Mary Dann-McNamee, MA Owner: Mary Dann, Wedding and Party Coordinators As one of the most sought-after event coordinators in Southern California, Mary Dann-McNamee and her team of wedding and party coordinators have been responsible for detailed event planning and creative party consultation to many corporations and families throughout the country since 1991. They are known for their commitment to surpass their clients' expectations and have created intimate weddings and extravagant upscale affairs for a long list of clients, including many of Hollywood's elite. Mary's passion for the industry has led her down many paths, including becoming a contributing writer for "Inside Weddings" magazine, “Ceremony” magazine and an on-air talent for many nationally syndicated television shows. These shows are Style Network‟s "Whose Wedding Is It Anyway," and “Married Away”, and WE Network‟s “Platinum Wedding” and special segments of “Top Ten Wedding Destinations”.
As a former luxury hotel Catering Sales Manager and Corporate Group Sales Manager for The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, Mary became experienced in negotiations, event management and hospitality. Her hotel experience helped form relationships with industry professionals, including some of the finest designers, photographers, hotels and entertainment specialists in the country. Mary takes pride in the continuing growth of her company. What began with a few weddings and a staff of two has now become a high-profile business specializing in weddings with sometimes over 8 events per month and a dozen Event Managers. Mary believes that it is her job to make her client's dreams come true, so more than just finding the perfect location for a wedding, she makes it a priority to get to know who she is working with so she can instantly relieve the stress and confusion of the process. Mary attributes her calming nature to her other passion -- she holds a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage Family Therapy. Her work with individuals and couples strengthens her listening skills, mediation ability and creative vision planning ability. Mary has planned weddings for designers, writers, catering managers and for corporations like O'Melveny & Myers, Sony Music, Vogue Magazine, IMG, Nautica and Cloudbreak Entertainment. In addition she has worked on nuptials for clients from Pro Athletic Teams, such as Kobe Bryant, Austin Croshere and Malcolm Johnson.
Luxury Lifestyle &Wedding Products
Wedding Wisdom is a compilation of advice, insights, and experiences from renown Los Angeles based “Wedding Fixer�, Mary DannMcNamee. A unique viewpoint from her 18 years of wedding planning and 10 years as a marriage and family therapist, this tailor made 110 page hard bound book offers sage advice to both Brides and Wedding Planners. Learn how to prepare for weddings emotionally, practically, spiritually, and joyously from THE mentor of wedding planners and THE wedding fixer for brides.
Light up any wedding ceremony or celebration with the hottest trend in weddings. When it is too dark to wave wands of ribbon, think about waving wands of multi-colored lights. These 14 inch plastic sticks can be placed on a solid "on" position or a "blinking" position. They last for 10 hours and completely accent your joy on your special day. They are perfect for the fan fare of departing up the aisle at a ceremony or departing the reception at the end of the day‌ I have found that sparklers can be too dangerous for guests to handle after celebrating with food and beverage. The Celebration Wands are more vibrant, safer, more versatile and a keepsake for anyone to reuse‌
Mary Dann has added to her signature collection of event accessories with the addition of whimsical, hand-made Wedding Wands. Waving joyfully in the air, Wedding Wands are a creative, exciting way to add flair to any event, especially wedding ceremonies. Dannâ€&#x;s inspiration for creating Wedding Wands was to give brides and grooms the choice of a fun, interactive accessory that their guests can wave to celebrate their union. Standing side by side, often creating a receiving line on two sides, guests are able to greet the new couple with fanfare, when other noisemakers or objects can not be used or are not desired. For centuries, waving beautifully colored streamers and banners has been a way to add extra praise and adulation to guests-of-honor in celebrations. Dann has brought this tradition to modern events with her Ceremony Wands available in 22 different colors ranging in every shade of the rainbow. The wands can be designed in up to four colors- one basic color for the handle of the wand and three accent colors for the six ribbon.
Cards are customizable for bridesmaids, maids of honor, flower girls, ring bearers, and just about anyone you want to ask to share in your big day
Planners also need the perfect card to give clients after the big day choose from cards that express gratitude from a planner to the wedding couple, the parents of the wedding couple, or the planner's team of vendors who helped make the big event a smashing success.
The Video Wedding Album allowed us to digitally capture the guests saying “hello” (rather than a typical guest book), upload the actual wedding day footage (that same day) and give the Video Wedding Album as a favor to the guests as they depart. It was such a stellar ending to a “Platinum Wedding “at The Resort at Pelican Hill, Newport Coast, California.
Television & Public Appearances
The Mary Dann is featured on Whose Wedding is it Anyways? and can be seen on Married Away and Platinum Weddings.
