By Stacey Pfeffer

In recent years, the cost of B’nai Mitzvah have spiraled out of control with some costing as much as $150,000 in the tri-state area. Before you take out a second mortgage to finance a B’nai Mitzvah bash, it’s helpful to know that with a little planning and creative flair you can plan a do-it-yourself (DIY) Bar/Bat Mitzvah that is memorable, meaningful and amazing! Enter Booked Parties your one-stop shopping resource to execute an amazing Bar or Bat Mitzvah.

Venues Galore

The first step once you have chosen a date is to search for a venue that suits your budget and taste. Life the Place to Be in Ardsley features more than 25,000 square feet of flexible space with a cutting-edge industrial design. An array of on-site activities including rock climbing, laser tag and arcade games will keep your guests busy all night long. If traditional elegance is what you’re after, The Briarcliff Manor fits the bill. This venue features picturesque views of the Hudson Palisades and can play host to intimate parties of 20 guests to larger ones with 200 guests. Outdoor space on-site can enhance your party experience. Elevate Event Lounge in Yorktown Heights is a great venue with a nightclub vibe. They have many enhancements to add to your celebration including casino tables, custom candy bars and photo booths. If you are looking to have your ceremony and party at one venue, Temple Beth El  in Chappaqua designed by renowned architect Louis Kahn is the perfect option. The recently built event space features 18- foot ceilings and large vertical windows so your guests can look out onto the verdant background. The venue is a great canvas where you can create the room to suit whatever your party’s theme and design. The sky’s the limit!

DJs and Entertainment Options Amp Up The Fun Factor

Getting your guests on the dance floor is crucial to having a fun-filled event. Finding entertainment is at your fingertips with DJs listed on Booked Parties. Full service Bar and Bat Mitzvahs are a specialty for DJ Catch 1, DJ Theo Philip and DJ Marcello all listed on the site. Your party package can be enhanced with dancers and entertainment that are sure to be the life of the party. Need a henna tattoo artist or circus performers at your event? Companies like The Party People Inc., Get Down Entertainment or Any Excuse for a Party can help provide you with anything and everything you need to pump up the volume on your party with even the most unusual requests.

Talk of the Town Take Aways

After dancing the night away, why not end your party on a sweet note? WOOPS or Mooms Bakery  offer customizable treats that can match your party’s theme and/or color scheme. Got a marshmallow-loving kid? Sherry b dessert studio can make a custom ice cream flavor chock full of marshmallows or any other treat that your child fancies. Dive In Sweets can offer the candy bar set up of your dreams. If your guests have a long ride home, food trucks are a fun way to end the evening. With Walters Hot Dog Truck, you can grab a hot dog or some curly fries, Mobile Pie can serve up some delicious pizzas made custom and on the spot and Melt Mobile ‘s mouth watering grilled cheeses will always be an easy crowd pleaser!

Fabulous Favors

Bar or Bat Mitzvah swag these days can be completely customized to align with your party’s theme. Booked Marketplace has many vendors to choose from so that your favors are fabulous. From customized hoodies to hats – Booked Marketplace vendors offer endless options and ideas across every price range.

Beyond the Selfie: Picture Perfect Photos

These days many families are using make-up artists for their B’nai Mitzvahs so that the host family looks camera-ready. Booked Parties has make-up artists at About Face that can come to your home prior to your event or if you prefer the hair and make-up services can be done at a salon such as Glo Beauty Bar.

Of course after planning the bash for so many months, you’ll want photos and videos that capture all those special moments and can help you reminisce about the event years later. Photographers and videographers such as Layalabelle Productions and Terri Olson Photography can shoot your mitzvah artistically so you’ll have photos and videos to treasure.

If you still feel overwhelmed by all of the myriad details that go into creating an unforgettable Bar/Bat Mitzvah bash, there are party planners that can help you execute a seamless event. Check out party planners listed on the site and remember that all vendors listed on Booked Parties offer a 5% discount when using the site to secure their services. Happy planning!

Stacey Pfeffer lives with her three young children and husband in Chappaqua. Her articles have been featured in NY Family Magazine, Westchester Parent, Inside Chappaqua and Westchester Family Magazine.