How to Plan a Bar or Bat Mitzvah Celebration

While the religious ceremony is the most important part of any bar or bat mitzvah, the celebration that follows should also be a memorable occasion for your child or grandchild. Here are some hints to help you plan the party that marks this Jewish rite of passage for your favorite young person.

Things You'll Need

• Invitations
• Decorations
• Catering Services
• Live Band And DJ Rentals
• Photographers

Instructions

1. Finalize the dates and times of the ceremony and celebration. You'll need to discuss this with your rabbi or the administrator of your congregation well in advance, since some dates may not be available or appropriate for a bar or bat mitzvah.

2. Set a budget for the celebration. This may affect the size of your guest list, your choice of venue and the type of party you decide to have.

3. Determine the size of the celebration. Will you ask just family and congregation members? Friends from your child's school? Out-of-towners? Make the list (don't forget to consult your child), and review it several times to be sure no one has been left out.

4. Reserve the location where the celebration will be held. The synagogue or Jewish Community Center may have a hall that can be booked for these occasions, or consider a banquet room at a local hotel, restaurant or conference center.

5. Decide what sort of food and beverages you'll provide. Will the celebration include a full sit-down meal? Finger foods? Alcoholic drinks? Get estimates from a few different caterers if you plan to have a fully catered party.

6. Think about decorations. You could decorate the location yourself, or enlist the caterer to do it for you. Make sure that someone is in charge of the post-party cleanup.

7. Book a DJ or a band if dancing will be part of your celebration. Interview various candidates before you make the booking to find out if they can provide the type of music you want. If you want to include some traditional Jewish or Israeli music, you may have to provide the DJ with some CDs.

8. Plan the order of events carefully (for example, speeches, a special dance and/or a presentation of some kind). Remember to keep your child in the loop by discussing all the possibilities with him or her.

Tips & Warnings

• Confirm all your arrangements during the week before the celebration to make sure everything goes smoothly.

• Choose a photographer carefully, and discuss in advance what sort of pictures will be taken. Will there be group portraits and pictures with each grandparent? Candid shots of the celebration? Will the photographer attend both the ceremony and the celebration?

• When you book a location, find out what, if any, restrictions will be placed on your party. Some hotels require you to use their own catering services, and rules about who provides the alcohol may vary as well. Some locations will allow you to hire a band, while others may restrict you to recorded music.

• Remember that some of the people you invite will probably not be able to attend, and take this into account when discussing the size of the celebration with caterers and other service providers.