Party Spot - Real Bat Mitzvahs: Robyn in Newport News, VA

Robyn started planning her Bat Mitzvah a year before the big day. Her parents, who she calls the masterminds behind the event, hired an event coordinator to help with all the last-minute and on-site details. Robyn chose a ballet theme and a cool but delicate color scheme of light pink, white, and black.

SHE IS: Robyn Becker
THE BIG EVENT: Bat Mitzvah
THE DATE: November 19

Swan Lake Style When Robyn saw her pouffy Elena do Vale Couture dress stand upright on the floor by itself, she knew it was a winner. "I just stepped into it," she remembers.

For shoes, Robyn dyed a simple pair of ballet flats, which she says she took off right after the pictures. She also wore a matching diamond and sapphire necklace, ring, and earrings -- all gifts from her family.

Getting Gorgeous Robyn used professionals to get her beauty look. She had her makeup done at the Prescriptives counter at Dillard's. "It was dramatic but very pretty," she says.

For her hair, a stylist from Teasers salon created an updo filled with tiny curls. "I loved it because it showed the real me -- curly hair!" she says.

The Preparty Plan Robyn's Bat Mitzvah service took place in the morning at Temple Rodef Sholom. After a luncheon at the temple, she dashed off to the salon, then returned home just in time to grab her dress. She changed at the Ferguson Center for the Arts, which is where the reception was held.

Starting the Party "Walking into the party was my favorite part because I didn't know what anything was going to look like," recalls Robyn. The tables were dressed with pink tablecloths and black tulle overlays. White orchid centerpieces donned the adult tables while silver and pink balloon bouquet centerpieces and several life-sized cardboard cutout ballerina dolls decorated the kids' area.

Numerous food stations served Asian, Italian, and vegetarian dishes. The kids had their own buffet with Caesar salad and bowtie pasta marinara. There was even a dessert buffet with baklava, brownies, cookies, and fresh fruit. Afterward, guests danced to the sounds of a DJ and a klezmer band. "Not my idea!" laughs Robyn.

Sweet Stuff The vanilla and chocolate rectangular cake was wrapped with a pink ballerina tulle skirt and decorated with candy ballet slippers and butterflies. For favors, Robyn handed out socks marked with the date and the phrase: "I danced my socks off at Robyn's Bat Mitzvah."

Guests also picked up treats from the black- and pink-themed candy bar, which featured jars of candy and small ribbon-tied favor bags -- the perfect way to top off the sweet celebration.

--Joanna Philbin
photography © Don Monteaux

For the ingredients that made up this party, see right-hand column of this page.