Today we’d like to introduce you to Mariyum Khan.
Hi Mariyum, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Hi! I’m Mariyum, an Atlanta-based event planner and coordinator! My earliest memory of event planning is when I was a junior Girl Scout and my leader encouraged me to organize a series of meetings where we had to complete activities to earn a badge. Over time, my involvement in Girl Scouts grew as I led statewide leadership retreats to earning my silver and gold award projects, to planning week-long summer day camp activities across various age groups. This early experience not only sparked my passion for organizing events but also taught me how to bridge creative ideas into logistical thinking and planning, a skill that has become the foundation of my approach to every event.
That passion carried throughout high school and college, where I became actively involved in various extracurriculars, balancing my studies with community involvement and network-building. While earning my degree—and in my final year of college—I took on the responsibility of planning my brother’s wedding in 2016, my first wedding experience, held at an Atlanta hotel for 550 guests. While learning how to manage vendors and coordinating each detail, I organized large-scale campus events for 800 to 5,000 students at Mercer University. During this time, I realized how much I enjoyed every aspect of event planning, from handling challenges and surprises to seeing each thoughtful detail come to life. Hearing guests rave about the experience, the seamless organization, and the joy they felt made every ounce of hard work, time, and stress completely worth it. Those affirmations truly continue to fuel my passion and commitment to this path.
In 2022 and 2023, as many friends and family celebrated major milestones, I found myself deeply invested in helping them bring their wedding dreams to life. With each event, my love for planning grew; witnessing the joy and excitement on their faces as everything came together was incredibly fulfilling. In 2022, my younger brother was getting married and the excitement of every small decision, from selecting decor to finalizing timelines, and I loved every detail more than the last. By mid-2023, the encouragement from my community made me realize that this passion—something I’d nurtured since those first Girl Scout meetings—was something I needed to share professionally. With heartfelt support from family, friends, and vendors, I took the leap and started my own planning business, fueled by a genuine love for creating unforgettable celebrations. I’m thrilled to turn visions into realities for couples and families, making each moment extraordinary.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Like any business owner, my journey has been marked by challenges, each one shaping the business and brand I’m building. Starting my business was no easy feat—I delayed the launch during a time when social media was not the ideal platform to debut a new endeavor. Rather than waiting for the “perfect” moment, I channeled my energy into preparation, focusing on brainstorming my brand identity, designing my logo, building templates, and determining service packages—laying the groundwork for MK Events.
A few months later, I received an incredible opportunity to help plan and coordinate a fundraiser for a cause that was close to my heart. With encouragement from family, friends, and event organizers, I seized the moment to officially launch my business. From that point on, I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with wonderful clients and vendors who warmly welcomed me into the world of wedding and event planning.
Every wedding and event presents its unique hurdles. While it’s not always a smooth road, I wouldn’t trade those challenges for anything. They’ve taught me how to advocate for my clients, solve problems on my feet, and seamlessly integrate numerous moving pieces. I’ve also learned to appreciate that every person and client has different personalities and priorities. There are always going to be challenges to face, but HOW I handle and overcome those challenges are more important to me. Being customer-facing comes with high pressure, and my whole life I’ve witnessed my father navigate his business dealings with flexibility, grace, and empathy, even in challenging situations. His ability to connect with people has always inspired me, and I strive to model his grace, flexibility, and empathy in my interactions.
Currently, as I am focused on expanding my business, I’m learning to leverage the expertise of others to grow my business without spreading myself too thin. Being detail-oriented is my strength and to do that, I must remain fully present for each client and also create time for myself, my family, and friends. Each challenge I encounter is an opportunity for growth, and I’m grateful for them all. These experiences are helping me build a business and a brand I’m truly proud of, and they keep me inspired every day.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Through years of planning for friends, family, and even my wedding, I’ve learned that event planning is a field I genuinely love and thrive in. I take my clients’ visions and ideas—their dreams, priorities, and cultures—and bring them to life, step by step. It’s all about understanding their goals, organizing all the pieces, and finally executing their vision flawlessly from beginning to end.
My specialty lies in the art of bridging creativity with logistics. Many people excel in one or the other, but I’ve developed a skill set that seamlessly merges the two, where the creative ideas translate into a smoothly run, detailed, and unforgettable event. This ability allows me to wear multiple hats, not just as a business owner but as an event planner who can envision the big picture while handling every detail.
What I’m most proud of is that moment after an event when the client, their family, and friends come up to my team and me, hug us, and thank us on our way out. It’s an especially meaningful moment because it shows that our clients were fully satisfied, able to be present, and truly enjoyed their special occasion. This is when I feel most successful. Knowing that we lifted a burden and created space for them to be in the moment is incredibly fulfilling.
Along the way, I also build genuine connections—not just with my clients but with my team and the talented vendors I work with. This supportive network is something I’m deeply thankful for, and it keeps me inspired in an industry where every event is unique and every client has a special story to tell.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
The quality I consider most essential to my success is empathy. In wedding and event planning, truly understanding and tuning into my client’s needs, dreams, and concerns allows me to create deeply personal experiences. Empathy helps me anticipate their needs before they even express them, allowing me to offer solutions, ease their worries, and bring their visions to life in a way that genuinely resonates.
For many clients, events like weddings mark significant milestones—days they’ll remember for the rest of their lives. As a planner, I carry the weight of that responsibility, knowing how important it is to handle each desire with delicacy and care. I act as a confidant, listening closely to my clients to fully understand their vision and bring it to life in a way that honors the day’s importance and creates lasting memories.
Empathy also extends to the talented vendors who play a crucial role in making each event successful. By respecting their needs, timelines, and expertise, I build strong relationships that enhance the entire planning process. I love collaborating with vendors, knowing that we’re all working together seamlessly to bring the client’s vision to life. This approach allows me to foster a supportive environment where clients feel truly seen and valued and where every team member can bring their best to each celebration.
Contact Info:
- Website: coming soon…
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mkevents.inc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558490204610&mibextid=LQQJ4d
Image Credits
This Modern Love Photography
