Bar Mitzvah Reception Schedule
Our reception will be a luncheon with dancing immediately following the kiddush. I`m wondering if anyone can review my provisional schedule below and let me know if it sounds good:
12:15 – 12: 30 pm: Guests begin to arrive at the reception. Band to play music at this time to get some people out on the dance floor.
12:45 pm: By now, most of the guests will have arrived. We are expecting about 175 people. By this time, we want the music to be in full swing. People will also be getting wine/beer/soft drinks from the bar and mingling. The band will announce our son`s arrival and ask him to come out to the dancefloor at around 12:50 pm. When he makes his way out to the dancefloor, the band will urge everyone else to join him and they will immediately start playing Simon Tav so that everyone will start the hora and then bring the chair out to the dancefloor.
1:00 pm: Band to continue playing a few songs of regular dance music immediately following the hora to keep the crowd happy and entertained.
1:10pm: Announce that lunch is now being served (buffet), and begin to call up the tables 2 or 3 at a time.
1:10 – 1:35 pm: Low-key music on CD while people eat. Once all tables have been called up, the band will go ahead and join the buffet line to get their lunch and eat at this time.
1:40 pm – 2:00 pm: Band to facilitate games with the kids while parents continue eating. Games we`re thinking of include: Hula Hoop Contest, Limbo, Coke and Pepsi, Freeze Dance. Can anyone suggest other ideas for games that have been successful?
2:00 pm: While the kids are still out on the dancefloor (due to the games), the band is to urge everyone to stay out on the dancefloor and support that by starting some rousing dance music. The band will also mingle with the crowd, give out fun Oriental Trading goodies, etc.
2:50 pm: Everyone to take their seats for the candlelighting ceremony. The candlelighting will take about 15 minutes or so. Once all candles have been lit, band to play “Happy Birthday” and our son will blow the candles out. After the candles are blown out, we`ll say a few words to thank our guests for celebrating with us.
3:10 pm: While the caterer is cutting and serving cake/coffee/tea, everyone to remain seated while we play a "through the years" montage on the projection screen.
3:20 pm – 4:30 pm: Open dancing. I`m figuring that guests will start to leave at around 4:00 or so, but the band to continue playing for awhile. Last dance to be announced at 4:30 pm.
Does all of this sound good? I want to be sure that I am timing things well so that people don`t leave too early. And are we missing anything that we should be doing? I don`t know if we`ll have a special Mother/Son dance because our son is a bit shy - I don`t know if he would go for that:)
Any thoughts/input is greatly appreciated:)
Thanks,
Jen
Posted by Jennifer Finetti; updated 01/05/06
Reply
I think your schedule sounds great. I think it will work as long as you have a good DJ/MC and he/she can keep things moving. Just remember that a day time reception goes by really fast, so enjoy every moment. Its important to be organized and you sound like you are on the right track with keeping with a schedule. Your son needs to get past the "shyness" as he will be in front of 175 people as he is called up to the Bimah as a Bar Mitzvah. I have the perfect son/Mother dance for you. It is the one that I chose for my son and I at this Bar MItzvah, two years ago. (Click here: MY BOY The Bar Mitzvah song for the Son and Mother Spotlight Dance.html) You are his mother and he needs to honor you by putting aside his shyness and dance with you. Remember they are at an age, where they are still somewhat immature, but I would make him. I promise with this song, there wont be a dry eye in the house. Mazel Tov to you and your family.
Posted by Brenda; updated 02/06/06
Reply
This schedule was helpful; can someone review my schedule and make suggestions?
Bar Mitzvah at 10a-12p, followed by a light oneg (snacks of bagels, some lunchmeat, etc).
Reception Schedule (2-6pm):
2:00-2:15 Guests arrive, sign in. DVD playing on big screen.
Start to get drinks, appetizers. (Should they be served or buffet style?) Soft music is playing. Cake is on display
2:30 Wine ,Challah, Candle-lighting ceremony, son speech, Dad speech, Mom speech, followed by 8-10-minute Through the years video.
2:45 Music resumes, More soft music and buffet lunch begins (starting with son`s table) Different video plays on big screen. Cake (already cut) is at end of buffet line
4:00 Dancing begins
5:00 Jeopardy/Trivia game for kids
5:30 More dancing (until 6pm)
Suggestions?
Posted by Joel; updated 08/08/06
