Dedicated to Fashioning an Extraordinary Event
Olean, Buffalo, Erie & Surrounding Areas
Travel area: No travel restrictions See details
Christina Collins
OWNER
AWARD WINNER (2X)
Thanks to recommendations from couples on The Knot
Located in Olean, NY, Southern Tier Event Planning is a company that caters to wedding rehearsals, ceremonies, and receptions. They will labor over the logistics so you and your partner can focus entirely on your special day.
Southern Tier Event Planning understands that your wedding day is a testament to your unique love story. They will fine-tune the details and transform blank canvases into extraordinary environments that reflect your vision and personality. From designing your dream wedding ceremony to executing flawless details, they aim to make your wedding experience truly unforgettable.
Southern Tier Event Planning has crafted religious and non-religious ceremonies, civil unions, destination weddings, and eco-friendly celebrations. With their expertise in planning weddings and corporate events, STEP Events has established a reputation for excellence throughout Western New York, Pennsylvania, and the surrounding areas. They take pride in offering comprehensive services tailored to your needs and look forward to working with you.
Details
Destination Weddings
Destination Wedding Packages
Destination Wedding Planning
Planning
A la Carte Wedding Planning
Budgeting
Day-Of Coordination
Destination Wedding Planning
Full Service Wedding Planning
Honeymoon Planning
RSVP Tracking
Wedding Design
Wedding Website
Wedding Activities
Getting Engaged
Engagement Party
Honeymoon
Rehearsals & Parties
After Party
Bachelor Party
Bachelorette Party
Bridal Luncheon
Bridal Shower
Couples Shower
Engagement Party
Rehearsal Dinner
Welcome Party
Wedding
After Party
Ceremony
Cocktail Hour
Day After Brunch
Reception
Rehearsal
Rehearsal Dinner
Awards and Affiliations
Any questions?
Meet the team
Christina Collins
Owner
Every single day, I dedicate my work to ensure that every couple is blown away by the details that make their day one-of-a-kind.
Reviews
4.8
out of 5.019 reviews
Your trust is our goal. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.
Review Summary
This AI-generated summary is a snapshot of this vendor's ratings and feedback.
Christina from STEP Events receives glowing reviews for her exceptional wedding planning services. Multiple reviewers express gratitude for her organized, stress-free approach, attention to detail, and ability to bring their visions to life. They appreciate her calm, professional demeanor, thoughtful guidance, and efficient communication, which ensured smooth coordination with vendors and a seamless wedding day. Clients also highlight her personalized touch, creative problem-solving skills, and the peace of mind she provided throughout the planning process and on the big day. Overall, Christina's expertise and dedication make her highly recommended for couples seeking a reliable and caring wedding planner.Review photos
Showing slide number 1 out of 3
Kaitlyn A
Highlighted review.
5.0
8/29/2024
I booked Christina/STEP a little over a year out from my July 2024 wedding. In our initial meeting together, she spent well over an hour going through her services, what each packa...
ge covered, thoroughly answering all of my questions, and patiently listening to me as I rambled on about the vision I had for my "music festival" themed wedding.
I ultimately booked her for her "Deluxe" package, as my biggest worry for my wedding day was day-of coordination since we had so many moving parts and vendors. Despite this package only covering a month of coordination, Christina was still in constant communication with me throughout the entire year leading up to my wedding. She responded in a timely manner to all of my emails, answered all questions in great detail, and even nailed down my food vendor for me very early on in the process.
She was so organized and amazing at helping me figure out logistics, gave me great recommendations for other vendors I ended up using, and worked well with all the vendors I booked for the wedding. She was totally professional in handling any conflict that arose and great at coming up with solutions for things that I couldn't figure out.
Leading into wedding month, despite being 9 months pregnant, and then giving birth ~2 weeks before my day, she was STILL tentative to my needs, answering emails and texts in timely manner, and reaching out to vendors to further coordinate things. I couldn't believe what a super hero she was!!!
