Alexander's Bar Mitzvah

Alexander’s Bar Mitzvah was held at Cecil Sharp House, which turned out to be an absolutely fantastic choice for the occasion. It’s a beautiful, characterful venue with its own unique charm, and the lovely garden outside gave us an extra space for guests to enjoy. The location was also very convenient for us, which made the whole day feel that little bit easier and more relaxed. Having such a picturesque and welcoming setting really helped set the tone for a memorable celebration.

Hava Tequila were perfect for the celebrations! They brought such joy and energy to the day, and their music fitted the atmosphere beautifully. The Bar Mitzvah had a relaxed and informal vibe, which was exactly what we wanted. We decorated the hall with plenty of bunting to brighten things up and create a cheerful, festive feel. With 24 children among the 85 guests, there was a wonderfully lively mix of people, and it made the whole event feel warm, family-friendly, and full of life.

We found Hava Tequila on Function Central’s website after searching online for Klezmer and more unusual music options in London. As soon as we stumbled upon them, I immediately loved their look, sound, and overall style. They stood out straight away as something a bit different, and we had a strong feeling they’d be exactly right for the kind of atmosphere we were hoping to create. Booking them felt like a natural choice, and we were excited to hear them perform live.

We started the celebration with drinks in the garden, which was such a lovely way to welcome everyone. The weather cooperated, and the outdoor space gave people a chance to mingle and relax before the main event began. The band even played acoustically outside — something that hadn’t been planned at all — but they were incredibly accommodating and happy to adapt. It ended up being a beautiful, spontaneous moment that added something very special to the afternoon.

Hava Tequila were absolutely perfect for the celebrations. Klezmer music is brilliant for Jewish dancing, and they performed it with so much skill, energy, and authenticity. The dancing quickly became one of the highlights of the day, with guests of all ages joining in. We also had a magician performing close-up magic tricks for guests who weren’t dancing, which provided a fun alternative and kept everyone entertained throughout the event. The balance of music, dancing, and entertainment worked wonderfully.

We were so happy with Hava Tequila and received so many lovely comments about them from our guests. My father-in-law, who isn’t Jewish, especially enjoyed the way the band incorporated a jazz connection into their performance — it gave the music a fresh twist that appealed to everyone. There was a huge amount of dancing, and at one point my younger son became so inspired that he spontaneously started a conga line! Moments like that really made the day unforgettable.

Some of the highlights of the Bar Mitzvah included the speeches, the energetic dancing, and the buffet dinner in the main hall. Everything came together beautifully. Alexander’s two friends gave a speech that was particularly wonderful — heartfelt, funny, and very sweet — and it added a meaningful personal touch to the celebration. The whole day had a lovely flow to it, with plenty of warmth, laughter, and shared moments.

My advice to anyone planning a big event like this would be to organise the venue first — ideally even a year in advance to secure the place you really want — and then focus on booking the band or entertainment shortly after. Those two things make such a difference to the feel of the day. And most importantly, try not to get too stressed during the planning process. Even if things feel overwhelming at times, remember that it will all come together beautifully on the day!

Suppliers

Venue - Cecil Sharpe House

Flowers - Queens Park Flowers - lovely vase of flowers on the piano and they sorted out the flower bottles for the table exactly as requested

Magician - Adam Keisner - Very good, I don't know how he turned a £20 note into a £50 and back again!

Catering - Pink Food - Very accommodating, the food was delicious.