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As a Nashville wedding officiant, I've had the privilege of witnessing countless love stories, many of which include the joyous occasion of celebrating your first Christmas as a married couple. This special holiday marks the beginning of creating cherished moments filled with love, excitement, and the formation of new traditions that will enrich your lives for years to come. In the spirit of the season, here are some meaningful ways to celebrate, from thoughtful gift ideas to

Wedding Stress vs. Relationship Concerns: How to Tell the Difference Planning a wedding is one of the most exciting seasons in a couple’s life—but it can also be one of the most stressful. As a Nashville wedding officiant, I’ve spoken with many couples who feel overwhelmed during their engagement. Between budgets, timelines, guest lists, and endless decisions, it can be hard to know whether the stress is simply about wedding logistics—or a sign of something deeper. Here’s the

Hey there!  I am Rev. Benita and I wanted to take this time to tell you some things about me.  First of all, I am thrilled to be a part of your journey to “I do.” It has been truly an amazing experience being the CEO of Living Ceremonies and I wouldn’t trade one moment for this journey.   “I want to create ceremonies that are mindful and intentional, that would reflect the couples values and tell their love story in a way that was fun and deeply personable.” This all began af

As a wedding officiant, I’ve had the honor of being present with many couples as they become husband and wife. One of the most rewarding aspects of my role is helping them create a ceremony that is both memorable and meaningful. Living Ceremonies, a Nashville wedding officiant service, knows that the ceremony is one of the most significant and pivotal moments of the day. It’s a time when you and your partner officially unite. So, whether you’re planning a small intimate setti

You’re getting married! I am so happy and excited for you! Getting married to the love of your life is an exciting step, but there are some legal task that you must complete before you can say, “I do.” I am Rev. Benita with Living Ceremonies, your Nashville Wedding & Destination Officiant. Let’s break down the process of obtaining your marriage license and making it official. A marriage license is a legal document that is issued typically by your county clerk’s office that gi

You’re engaged and planning a wedding! You are looking forward to a happy and prosperous life together, one filled with love and joy. So why should you be concerned about conflict? Conflict, it’s not the most romantic topic of discussion for couples you are planning to get married. But every relationship no matter wonderful it is will have disagreements and challenges. Learning to navigate them and not avoid them will be the key to a successful marriage. Here is where premari

Wedding vows are the heart of the wedding ceremony. They are the promises you make to each other, declaring your love and commitment. Traditional vows may hold a special place for some couples, writing your own vows allows you to express your unique love story and commitment in a way that is authentic for you. If you are feeling inspired to write your own vows here are a few guidelines to help you write vows that are heartfelt, love-filled and meaningful. Start with Reflectio

Are you planning your big day and debating whether to have a friend or a professional officiant lead your ceremony? Well, let Living Ceremonies, a wedding officiant service in Nashville, share some insight into the benefits of choosing a professional wedding officiant that might help with your decision. Photo Credit: Taylor Leigh Photography First, a professional officiant is skilled in creating a personalized and meaningful ceremony that reflects your love story. They will

As we all know life can get hectic at times. Between work, family and daily stress, your relationship can take a back seat and it’s easy to forget about the person who means the most. What if there was a way that a simple practice could deepen your connection with your partner? It’s called Mindfulness. Living Ceremonies a Nashville wedding officiant service, offers Mindfulness to help couples enhance their connection. Mindfulness is about being fully present in the moment, pa

February is Black History Month and as an African-American woman who is a Nashville wedding officiant, I wanted to focus this month’s blog on love, culture and the historical aspects of African-American weddings. African-American weddings have a rich culture steeped with significance, combining history, family, spirituality and creativity into a celebration like none other. Let’s look at some unique rituals that make African-American weddings meaningful. Traditional Wedding D

That’s Awesome!!! I’m so freaking excited for you I can hardly stand it!!! (Exhale). Yes, take a moment to breathe and let the magnitude of the moment settle in! This is the beginning of a major transition in your life. You and your fiancé are starting on a journey to your Big Day and it’s a journey unlike any other. You will need help to navigate this journey so that you don’t get lost, derailed, or detained from reaching your final destination which is your wedding day. The

I absolutely love the holidays—this is my favorite time of year! It all begins with Thanksgiving, when my family gathers to enjoy food, fun, laughter, football, and sharing what we’re thankful for… and did I mention eating? Then comes Christmas, a time to celebrate the birth of Christ, exchange gifts, and, of course, enjoy another delicious Christmas dinner. Now don’t get me wrong…even though I love the holidays, they can still be stressful, and I have learned to plan ahead a

As a local Nashville wedding officiant, I see that on any given day couples in Nashville are having small intimate weddings to huge luxury affairs. Nashville is known as the Country Music Capitol but it has so much more to offer. It is a progressive city with southern charm. Eloping Then And Now When most people hear the term eloping, it usually means when a couple runs away and secretly for whatever reasons to get married. Although the term may have had negative indications,

This is such an exciting time for you as a couple—you’ve met the love of your life and decided this is the person you want to spend forever with. That’s a beautiful and life-changing decision. Now comes the question every couple faces: What’s next? Planning a wedding will be enjoyable but also stressful at times. Your wedding should be about you as a couple, your love story, your values, your likes and your interest. It should reflect your hearts and your love. Therefore, the

When it comes to planning a wedding, there are countless details to consider—your venue, wedding planner, date, time, wedding party, attire, reception, officiant, guest list, invitations, florist, photographer, videographer, DJ, and caterer or baker, just to name a few. Each vendor plays a vital role in bringing your vision to life, and you’ll find yourself making important decisions at every step along the way. Once you’ve secured your venue, I recommend booking your wedding

Planning a wedding can feel like a rollercoaster ride filled with high peaks and deep drops of stress. The endless decisions—from selecting the perfect venue to choosing the right flowers—can sometimes overwhelm even the most organized person. This pressure often transforms the calmest individuals into frantic brides. So, how can mindfulness help you navigate this whirlwind and maintain tranquility throughout your wedding journey? As someone who has been practicing mindfulnes

Planning a wedding is exhilarating but can also be quite overwhelming. Among the many choices and decisions you face, one of the most important is selecting a wedding officiant. You may wonder, “What exactly does a wedding officiant do?” At its core, a wedding officiant is the person who performs the ceremony. Although you might consider asking a friend or family member to take on this role, hiring a professional officiant offers you peace of mind and ensures that your ceremo

Congratulations on your engagement! Planning a wedding is an exciting time filled with joy and anticipation. However, it's also an opportunity for you and your partner to deepen your understanding of each other. As you embark on this journey together, consider the importance of premarital sessions. Starting these sessions at least six months before your wedding is ideal. This timeframe allows you to navigate potential challenges and build a solid foundation for your future as