On the day of my wedding, she and her team handled everything for us down at the park where our wedding was held-- making sure vendors set up in the correct spots, that flowers and cupcakes and such were delivered on time, that our signage and other small details were put out where they needed to be, etc. I didn't have to worry about a single thing on my big day!
Throughout the wedding, she made sure to keep an eye on when things needed restocking, checked in on me consistently to make sure I didn't need anything, made sure our guests were taken care of, periodically put our wedding cards away so nothing would happen to them and a put out any small fires that came up throughout the night. Her team was just as amazing, and also helped out with all of the above!
Ultimately, I have 0 complaints about working with Christina/STEP! I could not have possibly pulled off my wedding day without her and I can't thank her enough!
I cannot stress enough how great it is to have a wedding coordinator, even if just for the day of our wedding! It takes so much stress away from you so that you can relax and enjoy the day with your friends, family, and new spouse! If you're on the fence about whether you need a wedding planner, I would recommend at least sitting down with Christina for a consultation. You'd be surprised at how much you don't even think about when you're doing it alone, and she covers ALL the bases!
If it's in your budget, a wedding coordinator is a MUST and if you're in the WNY area, I HIGHLY recommend STEP!!! Thank you again, Christina!
Response from Southern Tier Event Planning on 08/30/2024
Kaitlyn! 🥹 Thank you so much for this amazing review! It truly means the world to me tha...
t you took the time to share your experience, and in so much detail! It was a joy working with you from the very beginning, and I'm thrilled that our planning and coordination helped bring your vision to life. Your "music festival" themed wedding was such a blast to plan, and I'm so glad I got to be part of it!
Thank you for trusting STEP with your big day and for recommending our services to others! Wishing you both a lifetime of happiness and love!
- Christina (Owner of STEP Events)
Hannah Y
5.0
12/26/2025
Christina is that wedding planner. Â She was organized, calm, and somehow made everything feel easy.. Â even the stressful parts. Our day went perfectly because of her, and we actual...
ly got to enjoy it. If you want someone who gets it and delivers 100%, book Christina!Â
- Hannah & KevinÂ
Response from Southern Tier Event Planning on 12/27/2025
Hannah & Kevin, thank you so much for these incredibly kind words! It truly means the wo...
rld to hear that you felt calm, present, and able to fully enjoy your day - that is always my ultimate goal! Your wedding was such a joy to be part of, and I’m so grateful you trusted me with such an important moment in your lives. Wishing you both a lifetime of beautiful memories! - Christina
Any questions?
Christa C
5.0
12/26/2025
Working with Christina at STEP Events was truly one of the best decisions we made for our wedding. She made the entire planning process feel easy, organized, and actually enjoyable...
. From the start, Christina helped me feel confident that I was always on the right track, which took away so much stress. Her guidance, attention to detail, and calm presence made everything feel manageable, even during the overwhelming moments. Thanks to STEP Events, I genuinely enjoyed the planning process and felt supported every step of the way. I couldn’t recommend Christina and STEP Events more highly!
Response from Southern Tier Event Planning on 12/27/2025
Christa, thank you so much for taking the time to share this - it truly means more than yo...
u know. Helping my couples feel confident, supported, and actually enjoy the planning process is exactly why I do what I do, so reading this makes my heart so full! It was such a joy working with you, and I’m incredibly grateful you trusted STEP Events with such an important season of your life. Wishing you so much love and happiness always! - Christina
Emily C
5.0
12/16/2025
Working with Christina was truly one of the best decisions we made during our wedding planning process. From the very beginning, she made me feel completely heard and supported, es...
pecially when it came to creating a wedding that didn’t follow all the traditional “rules.” Instead of pushing expectations, Christina embraced our vision and encouraged us to do what felt most authentic to us as a couple.
Throughout the entire process, she was calm, thoughtful, and incredibly reassuring. Any time I had a question or second-guessed a decision, she took the time to listen and made sure I felt confident moving forward. Her support went far beyond logistics — she genuinely cared about how we felt and what mattered most to us.
