Photo by Rianon Stevens photography

Mari grew up in the island of Oahu, Hawaii.  An island girl at heart, no matter where she ventures to.  Mari's love of art began at the age of four. She explored a variety of artistic media that eventually led her to beauty artistry. She entered the Wedding industry in 1999 as a wedding hair & make-up artist, then eventually wedding designing and planning for family and friends. She has a passion for flowers and loves to create beautiful, timeless, and elegant floral arrangements, wedding decor,  designing dresses and has an eye for photography. In 2004, she began a different career in the Art of nursing as a Registered Nurse, taking on roles as a Charge Nurse and Nurse Manager. Mari's artistic abilities, attention to details, solution oriented thinking, coupled with her organizational and leadership skills in a vigorous profession, makes her a versatile and ambitious individual with a passion for creativity and innovation.  

Ray grew up in Carson, California and joined the Air Force in 1996. With a background in engineering and an MBA, combined with his military experience, he's always had a knack for strategy and details.  But everything changed in the most delightful way when he met his wife, Mari.  Mari's passion for creating beautiful moments and her eye for detail perfectly matched his own.  As they fell in love, they discovered a shared joy in planning special occasions, whether it was a grand celebration or a simple, heartfelt surprise for their friends and family.  This mutual love for crafting memorable experiences led them to dive into wedding planning.  His skills in problem-solving and project management naturally flowed into designing unforgettable events.  

When Mari & Ray launched Mar Ray Designs, it felt like a natural fit.  The commitment to luxurious and sophisticated weddings aligned perfectly with their version.  Now, with Mari's boundless creativity and their joint enthusiasm, they are infusing every event with a unique blend of strategic insight and heartfelt romance.  This venture celebrates not just their professional growth, but the beautiful journey that brought them together, making each event a true reflection of their shared dreams, love, and the journey that brought them here.  

Hello there! It's Mari & Ray

OUR MISSION

MarRay Designs is dedicated to crafting memorable wedding and event experiences that celebrate love, creativity, and individuality. We strive to transform each client's vision into reality through meticulous planning, innovative design, and exceptional service, ensuring every detail reflect the unique essence of the couple's story. Our mission is to create timeless memories that leave a lasting impression on both our clients and their guests.

OUR PROCESS

Bringing a love story into fruition starts with getting to know our lovely couple. We believe open communication is the key to making your nuptial bliss a dream come true. We begin with a questionnaire of who our couples are as individuals and what are the priorities for their event. Visual are essential to creating a vision that meets your needs. We collaborate on a vision board to ensure we are on the same page. We then create a mock up of the event design for your approval.

Our team

MARI POYAOAN

CO-FOUNDER, CREATIVE DIRECTOR

ray poyaoan

CO-FOUNDER, MANAGING DIRECTOR

REX POYAOAN

CUSTOMER RELATIONS