Ceremony on a rooftop terrace with the Nashville skyline behind the couple and their officiant, Living Ceremonies
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Living Ceremonies, Nashville

A Nashville officiant and mindfulness trainer who writes every ceremony from scratch, with packages from $450.

2 min readUpdated 14 October 2026
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A minister and mindfulness trainer

Living Ceremonies is the officiant and ceremony design practice of Rev. Dr. Benita Livingston, an ordained minister and chaplain in Nashville, Tennessee. She has officiated weddings since 2004 and is also a Certified Mindfulness Trainer, which shapes how she prepares couples: short mindfulness sessions before the day help them stay calm and present at the altar.

A ceremony on a rooftop terrace with the Nashville skyline behind the couple and their officiant
A ceremony on a rooftop terrace with the Nashville skyline behind the couple and their officiant. Photograph: Living Ceremonies.
A garden ceremony beneath a white columned arbor decked with flowers, guests seated in rows
A garden ceremony beneath a white columned arbor decked with flowers, guests seated in rows. Photograph: Living Ceremonies.

Written from scratch

Each ceremony is written from scratch rather than from a template. Benita gathers each partner’s version of how they met, often adds words from family and friends, and builds the story into a script that mixes personal rituals, readings and vows. She works with spiritual, religious, non-religious and interfaith couples, and with first, second and renewal ceremonies.

The couple laughing during their vows in front of white barn doors topped with greenery
The couple laughing during their vows in front of white barn doors topped with greenery. Photograph: Living Ceremonies.
A couple and their officiant under white draped fabric on a lawn with a fountain behind
A couple and their officiant under white draped fabric on a lawn with a fountain behind. Photograph: Living Ceremonies.
A couple exchanging vows at a stone fireplace dressed with white roses and candles
A couple exchanging vows at a stone fireplace dressed with white roses and candles. Photograph: Living Ceremonies.

Before and after the vows

Many couples add four to six premarital sessions covering communication, connection and shared vision. Benita also helps with vow writing, attends the rehearsal on request, and files the marriage license with the county clerk after the ceremony. A network of trusted officiants stands behind her if an emergency ever keeps her away.

A groom reading to his bride at the reception, with string lights and guests behind
A groom reading to his bride at the reception, with string lights and guests behind. Photograph: Living Ceremonies.
A couple and their officiant under an old tree in an open field at golden hour
A couple and their officiant under an old tree in an open field at golden hour. Photograph: Living Ceremonies.

Nashville and further afield

She serves Nashville, Franklin, Brentwood and Middle Tennessee, and travels for destination weddings worldwide, confirming the legal requirements of the place in advance. The Complete Marriage Experience is $900, the Signature Experience $600 and a Nashville elopement ceremony for up to 10 guests $450.

A couple with their officiant on a rooftop with the city lit up at dusk
A couple with their officiant on a rooftop with the city lit up at dusk. Photograph: Living Ceremonies.

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