Because of Christina, our wedding felt personal, intentional, and completely us. I’m so grateful for her guidance, creativity, and support, and I couldn’t recommend her more to anyone looking for a planner who truly listens and def champions your vision!
Response from Southern Tier Event Planning on 12/27/2025
Emily, thank you so much for sharing this beautiful review! It was truly an honor to supp...
ort you in creating a wedding that felt authentic, intentional, and completely true to who you are as a couple. I loved being able to champion your vision and make space for what mattered most to you both, without the pressure of traditions that didn’t fit. Thank you for choosing STEP - I’m so grateful to have been part of it. Wishing you both a lifetime of love, joy, and continued authenticity ✨ - Christina
Kristen C
1.0
10/25/2025
Services were disappointing due to unmet expectations and poor communication throughout.
Response from Southern Tier Event Planning on 12/04/2025
Hi Kristen, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. As we discussed, your me...
ssages throughout the planning process were warm and appreciative, so I was truly surprised to hear of these concerns afterward. I recognize that you were hoping for a full refund, and while that wasn’t possible, I value your perspective. Clear communication and a supportive planning process are incredibly important to me.
Wishing you and your new husband the best!
- Christina, STEP Events
Casey S
5.0
10/14/2025
Working with Christina from STEP Events was absolutely amazing! From the very beginning, she made the entire wedding planning process feel organized, stress-free, and even fun. ...
Her attention to detail and calm, professional approach helped bring our vision to life perfectly.
One of my favorite parts of working with her was the client portal- it kept everything in one place, from vendor info to timelines and payments. The checklist was a total game changer! It broke everything down into easy, manageable steps and helped us stay on track without ever feeling overwhelmed.
Christina truly went above and beyond every step of the way, and I can’t imagine planning our wedding without her guidance and expertise. If you’re looking for someone who genuinely cares about your day as much as you do, STEP Events is the way to go!
Response from Southern Tier Event Planning on 12/27/2025
Casey, I’m so thankful you took the time to share this! Being part of your planning jour...
ney was such a pleasure, and I’m so glad the experience felt supportive and smooth along the way. Helping my couples feel confident and cared for throughout the process is always my priority, and it means so much to know that came through for you. Thank you for trusting STEP Events! Wishing you both so much joy in the years ahead! - Christina
Ashley A
5.0
9/04/2025
We cannot say enough wonderful things about working with Christina and Southern Tier Event Planning! From the very beginning, she took all the stress out of wedding planning. We ha...
d so many moving pieces including multiple vendors, last-minute changes, and a million little details, and Christina handled everything seamlessly.
One of the biggest reliefs was not having to worry about paying or coordinating with vendors on the wedding day. Christina was proactive in following up with everyone, confirming details, and making sure timelines were airtight. Instead of fielding calls and questions, we got to actually enjoy our day.
She thought of things we never would have, kept us organized, and made sure every detail was handled from the ceremony setup to the reception flow. We always felt like she was five steps ahead, anticipating what we needed before we even realized it.
If you are on the fence about hiring a planner, do it and hire Christina. The peace of mind alone is worth it. Because of her, we were able to truly be present, soak up the joy, and trust that everything was taken care of. It was the best decision we made for our wedding.
Response from Southern Tier Event Planning on 09/04/2025
Thank you so much Ashley for your kind words! It was such a joy to be part of your wedding...
day and help bring everything together so you could focus on being present and celebrating! I’m so glad you felt taken care of and stress-free- that’s always my top priority! Your wedding day was absolutely beautiful, and I feel so honored to have been a part of it! Wishing you and Dan all the love and happiness in this next chapter!
Olivia V
5.0
7/29/2025
Hiring Christina was the best decision we made during our entire wedding planning journey!
Juggling full-time jobs, family responsibilities, and the pressure of creating a once-in...
