Living Ceremonies
United States
Story-led wedding officiant and ceremony design in Nashville and beyond
No. 81 · Autumn 2026
Welcome to Living Ceremonies
Living Ceremonies is a wedding officiant and ceremony design practice led by Rev. Dr. Benita Livingston, an ordained minister and Certified Mindfulness Trainer based in Nashville, Tennessee. Ceremonies are written for each couple from their own story, in Nashville, Franklin, Brentwood and Middle Tennessee, and at destination weddings worldwide.
Living Ceremonies is the wedding officiant and ceremony design practice of Rev. Dr. Benita Livingston, an ordained minister and chaplain based 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.
Your wedding doesn't have to be elaborate to be meaningful.Rev. Dr. Benita Livingston, Living Ceremonies
Living Ceremonies
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 practice serves Nashville, Franklin, Brentwood and Middle Tennessee, and travels for destination weddings worldwide. For couples marrying outside Tennessee she confirms the legal requirements of the place in advance, and she coordinates with planners, photographers and venues so the ceremony fits the rest of the day.
What is on offer
4 services.
Ceremony experiences
- The Complete Marriage Experience: premarital sessions plus a fully customised
- The Signature Experience: a custom ceremony script with two consultations
- Nashville Elopement Ceremony for up to 10 guests
Ceremony writing
- Love story gathered from both partners
- Vow-writing assistance with His and Her vow books
- Readings, rituals and family involvement
Preparation
- Premarital sessions on communication, connection and shared vision
- Mindfulness sessions and techniques for the day
- Unlimited consultation and script edits
Step by step
- 1
Free consultation
Couples book a consultation to talk through their date, venue, guest numbers and the kind of ceremony they imagine.
- 2
Booking
A contract and a retainer secure the date, with the balance due two weeks before the wedding.
- 3
Story and sessions
Each partner shares how the relationship began and what matters to them. Couples who choose the Complete Marriage Experience also complete four to six...
- 4
Ceremony design
Benita writes the script, chooses rituals and readings with the couple, and offers vow-writing coaching.
Living Ceremonies
Prices on enquiry.
EnquireContact uswww.5starweddingdirectory.com/wedding-celebrants/united-states/living-ceremonies/Enquiries handled by 5 Star Weddings
