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As your children reach the age of maturity and begin to fulfil God's commandments as prescribed by the Torah, so they are afforded new privileges and obligations within the Jewish Community. It is a time for celebration. Whether you select a simple reception to celebrate your child's passage into the rites of Judaism or an elaborate luncheon or evening affair for 300+, the goal is the same. You want a memorable and meaningful event that you and your family will remember for a lifetime.
We know how important it is that your son's Bar Mitzvah or your daughter's Bat Mitzvah is perfect, from the readings, to their celebratory dinner, the detail is important, because the occasion marks a landmark in their coming of age. It is a life-changing experience and one that your children will remember for the rest of their lives. It is important that it is planned to perfection. So here is a little bit of helpful advice to help your plan your child's special day.
Matching Stationery
Order a sample
First Steps
Timing your Order
Bat/Bar Mitzvah Invitations
Reply Cards
Menus
Place Cards
Favours
Guest Book & Photographic Albums
Stationery is one of the most important elements to your special day, receiving an invitation is often the first time your guests become aware of your celebration. But 'Invitations' are not the only item of stationery you will need for your big day, you may want 'Menu's' or even 'Thank You cards'.
In our main range you can choose from designs specifically tailored to Bat or Bar Mitzvahs or choose a design from our main range of sare or oblong shaped designs. We also have a range of boxed scrolls, which have become popular in recent years. Each item is handmade individually, exclusively for you, with quality materials and heavy weight card, so you can be sure that the finished product is one that you will be proud to send to your friends and relatives.
You can simply choose from our extensive range of stylish, contemporary designs whether you prefer traditional stationery or scrolls…making your choice will be the most difficult part. And if you can't find what you are looking for in our range, then why not take a look at our Bespoke service.
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It is often difficult to make your mind up, and equally as difficult to really see the quality and true colours of the finished product from a photograph. So why not order a sample to help you make your mind up? We know, how important it is, that you make the right choice.
If you wish to order a sample, it is simple, just click on the link on the item you require and follow the instructions. Invitation samples are sent out using the colour shown in the main photograph of each design. Please indicate if you require an alternative colour and we will also send a sample flower or swatch in the colour option that you prefer.
If you are interested in a scroll design, we will send you the handmade embellishment wrapped around the parchment paper of your choice, but due to the cost of the scroll boxes, we can only send out colour swatches for these.
We do have a high demand for samples, therefore, it is necessary for us to make charge for each sample ordered. . However, should you order one of the samples we will refund the cost of that sample.
Once you have discussed and finalised the time and dates of your Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony with your Rabbi, you will then need to decide when and where the post-ceremony celebration will be held. This will obviously depend on how many people you intend to invite. Consider whether you wish to have just family and friends or whether you wish to invite members of your congregation or friends from your child's school. It is important to ensure the venue you choose, can cater for your guests. Whether it be your home, the synagogue's hall, a community centre, a restaurant or hotel.
We recommend that you place your order, at least 4-5 months before the date of your child's Bat/Bar Mitzvah occasion, this not only allows you time to send out your invitations and receive your responses but takes into consideration delivery timings.
As every one of our invitations is handmade individually, you will need to consider the lead time for delivery in your timings. If your Bar/Bat Mitzvah falls during the Christmas Period, you will need to allow a longer lead time to take account of the Christmas postage. Once ordered and delivered this will give you time to send out your Invitations - at least 12 weeks before your event.
It is worth remembering when planning your Bar/Bat Mitzvah that there are times of the year, especially between Passover (Pesach) and Shavour, when there is no dancing, this may affect your arrangements, so it is worth checking with your synagogue.
Order Invitations At least 4 - 5 months before event.
Delivery 3-4 months prior to event
Despatch 3 months (12 weeks prior to event)
RSVP by: 2-4 weeks prior to event
Your invitations are one of the most important elements to your special day, they are often the first point at which your guests become aware of your celebration, they not only provide your guests with the time, date and venue information, but will also set the style and tone, providing your friends and relatives with a taster of what is to come.
Style of Invitation
When deciding on the style of your invitation, you may want to consider whether your want traditional or contemporary invitations, the most appropriate colours for a boy or girl, whether you wish to include any Jewish insignia like a scroll or a capel, or you may wish to include some words in Hebrew.
What to consider when deciding on your invitation details
- Who is sending out the invitation e.g. the parents of the child
- The name of the son or daughter whose Bar/Bat Mitzvah it is
- What they are being called to e.g The Torah
- In some cases you can also include what they are being called to read e.g. Maftir
- The event(s) the invitee is being invited to
- The date of the event(s)
- The time of the event(s)
- The place of the event(s)
- The name of the host(s)
- When appropriate the place and name of other events/receptions that will be taking place.
