Name: Mary Anne Knox
Occupation: Event planner/wedding coordinator, MAK events and wedding design
How long in Santa Barbara? Born in S.B.
Best thing about Santa Barbara: Everything (weather, architecture, beach, people, etc.)
First job in your industry: Promotions and public relations manager at KATU-TV, Portland, Ore.
Pet peeve: When people enter an elevator before the people inside exit.
How you keep it green: Recycle and unplug the appliances I am not using.
Most fabulous find: A $12 dress at Ross. I can wear it with flip flops or heels and big bobbles. It is so comfortable and sexy, I call it my “modern moo-moo.”
Your design mantra: Clean, comfortable and calm
Always on the make for: a great lip gloss that lasts for more than a minute
Guilty pleasure? People Magazine
Best meal in town: Penne Arbiatta at Ca Dario
Style Icon: My mother – timeless
Nonprofit that you’re passionate about: Hospice of Santa Barbara. I am on their Auxiliary and Events Board.
Favorite wedding design accessory: Hair flowers
Never too far from your reach: ChapStick, I’m an addict.
Clients would describe your event management style as: Calm, pro-active and thorough
Internet jones (favorite Web site): HGTV.com
Where is your bookmark right now? Emily Post, “Wedding Etiquette”
If I didn’t live in Santa Barbara I’d live in: San Francisco
Creative outlet: My garden
Wine time (favorite label): Bag End Cellars. The best Viognier I have ever tasted.
What’s hot for an event: Instead of a candy bar, a new twist — Popcorn Bar with all different flavors of popcorn guests can take home and munch on.
Liquid love: Dirty Martini
If this PDA could talk (celebrity clients or sightings): My PDA has signed a nondisclosure agreement.
Advice for the newbie in your industry: Work with all the different types of vendors in the industry. The more you know about the other jobs, the more knowledge you will have and therefore the better coordinator you will be.
Best item in your closet: Diamond jewelry
Where you draw the line with a challenging client: I will do almost anything for a client, however, wedding singer is not on the list of service items.
Best marketing tool ever: Word of mouth
To learn more about Mary Anne and MAK events, please visit www.mak-events.com.