If you’re ready to move beyond your backyard for Mitzvah portraits, the AMC community of pro photographers and veteran Mitzvah moms and dads have some fantastic off-the-beaten-path ideas for session settings. We’ve added a few of our own secret faves, as well.

The lights are dimmed, the kids are (mostly) quiet, and it’s time to roll the photo montage. What’s the soundtrack that sets the mood for your Mitzvah kid’s story?

Budget blues? Help is here! When planning your teen’s bar or bat mitzvah weekend, use these tips to save money.

Who do you tip? How much should you give? Mitzvah parents wonder about this. A lot. So we went straight to the vendors to ask for their expectations and guidelines when it comes to gratuities.

You’ve done tons of Bar Mitzvah vendor research (including attending the Bar/Bat Mitzvah EXPO!) but you haven’t gotten to the “Yes, you’re hired!” stage? Not sure if you’re done looking around? Ask yourself these 6 questions:

Bar Mitzvah logos can be a major element of celebration décor, from floor to ceiling.

Because most guests gift money, your Mitzvah kid will receive a LOT of envelopes! Give friends and family somewhere pretty to place them and accent your party décor at the same time. Check out these Bar/Bat Mitzvah gift box designs for ideas:

Centerpieces? Check. Dance floor lighting? Got it. But have you thought beyond the traditional spots for décor to make the most of your venue? Delight and surprise guests while carrying your cohesive theme throughout the party. It’s time to go beyond the usual!

Choosing a theme for a bar or bat mitzvah celebration seems easy. After all, right now your teen is SO into soccer, or YouTube, or dance. But if you’re planning the simcha one to two years ahead of the date, be prepared that his or her passions, hobbies and interests may change dramatically during this time.

Do something amazing with your seating chart! Help guests find their places with clever placecard possibilities:

If your Mitzvah kid’s favorite place on earth is camp, take the party there, or bring that camp feeling to your chosen venue with these campy celebration ideas.

Lighting, centerpieces, and wall decorations are all important for creating a festive atmosphere. But don't forget about the ceiling! Go above your guests' heads with these ideas for the top of your party room.

Perhaps no other décor element makes as big of an impact as your celebration centerpieces. After all, every table has one, and everyone spends time sitting around it. Here are some of our current picks for creative centerpieces:

Your Bar Mitzvah kid will likely be involved in many aspects of planning his bar mitzvah celebration. But shouldn’t something be left to discover on his big day? We think so. Here are some ways to surprise your guest of honor:

 ‍For b’mitzvah kids who want an active celebration that offers entertainment beyond the dance floor, Jumptastic has some out-of-the-box ideas that can engage guests of all ages.

Creative single servings lessen contact and keep it neat! Check out these ideas for presenting savory and sweet celebration nibbles.

Everyone wants to know what you’re serving, so menus are a must. They can also add to your décor, tie in to your theme and make a BIG impact. Here are some of our current favorite menu treatments for inspiration:

Focus on your Mitzvah menus to make your simcha stand out! From the kids’ buffet to desserts, we’ve rounded up some unique and unconventional ways to feed your bar or bat mitzvah guests and customize your event.

It’s really fun to receive gifts, but not so fun to write thank you notes. Jump start the process with these mini-guides that’ll help every Bar/Bat Mitzvah kid write a thank you for each type of guest and gift. Remember, adding a personal line here and there make recipients feel special.

Thank guests for celebrating with your Mitzvah kid by sending them home with clever, useful or delicious themed party favors. Here are some of our current faves:

We all know cash is king as a bar or bat mitzvah gift, but since so many give it, it can be a tad (yawn) boring. Bump up the excitement of gifting bucks with these creative ideas:

You have to order kippot well ahead of your Bar Mitzvah date, but may not know your RSVP count yet. Chances are you’re going to have leftovers. What do you do with yesterday’s yarmulkes, especially when they’re personalized?! We posed the question to our Facebook friends and got some fabulous ideas:

A Simple Guide to Your Bar/Bat Mitzvah Guest List... Creating your child’s bar/bat mitzvah guest list is a challenge. Here’s a simple guide to determining who gets an invitation:

Divorce. Estrangement. Death. Real life issues can cast a long shadow on a joyful occasion. Don’t let them. We asked Jill Leitman, LCSW of Johns Creek Counseling & Coaching Services for tips to dealing with challenging family circumstances when preparing for a child to become a Bar/Bat Mitzvah.

Maybe you’ve heard of your city’s Convention and Visitors Bureau, but you have no idea what it does. Get excited, because your CVB can help a LOT with your bar/bat mitzvah planning. For real. We spoke to Visit Sandy Springs and the Awesome Alpharetta CVB to get the details. Here’s why you should reach out:

Most Atlanta families are welcoming non-Jewish family members and, at the very least, school and/or work friends who don’t know about much the Bar or Bat Mitzvah service. They may have never set foot in a synagogue before! Here’s are some of the best tips we’ve heard for welcoming and including non-Jews into the experience.

Your relatives are coming! Receive them with a healthy helping of Southern charm.

"So much to do! Where do I go from here?" -- Look no further.

A seated black tie affair? A casual sports-themed bash? 20 or 200 kids? Parents and kids can be THIS———— FAR————- APART on agreement about the ideal Bar Mitzvah celebration. A meeting of the minds starts here:

All times are estimates! Sample party time below: 7:00 -11:00 pm Use this sample timeline when you meet with your DJ and your Caterer to get everyone on the same page.

As your family’s simcha nears, friends may ask how planning is going and whether you need any help. Get ready to say a word we don’t often say when offered assistance: Yes. Yes! YES!

Atlanta clergy have noticed a perplexing trend. Parents and teens are dropping the words “bar” or “bat” when referring to a bar mitzvah.

Atlantans are on top of the world, thanks to the 2021 World Series win by the Atlanta Braves! If your teen sports fan wants a game day-themed bar mitzvah celebration, check out these clever décor ideas to wow guests and build team spirit!

During Bar and Bat Mitzvah Season, your child – and you- will likely be invited to several celebrations. If you’re in planning mode, attending other people’s parties is a great way to find out what you might want for your family’s simcha.

If you're worried about what you might be forgetting in your bar mitzvah plans, we've got your covered. Here are the top things b'mitzvah parents said they wish they knew before the big weekend.

Oy, are those shoes killing you? All the cool kids know you have to hit the dance floor without high heels! Here are some of our current faves for dance floor gear:

The invitation description is crystal clear (NOT!) What do you wear to this bar mitzvah?? Never fear! Here’s the lowdown on dressing down -and up – according to invitation wording.

Daytime or evening? While most families still opt for a nighttime soiree, many wonder about the merits of an afternoon Mitzvah celebration when planning the big weekend. There are several advantages to afternoon affairs, and things to consider, when picking your party time:

Use our “what to ask” guide below when checking out a new venue. Happy hunting!