When I started Details Wedding Planning, people asked why I wouldn't just plan all events? I said it was because weddings are really where my passion lies. But when Madison and Eliana's family contacted me about coordinating their Bat Mitzvah, I was instantly intrigued. I'd never worked, let alone been to a Bat Mitzvah before, and if they were going to trust me with the event, I was going to make sure it was fantastic.
The reception was thrown for twins Madison and Eliana at Byron's Southend on February 26. In the process of planning I learned about what this part of life means for Jewish young adults. Madison and Eliana attended Hebrew school, completed a Mitzvah project, and prepared throughout the year for their ceremony.
After their successful ceremony, family and friends gathered in the social hall of Temple Israel to start the celebration for the girls. After a brief time, guests boarded shuttles that headed off to the main, 80's Movie themed party at Byron's.
I LOVED the theme: bright, energetic, fun, and different, movie posters adorned the tables as centerpieces along with "popcorn" floral arrangements the girls' mother made herself. With director's chairs as a sign in guest book, and a movie tickets as place cards, the theme was fun for everyone.
The celebration started with introductions of the family, and then the girls, followed by the blessing of the Challah and a candle lighting ceremony where the girls awarded special friends and family members with "M.E. Awards" (these mini trophies resembled Oscar awards, which were also perfectly timed to take place that very same night). My favorite part of the afternoon was during the candle lighting. One of the girls' grandmothers was unable to travel for the event, but sent a surprise video for them. It had family in tears and from the look on the girls faces, meant the world to them as well. The whole setup was perfect.
After, stations filled with delicious food, a blow up photo booth, and fun dancing followed and continued throughout the afternoon. Guests enjoyed an array of fun desserts as the party continued, and at the end of the afternoon, a concession stand opened up for guests to take home candy, popcorn, and nachos as favors from the party. The whole event was so much fun! It was filled with love, excitement, and happiness for Eliana and Madison. And these sweet girls most definitely deserved it.
What a pleasure it was working with the girls and their family. Madison and Eliana, congratulations on such a wonderful occasion! I'm so happy to have been able to help make sure your day went off without a hitch! And I don't know... maybe I found a perfect pairing to go along with wedding planning after all.
All the best,
Libby