WE'RE BACK IN DETROIT!

celebrate /

Now Playing at the Gem Theatre

the Musical

YOU'LL LOVE IT...
.•
IT'S HILARIOUS—
GO SEE ITV

-Joy Behar, The Viet

a guide to simchahs

The Hilarious
Celebration of
Women and
The Change!

,

"THE ULTIMATE
GIRLS' NIGHT OUT."

-

Detroit Free Press

Continued from page B 14

You're convinced you need flowers and a disc jockey only because "society and event
commercialism dictate what an event should include," Barker says.
Instead, "Ask, 'How much do I really want to spend and what do I really need?"
Barker says. "We're talking about one day. If you're planning a wedding and you have
$10,000, but you're adding up what you want and it costs $15,000, consider whether
you really want to start out your lives together $5,000 in debt for one night's fun or
with a down payment on a new house."

Kick Up Your Heels and Join The Fun!

Order your tickets TODAY!

CALL (313) 963-9800

THE HISTORIC

E

rrTNTURY

THEATRES

CENTURY
GRILLE_

www.gemtheatre.com
www.menopausethemusical.com

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NOW PLAYING! •
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Dinner Packages •
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Available.
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mr •

Leslie Jacobs

associates,

inc.

Designs for Special Events

Wedding Consulting & Coordination

Corporate Events

Bar & Bat Mitzvahs

Special Occasions

Too. 41•T Party Rentals

Elizabeth Applebaum is a marketing specialist at the Jewish Community
Center of Metropolitan Detroit.

248.646.4517 • LJREDHEAD AOL.COM

1358120

B 1 6

celebrate!

I March 2008

STEP 4: DETAILS, DETAILS. DETAILS:
•The venue where the reception will be held
•Beverages (Cash bar? Open bar? No bar?)
•Linens (Floor length? In-house?)
•Table centerpieces
•Entertainment
•Photographer
•Video
•Who will preside at the marriage and will she/he be paid?
•Transportation (Are you just going in your car? If you rent a limo, who rides in it?
How will guests from out of town get to the event?)
•Flowers (Centerpieces? With candles? For any guests?)
•Wedding or party and/or reception attire
•Invitations
•Party favors
•Thank-you cards
•Honeymoon
•Wedding or other special cake
•Travel and lodging for relatives
•Event chaperone
•Theme items
Be prepared to spend one of the largest chunks of money on food.
"This is where most people are likely to become disillusioned in their planning,"
Barker says. "They don't understand that $69 per person doesn't mean $69 for a
piece of chicken, a few potatoes and a salad. It means $69 for the food plus some-
one to serve that food, someone to cook it, someone to clean it up, someone to
vacuum after the meal is over and put away all the chairs, for heat or air conditioning,
for electricity."
If this is a Jewish event, Barker encourages families to consider kosher food. This
way all guests will be able to eat and no one will feel he is being singled out.
"A quality and experienced kosher caterer will be able to prepare a quality kosher
meal," he says. "The JCC uses Matt Prentice Restaurant Group to ensure dietary laws
are observed and the food is second to none."
Then discuss whether you want a sit-down meal, stations or a buffet. Remember
here, too, that this event is about you, and you do not have to cater to the needs of
each individual.
"Of course, it's easier for the caterer if you have a cookie-cutter event," Barker says.
"But don't be afraid to personalize it. Ask for what you want."
A great deal of wedding/party items — especially the expensive ones — are touted
as must-haves because "it's traditional," Barker says. "But tradition is meant for the
[religious] service and is not to be confused with the reception.
"These days, 'traditional' in big events means whatever we want it to mean, and it
is constantly changing," he says. "Free your event of obligation and fill it with fun." - g