-a-lifetime celebration.. we were completely overwhelmed. From the start, Christina understood that couples are facing a lot - Pinterest-perfect expectations, budget stress, vendor overload, and not enough hours in the day to manage it all.
From our very first consultation, Christina was calm, knowledgeable, and incredibly reassuring. She took the time to listen to our vision, even when it came out in scattered thoughts and screenshots, and turned it into a cohesive, beautifully detailed plan. What really set her apart was her ability to take over the behind-the-scenes chaos. She handled vendor communication, managed timelines, and triple-checked every detail so we could focus on actually enjoying the process. She kept us organized, answered every question with patience, and always seemed to be five steps ahead. On the wedding day itself, we didn’t have to think about a single thing because she already had it handled. If you're feeling the stress of trying to plan a wedding on your own, stop right now and book Christina. She is more than a planner. She is a true partner, an advocate, and the calm you need during the storm. Thanks to Christina and STEP Events, our day was everything we dreamed of without the stress we feared.
Response from Southern Tier Event Planning on 07/29/2025
Thank you so much, Olivia! I'm truly honored to have been part of your wedding journey. I ...
know how much you were juggling and how important it was to create something meaningful without getting lost in the chaos! It means everything to know you felt supported every step of the way.
Helping bring your vision to life and ensuring you could actually enjoy the process (and the day itself!) is exactly why I do what I do. Thank you for trusting STEP Events with such a special moment in your lives. Wishing you and V endless happiness and love in this next chapter!
Heidi T
5.0
7/10/2025
Planning a wedding from out of state felt incredibly overwhelming at first, but hiring Christina with STEP Events was the absolute best decision I made throughout the entire proces...
s. I got married in Ellicottville, NY, and not being local, I had no idea where to start when it came to finding reliable vendors. Christina completely took that stress off my plate and connected me with amazing local vendors who were professional and truly aligned with the style and vibe I was looking for.
What stood out most to me was how well she listened. I came to her with a vision and a Pinterest board full of ideas, and she really took the time to understand what I was hoping to create. I also appreciated that she offered thoughtful guidance and suggestions to help make everything cohesive and realistic. Her advice was always helpful, and I truly felt like she was invested in making my day everything I hoped for.
In the end, our wedding felt exactly like us. It was personal, meaningful, and beautifully executed thanks to Christina’s talent, professionalism, and genuine care. If you’re planning a wedding, especially from a distance, I cannot recommend Christina with STEP Events highly enough.
Response from Southern Tier Event Planning on 07/29/2025
Thank you so much Heidi for your kind words! Planning a wedding from out of state comes wi...
th its own unique set of challenges, and I’m so glad I could help take some of that weight off your shoulders. It was such a joy working with you to bring your vision to life in Ellicottville! Your style, ideas, and personal touches made the day feel so authentic and full of heart!
I truly loved getting to know you and helping you find the right vendor team to match your vibe. Knowing that the day felt like you is the biggest compliment I could receive. Thank you again for trusting STEP Events to be part of something so meaningful. Wishing you both all the love and happiness in this next chapter! đź’›
Ally W
5.0
12/30/2024
We can’t thank Christina at STEP Events enough! From start to finish, she made our wedding planning stress-free and fun. We had a lot of concerns — from sticking to our budget to k...
eeping everything on track — but Christina handled it all flawlessly.
Christina kept us organized, communicated quickly, and made sure our timeline and vendors all worked seamlessly. On the big day, we were able to relax and enjoy ourselves because she took care of every detail.
If you want a wedding planning team that’s professional, responsive, and really knows how to bring your vision to life, STEP Events is the way to go!
Response from Southern Tier Event Planning on 07/29/2025
Ally!!!! Thank you so much for this wonderful review! I’m so happy that you felt supported...
and at ease throughout the planning process - that’s exactly what I aim for. I know how many moving pieces there are (and how easy it is to feel overwhelmed), so it means the world to know you were able to relax and truly enjoy your day.
