301.633.6719 hello@oneilevents.com

O'Neil Events

The Wharf Wedding Planner

 

Wedding Planning for The Wharf and the DC Area

Beautiful celebrations On the Water

The Wharf offers couples modern hotels, sweeping piers, and skyline sunsets, all within a few walkable blocks. But is it also a production maze when coordinating events. At O’Neil Events, our job is to turn that maze into a clear plan so you can be present with your guests while enjoying the best views.

the wharf dc Wedding Venue Highlight:
InterContinental Washington DC – The Wharf

Location: 801 Wharf St SW, Washington, DC 20024, United States

If you want modern elegance with water views, this hotel has it. The ballrooms are sleek and flexible, and the terraces look straight out over the channel. Guests can stay on site and even wander the promenade between events. The InterContinental is a great fit for couples who want a city weekend feel, polished service, and an indoor plan that still feels connected to the water if the weather turns.

 

O’Neil Events plans weddings across DC and NYC, with deep experience with Wharf venues like Pendry Washington DC, Canopy by Hilton, District Pier, and Dockmaster Building, and various private spaces.

Colleen is truly the best! She’s personable, knowledgeable, and incredibly organized. She guided us through the ups and downs of wedding planning, making the entire experience not only manageable but also fun! We couldn’t have pulled off the most beautiful day without her!

– Noemi

O'Neil Events has been featured in Bethesda Magazine. O'Neil Events has been featured in Style Me Pretty. O'Neil Events has been featured in Charm City Wed. O'Neil Events has been featured in Washingtonian. O'Neil Events has been featured in United with Love. O'Neil Events has been featured in The New York Times. O'Neil Events has been featured in Tassels & Tastemaker. O'Neil Events has received many awards from organizations such as WeddingWire and TheKnot.  O'Neil Events has been featured in Voyage Baltimore.

SERVICES FOR THE WHARF WEDDINGS

Full Service Planning

From idea to your last song, we work with couples to design and execute a detailed wedding plan. You give us the approvals, and we execute from A to Z.

Month of Wedding Coordination

This package is for couples who prefer to have a more active role in their wedding planning. You do the planning, and we take the reins six to eight weeks out, confirm every detail, run rehearsal, and lead the day so you can be fully present.

Hi, I’m Colleen —

Born & Raised Washingtonian,

Experienced Wharf Wedding Planner

 

I know the DMV like the back of my hand, but I also know the best Wharf wedding venues that couples fall in love with. My calm presence, trusted vendor relationships, and 15+ years of experience mean you’ll never have to worry about the timeline or last-minute changes.

Before weddings, I was a Division I lacrosse player, so yes, I thrive under pressure, run a tight ship, and always keep things moving with strategy and grace. Combine that with an obsession for dessert and Diet Coke, and you’ve got someone who balances elegance with practicality.

✨ Fun Facts:

I run on Diet Coke (large, always).

Dessert is non-negotiable — every meal deserves it.

I’ll plan your rooftop photo session, but I won’t look down (heights are not my thing).

My toddler and cats keep me on my toes, and remind me daily that staying calm matters.

Shoes are my love language (hence the background photo)

Fabulous Wedding Planner!

From the moment we booked O’Neil Events, we knew we were in amazing hands. Colleen and her team were incredibly professional, attentive, and caring throughout the entire planning process. They worked efficiently to create an individualized and organized experience for us. Colleen connected with us regularly to ensure we had an effortless planning experience, and our day-of coordinator, Yvi, was simply phenomenal – she brought us appetizers and made sure we had a moment to ourselves when we really needed it. I cannot recommend Colleen and her team at O’Neil Events highly enough!

THE FAIRYTALE I DREAMED OF

O’Neil Events came highly recommended to us by our caterer, and hiring them was one of the best decisions we made for our wedding!  Yvi & Colleen were both responsive via email and easy to work with. The month of our wedding, Yvi took everything over and was positively wonderful! She contacted all of my vendors and was able to coordinate things behind the scenes that I didn’t even know about. If anything went wrong, I was completely oblivious to it because it was handled! She was organized and on top of everything that day and helped to create the fairy tale I had dreamed of!

If there’s one piece of advice I will give to any future bride who asks, it is the value of hiring an excellent day-of-coordinator. Our wedding party and families (as well as us) were able to just relax and enjoy taking in the entire day with the knowledge that Yvi had everything handled. I definitely gained a new friend through the experience!

{Megan}

WE WERE IN SUCH GREAT HANDS

From the minute we met our wedding coordinator, we knew she would be our biggest ally on our wedding day. But we owe her a debt of gratitude for just how much she did — before, during, and after. Everything we conceptualized came to fruition because of her, and never did we feel like we were flying solo. She championed our whims while making sure everything was practical and achievable.

