CLOUD BANTER

Curating Moments That Matter. A Bay Area Event Blog.

Jackie & Mike – A Romantic Mill Valley Wedding in the Woods

It was such a pleasure to be the Day-of Coordinator for this super sweet couple, Jackie & Mike. They were such a joy to work with: authentic, humble, and full of genuine love for one another. I really appreciated their energy and small, sweet gestures to each other throughout the day.

The Ralston White Retreat in Mill Valley was a classic and quaint venue. A crazy, narrow, windy road (that seems like a one-way but is actually a two-way), leads you to the peak of the mountain. There, at the top of a heart shaped lawn (no, seriously it’s shaped like a heart), you find a beautiful, unassuming private estate with a classic porch reminiscent of Forrest Gump.

This was also my first time setting up lighting at a wedding myself. It ended up turning out beautiful and provided that little extra something the reception room needed.

Oh yea and, best #dadspeeches ever!

Photography by Karen Santos Photography

#husmarryingmike

Four Events in One Week (aka That Time I Got Stress Hives)

Launching and operating your own event company is hard work. It’s even harder when you’re still balancing a part-time job at a huge tech company as the Marketing Events Lead, as I currently am. Looking back, this first year in business was all about testing my limits and finding my balance. I’m grateful for it all.Read More

Tyler & Joliz – A Rustic Bay Area Barn Wedding

We had so much fun designing and planning Tyler & Joliz’s Red Barn Ranch wedding in Hopland, CA! Tyler and Joliz were one of the sweetest couples and their love for one another was always so clear and present. They had met, dated, and had a connection before but timing wasn’t right. Then a serendipitous LinkedIn message helped reconnect them at the perfect time, and they were inseparable ever since.

For every decision we made for the wedding, whether it be gold forks to white lanterns, there was a sparkle in their eyes full of excitement and joy. That joy was even more present on the big wedding day and I loved every minute of it.

We also loved this wedding since it was a truly Endeavors Collective wedding with Make it Mariko, Juna Alinea, and officiant Alvin Rosales all collaborating to make it a success. Congratulations Tyler & Joliz!

#possibletwo

A Pride-inspired Photoshoot + Endeavors Collective

At the beginning of the summer Junalene and I started brainstorming concepts and planning for a Pride-inspired Photoshoot. This would be the first photoshoot that we did as Endeavors Collective! We wanted to showcase our same sex couple clients during a month dedicated to celebrating their love and right to marry, and also show solidarity as allies for our LGBT clients and friends after the tragic events that occurred in Orlando.

It’s been a crazy summer and I’m finally able to blog and share some of my favorite shoot photos with you, including some behind-the-scenes shots! We had so many amazing partners on board for the shoot and I couldn’t be happier how it all turned out.

#sfpride #loveislove #prayfororlandoRead More

It (literally) Takes a Village – A Dayak Wedding in Indonesia

This week I’m excited to share with you one of my best friend’s weddings in Indonesia (Kalimantan, Borneo to be exact) — my first international wedding! It was a traditional Dayak Tribal wedding, which hasn’t happened in the village in 10 years. I felt honored to be witnessing so much culture and tradition, and to be the special VIP guests the entire time.

Special thank you to Freddie & Darlene for choosing to have such an amazing unique celebration, to Dr. Birute and Pak Bohap for being such gracious, humble hosts, and to the kind people of Borneo for welcoming us into your home.

#latoborneoRead More

Trevor Runway #ThisIsMe – Raising funds to save young LGBT lives

On June 23, 2016 Make it Mariko was honored to be a Bronze Sponsor of the “Trevor Runway”, especially since The Trevor Project is a nonprofit that is very close to my heart and that of my family. I was also excited to get back to my stage production roots to manage the booking, stage performances, and day-of production of the Trevor Runway show.Read More

#todadit – What it Means & How I live

*Tattoo done by Candi at Tuesday Tattoos

When people see my tattoo they always ask me what “to da dit” means. Well, here’s how I normally explain to da dit to people, and this is why it means so much to me:

It literally means “to the death”, just said in a Filipino accent.

At family parties and holidays, we always have a ton of people over our house – anywhere from 15 to 40 people at a time. We’re Filipino and Japanese, so you can always expect a ton of food, karaoke/singing/performing of some kind, and of course alcohol. Everyone is an Auntie/Uncle or a Tito/Tita regardless of blood relation.Read More

Launch Party Video by Knit the Knot

Thanks to James Dang from Knit the Knot videography (shout out Endeavors Collective) for putting together this awesome teaser from the Make it Mariko & Endeavors Collective Launch Party last December 2015! Was such an amazing night.

What is Cloud Banter?

Clouds. There’s something so beautiful, and peaceful, and oh so magical about them. I’m mad about clouds. I find peace looking at them, staring at them, pondering their beauty and purpose. They also make me feel closer to nature, to the universe, and most importantly, to those who have passed before me. Clouds are a symbol of my spirituality.

Banter. noun – the playful and friendly exchange of teasing remarks. It’s light, it’s fun, it’s informal. It’s the conversations that make up our everyday chatter. The time we fill in between moments. The way we connect with each other as humans.

Gina & Jonny’s Colorful, Circular San Francisco Wedding

The first wedding we ever planned even BEFORE Make it Mariko existed — Gina’s own wedding! Read More

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