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!

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Organization

Guest list
Hebrew names: child, parents, grandparents & anyone else that may be called up to the Torah for an aliyah
Entertainment contracts
Hotel room block agreement
Kippot contract, contact, receipt info
Venue contract
Venue floor plan
Menu options
Seating charts
Oneg/Kiddush hosting form, if required by synagogue
Kibbudim/Honors/Aliyot request form, if required by synagogue
Synagogue monthly newsletter to use as a guide for when you write the announcement for your child's Mitzvah
Synagogue weekly program, which might also help as a guide for your planning
Contact & pricing info for any entertainment and/or service you might be considering... photographer, videographer, screen printer, airbrush artist, decorator, calligrapher...
Invitation vendors, samples, contracts, proofs, ideas... menu cards, place cards, table numbers, custom program...
Friday night Shabbat Dinner ideas
Sunday Brunch ideas
...maybe more to come....
Your additions to the list are welcome!

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: