At the end of the day, we’re party people—while weddings may be our most common event, any time people come together for memorable celebrations, we want to be involved! Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, of course, are no exception. This event is a major milestone in a young Jewish person’s life, and a reflection of the child’s identity and tastes. With that in mind, we are adding to our series of checklist blogs with this Bat Mitzvah planning checklist. Let’s get to it!
Memorable Milestones
A Bar or Bat Mitzvah is a coming-of-age ritual, when a Jewish child, typically 13 years old, traditionally becomes responsible for their own actions and is able to participate in Jewish community life as an adult. A Bar Mitzvah largely consists of reading a selection from the Torah with a gathering typically held afterwards to celebrate the occasion. This party is an opportunity to show off one’s taste and party planning chops! It is trendy to have a theme for this event, which often features a custom brand or wordmark featuring the name of the honoree and date of the Bar or Bat Mitzvah. Our Bat Mitzvah planning checklist takes those considerations into account and balances them with those details that are common to any party.
Themes of the Times
In case you missed our last blog on the subject, here’s a quick rundown of our theme forecasting for 2025. We predict big years for next level social media presence, bespoke and high-level food and drink, film and analog items, and boldly mismatched themes.
We’re happy to report seeing all manner of innovative (and, above all, really fun-looking) Bar and Bat Mitzvahs all over our social feeds. If you’re just starting your 2025 Bat Mitzvah planning checklist, those themes are going to be a good jumping off point!
One Year Away
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Decide on the date. You may be planning it during the mitzvah honoree’s 13th year, but there are still considerations around preferred season and temple availability.
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Book a venue! While the ceremony itself will likely happen at the temple you’re a member of, the reception is up to you, be it a hotel, restaurant, or anywhere your child’s heart desires.
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Get your contracts in order. Think all the nitty gritty like caterers, photographers, and, if enough guests will be coming in from out of town, a hotel block.
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Decide on a theme and color story. We'll just leave this here again, but we can’t emphasize this point enough- the color and theme is the brand of the Bar Mitzvah party, and it’s key to have a strong one!
Six to Eleven Months Away
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Mail save the dates. These should be reflective of the theme and colors you’ve chosen for the big day!
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Decide on a logo. Frequently modeled after an artist, athlete, or iconic brand, logos are a key part of the Bar Mitzvah experience.
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Plan a Mitzvah project. Since Judaism teaches the importance of community and compassion to others, a project that involves giving back to the community is a crucial part of any Bar or Bat Mitzvah.
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Find a tutor. We think this is a key Bat Mitzvah planning checklist item: a Bar Mitzvah consists of a torah reading, performed in Hebrew, and a good tutor is key to both selecting a meaningful torah passage and preparing well.
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Cement other details of the ceremony, such as time of day.
Three to Six Months Away
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Purchase attire: this should be a smart formal outfit, and can also include a Tallit (prayer shawl), Tefillin (black leather boxes containing written Torah verses), and commemorative Kippahs with the date of the ceremony for guests. These items could be considered heirlooms, so put careful thought into buying them.
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Buy and rent your nitty-gritty (but essential!) items: decor rental, hair and makeup, decorations such as flower arrangements, and lighting and AV services for the reception.
Two to Three Months Away
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Mail invitations! If you need bold Bar or Bat Mitzvah invitations, we’ve got your back.
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Purchase personalized party favors. This is where we come in! Consult with the theme and your child for preferred items from For Your Party. Whether you are looking for custom napkins, personalized cups, or want to explore our entire collection of unique Bar and Bat Mitzvah party supplies, we have you covered with the essentials.
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Organize RSVPs, and confirm any special transportation/dietary needs.
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Finalize all food and beverage menu items.
One Month Away or Less
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Determine final guest counts for both the ceremony and reception.
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Organize all final payments to vendors, caterers, etc.
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Conduct final rehearsals for all aspects of the ceremony and Torah readings.
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Have a portrait shoot with close family and the Bar Mitzvah Honoree in their formal outfit!
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Finally, the best item of any Bat Mitzvah planning checklist: Sit back, relax, and watch your Bar or Bat Mitzvah honoree lead a wonderful service and complete an important step into adulthood!
…And That’s It!
We hope the journey is a fruitful and rewarding one, for both the Bar Mitzvah honoree, and for all party planners, amateur and professional. No matter what your event is, we’re ready to help. Beyond our Bat Mitzvah planning checklist, we’ve got your back with party themes and inspo for every event. Before we sign off, make sure to tag us @foryourparty with all your event photos. We love seeing the moments we can help to create, and there’s a chance you’ll be featured on our socials as well!
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