Welcome to our “Day in the Life” series! We feature wedding and event planners from around the world with many different levels of experience. If you would like to be featured, download our questionnaire here and email your responses and photos to info@plannerslounge.com. We are excited to feature Marcea Galindo of MG Event Design in Bellevue Washington.

Name: Marcea Galindo

Business Name & Location: MG Event Design, Bellevue, WA

Years Working in the Event Industry: A Lifetime!

Years Owning Your Event Planning Business: 5 Years

Website: mgeventdesign.com

Business Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/mgeventdesign

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mgeventdesignevents/

What is your typical day like?

I start my morning with a cup of coffee with my husband (and dog!), then exercise and walk said dog. I usually check my calendar for the week on Sunday night so I have it in my head what to expect because, of course, each day/week looks a little different. My husband and I both work from home, and I also help with administrative duties in his business (he’s a real estate coach). I love working from home as it allows me to do things like visit my mom next door, putter around in my storage room organizing my inventory (I have lots of things for my clients to borrow), water the flowers, and have lunch with my husband. I also occasionally take time for myself during the day and just sit and read a book, knowing the upcoming Saturday will be a long work day. My day ends quietly as my husband and dog go to bed before I do, and this is my recharge time…I gain energy in the quiet hours.

How did you get started in the industry?

I started in the wedding business when I was about 10 years old (seriously!). My mom was the church wedding planner and also the church organist. Since she wasn’t able to play the Wedding March and send bridesmaids down the aisle at the same time, I was recruited to give the girls their cues. That led to working in the church basement doing “cake, nuts and mints” receptions and by the time I was 16, I was running those receptions. I learned so many skills in these formative years, things like how to make bows from ribbon and wire (a florist gave me an on-the-spot tutorial because she needed help), how to serve in a large crowd, what the best mints are (the cream cheese ones!), how to organize a wedding party when their attention span is non-existent, and mostly how satisfying it is to work really hard to make someone else’s day amazing.

In college, I helped organize a couple of large banquets and after college, I worked for a restaurant company doing marketing and also helped organize their Employee of the Year banquets. My church recruited me several times to do large dinners (about 500 people), and once a non-profit had me do a women’s lunch for 1,000 women. 

I am a violinist, and for about 10 years I had a string quartet and we did a lot of weddings. I love that I have this experience as a vendor because it gives me unique insight now as a planner. I respect my vendors and treat them as I wanted to be treated.

Once my kids were all in school full-time, I followed my husband into the real estate business and sold homes for 15 years. But I had a yearning to get back to my roots, my passion—weddings—so in 2017, I “retired” from real estate, formed my business and have been loving my job ever since.

What inspires you?

My mom, Doris, is still the one who inspires me the most. I’ve often called her the “Martha Stewart of the West” and she’s uber talented with florals and décor. She occasionally does florals for us still. My oldest daughter, Natalie, is also a great inspiration. She’s my lead associate and we do almost every wedding together. She’s got great ideas, fresh vision, and way more energy than I do. I love that this business spans three generations and we not only feed off each other’s ideas, we work in perfect harmony on every party.

What are your favorite online resources for your business?

Honestly, Instagram is my biggest inspiration. It’s real time, up-to-date, fresh vision and ideas. I love following other planners to glean from their experience. We are not a glam company…we don’t cater to that type of client. Our clients are regular, wonderful people who need help putting their visions together. So, while I appreciate the Colin Cowie’s of the world and admire their work, I learn more from local planners who do what I do every day.

Aside from wedding and event planning, how do you spend your time?

My husband and I love road trips, and at this stage of life, we call them “Empty Nest Roadtrips.” We love exploring small towns that have history and a story. I also love the beach and we have a place not far from home we go to regularly, and when we can get to one like Hawaii, we feel blessed to be able to do that, too. We have a wonderful tribe of friends we’ve had for 30+ years and spending time with them is always a treat. And of course, my family is my pride and joy. We have three grown kids and one was married earlier this year. Time with them is so precious. Every day relaxation usually involves either a good book, a home improvement show, a baseball or football game, or a good movie. And the occasional glass of really good Pinot Gris!

Marcea, thank you so much for taking the time to share your story and a day in your life. If you are an event planner and would like to be featured, download our questionnaire today and email it to us along with a photo. If you aren’t sure about being featured, take a few minutes to read how it can help your business.