BLACK is IN

I just can't say enough good things about BLACK tablecloths. They make the whole room so much more upscale looking. They also really help make your centerpieces stand out a lot more. When this was suggested to me, I thought for sure it would make the room look so much smaller and darker. I was SO wrong! I'm glad I took the great advice. I've seen lots of mitzvah parties that used black tablecloths and they all look great! It works for any theme or color scheme. The party pictured here was a double mitzvah for a stepbrother and stepsister pair. The theme was perfect: The Best of Both Worlds. I'm sure planning parties for pairs presents lots of challenges, and this theme could be adapted to any pair of kids celebrating thei B'nai Mitzvot together. Each table was labelled with one of the kids' interests. Notice also how added up lighting enhanced the decor.
Ask your caterer if they provide black table coverings. You will be thrilled with the look!

Ideas for the DIY crafter in you :)

place cards: lollipops, labels, styrofoam block covered with fabric using spray adhesive

custom cake from www.flourpowerdesserts.com with candle lighting centerpiece made from glass votives, vellum printed using inkjet printer, and Mickey Mouse paper punches using aluminum foil instead of paper... 

table set up - fabric wrapped glass floral cylinders (using Xyron permanent adhesive), vellum printed using inkjet printer and wrapped around glass votive, submersible LED lights, and custom chocolates - all on a black tablecloth - huge fan of the black - I was afraid it would look dark, but it was so incredibly elegant looking!

another view of the table and lights, with Mickey Mouse shaped cookies made by a friend

kids tables set up - also against a black tablecloth - perfect!

I was so pleased with how the alcove was transformed into the perfect kids area!

another view of the candle lighting centerpiece I made using glass votives

vellum wrapped votives as table markers and fabric wrapped vases for LED lights

newsletter format information for guests

Seating - ugh.

(Click on the images for a larger version to view and print.)
My gift to you: a blank seating chart. Now if only filling it in were so easy...

... and since many places offer a U-shaped set-up for kids' tables: