Plan It! Magazine Fall 2016 Edition

plan it! magazine fall 2016

the party planning resource guide

Caterers Design + DĂŠcor Desserts Entertainment Fashion Floral Invitations Planners Photographers Giveaways Transportation Trends Venues Videographers

Create an unforgettable Simcha -minus the stress

Elegant to Casual Exceeding your expectation at every step Cuisine from simple to gourmet

Bar / Bat Mitzvahs at their Best

Bar service available

Vaad certified providers available

From fun facilitators, designer center pieces, DJ’s, videography - we do it all

Orthodox to Reform Winter to Summer

Experienced, knowledgeable, ready to serve

Exclusive access to 10 acres of unparalleled fun!

Formula Go Karts Mini-Bowling

Trampoline Center

Climbing Walls Event Rooms Restaurant

Kiddie Go Kart Track

Laser Tag

Miniature Golf

Automatic Soccer Cages

Incredible Arcade

4 Acres of Picnic Area

An impeccably clean, first class facility

www.paradiseparknovi.com

248.735.1050

45799 Grand River in Novi

table of

plan it! magazine

contents

Brett Mountain Photography

trending

5

what’s hot & what’s not!

11

experts dish

19

the event show vendors

tips from party planning professionals

fall 2016

publisher Star Trax Events

creative director Becca Schlussel

graphic designer Michael Hnatiuk

photographers Ron Lieberman Brian Masserman Justin Munter Brett Mountain Abby Rose Cover photo provided by Masserman Photography.

powered by

Bar Mitzvah of Sam Wander, son of Amy and Marc Wander

View the online edition at : www.planitmagazine.com Want to advertise in the next Plan It! Magazine? becca@startrax.com

We specialize in boutique bartending, a high-end, all-inclusive service for: Private Events Cocktail Parties Corporate Events Corporate Happy Hours Weddings

Private Dinner Parties Pop-up Events Food & Beverage Tastings Fundraiser Events

Book your private bartender with us today.

248-703 - 8865 WWW.SIDECARBARTENDING.COM

THE PERFECT SOLUTION FOR EVERY OCCASION

CATERING TO BAR/BAT MITZVAHS, CORPORATE EVENTS, BIRTHDAYS, SHOWERS, BACHELOR/BACHELORETTE PARTIES & MORE!

CONTACTS

LIVONIA KRISTIN NORRIS PHONE: (734) 591-3334

EMAIL: 65216.ec@lastcallopco.com

WEST BLOOMFIELD BRIANNE BRADY PHONE: (248) 538-6333

EMAIL: 65224.ec@lastcallopco.com

TROY TAYLOR LEBLANC PHONE: (248) 526-0333

EMAIL: 65217.ec@lastcallopco.com

Brett Mountain Photography

Abby Rose Photography

Brett Mountain Photography

Justin Munter Photography

5 plan it! magazine : fall 2016

Ron Lieberman Photography

Brett Mountain Photography

trending

by Jen Ajlouny, Event Manager, Star Trax Events

In an ever-changing event market, it’s difficult to keep up with the current trends!

Being in the industry, we are always looking for the latest innovations! Although there are many new trends – we have highlighted the most prevalent of 2016:

TECHNOLOGY. Everyone is striving to find new ways to integrate technology into their events! We have seen it all this year; charging stations, LED walls, digital sign-in boards, GIF photo booths, geotagging snapchat filters, and much more! Technology in events is continuously growing and becoming even more sophisticated from year to year!

COLOR. Utilizing vibrant and metallic colors will help create an experience your guests will remember forever. Colorful décor accents, linens, napkins, stunning floral, and who can forget the lighting? Lighted dance floors, colorful staging and up lighting are being used to brighten every event! Color and lighting create an energy in your venue that will keep your guests on the dance floor all night long!

MIXED STYLES. Mixing Styles is the way to go in 2016! Mixed tables: rounds, squares, and rectangles accompanied by mismatched dining chairs for guest seating has been one of the hottest trends yet! Adding soft seating throughout the space helps create a relaxed lounge feel while also providing extra guest seating. A contemporary meets vintage mixture of styles is the current craze – and we LOVE it!