It was such a pleasure bringing your vision to life and making sure everything ran smoothly behind the scenes. Thank you for trusting STEP Events to be part of such a special moment. Wishing you both nothing but love and happiness in the years ahead!
Bri H
5.0
12/30/2024
I can’t say enough good things about Christina and Southern Tier Event Planning. The biggest win for me was how stress-free everything was. I’m busy, and I didn’t want to spend my ...
time micromanaging every detail. Christina took care of everything, from finding the perfect venue to handling all the vendors, and kept me updated just enough so I felt in control without being overwhelmed. It was the perfect balance.
What really impressed me, though, was how she took the time to understand what we actually wanted. Our event felt uniquely ours—no cookie-cutter ideas or forced themes, just something that really reflected our style and values.
And when things inevitably went off-script (because, let’s be real, they always do), Christina stayed cool and handled everything. She solved problems on the fly, which meant I didn’t have to. It was so refreshing to work with someone who could roll with the punches and still pull everything together.
If you’re looking for an event planner who’s efficient, easy to work with, and genuinely cares about making your event amazing, Christina’s your person. Highly recommend!
Response from Southern Tier Event Planning on 12/30/2024
Thank you so much for this amazing review! It was such a pleasure working with you, and I’...
m so glad to hear that your event felt truly unique to you. My goal is always to take the stress off my clients while ensuring everything is perfectly aligned with their vision, and I’m so happy that we found that perfect balance. It means the world to me that you felt supported and heard throughout the process. Thank you again for your trust and kind words—I’m so grateful to have been a part of your special event!
Alison S
5.0
12/19/2024
Christina was wonderful to work with! I've been a designer in the floral industry for almost 20 years and have experience working with many wedding planners, and by far Christina i...
s one of the best! She was extremely knowledgeable, detail-oriented, professional, yet still fun to work with. Because of her expertise, it allowed for the wedding planning process to run smoothly and efficiently. Her ability to correspond with both the client and myself as the vendor allowed more time for me to concentrate on important details behind the scenes. She was also very creative and was always one step ahead in the planning process. My favorite part of working with Christina was her calm and easy demeanor throughout the entire planning process. She's so easy to talk to, and I would highly recommend her to anyone starting their wedding planning journey.
Response from Southern Tier Event Planning on 12/19/2024
It's always such a pleasure working alongside you, and I truly appreciate your kind words....
Your expertise and collaboration made the planning process even more enjoyable. I’m so glad we were able to work together to create something amazing!
Vanessa H
5.0
12/19/2024
Simply amazing! Every penny was absolutely worth it. Christina and her team at STEP Events turned our wedding vision into reality in ways we never thought possible. From the very b...
eginning to the last dance, they made sure every detail was taken care of. Thanks to them, we were able to truly be guests at our own wedding, just as Christina advises. We felt completely at ease and stress-free, knowing we had the best planners behind us.
Any issues or questions that came up with other vendors were handled seamlessly behind the scenes, so we never had to worry. If you’re on the fence about hiring a wedding planner, don’t hesitate—STEP Events is absolutely the way to go! Christina, we can't thank you enough. From the bottom of our hearts, we will be recommending you to everyone we know for years to come!
Response from Southern Tier Event Planning on 12/19/2024
Thank you for the wonderful review! It was an absolute joy to help bring your wedding visi...
on to life. We're thrilled that you were able to fully enjoy your day without any stress, knowing everything was in good hands. Your kind words and recommendation truly mean so much to us. We're so grateful to have been a part of your celebration, and we wish you both a lifetime of love and happiness!
Becky S
5.0
12/16/2024
STEP helped me bring my vision board to life! After one meeting with Christina she understood my vision completely and knew all the right vendors to steer me towards to help bring...
my dream wedding to life. Pricing has definitely gone up in the wedding industry and Christina helped me organize what items were important to me to I could "splurge" in certain categories and not over spend in my budget OR compromise on what was important to me and my fiancé. Has a great portal that helped me stay on track with a checklist, and vendor payment which was also very helpful.
