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Asheville Celebrant Reviews

Asheville Celebrant

Asheville Celebrant

Asheville, NC
4.8 out of 5 rating, 20 Reviews
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Reviews

4.8 out of 5 rating
4.8 out of 5 rating
20 Reviews
95% recommend it
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Awards

20
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    Rachel G. Sent on 06/29/2023
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    Professional, Supportive, Personal

    Michelle provided everything we were hoping for in our wedding officiant. Working with her to establish our wedding ceremony template was effortless. She was calming and supportive throughout the entire process, beginning with her first reply to our initial inquiry. When the time came, she delivered a professional and all-around lovely ceremony that was tailored to our needs. Would highly recommend :)
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    M Seay Sent on 10/26/2019
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    Incredible, flexible officiant!

    We had the honor of having Michelle officiate our wedding back in September. Leading up to the big day, she provided us a template for the ceremony. It was already catered to our personalities (from which she gathered during our initial conversation over the phone), but there were additional, lovely options to extend it or replace sections with poems. She also allowed us the opportunity to provide our own statements to each other. There were even options for unity rituals which were all wonderful.

    When it came to the rehearsal and ceremony, she was patient and understanding, since they fell on the same day, which resulted in some chaos before the wedding. She was professional and provided the perfect tone for the wedding. We couldn't have asked for anyone better!

    Asheville Celebrant's reply:

    I'll always remember your beautify ceremony and I still have one of your cool pint glasses! It was an honor to be with you and your family! Best wishes to you both!
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    Alexis Sent on 07/15/2018
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    You were wonderful! We loved every part of our ceremony and how you tied it all together (no puns intended given the hand-fasting and old time the knot saying) :)

    Not only did we love the ceremony and how kind, hard working, helpful, and understanding you were (especially since I forgot the marriage license at our hotel); there were a lot of people who saw the video and commented about how lovely the ceremony was written.
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  • J
    Jessica Sent on 10/30/2017
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    Michelle was wonderful. We really didn't know exactly what kind of ceremony we wanted other than something short (we had kids at the wedding), sweet and meaningful and spiritual (not religious). She sent via email several different suggestions for the ceremony allowing us to pick and choose. She willingly and promptly compiled several drafts for us and everything went smoothly. Our guests had nothing but great things to say. Thanks Michelle.
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    Aaron Sent on 09/27/2017
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    Rev. Michelle K. Smith was an absolute pleasure to work with! My wife and I planned and organized our entire wedding ourselves. The only hired help we had was a chef and Michelle, our ordained celebrant. Needless to say, we were both overwhelmed and stressed, but Michelle promised to create a unique, special and beautiful ceremony, and she definitely delivered. Conversations and correspondence with Michelle were always prompt and thorough, until we were all 100% satisfied with the program she designed. From the first time we spoke, she gave my wife and I peace of mind, because it felt like talking to a friend or kindred spirit, who truly wanted to make our moment magical. We had our dream wedding with a loose, bohemian feel, in our favorite spot in the mountains on a beautiful Autumn day, surrounded by friends and family. Michelle helped weave all of those elements together with a ceremony that embodied us and described our souls perfectly, and I'm sure she can work the same magic for any couple, with any style wedding ceremony in mind. Thanks again, Michelle! You come highly recommended by Elena and I, and we hope to see you around!

    Asheville Celebrant's reply:

    Thank you, Aaron and Elena. It was a real delight to help you create such a memorable ceremony. My very best wishes to you both!
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    Kari Sent on 05/24/2015
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    We absolutely loved having Michelle as our officiant. She had a variety of packages we could choose from to fit our budget. She worked with us every step of the way to create the perfect personal ceremony for us. We were a little worried since we came from vastly different faith traditions, but she wrote the ceremony in a way that everyone loved and felt respected by. We had many people come up to us after and tell us that was the one of the best wedding ceremonies they had witnessed. During the rehearsal, she was also an expert at wrangling our families and wedding party for a quick, efficient run-through that led to a perfectly smooth ceremony the day of.
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    Caitlin Sent on 04/19/2015
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    Michelle did an incredible job as our officiant. She is warm and comforting whenever you speak with her, and she gets right to the crux of your beliefs and pulls a beautiful ceremony out of any ambiguous feelings and special requests. My husband and I had a vague sense of what we wanted for our ceremony - elements of spirituality, family, togetherness, and gratitude. Michelle gave us a loving connection with our guests and family members. Probably every person in attendance told us it was the most beautiful, personal ceremony they'd ever witnessed, and we were so grateful for her knowing, loving touch, making our wedding exactly what we wanted it to be. She ran our 20+ person rehearsal with finesse, spunk, and knowledge, and rolled with our audience during our vows. She even sat with my bridesmaids and I to have a quick moment of centering before the ceremony, as we were about to lose our collective minds after being photographed and prodded all day ( Just me? Ah well). Love, love, love. Thank you, Michelle!!!

