Gifford Officiating | Wedding Officiant in Kingsport, the Tri-Cities & the Smoky Mountains

Nathan Gifford, wedding officiant, waiting at a barn venue before a ceremony

Meet your officiant

Hey, I'm Nathan Gifford

I'm a father of three, and my wife is a professional photographer, so weddings have always been part of my world, both behind the scenes and at the altar.

I became an officiant because I love the moment when two people look at each other and say "I do." There's nothing else like it. Through this work I have fallen in love with the unique stories of every couple who has trusted me to be part of their journey, a journey that begins with two simple words.

Marriage is built on love, but it also takes commitment, patience, and choosing one another every day. My goal is simple: to give every couple a ceremony that feels personal, honest, and true to who they are.

Planning a wedding with photography too? My wife and I work as a husband and wife team. She shoots, I officiate, and you get two vendors who already know how to work a wedding day together.

Simple, honest pricing

Packages

Three ways to get married, one promise: I show up early, I make it personal, and I handle the paperwork.

License Signing

$100

20 minutes

Just the legal "I do," done with care
We meet at a spot that works for you
License signed with you and your witnesses
I return your license to the clerk for filing

Book a Signing

Elopement Ceremony

$200

1 hour

A real ceremony, written just for the two of you
Perfect for mountaintops, cabins and courthouse steps
Add a unity ritual if you'd like one
I arrive an hour early and file your license

Book an Elopement

Signature Wedding Ceremony

$300

2 hours

Full ceremony with your story woven through it
Unity ceremonies and bilingual elements welcome
Time built in for photos and your people
I arrive an hour early and file your license

Book Your Ceremony

Planning something bigger? Ask about the Forever Wedding Experience, available on request. Rehearsal included.

Make it yours

Add-ons

Three easy ways to dress up the day without renting from a stranger.

The Gifford Officiating wedding arch dressed with flowers at a lakeside ceremony

The arch at Andy & Lucy's wedding · Photo by Sundial Memories

Wedding Arch Rental

$100

Add to any ceremony

A beautiful backdrop for your vows and photos
Dressed with flowers matched to your wedding colors
Brought to your venue and set up before the ceremony
Taken down afterward, nothing for you to haul

Add the Arch

Ashley and Kenneth pouring unity sand during their mountain ceremony

The sand ceremony at Ashley & Kenneth's wedding · Photo by Sam Bond Photography

Unity Ceremony Supplies

Add to any ceremony

Unity sand: colored sand, pouring containers and a keepsake vessel
Wedding lasso for a traditional lasso ceremony
Presentation Bible, rope braid cords, handfasting cords
Something else in mind? Ask. If it exists, I can likely get it
Everything is woven into your ceremony, and yours to keep

Ask about the supply fee when you book and I'll fold it into your total.

Add Unity Supplies

Nathan walking through the ceremony with the groom before the wedding day

Walking it through at Autumn & Matthew's wedding · Photo by Hannah Norris Photography

Ceremony Rehearsal

$150

Add to any ceremony

We walk the space and run the whole ceremony start to finish
Processional order, cues and timing sorted before the day
Your wedding party knows exactly where to be
Free with the Forever Wedding Experience

Add a Rehearsal

No guesswork

How it works

From first hello to filed license, here's exactly what happens.

Say hello

Check your date and book online in a couple of minutes. I confirm personally, and we set up a time to talk.

Tell me your story

A short questionnaire covers how you met, what you love, and the feel you want. Funny, traditional, themed — it's your call.

Your ceremony, written for you

I write your ceremony from your story and send it to you for a review pass, so there are no surprises at the altar.

The day itself

I arrive an hour early, run the ceremony, sign the license with you and your witnesses, and file it with the clerk afterward.

Words from the altar

Real lines from real ceremonies

Every ceremony I write starts from the couple's own story. Here's a taste.

"Like Frodo and Sam setting out from Bag End, they began their journey with a simple coffee and the hope of friendship. But it was not long before they both knew: this was no ordinary quest."

From a Lord of the Rings themed ceremony

"I promise to love you, to laugh with you, and to always share my fries with you, even when I do not want to."

