photo | c. robinson photography
Johanna Ati Tafao-Braganza
Co-Owner | Creative Director
A graduate of the University of Hawaii at Manoa- Ati earned her BA in Sociology and is now using her powers of “anticipating your needs” as the Co-Owner and Creative Director of Gēkd Boutique™- an eco-conscious event planning studio, serving the San Francisco Bay Area and surrounding districts. She was born and raised in San Francisco, California with her two siblings and has spent some time living in American Samoa and Hawaii. She is the mother of three beautiful children and is married to a great, big, loving, bear-of-a-man.
Ati has been in the wedding and event planning industry for seven years and has been passionate about it for a lifetime. Her need to be environmentally responsible has grown out of her love for the islands of the South Pacific, which are in danger of being swallowed by the ocean due to rising sea levels. Her San Francisco up-bringing and Polynesian roots have been the foundation upon which she has built her business. Privy to an education and lifestyle that has been steeped in multiculturalism- she has developed a necessary understanding of others’ needs and desires, making her the perfect candidate to make your green wedding come true.
Jennifer Alvarez
Co-Owner | Finance Director
Jennifer Alvarez’s background is in construction, where she has acquired the ability to see the whole project and anticipate the steps needed to bring a vision to fruition. She radiates the kind of personality that makes you feel and know that she is personally invested in your event. Her problem solving skills ensure that if any problems should arise- you would never ever know because she will head it off at the pass. Jennifer is the master of research research research. She is completely dedicated to making sure that our clients get the most out of their budgets. Never wasteful and always high-end.
Jennifer is also the mother of four rambunctious boys and wife to an even more rambunctious man. Running a household with five men is the reason why she can make planning an event look like a cake walk. She will make sure that you can have your cake and eat it too. After all, it’s your party.
photo | c. robinson photography
Melody Braganza
Lead Designer
The mother of four children- Melody’s passion for design stems from the fact that she loves beautiful things. Since she was a child, she has had the uncanny ability to be inspired by the everyday things that everyone else saw as mundane. It could be the cut of a dress, the way the light hits a necklace, the juxtaposition of a bright flower against the backdrop of dead weeds, the color of raspberry dressing over an arugula and goat cheese salad, or- dare we say it- the melody of a sweet sweet song.
She was finally hit by the event and wedding design bug when she picked up an issue of Grace Ormonde’s Wedding Style back in 2002. It was then that she decided that she would beautify the world, one event, one wedding, one bride, at a time. She has a very sharp eye for detail and is the do-it-yourself queen of the green team bunch. Melody is the Gekd Boutique’s resident Midas- everything she touches turns to gold.
Catherine Montes
Lead Coordinator
Catherine, more affectionately known as, Cat, is the master of time. If you need time to get it done, time to party, time to relax- Cat will find the time you need to make it happen. She is a scheduling wiz and will amaze you with the magic of her timelines and contact spreadsheets and it is no wonder since she has been in the business for a number of years. Cat was a San Francisco Promoter for 5 years, allowing her to make valuable connections with vendors that will make your event soar. She has been an event planner and coordinator for the past 4 years and has left an indelible mark on the schools that her 3 beautiful children attend, by planning and coordinating huge events for them.
Catherine is truly a remarkable coordinator and will be there to ensure that your event runs as smooth as butter.