    Asheville Celebrant's reply:

    It was truly my pleasure, Caitlin. Nothing makes me happier than to know that I've helped you have a ceremony that you and your guests can remember and talk about for years to come.

    I wish you all the best!
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    Lauren Sent on 12/24/2014
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    This officiant is simply lovely. She was warm, kind, professional, and thorough. With just a brief phone interview (we traveled for our wedding), she managed to create an amazing wedding outline for us. She offered so many options for readings, each beautiful in different ways. We ran a little behind schedule for our start, and instead of griping or complaining, she dove in and helped us set up a few last minute details. We could not have asked for anything more, yet she still gave it. Michelle Smith would be a blessing to have in any wedding!

    Asheville Celebrant's reply:

    Thank you, Lauren. It was a delight to work with you.
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    Laura Sent on 06/12/2015
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    Michelle was so helpful in providing us questionnaires/in-person interviews to explore our values, our visions, and our hopes for the ceremony and then she offered so many amazing suggestions! I was so overwhelmed at the idea of creating a ceremony that reflected our values and commitments on my own so it was so wonderful to have someone do it in a way that really resonated for us. Michelle created a beautiful ceremony. It is clear that she really cares and she has a gift for creating a meaningful celebration and holding a sacred space!
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    Daniel Sent on 12/29/2013
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    My wife and I met Michelle under a very tight schedule (less than a month) and were a bit nervous on how our wedding was going come together. Michelle was very accommodating and immediately put us at ease by helping us envision our special day. We were wanting a small, non-traditional wedding with just close family, but still wanted it to be a memorable occasion. Michelle expertly orchestrated the entire ceremony and assisted us in making it fit our quirky personalities. She was also a good sport in adding some humor to the ceremony, which helped both my wife and I relax and be ourselves. I would strongly recommend Michelle's services to anyone, as she was exactly what we needed!

    Asheville Celebrant's reply:

    I so appreciate couples who really want make the ceremony their own -- no matter how intimate the gathering. Your quirky personalities made working with you such a pleasure. Best wishes!
  • Lindsay
    Lindsay Sent on 11/02/2013
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    My husband and I are secularists and so we wanted to find someone who would really listen to what we wanted to do. Michelle really worked with us and we were always emailing back and forth to make the ceremony perfect for my husband and I. The language was really important, because I wanted the ceremony to be about Brad and I and our beliefs. People left the wedding telling us that the ceremony was one of the most beautiful ceremonies they have ever been to and that they learned the most about us as a couple. Then after the wedding, we received a special copy of it as a keepsake. Our ceremony was exactly what we wanted and as a secularist I was really worried how we would find someone who would be willing to work with us and listen to us. Michelle was wonderful.
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    Casey Sent on 02/28/2013
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    Michelle made our wedding ceremony so special for US and what we are about and wanted! I couldn't of asked for anything more. She brought good tears to our eyes (and our guests) and smiles on faces. Her suggestions and style are one of kind, her words are moving. One of her many qualities that I appreciated is how she made me feel comfortable. We thank her for her wonderful service and highly recommend Michelle.
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    Kimberly Sent on 07/23/2012
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    Michelle was absolutely wonderful in helping me to coordinate our destination "micro-wedding". My husband and I live in Raleigh and had decided to escape to Asheville for a few days and get married in the company of only our four teenaged children. I envisioned something sweet and simple, but still tremendously meaningful and momentous.

    She was an invaluable resource for finding a photographer and videographer and suggested our ceremony location (the UNCA Botanical Gardens), a spot I knew nothing about, but that turned out to be perfect for our needs. She was a terrific partner in coming up with ideas and language for a ceremony "script" and was ready to roll even when my husband and I were emailing her our personally drafted vows at the last hour.