2010 Speaking Resume WIPA Los Angeles 2010 Spring Meeting at Langham Hotel Pasadena Wedding 101 and A Magical Affair presents “A Weekend with Celebrity Planner Mary DannMcNamee” Book signing, Career Counseling and a presentation on “Creating a Balanced Marriage with being in the Wedding Business”
26th Association of Bridal Consultants New Jersey conference Educational luncheon with Orange County Chapter of Association of Bridal Consultants, House of Blues Downtown Disney Wedding Professional Conference. 2010 Nassau, The Bahamas
Association of Bridal Consultants 2010 Annual National Conference
Mary Dann-McNammee March 2010 – Balanced Planner November 2010 – Leaders and Followers with La Fete Weddings and Exquisite Events March 2011 – Balanced Planner
American Bridal Consultants January 2011 Ventura Santa Barbara Mary Dann-McNammee Leaders and Followers featuring‌ La Fete Weddings and Exquisite Events
Mary Dann-McNammee November 2010 – Leaders and Followers with La Fete Weddings and Exquisite Events March 2011 – The Balanced Planner
Education & Motivational Presentations
Mentor Programs A three-day Mentorship Program for those of you who are seriously invested in becoming a professional event planner. Shadow Mary and learn first hand for a full day at her office, during a rehearsal and on an actual wedding day.
Career Counseling For more insights and advice Mary can be hired for career counseling/coaching, via telephone or at her office in Glendora, Ca. The session is an opportunity for her to understand more of what your dream career is and give you valuable insights and tools to accomplish your hearts desire. Her Masters in clinical psychology and experience as a Marriage and Family Therapist, allows her to be an attentive listener and communicator. Her 17 years of experience in this business allows her to extend advice that is pertinent to your own life and choices. Please let her know if you would like to schedule a session and receive professional guidance as you take the next leap into this career.
Presentation Topics Stay Balanced Through the Journey of Building and Profiting from Your Business I want to help young women with tips to stay balanced while juggling family, friends, and demanding clients. We as women deal with situations and business differently then men do and I feel that I can share ways through my own experiences to help guide younger women. Purpose statement: How to be a more balanced and successful women now and tomorrow in the world of business and life. Designed for: Young Women Entrepreneurs Topics covered: • The journey to being successful business women • Discovering your worth • Average fears women have in the work force and how to overcome them Results: To give encouragement, wisdom, tips with helpful fun stories of overcoming fear of being disliked and discovering your worth.
Presentation Topics Wedding Wisdom: Insightful Approach to Attracting Better Brides and Inspiring Those Around You I want to show wedding planners a better approach that can help them be more successful and as in my title inspire the wedding industry. I will guide other wedding planners through my personal experiences of owning my own business and how I was able to have so many wonderful brides. Purpose statement: How to attract better brides and inspire those around you Designed for: Wedding Planners Topics Covered • Going from crazy brides to better brides and why it isn‟t always the bride but your approach • Staying organized and thorough through out the process helps create a better bride and a better wedding • How to inspire brides, vendors, employees, even friends and family I want to give encouragement, wisdom, tips with helpful fun stories for other wedding planners to succeed in this industry. I want to help them create a way to deal with brides for better or worse. The session is an opportunity for you to understand more about your dream career and give you valuable insights and tools to accomplish your hearts desire. Her Masters in clinical psychology and experience as a Marriage and Family Therapist, allows her to be an attentive listener and communicator. Mary‟s 17 years of experience in this business allows her to extend advice that is pertinent to your own life and choices.
Presentation Topics Wedding Wisdom: Balancing Your Life During the Wedding Process I want to help couples understand the importance of balancing their relationship and life outside the big picture of their wedding. As a Marriage Therapist I can help young couples married or not through common problems that occur within and out of the wedding scope. Purpose statement: How to help younger couples understand the importance of staying balanced and focused during a very emotional and chaotic time. Designed for: Young Engaged of Young Married Couples Topics covered: • The journey of the wedding itself and the toll it can have on an engaged couple • Staying connected to your partner outside of the process • Realizing the unity you are creating. It isn‟t about all the „stuff‟ • Helping you emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and physically Results: I want young couples who are getting married to remember the importance of marriage and not the wedding itself. I will show them how to stay balanced mentally, spiritually, emotionally, and physically through the process and life.
Print Media
Itâ€&#x;s a strange dichotomy that a wedding can at once be the sweetest, most meaningful day of your life and the most stressful. By planning well and still remembering to spend time separating yourself from the planning process, you can heighten the sweetness and decrease the stress.
On Line Editorial & Marketing