Language
Language on the invitation is one of the first decisions. Many invitations include Hebrew as well English. This creates several complexities which need to be dealt with. so that if you're unfamiliar or insecure with Hebrew invitations, you should seek clear guidance on what your choices and the CORRECT spellings in Hebrew It may be wise to contact your rabbi to help with this.
Dates
Dates have a complication due to the difference between the Jewish and the secular calendars. The Jewish day starts at sunset and runs to the next sunset whereas the secular calendar runs from midnight to midnight. In addition to this discrepancy, modern Hebrew uses the secular calendar with the Hebrew name for the days. The best thing to do is always to check your date details with your rabbi.
Invitation Enclosures
Whether guests are travelling from abroad or a nearby town, it's a good idea to include some additional information to help them on the day.
- Directions & Maps: Send guests travel information well in advance, especially if they have to book tickets on rail or air. Suggestions of the nearest airport or cheapest way to obtain tickets are very welcome, as are numbers of local taxi firms. Remember, out of town guests may not have a car available to them. It is a nice thought to arrange for a coach or minibus to collect them from the hotel and take them to the ceremony venue, and then on to the reception. You should be able to print out a map from a website such as www.streetmap.co.uk and include a colour copy in each invitation.
- Accommodation Details: Many guests will wish to stay overnight after your evening reception, and possibly even the night before the Bar/Bat Mitzvah, so a list of local hotels and guesthouses is helpful. The names and addresses should be given.
- Dress Code: This will depend upon your function, but you can include black tie or dress casual, should you so wish.
- Reply Cards: It is becoming commonplace now to send ready printed reply cards out with your invitations. Many people stamp and address the reply envelopes, thus making it easier for your guests to respond on time.
Quantities
You should allow one invitation per family, it is often a nice idea to send invitations to the brothers and sisters of your son or daughter who live at home, as they make them feel included and make a nice keepsake of the day. Don't forget to order a couple or so to allow for mistakes when writing them and for any extra guests you may decide to ask at a later date.
It is becoming commonplace now to send ready printed reply cards out you're your invitations, you can stamp and address, thus making it easier for your guests to make timely replies regarding their intentions to attend.
Reply Card Quantities
You should allow one reply card per invitation sent, If you are not ordering pre-addressed envelopes, don't forget to order at least five extra reply cards to allow for addressing errors.
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Standard Reply Card Dietary Reply Card
Guests are always interested in which table they are sitting on and who they are seated with. A table plan prominently placed in the reception area will ensure that guests can immediately see where they will be sitting. When planning your seating arrangements, it is best to try to consider whether or not your guests have something in common with the other guests on their table, this will aid the conversation and make your guests feel more relaxed.
Menu 's provide your guests with details of what they will be served. when dining at your function. Menu cards should include each course, wine, and aperitifs. We offer two types of menu for Bar/Bat Mitzvah's, the first is the standard menu which can include just the food and wine that will be served on the day. Or the Speeches Menu which can include details of the hosts and speeches.
Menu Quantities
It is entirely you choice, many of our customers order one menu per guest and place them on/next to their place setting, others order one to two per table that can be positioned centrally on the tables for guests to read at their leisure.
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Used at the reception to indicate to the guests where they are to sit at the table. Place cards also provide a beautiful keepsake for your guests.
Place Card Quantities
One per guest.
(Please note: due to small parts used in our designs, these place cards are not suitable for children under the age of 3 years old).
Simple keepsakes placed by your guests table setting, add the finishing touches to your table decorations. It is customary to provide favours for the ladies only, but it is entirely your choice. We offer a range of favour boxes and favour bags that complement your stationery range.
(Please note: due to small parts used in our designs, these favour boxes should be kept out of reach of children under the age of 3 years
Simply saying 'Thank You' to your guests for attending your Bar/Bat Mitzvah and for their thoughtful presents always leaves your friends and relatives feeling special and by keeping your 'thank you' cards in theme they may a nice keepsake for your guests of child's special day. A added touch is that you can order thank you cards and add a photograph of your child on the Bar/Bat Mitzcah day using our 'Personalise with a Picture' option when you order.
Guest Book
A lovely momentum for any occasion is to keep a guest book in a prominent position with a pen, in which your guests can write their thoughts and feelings about your special occasion. This creates a lasting momentum of the day.
Photograph Album
What better way to keep your images but in a hand-finished photograph album which complements the design of you stationery and continues your theme right through to you memories of the day.
We find that some of our customers have very specific ideas for the theme and style of their occasion. If you can't find what you are looking for in our main range, of if you have an idea in mind for your stationery, whatever your requirements, please do not hesitate to contact us on 01923 353335 and we will be happy to help you find the perfect stationery solution for your occasion.
We are happy also to consider corporate events, such as company parties, product launches, marketing initiatives, that require invitations.
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