recommendations, as well as a thorough rehearsal prior to the event to make sure everything is working properly.
2. Incorporate traditional mitzvah events.
Mitzvah traditions, such as speeches and the candle-lighting ceremony, can easily be translated into a hybrid model. With livestreaming and Zoom capabilities (plus a bit of rehearsal and planning beforehand), your guests can participate in the traditional mitzvah events regardless of their physical location.
Image credit: Jen Davis Photography
3. Include interactive entertainment.
Incorporating interactive entertainment ensures that both your in-person and virtual guests can enjoy the festivities equally. Curated music playlists sent to your guests, virtual photo booths and video messages, and interactive games and performances can be integrated for an unforgettable experience.
4. Work with experienced mitzvah vendors.
From contacting vendors, to setting up the tech, to ensuring guests are engaged regardless of location, planning a hybrid mitzvah can feel overwhelming. A team of trusted mitzvah vendors can help with planning, coordinating, and executing your vision for the day.
When you work with Xtreme Event Group, we’ll facilitate every step of the process, allowing you and your family to enjoy an amazing mitzvah without the stress of planning. We provide all the tools you need for a highly-engaging virtual celebration that can be held anywhere, as well as recommend local companies to help with the in-person celebration.
Choosing the right team for your mitzvah celebration will ensure a seamless and unforgettable experience for your child and their guests. For more information about our hybrid and virtual mitzvah services, contact us to schedule your consultation call today.