We recently connected with Benita Livingston and have shared our conversation below.

Benita, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

I retired from the VA in Memphis in November of 2021 and after about 6 months I was ready for a new adventure. I had been thinking about a few things but one day I was on facebook and I noticed a post by a friend who was a wedding officiant and I instantly knew that was it. So I started researching and talking to other officiants about the business and on November 1, 2022 I launched Living Ceremonies. It was really something that I had already been doing as a minister, I had provided premarital counseling to couples and had done a couple of weddings, so this was something that I knew and loved doing. I love meeting couple and working with them to create a wedding ceremony that they and their guest will enjoy.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am Rev. Dr. Benita Livingston, the owner of Living Ceremonies, LLC, a wedding officiant company based out of Nashville, TN. I am an ordained minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, I have been in ministry for over 30 years and I am a retired VA Chaplain. Currently I am the pastor St. Paul AME Church in Nashville.

Whether a couple is planning an elopement, vow-renewal, small or lavish celebration I am able to customize services to suit their needs. As a professional wedding officiant, I am here to assist in creating the ceremony of your dreams. From helping you write the perfect vows to adding unique element to make your ceremony a marvelous experience for you and your loved ones. As a certified Mindfulness Instructor I offer tools to help manage the stress of wedding planning. One thing that set me apart from other officiants is that I offer premarital sessions, which give us an opportunity to address any differences and uncomfortable topics, conflict management and problem solving, improving communication skills and it offers an outsiders perspective.

What I want couple to know about my work is that I will take the time to get to know them as a couple, understand their values and beliefs and tailor their ceremony to align with their vision. This level of detail can make thier ceremony an unforgettable experience for them and their guest.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

I have advertised on The Knot and Wedding Wire, Nashville Bride Guide and I am currently on Wed Society Nashville, but the best source for new clients come from vendor referrals. I have had Wedding Planners and Photographers who have referred me and these are the best source of new clients.

How did you build your audience on social media?

This is probably one of the most difficult things about running a business for me, social media. I am not a fan. I wish I could snap my fingers and it’s done. I am still building my social media audience. I am on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. I put more time into Instagram and TikTok is bringing up the rear. I have a love hate relationship with social media so the only advice that I can give is to keep at it, show up consistently, post quality over quantity, and be authentic.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.livingceremonies.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livingceremonies
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086646526226
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@livingceremonies

Image Credits

Leah Margulies Photography
TMT Wedding
Global Vizions
Kara Warren Photography
Optikool Illusions
Bear Creative Co.
Kristin Holt Photography