There are way too many things to describe them all, so I will just touch on a few of the events that took place during the reception to give you a good feeling of the events.  After the cocktail hour was over, everyone was allowed into the room and as soon as the dance floor had some traffic, one of the dancers from split second sound breaks into a standing backflip.  Needless to say, that got everyones attention at the Bat Mitzvah.  From there Sami was announced and she made her grand entrance coming down the beautiful Prestonwood Country Club Staircase in the grand ballroom and right into the Hora – which is one of my favorite events when it comes to Mitzvah Photography.

The rest of the evening was literally a blur of activities.  The Bat Mitzvah Candle lighting, bread breaking, a cool game called “Sami’s Story” which has people fill out cards earlier answering questions about Sami’s life and winners were given a prize if their name was drawn and they got it correct, pop noggins, slideshows, whew!  I’d like to specifically mention Lee, Sami’s mom, as she planned the entire Bat Mitzvah and really did a fabulous job with it.  My writeup is really not doing this justice so I will just move on to the Mitzvah Photography.

Mizvah Ceremony: Beth Mayer Synagogue – Raleigh, NC
Bat Mitzvah Reception: Prestonwood Country Club – Cary, NC
DJ & Dancers: Split Second Sound – Charlotte, NC
Hair & Makeup: Ginger Mullins – Apex, NC
Cake: Prestonwood Country Club – Cary, NC
Video: Amazing Video Creations – Fuquay-Varina, NC
Books: Paperwhite Press – Raleigh, NC

The Bat Mitzvah was held at Beth Shalom in Raleigh the morning Tropical Storm Hanna blew thru town.  Luckily for everyone, the storm held off long enough for Sydney’s family to arrive safely and wasn’t menacing enough to call off the Bat Mitzvah.  It was a bit rainy and wet and I did suffer one casualty, my cellphone.  Apparently cellphones and water don’t mix, especially when it lies outside in a tropical storm for 30 minutes.    Anyway, the actual Bat Mitzvah ceremony was an absolute delight to photograph.  Lots of singing and reading of the Torah, which is done entirely in Hebrew.  Sydney did a really, really great job reading and even though I didn’t understand the words, I could tell by the reaction of the attendees that she really did well!

After the ceremony, we had a break in the afternoon and everyone readied themselves for the party of the year at Prestonwood Country Club in Cary.  The room was decorated fabulously with gren polka dot lighting, Sydney’s name projects onto the wall and purple lamps adorned the table, with her initials on the lampshades.  It certainly was awe-inspiring and my hat goes off to Robin, Ira and Caroline (their planner) for having an amazing evening and celebration of Sydneys Bat Mitzvah!

Of course, here are a few photos: