Today we’d like to introduce you to Colleen O’Neil Phillips.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started my career in sports, first as a college athlete and later as a coach. I’ve always thrived in fast-paced, high-pressure environments where preparation and teamwork matter. I didn’t realize it then, but those same skills would eventually lead me to wedding planning.
My first wedding came when I helped a friend plan hers, and I was hooked. I loved the logistics, the creativity, and the challenge of keeping everything calm when emotions ran high. It felt a lot like game day, just with better outfits and more champagne.
That experience became the foundation for O’Neil Events. In the early years, I learned every aspect of the business from the ground up, building vendor relationships, refining systems, and learning how to guide couples through one of the most meaningful days of their lives.
Fifteen years later, O’Neil Events has grown into a trusted planning team known for elegant, stress-free weddings that feel personal and timeless. My background in sports taught me to stay composed, find solutions fast, and bring calm to the chaos. Now, that’s exactly what we bring to every wedding.
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?
Of course not, and honestly, it still isn’t. The road is never perfectly smooth when you run a business. I have a stronger foundation now than when I started, but there are always internal and external challenges that keep things interesting.
We’ve been through COVID, and now another government shutdown that impacts whether some couples can even get their marriage licenses. On top of that, I’ve grown from a single woman building a business to a married mom balancing both family and work.
Every stage has brought new lessons, sometimes the hard way. But if you’re not a forever learner in this industry, you’re dead in the water. Every wedding still teaches me something new, and that mindset keeps me grounded and growing.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
O’Neil Events is a wedding planning company that specializes in creating weddings that feel personal, intentional, and completely true to each couple. Whether it’s full-service planning or month-of coordination, our approach is hands-on, organized, and calm, so our couples can actually enjoy their engagement instead of managing it.
What we’re known for most is bringing order and empathy to a process that can feel overwhelming. We’re the steady hand behind the scenes, the ones keeping everyone on track, communicating clearly, and finding solutions before anyone even realizes there’s a problem. Couples often tell us they hired us for logistics, but stayed for the peace of mind.
What sets us apart is our combination of professionalism and personality. We take the work seriously, but not ourselves. We believe wedding planning doesn’t have to be stressful; it just needs to be structured, honest, and led by someone who truly cares about the experience. Our goal is always to make the day feel effortless, for both the couple and their guests.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud that our reputation has been built on trust and word of mouth. Fifteen years in, the majority of our couples come through referrals, from past couples, venues, and vendors who know we show up, do the work, and do it well. That means the world to me.
At the end of the day, we don’t just plan weddings. We create moments of calm, joy, and connection, and that’s something I’ll never take for granted.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
It’s hard to pick one specific memory, but my favorites have always been holidays and birthdays. My mom worked hard to make sure celebrations actually felt like celebrations, thoughtful, fun, and full of love. I come from a big family on both sides, so those moments were always loud, busy, and full of people.
Looking back, I think that’s where my love of events really started. I grew up surrounded by gatherings that were about more than just decorations or food; they were about bringing people together and making everyone feel included. That sense of connection and celebration is still what drives me today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.oneilevents.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oneil.events/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oneilevents
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/o’neil-events
