18 minute read
Ask a Pro
By McKenna Corson
COVID-19 has created a world of unknowns. But what shouldn’t remain plagued with tumult is celebrating once-in-a-lifetime milestones. Fortunately, local professionals provide advice for those venturing into the now-uncharted seas of simcha planning, alleviating stress for what can feel like an overwhelming mission. These professionals’ biggest advice? Do as our world has done this past year: change, try something new and remain exible to create a safe and memorable event.
CATERING DINNER
A lamb rack dominates this entree.
Beet agnolotti Assortment of desserts crafted by StoneWater’s in-house pastry chef
WHITNEY NEIDUS
GENERAL MANAGER STONEWATER GOLF CLUB HIGHLAND HEIGHTS
WHAT SHOULD BE THE FIRST STEP WHEN PLANNING DINNER CATERING?
The fi rst thing I would do is think, “Do we want a plated dinner or family-style dinner for our guests?” Then, based off of the style, it’s, “Do we want to off er our guests proteins?” That should at least help fi gure out the budget as a starting point.
HOW DO YOU RECOMMEND FAMILIES SELECT A DINING STYLE?
Back in the day, the more traditional route – the formal route – was plated, and everybody used to do it. Now, with a lot of these events, it’s a diff erent vibe where they’re not so black tie anymore. For couples who want conversation starters for their guests, family-style is the way to go. It’s a little more laid back.
Have fun with it. Couples could have some items that refl ect them, so perhaps there’s his favorite, her favorite, and then build from that so you’re paying special attention to both the bride and groom and what they like.
Maybe the couple’s been into traveling, so they take a dish from places they’ve traveled throughout the world. You don’t have to stick with one type of food; you can switch it up and bring a little culture into it.
WHAT ARE SOME POPULAR TRENDS IN CATERING?
I think couples and families are really doing menus that refl ect them. So instead of the traditional beef, chicken and vegetarian, I have couples and families for b’nai mitzvahs and weddings who are doing fun themes, like barbecue or Mediterranean style. Some people are doing fi nger foods for dinner, so they’re not using the traditional fork and steak knife.
HOW CAN FAMILIES CATER TO THOSE WITH DIETARY RESTRICTIONS?
It is nice to choose a menu that appeals to the majority of people, but in terms of those with dietary restrictions, I personally don’t think that a couple needs to gear their menu towards those few select people. The venue can do special plated meals for those specifi c and maybe not so common dietary needs.
I’d make sure that it’s a well-rounded menu. For example, if it’s a more traditional menu, I like two proteins, three sides, plated salad and then a number of appetizers. Make sure it’s a nice full menu and that your guests leave the event full.
SYNAGOGUE
RABBI MATTHEW EISENBERG
RABBI TEMPLE ISRAEL NER TAMID MAYFIELD HEIGHTS
Stephanie Penick Photography
WHAT’S THE FIRST THING FAMILIES SHOULD CONSIDER WHEN PLANNING THE SYNAGOGUE ASPECT OF A LIFECYCLE EVENT?
One of the fi rst things that families should do is contact the clergy to make sure the date is available. I have had weddings in the past where families contacted the venue, fl orist, caterer and then they fi nally got down to the rabbi and the rabbi couldn’t do it. The rabbi or clergy should be among the fi rst people contacted when planning a wedding or bar or bat mitzvah.
HOW CAN FAMILIES CUSTOMIZE THE SERVICE SO IT REFLECTS THEM?
Every congregation and every rabbi works diligently to meet the needs of the family. Each rabbi would have diff erent ways of working with families in terms of customization. It’s never been a problem to try to customize the service, you just have to talk with your clergy.
HOW HAS COVID-19 IMPACTED THE WAY SYNAGOGUES ARE ABLE TO HOST OR CELEBRATE LIFECYCLE EVENTS?
Speaking for our congregation, I would say we stopped having services gathering together at the beginning of November 2020, because it was too cold to have services outside. Every service that we do has a virtual and partially in-person component to it.