From a mountain elopement

"A cord of three strands is not easily broken."

From a rope braid unity ceremony

"Today, you are not just witnessing their union. You are a part of it."

From a blended family ceremony

"They walk through life not as two, but as one."

From a lasso ceremony

Kind words

★★★★★

5.0 on Google, every review so far

Every word below is a real Google review, exactly as it was written.

Josh Wilbanks and his bride Nikki with Nathan under the pavilion after their ceremony

★★★★★

“Nathan did an amazing job officiating our wedding. He was extremely helpful and responsive during the entire process and helped make our special day even more special!”

Josh Wilbanks · Google review

The wedding lasso draped over Raynita and Charlie's clasped hands during their ceremony

★★★★★

“So glad I found Gifford Officiating as my officiant, he was very professional and helped me a lot. When I was looking for other officiants, he stood out the most as he was very quick to respond which I appreciate so much. Our ceremony was short and sweet, just how we hoped! Thank you Nathan!”

Raynita Romero · Google review

Brad Breeden's ceremony in a mountain field, with Nathan officiating

★★★★★

“Nathan is such an awesome dude, you don't just get a person to officially and legally bind your marriage with this cat! He makes your ceremony personal no matter the size and makes sure to check on you as time seems to fly by. I would recommend his services to anyone looking to tie the knot!”

Brad Breeden · Google review

The mountain-view ceremony Nathan officiated for Amy Eggers' daughter, under a white draped arch

★★★★★

“Nathan was an amazing choice for officiant for my daughter's wedding. He performed a very heartfelt and personalized ceremony. We couldn't be happier and highly recommend him.”

Amy Eggers · Google review

Kyle Brown and Brandy's lakeside elopement under the flower arch, with Nathan officiating

★★★★★

“My wife and I love Stitch and Angel and wanted to get married on 6/26, due study day. Gifford wedding services was able to put something special together for us and Incorporate our love for stitch and angel into it. Highly recommend”

Kyle Brown · Google review

Read Our Google Reviews

Where I travel

Based in Kingsport, at home everywhere in these hills

I serve couples across Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky and southern Ohio, up to about a four to five hour drive from Kingsport. Longer drives may include mileage, always quoted up front, never a surprise.

Tri-Cities: Kingsport, Johnson City, Bristol

Smoky Mountains: Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, Townsend

East Tennessee: Knoxville, Greeneville, Morristown

Western NC: Asheville, Charlotte and the mountain counties

Upstate SC: Greenville and Spartanburg area

Kentucky & Ohio: Lexington, Louisville, Cincinnati

Good questions

Before you ask

How do we book you?

Pick your package on the booking page, choose your date, and reserve it online. From there we plan your ceremony together, so by the day itself all you have to do is show up and say "I do."

Do you file our marriage license?

Yes. After the ceremony I sign the license with you and your witnesses and return it to the issuing clerk to be recorded, so the legal part is handled without you lifting a finger. You bring the license, I take care of the rest. Still need to get yours? My Tennessee marriage license guide walks you through it county by county.

We're eloping in the Smokies. Can you help with the details?

Gladly. Mountain elopements are some of my favorite ceremonies. If your spot needs a permit, like locations inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park, I'll help you figure out what applies, and I can suggest beautiful spots in the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge area that don't need one.

Do you officiate LGBTQ+ weddings?

Yes, happily. I am an LGBTQ+ affirming officiant, and every couple gets the same care, the same personal ceremony, and the same celebration.

Can we include a unity ritual or cultural tradition?

Absolutely. Rope braids, sand ceremonies, handfasting, the lasso, Bible presentations and foot washing have all been part of my ceremonies, and bilingual elements are welcome too. If it matters to your story, we'll find its place in your ceremony.

How early do you arrive?

One hour before every ceremony. It is my standing rule, so there's time to check the space, calm the nerves, and make sure everything is ready before your guests settle in.

Can we rehearse with you?

Yes. A rehearsal run-through is a $150 add-on to any ceremony: we walk the space, set the processional order, and practice the cues so the day itself feels easy. Rehearsal is included free with the Forever Wedding Experience.