Skip to main content
Weddings
This vendor is popular with couples. Start a conversation

Attributes highlighted by couples

Marriage License & Certificate
Seasoned Professional
Officiant
Great Planner

About

On WeddingWire since 2011

Joan Phillips is a professional wedding officiant and certified celebrant who has created and conducted hundreds of ceremonies, each one unique, for couples throughout Maryland, DC, Virginia, and beyond. She works closely with each couple to ensure that their ceremony reflects who they are and what they desire, honors and celebrates their love for each other, and conveys what it means to them personally to be making this commitment. Her ceremonies range from completely personal and secular to "spiritual but not religious" to interfaith or faith-inspired, and often include ethnic or cultural traditions in a meaningful way. Whether a ceremony is part of a large celebration or smaller one, or just for the couple, she conducts it expressively, seamlessly, and joyfully!

Services Offered
Joan Phillips, Officiant & Celebrant, offers each couple a complimentary consultation to explore how their ceremony might flow, so that they can get a great sense of whether she is the person they'd like to have as their officiant. Her fee is all-inclusive, covering all her time and services, including rehearsal when desired and submittal of their signed marriage license. Couples who choose may obtain a complete ceremony script for their review, changes, and approval.

  • Woman-owned

Frequently asked questions

What is the typical price for your wedding services?

$650

Which of the following are included in the price?

Ceremony Rehearsal

What is the starting price for your wedding services?

$200

Does starting price include the ceremony rehearsal?

No

What is the starting price for ceremony rehearsals?

$75

What types of weddings and events do you provide services for?

Non-religious
Interfaith
Ceremony Rehearsal
Vow Renewal
Civil Union

What religious affiliations do you serve?

Agnostic
Anglican
Baha'i Faith
Baptist
Buddhist
Catholic
Earth-Based
Episcopalian
Evangelical
Hindu
Islam
Jainism
Jewish
Lutheran
Methodist
Mormon
No Denomination
Orthodox Christian
Pagan
Presbyterian
Quaker
Shinto
Sikhism
Taoist
Unitarian

On average, how long are wedding ceremonies you officiate?

Less than 30 mins.

In which states are you licensed?

CO
DE
DC
MD
MN
OH
VA

What languages do you speak?

English
illustration question

Any other questions?

Message vendor
5.0 out of 5 rating
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2024 Winner
169 Reviews
  • Quality of service
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Average response time
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Professionalism
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Value
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Flexibility
    5 out of 5 rating
99% Recommended by couples
Renáta
Renáta H. Sent on 12/06/2023
5 out of 5 rating

The best officiant we could have had!

When I was looking for an officiant for our micro wedding, I was choosing based on reviews because that's how you really get to know someone and the way they work.
Joan was our first choice and she ended up being the best one too! Despite me contacting her just about two months before the wedding day, she made sure to respond to my emails as soon as possible and I never waited too long for a reply. We set up a Zoom call so that we can meet "face to face" and discuss further details about the ceremony.
On the wedding day, Joan was amazing. The wording was everything we could have hoped for and she made sure to talk about everything that was important to both my and my husband.
I would recommend Joan to everyone who wants a personalized ceremony and make their day even more perfect.
T
Tainah Sent on 10/23/2023
5 out of 5 rating

Incredible Experience

We couldn't have made a better decision! Joan was incredibly patient and kind with us.
I am a photographer and I photograph weddings all the time, specially small ones. I have seen many officiants and I can say for sure Joan is one of, if not THE best I have ever seen. I am used to see plenty of officiants being impersonal, too fast and even "cold" sometimes. Joan not only tried to connect with us before the ceremony, asking questions, wanting to know how we met, but she also incorporated it all to our ceremony, making us feel special.

My husband and I are so happy with our choice and I would definitely recommend her to anyone!

Thank you Joan, you have helped us make our day even more special!
E
Emily Sent on 12/29/2023
5 out of 5 rating

Joan is the Best

Joan exceeded expectations! Her warmth and passion for delivering the best wedding ceremony is clear from the first interaction we had with her. She took the time to meet with us, get to learn about us as a couple, and worked with us to make the best wedding ceremony and vows possible. On top of it, she has a fantastic presence which translates to a great wedding ceremony. We were stopped many times to ask how we knew Joan because people felt that she knew us so well that she must have been a close family friend. We cannot recommend Joan enough and suggest booking her well in advance because she's honestly the best.
illustration stars

Are you interested?

Message vendor

Awards

169
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2024 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2023 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2022 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2021 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2020 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2019 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2018 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2017 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2016 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2015 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2014 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2013 Winner

Real Weddings

Bianca & Kris
28 photos · 03/15/2020

Professional Network & Endorsements

1 Endorsement
Glow Weddings and Events Glow Weddings and Events Wedding Planners

I had the pleasure to work with Joan this past weekend. Joan was very responsive to emails throughout the planning process, attended the walk thru to help guide the bride thru the logistics and delivered an incredibly seamless ceremony. I was most impressed with her cue sheet. As a planner, I love how prepared she was!

Map

Other vendors in Washington DC for your wedding

Wedding Vendors

Responds within 24 hours