Authentic Weddings

A ceremony led with warmth

Authentic Weddings is a wedding officiant service based in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It also describes itself as women and veteran-owned. The business holds a 5.0 rating from 43 reviews.

LGBTQ+ couples

Authentic Weddings is LGBTQ+-owned and describes itself as LGBT-friendly, with a mission built around a warm and accepting atmosphere. That combination means you do not have to explain or justify your relationship when you plan your ceremony, which matters when the person holding the microphone sets the tone for the whole day.

What you can expect

• Custom vows written around your story
• Consultations with unlimited access, as the business describes it
• Ceremonies planned around your style and location

Planning your ceremony

A good officiant meeting covers the order of events, who speaks, any readings, how names and titles will be said and what happens if weather or timing shifts. Bring a rough venue plan and a list of the people you want involved. Ask whether a rehearsal is included and whether the legal paperwork is part of the service.

Tennessee and Georgia have different marriage license rules, so confirm where you will apply and who files the signed license afterward. Booking several months ahead is sensible for weekend dates in the Smoky Mountain area.

Where they serve

The business serves Chattanooga, Knoxville, Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and other local areas, including parts of Georgia.

Before you book

Ask how the officiant handles nerves, language and pacing. A ceremony of ten minutes feels very different from one of thirty, so say which you prefer. Request a sample script and ask how many changes you can make before the wedding.