We were in such caring, diligent hands, even when it came to things we forgot, She handled everything with ease, grace, and most incredibly, a smile on her face. She kept everyone in line from start to finish, vendors and family members and the bridal party. Her energy, her excitement, her sheer passion for what she does helped us create and execute a truly perfect day.

{Nick}

The Absolute Best!!

Working with O’Neil Events was the best thing I did to plan my wedding! Colleen and her team are incredible – they have a calming, efficient, and professional communication style. Colleen and her team are incredibly knowledgeable, organized, and provided incredible value. She kept us organized from the beginning of the planning process through the entirety of the event, making sure everything ran smoothly. She coordinated with our vendors and did not miss a beat on anything. She thought of everything and ensured the planning process remained fun and not stressful at all. We couldn’t be more thankful for O’Neil Events – you will not be disappointed!

SO SWEET & CARING

My husband and I said SEVERAL times how having Colleen by our side as a Day Of Planner was way beyond worth the money spent. If I have one recommendation for any newly engaged couples, it’s have a day of planner. From the beginning just getting coffee with us and helping us start the process or planning, to every living detail of the day of… I can’t imagine our big day without her. She was immensely professional. So sweet and caring; yet I knew she’d get done what needed to be done. She’s no pushover! Monthly emails and check ins were lovely and kept us on track. But then the month leading up to the wedding, Colleen took everything off my plate and handled all the logistics and vendors and timelines.

So, so valuable. Thank you for everything you did! We’ll both never stop raving about you. 🙂

{Amy}

Frequently Asked Questions about Hosting a Wharf, DC Wedding

 

Planning a Wharf wedding should feel thoughtful, not hectic. We give couples the space to enjoy their engagement and their wedding day.

Let us know your wedding date, guest count range, and any Wharf or DC venues on your shortlist. We will confirm availability, recommend full-service planning or month-of coordination package, and map out your next three steps so you can relax.

What does a Wharf wedding cost?

Budgets for a Wharf wedding will vary by venue and service level. For example, hotel ballrooms with terrace access tend to be on the higher end. Pier events might require additional logistics and weather planning, which can increase costs. At O’Neil Events, we work with our clients to build a working budget with realistic totals, including service, tax, and transport. Contact us if you have questions.

How far in advance should we book?

We recommend booking your venue and wedding planner as soon as possible. But as a guide, nine to fourteen months is a comfortable timeline for popular wedding days, such as Saturdays. But depending on the season, dates can get booked fairly quickly. 

Can we host multiple events in the neighborhood?

Yes! You can host a rehearsal dinner at your favorite restaurant, welcome drinks by the waterfront, or even your wedding brunch at the hotel. At O’Neil Events, we help clients manage their wedding schedule and guest communication so it feels easy.

Do you work with small guest counts?

Absolutely. The Wharf shines for intimate weddings, elopements, and brunch receptions. At O’Neil Events we work with clients to adjust layout, music, and pacing so your wedding venue still feels full and warm.

Your Wharf Wedding, Handled With Elegance and Ease

O’Neil Events also proudly serves: Washington, DC, Maryland, Potomac, MD, Baltimore, MD, Chevy Chase, MD, Annapolis, MD, Virginia, Fairfax, VALeesburg, VAArlington, VA, Brooklyn, NY, New York, NY, Manhattan, NY, Upper East Side, NY, Upper West Side, NY and more.

About

O’Neil Events is a top-rated wedding planner serving Washington, DC and New York City couples. With over 15 years of experience planning sophisticated, personalized celebrations, O'Neil Events is an easy choice for Day-of Wedding Coordination and other Wedding Planning Packages.

O'Neil Events also proudly serves: Washington, DC (Georgetown, The Wharf), MARYLAND, Potomac, MD, Baltimore, MD, Chevy Chase, MD, Annapolis, MD, Bethesda, Rockville, VIRGINIA, Fairfax, VALeesburg, VAArlington, VA, Old Town Alexandria, McLean, NEW YORK, NY, Brooklyn, NY,  Manhattan, NY, Tribeca, Soho, West Village, Hudson Yards, Upper East Side, NY, Upper West Side, NY and more.

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We are honored to be able to work with such talented photographers. Here are some photographers who have been featured on this website: getreadyphoto.com, ootwig.com, barbarahperttula.com, carlyrosephotography.com, hunterryanphoto.com, laurenlouisecollective.com, sarahbradshaw.com, photographydujour.com, lovelifeimages.com, kellylossphoto.com, mantasphoto.com, katymurrayphotography.com, kylajeanette.com.