3 main things that are important for a Bar / Bat Mitzvah

DJ or Entertainment * Facility for Event * Photographer or Video or both

2-3 Years Before Your Event - Time to contact a synagogue or temple around the ages of 10 or 11 and learn the process and timeframe required to prepare your child for the event. Formal Mitzvah lessons begin about a year prior to the scheduled date.

9 months to a year before event - Find a venue / location and work on booking it. Also research  information on photographers, videographers, catering and decorators. Talk to your child about ideas on a theme and/or color scheme of the event and keep their ideas in mind.

5-6 months prior to event - Make sure to finalize picking your entertainment and vendors for the party portion. Ask photographer about having portraits of child at a location of your choice.  Start to develop a guest list with current addresses. Select and order the stationary for invitations, napkins, or anything that will have writing on it. Always order extra because you may need more than you think. Decide on centerpieces for the tables and any other decorations for the party. Choose the party favors for the guests and try to coordinate the colors of everything to match for the event. Arrange the out of town guests accommodations and overall plans, if you are having your event at a hotel you may be able to get deals on rooms for your guests. Keep in contact with the tutor helping your child through become a mitzvah boy or girl. If they are having any difficulty try to encourage them so that they will progress. Decide on any events prior to the mitzvah such as a luncheon, family get-togethers, or an evening Shabbat dinner before the big event.

2-3 Months before event - Finalize all the party selections such as the menu, theme, decorations, and centerpieces. Make your appointments for hair, make-up, manicures, etc. Order personalized yarmulkes. Mail out your invitations - number the back of the response cards to correspond to your guest list to ensure accuracy.

1-2 months prior to event - Create your candle lighting list and ceremony lines. Work with your child on writing the presentation and ensure they are writing meaningful and that they are comfortable with. Coordinate with the caterers and entertainment to ensure the time frames match between service providers. Develop your timeline for the formalities such as hora, dances, food announcements, etc. Encourage your child to practice their service out loud.

 3 weeks to 1 month prior to event - Reconfirm times and information with your service providers. Develop your seating plan and have your introductions and timeline ready for the entertainment for the party, have your music list for the entertainment as well. Coordinate a rehearsal / practice session with your temple or synagogue for the service. Ask about video taping the rehearsal in lieu of the actual service. Arrange hospitality baskets for the out-of-town guests, include the schedule of events and detailed directions. Coordinate the out-of-town guests transportation for the event. If you are having any luncheons or dinners prior to the Mitzvah make sure to have these reservations set.

1 week prior to event - Confirm the final guest count and present to caterer. Once the final guest count is in you will be responsible for that amount to pay for. Make the seating arrangements chart or plan where guests will be sitting. Get an emergency kit together with all the quick needed items for the event, combs, make-up, sewing kit for back up and anything you think you will need.

Day before Event - Put all of your things together for the event in a place where you can find them. Call all of the guests from out-of-town and make sure everyone is all set to arrive. Make any last minute adjustments if needed and have your child read over any candle lighting speeches or speeches for the service they may be nervous about.

Day of Event - Gather everything you are taking to the service and/or party and bring it with you. Meet and greet guests over at the temple or synagogue and prepare to start service. Have your photographer take all the prior to photos if you have them scheduled for this. After service is over (usually hour to 2 hours long) get ready to party. Head over to the event facility and start whatever activities on the schedule, either cocktail hour or introductions. Have your candle lighting speech list handy as well.

Here is a guide to how many Mitzvahs go during the party portion

- Beginning - cocktails or light snack foods as guests arrive
- Guests Arriving music playing in background
- An activity or some dancing to get guests motivated for grand    entrance
- Grand entrance and announcements of Mitzvah Boy or Girl / parents
- Hora / Chair lift with guests and family
- Dance with mother or father
- Games and Dancing for kids and friends / family
- Motzi and/or Kiddush
- Lunch or Dinner
- A toast or 2 from anyone who wants to speak
- More Dancing and Activities / Games for kids
- Candle Lighting
- Group participation and adults music requests
- End of party last song

We here at DJ Billman Productions, hope that our information and timeline has helped you in planning your Mitzvah and making it a memorable fun experience. If you have questions feel free to email us and we can help with any of our services.

Email Us Here   (561) 793-1981  or (772) 419-8042