Response from Southern Tier Event Planning on 12/16/2024
Thank you so much for your kind words! It was truly our pleasure to work with you and help...
guide you through the planning process. We understand how important it is to stay within budget while still having the wedding of your dreams, and we’re so glad that the portal and checklist helped keep everything organized and on track. Wishing you and your fiancé a lifetime of love and happiness! Congratulations again!
Nick D
5.0
6/29/2024
Christina is everything that you would ever need or want from a wedding planner. From the first meeting together it was clear she was very organized and experienced while also bein...
g very personable. She was always easy to contact when questions or concerns came up and always had a quick response / solution. Christina truly made our planning process as stress free as possible. We could not have asked for a smoother wedding day and it is all thanks to Christina and her team. We could not recommend her enough!
Response from Southern Tier Event Planning on 07/02/2024
Thank you so much Nick and Michelle! It was truly wonderful working with you both! I tru...
ly love what I do and I'm so glad it shows through in my work! Cheers to a lifetime of love and happiness! Christina- STEP Events
Michelle M
5.0
6/26/2024
Christina and team were a great resource as we planned our wedding and especially on our big day. Everything ran so smoothly thanks to STEP!
Lindsay M
5.0
10/30/2023
Christina Collins is a GOD SEND. One thing I knew from day 1 of wedding planning is that I needed a coordinator’s help. One of my friends insisted I book with Christina and I could...
not have made a better decision for our day. I decide to go with STEP’s month-of coordinating package and it was so SO worth it. Not only is Christina incredible at what she does, but she also has THE sweetest personality. Throughout my entire wedding day as the bride I had NO stress- none whatsoever. Any issue that might’ve come up, Christina handled it in secret without having to involve me in any decision making. As a girl who’s been in a ton of weddings, I have seen how stressful things can get first hand, not to mention all of the other emotions that you’re flooded with that day. I can honestly say I was able to take it all in and feel every beautiful moment because I had someone like Christina to handle everything else for me. She helped me plan out so many things from the seating chart to the signature drinks, to the layout of the entire venue, the timeline of it all, and all the little things you don’t even think about. As someone who is horrible at making decisions, it was so relieving to have someone like Christina to help and encourage me without making me feel like I had to stick to any norms or like I had to make any quick decisions without taking time to think them through. Another thing I loved about Christina is that she was so personable and took the time to learn the names of my family members and a bunch of the bridesmaids and groomsmen too. My entire bridal party loved her and we had 10 bridesmaids and 13 groomsman! If you’re looking for an awesome coordinator- look no further than STEP Events!!!! You will not regret it!!
Abril M
5.0
10/19/2023
Christina was amazing from start to finish of the planning process. She stayed in contact with my vendors and reached out to them when I had any questions. She was easy to reach wh...
enever I had a question or concern. She made the planning process easy and stress free. On the day of the wedding she was able to quickly think of a plan b when there was unexpected rain. Her quick and creative thinking truly saved the day. She has continued to help me after the wedding with bouquet preservation as well as any other questions I’ve had. Not only is she an amazing wedding planner but overall an amazing person! You can truly tell she loves what she does!!!
Larissa S
5.0
9/23/2023
Christina was AMAZING every step of the planning process for us. I feel like she exceeded every expectation I had about a planner. The stress of wedding planning would have been ov...
erwhelming without the help of Christina. On wedding day, Christina and her team made sure everything ran perfectly. Our wedding day could not have been more perfect and it couldn’t have happened without S.T.E.P. I cannot recommend this company enough!
Anyone on the fence about a planner, I’m here to tell you, it’s well worth it!
Response from Southern Tier Event Planning on 09/25/2023
Thank you so much Larissa! It was an absolute pleasure planning with you and Joe! Wishing...
you both a lifetime of love and happiness!
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Southern Tier Event Planning
Christina Collins
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Owner
Wedding vendors in Olean
Southern Tier Event Planning
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