One of the families who celebrated a bar mitzvah in early November, their son read Torah out in the parking lot. For the actual bar mitzvah, we had a limited number of people inside the sanctuary, and some people were outside listening on a radio transmission that we set up because the weather was nice so people were comfortable and distanced. If they were inside, we followed safety protocols, like wearing masks and checking temperatures. In order to have the human aspects, I wanted to be able to see one another.
WHAT IS OFTEN OVERLOOKED BY A FAMILY PLANNING A SIMCHA AT A SYNAGOGUE?
What is overlooked is remembering to really enjoy and be grateful for this time in your life. If you’re getting married, it’s not all about stress and perfection, it should be about blessings and gratitude. The same with a bar or bat mitzvah. It should be about this blessing in your life, the blessings of family, the blessings of a faith community, and the gratitude for living in this wonderful country – gratitude that the Jewish people is strong and lives. The stress and the details of planning sometimes overshadow that joy and those blessings.
WHEN SHOULD A FAMILY BEGIN THE PROCESS?
As soon as you think about it – and early, you should make an informational phone call to a clergy or temple offi ce to see if the rabbi or temple calendar is open. Calling a synagogue for its availability doesn’t obligate you. You also don’t have to know the exact date of your event when you call. It could be, “I’m looking to get married in the summer of 2022. I think I’ll call the synagogue to see what’s going on there.”
Step back, take a deep breath and be conscious of this joyous blessed moment in your lives. Try not to stress; try to concentrate on the gratitude and the blessings. We do so many of these events over the course of years, so there is no detail that isn’t fi gured out somewhere along the way. When the ceremony happens, everything works out.
ENTERTAINMENT
JAMIE HAGGERTY
GENERAL MANAGER ADRENALINE MONKEY WARRENSVILLE HEIGHTS
Mariana Edelman Photography & Design
WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO GET RIGHT WHEN PLANNING ENTERTAINMENT FOR B’NAI MITZVAH?
Ask your child what is important to them and let them be a part of the decision making. Also, it is always important to manage expectations. If you cannot aff ord something, say it. Lay it all out on the table in the beginning of the planning process so no one is disappointed later.
HOW CAN FAMILIES DECIDE WHAT ENTERTAINMENT WOULD BE BEST FOR A CHILD’S BAR OR BAT MITZVAH?
Allow the entire family to be a part of the planning process, especially the guest of honor. If they feel included, they are more inclined to make an informative decision and embrace the outcome. Also, explore all options and keep an open mindset. We have learned that most families are willing to take a chance on something new.
WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN PLANNING THE ENTERTAINMENT?
The experience. You want the entertainment to be memorable. Everyone has a typical event that includes expensive food, disc jockey, dancing, lighting, etc. Explore entertainment that creates a one of a kind and unforgettable experience.
HOW HAS COVID-19 AFFECTED THE WAY ENTERTAINMENT CAN BE USED?
COVID-19 has taken the intimacy away from entertainment. Entertainment events and gatherings are meant to bring people together, provide a sense of community, love and support. Unfortunately, we have been removed of those feelings and forced into this new norm and way of life.
Right away. Selecting the right entertainment, venue, theme, etc., can take months to get right. Also, don’t pick option one or the best deal. Do what is best for the entire family and friends involved.
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST PIECE OF ADVICE FOR FAMILIES LOOKING TO PROVIDE ENTERTAINMENT IN THEIR B’NAI MITZVAH?
The biggest piece of advice is to enjoy the process. The process of providing entertainment should not be stressful. Leverage this time to connect with your family, listen to each other, consider all options and have fun.
CATERING DESSERT
ROSIE BEISNER
EVENTS COORDINATOR CATEROLOGY BEDFORD HEIGHTS
Caterology
WHAT IS THE FIRST STEP FAMILIES SHOULD TAKE WHEN CONSIDERING CATERING FOR CAKE AND DESSERT?
Explore your options; it’s not always just about one thing. There are so many diff erent options out there to do these days where it’s not about tradition when it comes to the wedding cake anymore – now it’s more about variety and fl air.
I think that Pinterest is a good place to start, but if you’re looking at certain caterers, go to their social media. Many of us put out there on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, diff erent pictures or collages on a weekly or daily basis that can catch your eye and spark something new.