SPECIALTY FOODS. Our (my) favorite of all the current trends! Onsite specialty foods that not only satisfy your guests’ taste buds but also allow them to creatively interact! Make your own donut displays, waffles on a stick, ice cream created right before your eyes, vegetarian food options and food trucks galore! You can also find these delicious treats being passed out on the dance floor as a late night snack or given out to guests as a departing souvenir.

TRANSPORTATION. Clients are choosing party venues further off the beaten path. Help your guests arrive (and depart) safely and in style. Coach, shuttles, trolleys, and even school buses are a welcome addition to set the mood. Adult parties and events for kids both welcome transportation.

DETAILS. The best way to make your event stand out is by enhancing every detail! Ignite your guests’ interest with every personalized touch! From custom vinyl clings, step-and-repeat walls, cocktail napkins, sneakers and themed décor pieces to personalized dance floor pass-outs and end of the night giveaways; it’s all the little details that ensure you and your guests will remember every moment for years to come!

plan it! magazine : fall 2016 6

Metro Detroit’s t is t r A n o o l l #1 Ba mitzvah, party, at /b r a b r u yo r fo , shower, wedding corporate event, n & more! promo, graduatio

CONTACT US TODAY! (313) 737-5607 • vfballoons.com • Greg@vfballoons.com

Congratulations on your upcoming celebration!

Ron Lieberman Photography

Invitations - Place Cards - Kippahs - Napkins - Calligraphy - Giveaways - and more!

From full party and event planning to “just a little extra help,” I will make your special day run smoothly. My knowledge and experience means your wedding, mitzvah, shower, birthday, anniversary or corporate event will be a huge success!

andreasolomon.com - 248.626.3421 - andreasolomon2554@gmail.com

parties for all!

46245 Michigan ave. in canton (734) 487-7678 www.hvsports.com

bar & bat mitzvahs family reunions sweet 16s grad parties dj services, karaoke, catering we can turn any event into the party you dreamed of!

Our goal is to provide the highest quality of care in a patient-focused and fun environment.

We look forward to helping you achieve a beautiful smile that will last a lifetime!

6177 Orchard Lake Rd. Suite 200, West Bloomfield, MI 48322

(248) 851-7272 • www.lashrubinorthodontics.com

BALLROOM FACILITY RENTAL

The Write Stuff!

248-851-9626

www.writestuffprinting.com Invitations • Computerized Calligraphy • Printing

dana@writestuffprinting.com

Envelope addressing Invitations • Placecards Napkins • Thank you notes Weekend itineraries Save the date invitations And more!

Discounts available on multiple orders

We have the perfect venue for hosting your Bar and Bat Mitzvah, rehearsal dinner, wedding shower, wedding reception, baby shower, bris or baby naming • ‘A la carte’ banquet hall rental • State-of-the-art professional sound system with full microphone and music capabilities • Can accommodate up to 200 seated at tables with plenty of space for a dance floor • Provide your own beverages/hors’ de oeuvres/ dinner/desserts to fit your budget CALL US AT 248-738-9496 FOR MORE INFORMATION!

3065 Orchard Lake Rd • Keego Harbor, MI 248-738-9496 • www.lorettasdance.com

Sample Wearhouse Manufacturer’s samples at or below wholesale prices

We carry day wear and evening wear for toddlers to adults, perfect for any occasion, day and night.

Open every Thursday, Friday & Saturday from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

7035 Orchard Lake Road #300, West Bloomfield, MI 48322 Samples@samplewearhouse.com • Facebook.com/Samplewearhouse

(248) 626-7600

expertsdish You asked – we have answers. Nothing beats tips from people that plan parties for a living. Mothers and friends may offer hand holding and input – although, do they really know if serving fish to a crowd of 200 is the best idea (especially on a hot summer night in an enclosed venue)? From room design and layout to photo souvenirs – we asked local experts for their guidance.

