My name is Mary Tindle and I am the proud owner of Tux & Gown, a full-service wedding and event design and planning company. My love for planning events began in 2014, when I planned my own vow renewal ceremony. The experience was so invigorating, and I enjoyed every moment of it. I have always had and inexplicable need to create and organize things for as long as I can remember. This event solidi
fied my need to pursue a career that would allow me the opportunity to utilize my skills and passion to help others design the event of their dreams. For the last 20 years I have worked in the oil and gas industry. While I loved my career and the exhilarating rush that came with it, I decided it was time to switch gears and pursue my lifelong dream of becoming my own boss. What better way to do this than to open my own wedding and event planning company. After discovering my new passion, I began my studies to learn everything I could about wedding and event planning. The course work took me through the whole process and so much more. It included online discussions with household names such as Project Runway star Richard Hallmarq, America’s Next Top Model Naima Mora and The Anna Nicole Show designer Bobby Trendy. It also included a certified party planning course instructed by former New Jersey Real Housewife Dina Manzo. Internships are also an integral part of the learning and certification process. I completed several internships with world renowned celebrity wedding planner Kevin Lee in Beverly Hills and Marina del Rey, California. I also worked with designers performing various duties in “The Big Fake Wedding” in Houston, Texas. These hands on experiences were invaluable in my journey to starting my own career in wedding and event design. During my first internship with Kevin Lee I was faced with a major dress malfunction. Kevin assigned me to work directly with the bride, which ended up being the whole bridal party and family. One incident that stands out most is having to think quickly and solve an issue with a dress that arose during the photo session at the Huppa. In between shoots, the shoulder strap on one of the bridal party’s dress broke. They had one last picture left, which included the whole party. I sent for a sewing kit, then quickly sewed the strap back on right there on the isle to the Huppa, where everyone was waiting to finish up the session. It was a race to the finish, but we made it and the strap stayed put for the duration of the night. The wedding was beautiful and an experience I will never forget. I have been planning events for about 10 years now; however, I am still new to the industry. I have volunteered my services to family and friends and community outreach. With Halloween being one of my favorite holidays, I have planned several Halloween parties and designed and built a Haunted House in my garage, which was a big hit in our neighborhood. These experiences, along with my studies, have made me the planner I am today, of which I am grateful.