Rev. Dr. Benita Livingston Nashville Wedding Officiant
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.
This all began after I retired as a Chaplain from the VA and was searching for my “what’s next.” I had been in ministry for over 30 years and was ready to enjoy life and spend time with my grandchildren. But I also knew that I wanted to recreate myself, to do something that would be fun and uplifting. That’s when I saw a Facebook post by a friend who was a wedding officiant and God said, “that’s it.” I was immediately filled with joy! You see I had been doing premarital counseling and had done a couple of weddings which I loved immensely but never thought about being a professional wedding officiant. From that moment, Living Ceremonies was created.
The name came from the first part of my last name Living and Ceremonies was my intention. I wanted to create ceremonies that were mindful and intentional, that would reflect the couples values and tell their love story in a way that was fun and deeply personable. A wedding ceremony is the beginning of a couple's married life together and everything done should be meaningful.
In creating Living Ceremonies, I also gave it a tagline, some may feel that taglines or slogans are not necessary today but I disagree because many businesses are known and remembered by their slogans. I want a couple's wedding to be memorable, meaningful and marvelous. Let me tell you what I mean by that:
Memorable: Your wedding ceremony should linger in your heart and the hearts of your guests, it should be one they enjoy, cherish and never forget.
Meaningful: Everything done in the ceremony should have meaning, the music, the unity ceremony, rituals, words spoken by the officiant, vows whether you write them or written by the officiant, it should be meaningful.
Rev. Benita Livingston
Wedding Officiant
Marvelous: The one word that has a double meaning in my slogan. Your love story is extraordinary and so should your wedding. My goal is to make your wedding not just special but warm, engaging, fun and truly marvelous.
The second meaning of the word is personal to me. Marvelous means extraordinary, causing great wonder; Psalm 118:23 says, “The Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes” (NIV). So, I am a witness that the Lord has done Living Ceremonies and it is MARVELOUS in my eyes.
I want to thank every couple who has entrusted me with your love story, I am humbled and honored by it. You have given me so much love and support, I appreciate every inquiry, zoom meeting, laughter, tears, joy and love you have shown me. Thank you so much.
“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.”