Here’s what they had to share:

Candy Table 101: Choose a dozen different colorful candies. Mix it up - sour, chocolate and sweet. Personalize it by creating a custom container for the candy. Don’t worry if you have too much - the leftovers are yours!

Andrea Solomon, Event Planner

When hiring a photographer, look for the 5 E’s : Equipment, Energy, Expertise, Enthusiasm and above all… Experience!

Brian Masserman, Masserman Photography

Never force a theme - if it is meant to be it will come naturally. Every piece of décor at your event should be about you!

Debbie LeClaire, Designs by Debbie LeClaire

If you’re considering a step-and-repeat, you can achieve the same effect digitally on a green screen without the glare!

Brian Fishman, Star Trax Events

11 plan it! magazine : fall 2016

Ron Lieberman Photography

When designing flowers or working with a designer, always stick to no more than 3 colors. Too many colors make a table too busy and muddles the focus. Great designs come from controlled repetition.

Jeffrey Jucewicz, Jeffrey Floral Architecture

Don’t seat every kid. Kids are constantly moving and rarely sitting – even when they are eating. An average of 80% seating for the kids is more than sufficient – saving on space and budget.

Harris Van Cleef, Star Trax Events

Guest food restrictions are on the rise! Remember, though, the majority of your guests are allergy-free. Allow your food and beverage manager to accomodate those with unique dietary needs and serve the rest of your guests what you love. Although, gluten free and vegetarian meals are popular and delicious!

Kasia Ladyga, Emagine Theatre Royal Oak

Choose an event space that is just the right size or even a little too small.

The best parties are warm and intimate. If you are in a spot that is way too large, you lose the connectivity and flow.

Becca Schlussel, Star Trax Events

When choosing invitations – come alone, looks at tons of choices. Pick a few that your child will love and that reflect their personality AND your budget! Then, let them choose from what you have pre-selected!

Franci Hirsch, The Paper Press

For a larger event, order 6 passed hors d’oeuvres to give your guests a nice variety. A small bite with big flavor is a great way to start a party.

Julie Herman, Annabel’s & Co. Catering

plan it! magazine : fall 2016 12

Plan your event at The Townsend Hotel with: Catering Director: Joanie Sams (248) 642-5027 Jsams@townsendhotel.com www.townsendhotel.com (248) 642-7900 100 Townsend Street Birmingham, Michigan 48009

Specializing in fresh mini donuts onsite Indoor or outdoor events Specialty mini donut platters delivered

Delicious, Unique and Distinctive! www.DetroitMiniDonut.com (313) 528-6000

Photography: Ron Lieberman

CAN WE HOLD YOUR HAND?

WE’RE WITH YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY. The Advisory Team is a consulting service available to Star Trax clients designed to assist in the planning, production and management of their special event. Like any other complex project, creating a great event requires leadership and experience and no other event consulting company has better people or more exposure to events than the Star Trax Advisory Team. If you are planning a party with Star Trax, the Advisory Team could be a great fit for your event.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR ADVISORY TEAM 248.263.6300

STARTRAX.COM

INFO@STARTRAX.COM

ka te ster n BAT MITZVAH

parsonage events {DESIGN STUDIO}

248.625.4340 . parsonageevents.com

powered by BALLOONS

DJ/ENTERTAINMENT

Go Balloonies Sue Fishman goballoonies.com (248) 788-5004

Star Trax Events Harris Van Cleef startrax.com (248) 263-6300

CAKES & CONFECTIONS

DÉCOR/ EVENT DECORATOR

Detroit Mini Donut Karen Hudson detroitminidonut.com (313) 444-0893

Artful Chameleon Event Decor Kathy Andrews artfulchameleon.com (248) 568-3213

Dinky Donuts Tom Krawczyk dinkydonuts.com (248) 671-3001

Designs by Debbie LeClaire Debbie LeClaire (248) 738-3971

CATERING OFF-SITE Bigalora Wood Fired Cucina and Food Truck Hillary Youd bigalora.com (734) 744-4856

