According to Catering Director Linda Ferone, parents need not break the bank when it comes to planning a first-class event. Her top ten money-saving tips can help savvy parents glamorize any Bar or Bat Mitzvah while still remaining on a tight budget. They are:
1) Select a venue to set the tone. High ceilings, chandeliers, room décor and color scheme can compliment any event if considered early in the planning process before you select a theme. Choosing a venue that provides the right atmosphere is half the battle.
2) Spend your extra dollars on luxurious floor-length linens, instead of the expensive centerpieces. Many venues will have them already or be able to secure them at a more reasonable price.
3) Go for “plated meals” instead of stations. Most venues will charge a bit more for stations and food attendants. Plus, a plated meal is viewed as more elegant than a buffet.
4) Help it flow by serving a signature drink as guests arrive, and remember to have non- alcoholic options. It sets the tone and eases the traffic to the bar, and also helps the event flow more smoothly.
5) We love butlers. More is not necessarily better. Opt for serving high-end hors d’oeuvres “butler” style instead of offering them in the buffet. This will keep your costs down, yet still offer your guests high-quality items.
6) Go for sweet endings. Set dessert and goodie tables such as candy, ice cream, cookies, etc. at the end of the event. Add the coffee, tea and hot chocolate if appropriate. Also, save any party favors until the end of the event.
7) Ask and you shall receive. Ask vendors for repeat themes. Decorators will be willing to discount on props they already have rather than on new ones they’ll have to create. Also use your vendors – many DJs will supply games, lighting, props, etc. and give you a better price when your hire two or more services.
8) Choose flameless candles. To be safe, use lots of flameless candles. They are simple and elegant, and always add ambiance to any room.
9) Rely on pillow talk. A hot trend is the “lounge” setting. Select simple furniture and add lots of pillows. Personalized pillows can also be given out as favors or prizes.
10) Be the Host with the most. Remember to reserve hotel rooms for your out-of-town guests, and friends and relatives that may want to celebrate a bit too much and not drive after the party. A nice touch is to place a welcome amenity in the room that can range from chocolates to bath robes. Some hotels will provide them for a small fee.
In addition to gaining a reputation as a great new venue for Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, the Doubletree’s new Grand Ballroom is becoming Westchester’
Set on 11 acres of landscaped grounds in the heart of the Hudson Valley, the Doubletree Hotel offers 246 guest rooms, 24,000 square feet of meeting and pre-function space, a Glatt Kosher Kitchen, Business Center, indoor pool, day spa, sauna, state-of-the-
