Bar mitzvah-how to plan affordably?

how do I make a nice and affordable bar mitzvah? any and all suggestions welcome!!

Platinum Member Joined: Jan 01 2006 Posts: 48152

We used a restaurant that included the cleanup and hall in the price. We were reallyhappy.

Executive Member Joined: Mar 08 2010 Posts: 309

1- make it in your home
2-cater the food yourself (or get help from family/friends)
3-anyone that is offering help, tell them to bake cakes or minitures for a sweet table
4-get from a gemach nice tablecloth and servietes

Silver Member Joined: Jun 11 2009 Posts: 529

Like others said cater yourself or get stuff from various places some bought some homemade first you have tofind a placethat allows such a set up I donot know were you are located but if you are in ny pm me as I do "catering" but I am not as pricey as the takeouts or big caterers and I have helped others as well as made my own simchas at much more affordable rates. It all depends how active you want to be in the planning of your function. Even if you are not in Ny you canpm me for practical cost cutting ideas.

Platinum Member Joined: Mar 12 2009 Posts: 13182

Lots of variables. Out of town it's quite normal to have a bo bayom seuda for the boy's friends, rebbeim, any family; a kiddush in the shul; and meals for family that's traveled in.
If I lived closer to family I don't know what I'd do. In some communities it's established to do a mini-chasuna type of thing for the bo bayom, even among families I wouldn't have thought would or could do it. Not my business how they pull it off.

So, and no one will be judgmental, what are the basics of your bar mitzvah week/weekend that have to be covered?