4 minute read
A changing Celebrations season
As this special edition of Jstyle Weddings and Bar•Bat Mitzvah arrives, transformation is on the horizon.
As COVID-19 vaccines are being given, the next several months are bound to be filled with gradual modifications from the socially distant experiences of the past year to something hopefully resembling a more “normal” life.
We are slowly adjusting to the idea of being out in the world again. With that means planning and attending lifecycle events – many of which have seemed like forever in the making.
As a result, this issue aims to cover both the small weddings and b’nai mitzvahs taking place at home and with small groups in large spaces, and to look ahead to the big bashes of ... later in 2021 or 2022? I guess we will see. But it’s coming.
To whet the appetite, this issue spotlights Taryn Weiss and Bobby Derin’s wedding in Tulum, Mexico, which occurred before the pandemic. Their wedding story is one example of what will be possible post-pandemic, in addition to larger parties to be held locally. I think you will also find a sense of sweetness in the two at-home weddings spotlighted in this issue, a trend I hope will be here to stay for those looking for a romantic, cozy and intimate start to marriage.
The three b’nai mitzvahs spotlighted in this issue also show how local families and synagogues have gotten creative during this past year. And, as Ryan Konikoff of Rock The House Entertainment Group notes in our Rebound Ready feature, while many b’nai mitzvah students completed the religious aspect of the rite of passage on schedule, few had the parties that are often part of the mix. For that reason, Konikoff predicts Jewish families will find new opportunities for those teens to have a festive occasion in the months and years to come – with which our local event professionals can certainly help.
And while none of us knows what the celebrations of late 2021 or after might look like, some of the best recent trends may be here to stay – like adding virtual guests and keeping spaces extra clean. Smaller guest lists may continue, both out of preference for a more haimish ambience and for the trade-off of cost-savings, which can help allow for a splurge on special aspects of the day.
We also might need a little time to adjust psychologically to being in a big crowd again. While I’m more than ready to eat in restaurants and see extended family and friends once it’s safe, it may take some time before I attend a large indoor party or concert. That’s why I hope this issue of Celebrations has a little of something for everyone, whether you are preparing for a small spring wedding in your backyard, a summer destination bat mitzvah in Israel, or a gathering at a local venue with all the family and friends you’ve missed seeing during the pandemic.
No matter what kind of event you have upcoming, for now, stay safe and healthy. Exciting change is coming, but it’s not here quite yet.
Celebrations Editor Amanda Koehn reminds readers to continue to wear their masks for spring simchas.
Amanda Koehn Editor
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VOL. 145 NO. 13
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