Tips & Templates Archives - Make it Mariko

How to Get On an Event Planner’s Preferred Vendor List

As a vendor in the events industry, standing out and securing regular bookings is crucial for your long term success. One effective way to achieve this is by creating strong partnerships with Event Planners, and the best way is to get added to an Event Planner’s Preferred Vendor List. In this blog, we will explore the significance of being a Preferred Vendor, how to become one, and how to build strong partnerships in the events industry.Read More

How To Make Your Zoom Not Suck

What a crazy time we live in! As event planners – it’s definitely a challenge to feel productive and, more importantly, getting creative right now. But even in this time of social distancing – people will always find a way to connect. One of the top ways we’ve noticed so far is by Zoom.Read More

Become a Gmail Ninja & Master Inbox Zero

Did you know that the original tagline of Make it Mariko was supposed to be “Events + Life Hacks”? Yea, I was gonna be an organization/efficiency consultant and do events. But I ended up dropping it to keep it simple and focus on events.

Original logo design by Kyle Wai Lin in 2015:

Well, as a self-proclaimed “Efficiency Nerd” and former Administrative Assistant at Google who used to teach efficiency workshops, I know a thing or two about staying organized on email. I also know what it’s like to be an entrepreneur who doesn’t have time for email.Read More

From a Wedding Planner: What questions to ask your Wedding Venue?

I’m so excited to be starting a new blog series at Make it Mariko called “From a Wedding Planner” where we’ll give you tips and tricks to planning your wedding, from the perspective of a Wedding Planner!

Today’s feature:

What questions should I ask
my potential Wedding Venue?

See below for our list of typical questions that we’d ask of any Event Venue that we talk to. Hope it is helpful!

-Gina MarikoRead More

Tips on Hosting a Backyard Wedding with Trulia

I’ve always loved writing, so recently have made a valiant effort to start blogging more. I’m excited to have recently partnered with Trulia, the online residential real estate company, on a blog with tips on planning a backyard wedding at your home!

Of course, we all know that most San Franciscans can’t afford backyards at the moment (present company included), but you know, others in the Bay Area may find this useful 🙂

Check out the blog here.

Enjoy!

-Gina

Couple’s Wedding Trivia Template!

I’m all about the wedding activities. Weddings are supposed to be fun, and focused on the couple. Anytime my couples are down for fun activities and doing more interactive things, I always suggest COUPLE’S TRIVIA!

#1: I love trivia.
#2: I love the idea of getting to know a couple more at their wedding.

Couple’s trivia is a great activity to do during dinner in between courses especially if you’re doing a buffet since it gives guests something to do while they wait. Right before dinner ends, have everyone check their answers (honor system), and have your Emcee read off the answers aloud. It’s super fun and everyone always learns something new and fun about the couple.

Buy fun prizes for the winner!

For our wedding, I designed custom t-shirts based on our theme ‘California Love’ for the winners. We printed a few extras and gave them out to guests throughout the night. We also wore them the day after the wedding.

FUN FACT: The team that actually won trivia at our wedding, was our TRIVIA TEAM that we used to play with every week! I guess the practice paid off.

Download the template below, and share your thoughts with us in the comments!

Ready to play?

Click here

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.