After a refined luncheon at Watershed on Peachtree featuring tea sandwiches and salads, the Winter Olympics of mitzvahs kicked off at the trendy, industrial King Plow on Atlanta’s Westside. For one night, the spare, gallery-style venue was transformed into a winter wonderland for snow junkies that brought a 13-year-old girl’s love of Montana’s great outdoors to life. From the entrance of Libby’s Big Sky Adventure Ski Lodge to the 72-by-30-in. snowboard sign-in poster, the theme was honored to the smallest detail.
Fresh Mountain Air
To set the scene, we created an entrance with split-rail fencing, multiple displays of white snowy trees rising out of puffy “snow” and a rustic directional sign showing the way to the event’s many adventures. A carved wooden bear and vintage Silver Streak sled welcomed guests to the main event.
On tables, we established the mountain ski retreat atmosphere with green and red plaid or fur linens. For centerpieces, we created cylindrical votives floating with tea lights, cranberries and spruce sprigs or lighted spruce displays under globes surrounded with tree cuttings and pinecones. Sitting atop the plaid linens and flaked with “snow,” these tablescapes provided a true mountain feel in the reception area where lounge seating with cozy toss pillows offered mature guests a haven. Tables in the Big Sky Adventure room presented a sportier theme with hockey sticks standing in the snow in large glass vases, ice skates, and hockey sticker-wrapped votives. Here, gobo light snowflakes surrounded “Libby” on one full wall, while snowflakes and a disco ball dangled from the ceiling.
Game On
We packed in plenty of entertainment knowing that a great DJ and a team of dancers are de rigueur at a mitzvah celebration today. We added dance cubes and our special “flashy blinky” package that is much in demand at most of our recent events. But we didn’t stop there! This was a sporty-mountain-winter celebration after all. To keep everyone entertained nonstop, we set up bubble dome hockey, an Alpine skier racing set, and air hockey games.
The Grub
We began the evening with passed hors d’oeuvres, and adults were able to partake of dinner stations like a carving board and sautéed baby spinach served by chef attendants. But when it came to kid-friendly fare, we rustled up favorites like fried chicken tenders, pizza, BBQ brisket sandwiches, mac and cheese, and Southern-style coleslaw. The menu also included French fries with a variety of dipping sauces. Nothing says Big Sky like cooking over an open fire, so for dessert, the chef was replaced by a “firefighter” who assisted kids with roasting marshmallows and making s’mores.
Make It a Mitzvah
Even with all of the décor, entertainment and food, it wouldn’t be a bat mitzvah without …
A grand entrance. To welcome Libby, guests lined up in two facing rows and created an arch with raised hockey sticks.
A Nicki Minaj cutout? This kid knows what she likes, ok? And it’s winter sports and Nikki Minaj. Nicki was the perfect addition to everyone’s selfies, anyway.
A photo booth. In addition to posing with Nicki, guests headed to the photo booth to don hats, glasses, and other gear to make memories.
A personalized Snapchat geofilter. Where else would attendees under the age of 20 post their pictures and selfies?
A candy bar. Of course! We decorated the candy table with origami snowflakes and let the kids – and more than a few adults – have at it.
Socks. Because kids don’t really want to walk around in those fancy shoes they had to wear, trading them in for some gift socks usually happens right away. In keeping with the mountain resort theme, we selected comfy cabin socks. To complement the socks, guests also received a t-shirt with the Big Sky Adventure logo we had designed for the celebration.
The hora. Everyone’s favorite dance gave Libby, her mom, and her dad the chance to be lifted above the crowd and hang on for dear life. Do we need to mention that Nicki Minaj got in on this action too?
Overall, this trip to the mountains was (pick one): fun, gnarly, sick, or a bomber. We’re not actually sure what some of those skier terms mean, but we’re definitely ready for an après-ski.
Venue: King Plow Arts Center
Catering: Bold Catering & Design
Design, Coordination & Management: WM Events
Entertainment: Yvonne Monet Events
Photography: Lyndsey Wright Photography
Photo Booth: Button It Up
Rentals: Monte Carlo Productions, Collection Event Furnishing & AFR