When A Planner Plans

My M. Nash Events elevator speech probably needs work. The pitch generally commences, “I’ll plan anything but a wedding.” While it may not seem appropriate to tell my clients-to-be what I will not do, I have found that “anything but a wedding” has helped define M. Nash Events in its first couple of years so that, well—I haven’t planned any weddings.

Almost superstitiously on my part, after I say “anything but a wedding,” I am sure to add my disclaimer, “but never say never.”

(I have certainly said never in the past about other things, and then had to eat those words.)

A "cousin" to weddings is the special celebration when a young Jewish person becomes a bar or bat mitzvah. The shindig that accompanies this occasion can sometimes rival the emotional intensity of a wedding. Mitzvah parties are a distant enough relative from a wedding that last year, I accepted my first two mitzvah celebration clients. Any nerves I may have had were for naught. The events were pieces of mitzvah cupcake to plan, and both big days in 2013 were hits.  The first, was for young and hip Abraham Lightning Lebos whose party theme allowed us to transform the American Legion into "Club Lightning."  His mom, celebrated blogger and writer for Connect Savannah, Jessica Lebos was kind enough to mention M. Nash Events as she documented her "Mother of the Mitzvah Boy" experiences with humor and grace.  Here are three such Yo Yenta blogs and an article in Connect Savannah for your enjoyment.  Happy Jew Year, Simcha Overload, A Savannah Bar Mitzvah Bonanza.  The second occasion was for my niece, and we had a blast turning the Mordecai Sheftall Hall in to a vision of orange and pink.

One may suspect that a Savannah simcha (Jewish celebration) might not hold a "candle-lighting ceremony candle" to the elaborate soirees in other parts of the country. However, from what I gather chatting with future celebrants here in Savannah, there is a desire to respect and recognize the spirituality of the occasion, to have a unique and fun party displaying some restraint, and to focus on creativity, community, and family. Sounds like a fantastic recipe for a joyful event. To be sure, each experience is as different as the families and teens that are celebrated.

So! A big moment for any planner: my daughter’s bat mitzvah date is now on the books. March 5th.  There is so much to think about. We identified her Torah and Haftarah portions, and she has been talking about a mitzvah service project for some time now. Recently, she discussed an event theme she would enjoy, too. I asked one of my best friends (not Jewish—and a star with events) to help me plan. She was so excited and immediately opened her date book. I do not know why she fell out of her chair laughing when I told her it’s 2016. March 5, 2016. Did I forget to mention that part? I suppose I have some time, hmm?  (Believe it or not, we may already have a conflict and be adjusting the date.  But that's why we plan these things ahead of time.)

I dare-say when a planner gets the opportunity to plan for a loved one, she may become a little over-enthusiastic? 

Planning that bat mitzvah date for my own child made me realize something.  There is a distinct possibility that with two kids, I may truly be eating my “anything but a wedding” words one day. Surely, those words will taste sweet.

I do not, however, think I need to set the date just yet.  Not in Savannah, anyway.

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M. Nash Events presents a new “division” called Savannah Simchas. “Simcha” means gladness or joy and is a Hebrew term used for any happy occasion, such as a wedding, bar or bat mitzvah, brit milah or engagement.  M. Nash Events and Savannah Simchas is here for all of your event planning needs, corporate, social, or otherwise.  (except a wedding--for now).  L’chaim!