Am I Behind? Mitzvah Planning Guide

If you’ve gotten your teen’s bar or bat mitzvah date, you may think it’s so far off that you don’t need to do anything yet. Think again!  It’s time to get your mitzvah planning on track. Here’s what to do now and later.

First Thing

Create your guest list. Your teen’s friend groups may change in the next 12 to 24 months, so keep that fluid. But you know your family and friends, so buckle down and create your spreadsheet of names and addresses. Why? The size of your party dictates the size of your venue. Also, any special considerations among your guests should be accounted for when choosing the place, like handicap accessibility, vegan catering, etc.

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Two to Three Years

Would you believe that some vendors get booked two or three years out? It’s true. The first mitzvah vendors you should book are what I call the big three: event venue, musical entertainment and photographer. These are the ones with the longest lead time and the categories that most shape your celebration. If you find one you like, at the Bar & Bat Mitzvah EXPO or through a friend’s party or recommendation, get that contract set. Then you can relax. For a little while …

Year to Date

At about a year from your date, start securing your celebration and kiddush caterers – if they are not included with your venues – and booking a hotel block for out-of-town guests. Consider the location of your celebration versus your synagogue, especially if you’re having a nighttime party. Guests will want a quick trip to their beds after all that dancing!

10 Months

Following these steps, at about 10 months out, make your weekend plan to include what you’ll do for Shabbat dinner and Sunday brunch, along with any weekend downtime your out-of-towners may have in the schedule. About this time, you should also start speaking with decorators to get proposals, whether you have a theme or just some ideas of what your teen wants. You should also start gathering photos of your teen if you plan to produce a montage. If you’re not doing it yourself, start looking for a vendor for this.

8 Months

At around eight months out, you should start looking at invitations, send save-the-dates if you plan to, book a videographer, and finalize décor plans. Consider if you need transportation for guests in between events and make those arrangements. Will you want specialty entertainment like a photo booth, caricaturist or a food truck? Book that soon.

Six Months

Once you hit the six-month mark, it’s time to really roll. Now you’ll finalize the guest list with addresses, order invitations and kippot, shop for tallit and party favors and finalize your meal plans outside of the celebration itself.

Final Plans

Inside the six-month window, there are many details to check off, and final decisions to make.

For an easy month-by-month to-do list, download www.atlantamitzvahconnection.com/tips-tools/bar-mitzvah-planning-timeline.

You’ll find that when you see the entire roadmap, with each task outlined, it will feel much more doable. And remember that event planners can help you through this process, so you can minimize the stress and maximize the joy of this exciting time. Mazel tov!

Shelly Danz is founder and chief party officer of Atlanta Party Connection.