When COVID hit, many people had to cancel weddings, birthday’s, and all types of celebrations. Fast forward a year later and we are now seeing so many “COVID-friendly” parties, and we have to say we are loving the fact that people have been able to figure out how to continue to celebrate life’s big moments! Today on the blog, we are sharing the sweetest pretty in pink COVID-friendly bat mitzvah full of intimate moments, and oh so many smiles!
Read on for a behind the scenes look at this COVID-Friendly Bat Mitzvah,
When Dena Cohen, mother of Sofia the Bat Mitzvah girl to be, and also the owner and lead planner designer of “The Planning Society” contacted Next Exit Photography about photographing her daughter’s June Bat Mitzvah, we were of course over the moon. Dena had contacted Next Exit months before Coronavirus hit Los Angeles and big plans were still in the works. Once Covid-19 arrived, and we were all quarantining in our homes, Dena was unsure about how she would move forward with an event of almost 200 guests at an exclusive Hollywood venue. Over the next few months, plans quickly evolved and the event was converted into an immediate family only backyard zoom Mitzvah service and micro Mitzvah party. What a perfect way to pivot under the current circumstances! Next Exit Photography was enlisted to photograph the event and needless to say, we were super on board!
With the expert guidance of the phenomenal clergy team at Temple Isaiah in West Los Angeles, Dena was able to plan the most beautiful zoom Bat Mitzvah service for her immediate family right in her own backyard. Family and friends from around the globe watched and participated gleefully as they streamed the entire live service. Dena designed a beautiful long al fresco dining table in her garden adorned with twinkle lights and a balloon installation over the exquisite treats table. The details were exquisite and tasteful and perfect for a beautifully styled event décor shoot!
Dena enlisted the help of one of her company’s expert planners, Rebecca Halpin, to help facilitate all of the moving parts. A must during these adventurous times!! All of the professional event vendors were masked, sanitized, and extremely cautious for the entire duration of the event. After the service and family photos, Cat and Adi swept Sofia, her adoring (and adorable) siblings, and parents off to capture some of their famous stylized portraits. Always full of fun and non-stop laughter, the quick photo session was the perfect icebreaker for the rest of the evening. Then, the family dined on a delicious drop off self-service buffet provided by Fundamental Catering. As soon as dinner was over, Sofia was completely surprised and thrilled by a real in-person dance party, DJ’d by the wonderful DJ Benzi, in her very own front yard. Three groups of friends arrived in 20 minutes segments. There were effective delineated social distancing marks laid out in the middle of the street and every person in attendance was wearing a mask. It was so organized but felt completely natural.
Next Exit Photography was super honored to be able to capture these beautiful moments and memories for this incredible family. It was such a meaningful service and the fact that the family got to celebrate with close friends around the world, and some in person at a distance, made it even more special. I know that Sofia will have these memories for a lifetime.
What was your favorite element of this COVID-Friendly Bat Mitzvah? Let us know in the comments below!