HOW CAN FAMILIES PERSONALIZE CATERING FOR CAKE AND DESSERT?
When planning any aspect of an event, it should be exactly what the couple or person wants. It doesn’t need to just be a standard, traditional form – they need to be able to express themselves and their choices. We do a lot with people who choose items either based on nationality, religious restrictions or dietary restrictions.
HOW DO YOU ADVISE FAMILIES SELECT THEIR DESSERTS OR CAKE STYLE?
Many caterers – including us – do tastings for our clients. Our tastings are free with diff erent packages that we off er, which gives them the opportunity to not just pick certain things that they like, but we also add in a variety of things that maybe they’ve never heard of. Actually going and having a tasting and making sure it’s exactly what you want is a very important task.
HOW DO YOU ADVISE FAMILIES CATER TO DIETARY RESTRICTIONS?
They need to have a variety. Not everybody is the same, and I feel that there are ways especially like with bar and bat mitzvahs that you can have options for everyone. I’m actually working with three diff erent parents now where some of their b’nai mitzvah guests are kosher and some are not, so we’re doing individualized portions for these dietary needs while also meeting the general needs of most people.
ARE THERE ANY TRENDS IN CAKE AND DESSERT CATERING?
With the pandemic going on, a lot of the individual shooters – smaller portion desserts that are pick-up-and-take without having any community-type utensils or the need for service – are an important thing to people right now.
As far as weddings go, many brides and grooms are choosing these days not to do a large cake; there’s always so much waste and leftovers to it. I see more people doing cake toppers with individualized desserts, such as shooter cups of our cassata cake and cookies and mini cupcakes to also help with fi ghting the pandemic.
For a wedding, I would say start six months prior, to narrow it down as far as what you want to do. Bar and bat mitzvahs are a little bit more open, so probably a month of leeway time.
DO YOU HAVE ADDITIONAL ADVICE FAMILIES SHOULD KEEP IN MIND WHEN PLANNING DESSERT CATERING?
Keep it simple. Having too many options or trying to please everybody isn’t going to be an eff ective way. It’s a special event for that couple or that person, and they need to concentrate on celebrating that day for those people and not necessarily what’s on their plate.
PHOTOGRAPHY
JONATHAN KOSLEN
FOUNDER AND PHOTOGRAPHER NEW IMAGE PHOTOGRAPHY CHAGRIN FALLS
New Image Photography
HOW CAN FAMILIES SELECT A PHOTOGRAPHER BEST SUITED FOR THEM AND THEIR EVENT?
I would say mostly through referrals. I would check if their venue and their friends have used photographers. Obviously check the photographers’ websites. Find something that meets their style, maybe meet with a few people and see who they click with.
HOW CAN FAMILIES AND PHOTOGRAPHERS WORK TOGETHER SO EVERYONE IS ON THE SAME PAGE AND SATISFIED WITH THE RESULTS?
Go over details, go over details, go over details. I prefer to have a meeting with the parents or the couple as we’re closer to the event. There should be a plan and a schedule for me to go through. I like to talk out the whole day with them to make sure that there is nothing that’s missed because you just don’t want anyone to be disappointed.
We get especially frustrated if we’re, like, looking for a mother of the bride because she’s off paying someone, when her daughter’s getting her dress on – stuff like that happens a lot. Photographers really need to make sure they lay down the law as far as where everyone needs to be at what time and make sure nothing is missed.
They should fi nd a photographer that fi ts their style. We’ve had some brides come to us with some odd requests, and it can be a fun challenge to be able to do something outside the box. Photographers need to communicate with the bride and see what she’s looking for. If people have certain ideas, then of course I’m all for it and excited about it. I feel like a really good photographer needs to be able to work with a couple, pick a background that’s appropriate and then fi nd a pose that fi ts it.
There are certain dates that are more popular, like the holiday weekends – those usually book up about a year ahead of time. If it’s a Sunday in a normal month, then some couples will wait three to six months. If it’s a Saturday, I would say nine months to a year is probably good.
