Officiants

Serenity Ridge Weddings

Tips for finding the Perfect officiant

Finding the perfect wedding officiant is key to making your ceremony uniquely yours. Here's how to nail down the right one:


Know Your Vibe: Decide on the style of your ceremony – whether it's classic, modern, or offbeat. This sets the tone for finding an officiant who gets your vibe.


Swipe for Reviews: Hit up wedding forums, Instagram, and review sites to suss out officiants with stellar ratings and vibes that match yours.


Peek at Their Past: Scope out officiants' websites and socials for pics and vids of ceremonies they've rocked. Seeing them in action can help you vibe check their style.


Book a FaceTime Date: Set up video chats with potential officiants to see if you click. It's like swiping right but for your wedding – and way more important.


Get Personal: Look for officiants who are down to weave your story and quirks into the ceremony. Bonus points if they're cool with custom vows and rituals.


Legit Check: Make sure your officiant is legit – they should be authorized to marry you in your location and know the legal ins and outs.


Ask About Flexibility: See if your officiant is cool with adding personal touches, like music, readings, or cultural elements. Flexibility is key for a ceremony that screams "us."


Budget Chat: Discuss fees up front, including travel costs and any extras like rehearsals or ceremony enhancements. No hidden fees, please!


Trust Your Gut: At the end of the day, go with your gut. You want someone who feels like a friend and a pro – someone who gets your love story.


Seal the Deal: Once you've found your match, lock it in! Your wedding day is gonna be epic with the perfect officiant by your side.

questions to ask potential Wedding officiants

Here are some questions to ask potential wedding officiants to determine if they're the right fit:


  • What is your approach to crafting personalized ceremonies?
  • Can you accommodate special requests or cultural traditions?
  • How do you handle last-minute changes or unexpected situations during the ceremony?
  • Are you comfortable incorporating non-religious or spiritual elements into the ceremony?
  • Can we provide input on the ceremony script or vows?
  • Do you offer pre-marital counseling or guidance?
  • How do you handle rehearsals, if needed?
  • What is your availability for meetings and communication leading up to the wedding day?
  • Can you provide references from past couples you've married?
  • What is your fee structure, and what does it include?


These questions should give you a good sense of the officiant's style, flexibility, and professionalism, helping you determine if they're the right fit for your wedding!

Serenity Ridge: Venue, Vendors, and Views

January 14, 2026
Some wedding details don’t just enhance the day, they outlive it. Our Specialty Vendors are creatives who help couples preserve the feeling of their wedding long after the last song plays. From artists who capture the ceremony as it unfolds to experts who transform florals into lasting keepsakes, these vendors add depth, artistry, and meaning to your celebration. Live Painting Caroline Paints Live offers one-of-a-kind oil paintings and guest portraits created onsite during your wedding or special event. With a loose, painterly impressionistic style, Caroline captures not just the likeness, but the feeling, of a moment in real time. Guests love the experience, and the hosts walk away with an heirloom they’ll treasure forever. Caroline Paints Live || Caroline Hubbell (215) 622-8943 CarolinePaintsLive@gmail.com @carolinepaintslive
By site-DviCRQ September 25, 2024
Thoughtful details, already here and ready to use. To make planning easier, Serenity Ridge offers a curated collection of décor and event essentials available for use during your wedding weekend. These are the pieces couples reach for again and again, items that layer beautifully with your personal style without requiring extra rentals, deliveries, or coordination. From tableware and candle holders to vases, signage pieces, and A/V equipment, everything on this page is designed to work seamlessly within the Pavilion and across the property. You’re welcome to keep things simple, mix in a few favorites, or use these items as a foundation for something entirely your own.
June 29, 2024
While Uber and Lyft Rideshares will sometimes drop off at Serenity Ridge, it is extremely difficult to get a pick-up from here with many scheduled rides cancelled. To avoid travel issues for off-site guests, please share these local options for transportation: Boopy's Taxi: (828) 305-1949 Van In Black: (800) 903-2503, vaninblack.com Tar Black Car: (828) 702-5912, tarblackcar.com The Little Green Bus: (864) 546-9510, littlegreenbuscompany.com Jean's Bus Service: (864) 242-1673, jeansbussvc.com Emma Bus Line: (828) 274-5719, emmabusline.com All In Transportation: (828) 452-1500, allintransportationwnc.com Ashe County Livery: (336)484-1350, ashecountylivery.com