Fleurdetroit Darin Lenhardt fleurdetroit.com (248) 953-3840 Ice Dreams Sculptures Paul Raukar ice-sculptures.net (734) 207-3363

Dinky Donuts Tom Krawczyk dinkydonuts.com (248) 671-3001

Mandell Display Design Jenna Urbauer (248) 351-0800

Milk & Honey Epic Kosher Catering Ayala Levine theepicureangroup.com (248) 661-2327

Top That Events/Event Planning and Production Kristin Porchia topthatevent.com (248) 658-1255

Quality Kosher Catering Daniel Kohn qualitykosher.com (248) 352-7758 The Pita Post Tal Sasson thepitapost.com (855) 535-5588

DESIGNER/ARTIST Lana’s Lettering Elana Hopman lanaslettering.com (248) 923-5487

19 plan it! magazine : fall 2016

EVENT RENTALS Affairs to Remember Iva Harrison affairstorememberonline.com (248) 926-8430 Creative Arts Studio Mitch Segall creativeartsstudios.com (248) 544-2234 Event Source Suzanne Chandler eventsource.com (313) 309-9000

Fabulous Events Lyle Brous fabulousevents.com (248) 853-6800

Emagine Jessica Beard emagine-entertainment.com (248) 414-1005

Fotofoto Event Productions Ryan Findling fotofotoevents.com (248) 592-7193

Garden Theater BJ Pearson thegardentheaterdetroit.com (313) 832-0888

Loretta’s Dance Boutique and Ballroom Loretta Dub lorettasdance.com (248) 738-9496

Hampton Inn Southfield / West Bloomfield Lisa Shapiro hamptoninn.com (248) 671-6500

TapSnap Raymond Louisa tapsnap.com (248) 419-1047

High Velocity Sports Elaine Matthews hvsports.com (734) 487-7678

Trinity Transportation Yasmeen Bhatti trinitytransportation.com (734) 284-9229

Hilton Garden Inn Southfield Valerie Wiese detroitsouthfield.hgi.com (248) 357-1100

UDesign Ghost Chairs Teresa Jayis udesign-ghost-chairs-mi.com (248) 872-9504

Hyatt Place & Diamond Center at Suburban Collection Showplace Courtney Kubit diamondbanquetcenter.com (248) 348-5600 ext. 227

FACILITY/VENUE Beverly Hills Club Sandra Arafat beverlyhillsclub.net (248) 642-8500 Champps Kristin Norris champps.com (734) 591-3334 Cobo Center Jennifer Berkemeier cobocenter.com (313) 877-8204 Dave and Buster’s Jennifer Nagle daveandbusters.com (734) 452-4606 Double Tree by Hilton-Novi Greg Kroesing detroitnovi.doubletree.com (248) 344-8800

Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit Dan Stratford jccdet.org (248) 432-5536 Joe Dumars Fieldhouse Robyn Leinhos joedumarsfieldhouse.com (586) 731-3080 ext. 22 Local Kitchen & Bar Shannon McConnell localkitchenandbar.com (248) 291-5650 MGM Grand Detroit Taylor Hallop mgmgranddetroit.com (313) 465-1777 MotorCity Casino Hotel Jennifer Ealovega motorcitycasino.com (313) 309-4667

Paradise Park Dakota Brown paradiseparknovi.com (248) 735-1050 Punch Bowl Social Jason Dritsan punchbowlsocial.com (313) 749-9742 The Links of Novi Sara Barnhill linksofnovi.com (248) 380-9595 Zap Zone Family Fun Centres Helen Ismail zap-zone.com (248) 471-6777

FLORAL DESIGN

MISCELLANEOUS

Digital Dan Photo, Video & Photo Booth Dan Monkman digitaldanphotography.com (248) 399-2500

