As we sipped coffee at Starbucks, Mary talked about her professional life. She first developed her passion for special events while working in the development department at the San Francisco Opera, during and after the renovation and restoration of the house. Eager to explore marketing and sharpen her business skills, her next job was at Enterprise IG, where she managed large-scale branding and graphic design projects. "If you really think about it, branding and design are key elements of a wedding," Mary added.

With her dark eyes sparkling, she talked about the details of a vintage wedding celebration she recently planned at the City Club. The invitation was inspired by a vintage dance instruction booklet with the theme “Come dance the night away.” Men’s and women’s shoes forming dance steps led from page to page. The response card, part of the invitation booklet, was perforated for easy removal. The booklet also included information about recommended hotels. On the very last page was a quote by Vicki Baum: "There are shortcuts to happiness, and dancing is one of them." Cream-colored pages were complemented by sage green accent paper that was sewn onto the booklet's cover. Glassine envelopes, were sewn shut with red thread, adding a touch of color.

Besides the vintage wedding gown, there were many more touches from the Art Deco era. Instead of the guests writing their names into a book, they typed their wishes on an antique typewriter. The bride’s collection of silver bowls were filled with gardenias and featured as centerpieces, while the flower girls’ baskets were actually vintage silver ice buckets. I also liked the customized wording on a sign that was posted for late-night guests: "If your tootsies are tired or you’re too tipsy, call a cab."

When meeting her wedding clients for the first time, Mary asks for three words that describe their wedding theme best. "I often tell my brides that it's good to know "the rules" but it's perfectly wonderful to break them with customs and traditions from other cultures to make your wedding your own. I always advise my brides and grooms about traditional and proper etiquette and then help them put their own twist on it." As a planner she likes to help make the event flow and to give the couple and their families a day of enjoyment. Her clients cannot rave enough about Mary. They consider her very creative, diligent, and resourceful. They praise her for helping them select event professionals that are the right fit with their ideas. One of the brides told me that she missed spending time with Mary after her wedding was over.