They should start the process as soon as they have a date because the best people will be booked the longer they wait. Then, they may wind up paying a lot of money for a not-so-great photographer.
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR FAMILIES PLANNING THEIR EVENT’S PHOTOGRAPHY?
Make sure they book someone they trust who’s been around for a long time. A lot of companies are here today, gone tomorrow and end up leaving and no one knows where they’ve gone, which has happened quite a few times in Cleveland. Other photographers promise the world and then don’t deliver their product. It’s best to fi nd a very, very reputable studio that can be trusted. You just don’t want to be one of those people who paid for albums and product, and then the photographer is gone and someone else has to do it if you were lucky enough to even get your fi les.
KETUBAH, INVITES, creative elements
JENNIFER KAPLAN
OWNER AND DESIGNER JENNIFER KAPLAN DESIGNS LYNDHURST
A witness signs “Floral Ketubah” made by Jennifer Kaplan. | Tarren Bailey Photography
Jennifer Kaplan’s papercut, “Shirat HaYam/Song of the Sea,” is an example of a way to include the Torah portion as a lasting, beautiful b’nai mitzvah gift with personal meaning and lasting artistic value.
“I would also strongly encourage people to poke around and not be afraid of reaching out to a custom artist. If you think it’s out of your budget, the worst that you can do is ask, they tell you their number and you say no. I think now is the perfect time to include that extra bit of personalization and symbolism into this stuff, because why not?” – Jennifer Kaplan
HOW CAN KETUBAHS, INVITATIONS AND CREATIVE ELEMENTS SET THE TONE FOR AN EVENT?
It’s been a growing trend especially with the pandemic that these creative elements are taking on a larger role for two reasons. One, I feel like the invitations that you’re sending out are going to set the whole tone of the event because everybody’s remote and you’re on Zoom. There is no other real way to set the tone and personalize things. Two, for couples getting married, the pandemic is forcing them with smaller groups and ceremonies to focus on things that are really important to them. Things like custom ketubahs are more important than they were before because they’re still an integral part of the ceremony, and they’re a lasting piece of art that the couple will have.
I would encourage them to think about things that are important to them and their relationship and incorporate these symbols into their creative elements. If it’s a bar or bat mitzvah, think about things that are important to the child – hobbies, favorite colors. You can carry symbols through in monograms on the invitation, decor, ketubah and menu cards.
You can also create blessing cards that have your stamp on them, whether they’re sheva brachot cards to read under the chuppah, or diff erent prayers that you somehow give out to people over Zoom. For weddings or smaller bar or bat mitzvah ceremonies, you could do a siddur that has either just your name on it, or maybe you create your own siddur as a meaningful piece of the ceremony and you give it out as a gift to attendees.
WHAT ARE POPULAR TRENDS IN KETUBAHS, INVITATIONS AND CREATIVE DESIGN?
Papercut ketubahs are still very popular. I’ve been seeing a lot of papercut invitations, which you could defi nitely incorporate into either a wedding or a bar or bat mitzvah. Lately, there’s been a lot of requests for grays and neutral colors.
Custom ketubahs are having a little bit more of a moment right now because I think people have been stuck at home for such a long time that they’re more willing to take a look around at their walls and think about if they have extra money to create art that’s meaningful.
WHEN SHOULD FAMILIES START PLANNING THE KETUBAH, INVITATIONS AND CREATIVE ELEMENTS?
I would say at least six months before the wedding. All of these things, I know, can be rushed, but if you’re planning on a custom ketubah, you never know what the backlog is with the artists that you’re working with. It’s always better to give plenty of time.
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL ADVICE FOR FAMILIES?
Pinterest is such an amazing source. I know that’s not news to brides, but there’s really been an increase in Jewish wedding content on Pinterest.
I would also strongly encourage people to poke around and not be afraid of reaching out to a custom artist. If you think it’s out of your budget, the worst that you can do is ask, they tell you their number and you say no. I think now is the perfect time to include that extra bit of personalization and symbolism into this stuff , because why not?
EVENTS | TENTS | LINENS 2 1 6 - 5 9 1 - 1 1 7 7 | W W W . L I R E N T S . N E T