Dubin Cleaners & Laundry Sam Dubin dubincleaners.com (248) 539-3244

Jay Dreifus Photography Jay Dreifus jaydreifusphotography.com (248) 613-1109

Goofy Faces, LC Robert Bauer goofyfaces.com (248) 652-8910

Justin Munter Photography Justin Munter justinmunter.com (248) 245-5925

Jewish Family Service Emily Croitori jfsdetroit.org (248) 592-2317

Masserman Photo Brian Masserman massermanphotography.com (248) 365-4014

Mitzvah List Beth Desmon mitzvahlist.com (248) 505-1816

NON-MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT

Paul Stoloff Photography Paul Stoloff paulstoloff.photo (248) 207-4678

GIFTS/FAVORS/ SOUVENIRS

BSA Events & Entertainment Bernie Stevens bsaevents.com (248) 850-5870

ShutterBooth Mike Robins shutterbooth.com (248) 545-6460

Garrett Popcorn Jaclyn Fadel garrettpopcorn.com (734) 972-2875

Fun with Flip Books Mickey Gill funwithflipbooks.com (248) 459-2360

TapSnap Raymond Louisa tapsnap.com (248) 419-1047

K.A. Promos Phyllis Shapiro kapromos.com (248) 904-6669

Goofy Faces, LC Robert Bauer goofyfaces.com (248) 652-8910

VALET PARKING

INVITATIONS

TapSnap Raymond Louisa tapsnap.com (248) 419-1047

Jeffrey Floral Architecture Jeffrey Jucewicz jeffreyfloral.com (248) 439-1011

Lana’s Lettering Elana Hopman lanaslettering.com (248) 923-5487 The Paper Press Franci Hirsch thepaperpress.net (248) 568-1739

Star Trax Valet Todd Duggins startrax.com (248) 268-3806

VIDEOGRAPHER

VTI Productions Christine Lulfs vtiproductions.net (248) 788-8200

EVENT SPONSORS

Detroit Jewish News Keith Farber thejewishnews.com (248) 351-5107

Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit Dan Stratford jccdet.org (248) 432-5536

Star Trax Events Harris Van Cleef startrax.com (248) 263-6300

Oy Video Marissa Murphy facebook.com/oyvideo (248) 797-1829

The Robot Garage Sarah Jacobs therobotgarage.com (248) 723-9100

TONE-e Films Tony Gorkiewicz tone-efilms.com (248) 481-4147

PHOTOGRAPHER Arthur Soifer Photography Artur Safarov arthursoifer.com (586) 764-4899

Plan It! Magazine Becca Schlussel planitmagazine.com (248) 263-6300

Justin Munter Photography

TM

• LEGO & ROBOT ACTIVITY STATIONS WWW.THEROBOTGARAGE.COM • (248) 723-9100

CUSTOM LEGO MOSAICS

We specialize in Weddings, Mitzvahs, Milestones and Specialty Events

(248) 563-1118 Leaveittolaurenevents.com

At Annabel’s & Co. you are assured of a smooth catered affair – no matter if it’s a party of 10 or 10,000.

100% is given to each of our clients!

Corporate events • Weddings • Mitzvahs Communion parties • and more!

14450 W 10 Mile Rd. Oak Park, Michigan 48237

(248) 813-7800 www.annabelscatering.com

A special day deserves a special space.

Bar and Bat Mitzvahs are once-in-a-lifetime events. Make it one to remember at MotorCity Casino Hotel.

Whether it’s a small gathering or a party for the ages, we have the room and the people to make it something special. From throwing the ultimate party at Sound Board to our 19,000 square foot ballroom, everything you need for a day you’ll never forget is located just minutes away at MotorCity Casino Hotel.

866-STAY-MCC MotorCityCasino.com

A M I L L I O N M I L E S AWAY, R I G H T D O W N T H E S T R E E T.

the fun starts here

interactive entertainment - mc - dj - dancers : activities : valet parking audio, video & lighting : advisory team : pre-teen dance experience the event show : plan it! magazine

Now booking through 2020 startrax.com / 248.263.6300 / info@startrax.com