How to Plan the Perfect Bar Mitzvah

Boy blowing out birthday candles for an article on how to plan the perfect bar mitzvah

Hi everyone!  To start off the week, I wanted to share with you a bar mitzvah I recently photographed at Attic Studios.  Ben turned the ripe old age of 13, and his family threw him a great party.  Far from the edge of boring, this bar mitzvah had all the key ingredients of a fantastic event: good food, lots of dance music, and plenty of space for guests to mingle. So let’s get all the details as I give you my list of tips for how to plan the perfect bar mitzvah.

Ben’s Attic Studios Bar Mitzvah

Table setting with tall vases and view of NYC skyline for an article on how to plan the perfect bar mitzvah

Let’s start with the food.  Passed hors d’oeuvres started the evening, followed by a paella dinner for the adults and a build-your-own taco station for the kids (and any adults who wandered by).  The paella was served to the adults family style, who were seated at banquet tables at the back of the space, while the kids were allowed to do their own thing throughout the rest of the venue.

Dessert was the grand finale of the evening with a make-your-own ice cream sundae station, as well as a candy and dessert bar.  Needless to say, once the dessert bar opened, the kids descended on it like locusts, and complete mayhem ensued.

With lots of sugar as fuel, the dance floor was never empty.  In addition to getting crazy on the dance floor, the planned evening activities included a balloon artist, face painters (who transformed the kids into zombies, à la ‘The Walking Dead’), and a photo booth with lots of fun frame options.  The ‘guest book,’ so to speak, was a giant ‘sign-in’ poster of NYC.

And can we ever forget cake at a birthday celebration?  There must be cake.

 

How to Host the Perfect Bar Mitzvah

View from above from kids diving into dessert buffet for an article on how to plan the perfect bar mitzvahA few key lessons from this event: the family photos were taken at the beginning of the evening on the roof of Attic Studios.  The view of the city was fantastic, but best of all, the photos were done and out of the way before the party began.  So all ‘obligatory’ portraits were finished, and guests and the guest of honor alike could enjoy the party without having to be pulled away for photos.

Second, there were separate considerations made for the adults in attendance.  The kids were left to do their own thing and enjoy the party on their own terms.  For the adults there was a more sophisticated menu, open bar, and lots of lounge space for them to visit away from the kids.  So everyone is happy.  And that’s the secret to a perfect event.  Enjoy the pics!

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Would you like to see images from other bar mitzvahs I have photographed?  Check out photos from Bryan’s bar mitzvah at the Picnic House in Prospect Park here.

Are you planning a bar mitzvah for your family?  Drop me a line and let’s talk about your photography needs.

If you would like to see more images from my portfolio, then please visit my website — KellyWilliamsPhotographer.com.

Two girls and one boy dancing with arms raised on roof Black and white photo of family on roof with view of NYC skyline Mother holding boy's head as he makes a funny face Two women hugging for an article on how to plan the perfect bar mitzvah Table setting with mini blackboard table numberCenterpiece of green plantsTable setting with view of NYC skyline out windowPlate of pigs in a blanket with three dipsTwo girls with entwined arms drinking from glasses for an article on how to plan the perfect bar mitzvahPlace setting with mini film camera escort card

Birthday boy at a bar mitzvah for an article on how to plan the perfect bar mitzvah
The birthday boy, Ben

Hallway with photos of birthday boy at Attic Studios Parents making a speech for an article on how to plan the perfect bar mitzvah Guests enjoying party for an article on how to plan the perfect bar mitzvah Guests dancing crazy in front of camera for an article on how to plan the perfect bar mitzvah Girls dancing with arms above for an article on how to plan the perfect bar mitzvah Kids talking at a table for an article on how to plan the perfect bar mitzvahGuests doing line dance for an article on how to plan the perfect bar mitzvah Girl talking to another guest at table for an article on how to plan the perfect bar mitzvah Girl signing framed guest book for an article on how to plan the perfect bar mitzvah Two polaroids on a table Guests watching as girl gets her face painted for an article on how to plan the perfect bar mitzvah Close up of girl getting zombie makeup painted for an article on how to plan the perfect bar mitzvahWoman laying head on man's shoulder for an article on how to plan the perfect bar mitzvah Table full of photo-related products including frames and snow globes Two girls with zombie face makeup for an article on how to plan the perfect bar mitzvah Girl looking up at man for an article on how to plan the perfect bar mitzvah Kids dancing in conga line for an article on how to plan the perfect bar mitzvah Three colorful, fuzzy photo holders on tableTable full of ding dong pastries Girl looking at dessert buffet for an article on how to plan the perfect bar mitzvah Guests surrounding tin full of ice cream for an article on how to plan the perfect bar mitzvah Girl with cell phone and girl licking lollipop for an article on how to plan the perfect bar mitzvah Man wearing red and blue balloon for an article on how to plan the perfect bar mitzvahWoman hugging on to man for an article on how to plan the perfect bar mitzvah Black and white photo of boy blowing out birthday candles Boy celebrating after blowing out candles for an article on how to plan the perfect bar mitzvah Girl with blue and white balloon wings for an article on how to plan the perfect bar mitzvah Boy being lifted up by guests for an article on how to plan the perfect bar mitzvah

 

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