We went completely MOD for Arden Rose’s Bat Mitzvah!  As a HUGE fan of the Beatles, Arden Rose knew she wanted a 60’s-themed design for the celebration.  For the adults and combined areas we went MOD using one distinctively graphic Pucci fabric of avocado green, chocolate brown, orange and turquoise, as the dominant element in the event design.  For the kid areas we brought in tye-dyed and flower-power elements for a Hippy Chic feel.  It was Shagg-a-delic but in a knee-high white boot kinda-way.

Held at the historic-yet-stylish Park Hyatt Philadelphia at the Bellevue, adult cocktails were clean white and avocado green to the extreme!  (if it wasn’t avocado already, we used light to get it there!)

The dinner dance for all 300 adults and children combined was 100% contemporary with custom-made white vinyl on rectangular tables, Pucci patterned linens on square tables and turquoise blue vinyl on the food stations around the room.  The bars were light up wonders with high cubed white shelves and statuesque floral.

Funky floral arrangements in white sculptural vases and geometric containers mixed with oversized white and smaller Pucci-patterned lampshades made distinctive design statements.  Light up dance pedestals, stage platforms and DJ tables added sleek thematic detail.

 

The adult dinner service was designed to offer levels of food delivered in various styles starting with a pre-set amuse bouche of black olive tapenade, creamed ricotta cheese and tomato bruschetta with homemade breads.  The amuse was enjoyed while the candle lighting and introductory toasts were performed.  The first course was a formally served composed salad of baby lettuces with French-served grilled shrimp.  The entree course was enjoyed at multiple food stations around the ballroom, allowing guests to graze, mix and mingle at their leisure.  The food stations included throwbacks to 60’s favorites:  carving stations with all the fixings; risotto in martini glasses with lobster, crab, asparagus and more; and a gigantic antipasto station placed in the middle of the ballroom with a 360 degree access. 

The kids sat at long feast tables dressed in sleek white vinyl and Pucci lamps.  They enjoyed one course of Moroccan-spiced beef and chicken kabobs on Israeli cous-cous.  As soon as they ate their Hippy Chic dinner they were BACK ON THE DANCE FLOOR!

Inspired by the client’s favorite signature saying of “peace, love and hope” as well as the fun Pucci fabric, the graphic designer, Diane Schaffer, created the invitations, place cards, cocktail napkins, menus, signage and logo. The Pucci fabric was inspirational for all key elements in the Ballroom, from the light up place card table to the celebration cake by Truli Confectionary Arts and lampshades used throughout the room.

 

Some of the great words used on the invitation, cocktail napkins, signage, favor packaging and video screens.  “LOVE,” “HOPE,” “PEACE,” “JOURNEY,” and “DREAM.” 

A DJ, Emcee, five live musicians and six white-clad dancers from Norma Michaels Entertainment provided the entertainment.  Later in the evening, after surprise video dedications  from Cole Hamels and comedian John Pinto, (produced by created by CinemaCake) the main stage curtains were opened to reveal a Beatles coverband! 

When the Beatles’ Show was over it was dessert time!  From a lavish Mrs. Prindables Caramel Apple Station to a Retro Flambe Station with Bananas Foster and Cherries Jubilee to an Old Fashioned Soda Fountain and Insane Candy Bar for both adults and kids.

All around the perimeter of the Ballroom were activities to be enjoyed by adults and kids alike as they boogied down all night in the Ballroom.  Old Fashioned Photo Booths, Tattoo Artists and Glassblowers.  Every nook and cranny of the building seemed to be filled with fierce fun for all!

These sensational photos were captured by Jana Bannon of MK Photo.  Jana was just fantastic with Arden Rose and had a great time weeks before the event on a photo shoot around Philadelphia.  This shoot gave us Janis Joplin-like photos we used in the Kids Cocktail area and in the photo montage created for the party.   Dave Williams from CinemaCake shot the video – here’s a teaser.