    Michelle is a lovely woman inside and out. She has a warmth and positive attitude that comes through in her written and phone communications, but these attributes were especially evident in our ceremony. Although we wanted a "secular" ceremony, with Michelle's guidance and delivery, we still had a marriage ceremony that was not at all religious, but that was infused with spirituality and heart, and spoke to all of us.

    I am so grateful that I found Michelle and will forever remember her wonderful contributions to our special day!

    Asheville Celebrant's reply:

    I was so touched by your desire to keep your wedding ceremony meaningful and yet memorable for you, Henry and your children. The UNCA Botanical Gardens were a great choice!
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    Cristina Sent on 06/18/2012
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    Brian and I are truly blessed to have found Michelle. Michelle married us at Mountain Magnolia Inn at Hot Springs, NC this May 2012. We had been searching for the right person as our officiant for about a month and had gone through interviews with a few. She really stood out because we didn't feel like we were being pushed against our beliefs and there was a representation of our individual spirituality/values in the context of the ceremony. I couldn't be any happier with how everything flowed... we had a short and sweet version of the ceremony with unity candles as well as dove release. The wedding was beautiful to say the least, and more importantly, very meaningful to Brian and I.

    Thank you so much Michelle!

    Asheville Celebrant's reply:

    Thank you, Christina and Brian. You were both so lovely to work with. It was a special pleasure to meet your family, Christina, who had traveled so far were obviously so happy for you both!
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    Andrea Sent on 03/27/2012
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    Michelle was absolutely amazing to work with!! She crafted the most wonderful ceremony that exceeded all of our expectations. Within the ceremony; she integrated our personal story, included family members for readings, and helped us to select aspects for the ceremony that truly hold meaning for us as a couple. Her responsiveness was wonderful and she was open to any and all suggestions we had for revising the ceremony. Michelle really spent time getting to know us which made the whole process that much more special. I would recommend her to any and everyone. She has played such and integral part in making our wedding special and I will forever be grateful for her gifts and talents.

    Asheville Celebrant's reply:

    Thank you, Andrea and Jason. I especially loved including the Stefana ritual from your Greek heritage, Andrea. It was definitely a treasured moment to share piece with your grandmother.
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    Tracy Sent on 01/13/2012
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    In short, I highly and fully recommend Michelle Smith. She was able to craft a ceremony that was so personal and intimate that our guests still haven't stopped talking about it. As many tell me, there wasn't a dry eye in the crowd! For a brief background so you understand the miracle that Michelle performed, I am agnostic, my husband is spiritual, my family is atheist and his family is Methodist. Thus, we were struggling to find a balance between respecting everyone's beliefs without sacrificing our own wants in order to please others. We met with Michelle once and it was clearly evident that she understood what we wanted and was confident that she could make it work. What's remarkable is that I don't even know what her beliefs are - she never once tried to project her beliefs on us, but rather listened to us and our relationship and crafted the script based on that, not from her own morals and beliefs (which, in my opinion, always happens if you use a minister/preacher/etc). We filled out extensive questionnaires separately, which she used to craft the ceremony. Doing so gave us time to individually reflect on our relationship and it was really neat to read each other's versions once we had submitted them. When she gave us the first draft we knew immediately that the first draft was the final version. It was more than we ever could have imagined. Parts were funny while other parts were serious. We had the perfect blend of happiness, reflection, laughter and love. I hope that helps give you some insights into what to expect if (and hopefully when) you choose Michelle. You won't be disappointed!

    Asheville Celebrant's reply:

    I especially treasured the chance to create the special "water, stones and blossoms" ritual we created to honor your union, your parents and the spirits of loved ones who had gone before. It's wonderful to keep up with you both on Facebook and watch your journey unfold!
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    Jessica Sent on 05/22/2017
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    Michelle was great to work with and was accepting of my desire to create a short & sweet but meaningful ceremony with only 4-weeks notice and without even meeting in person first! After a 10-minute phone call, she was able to gather enough information about me and my fiancé to put together a diverse selection of poems, readings, and possible rituals/acts that my fiancé and I could chose from since we did not have any readings of our own in mind. It turned out wonderfully - we would have never thought to incorporate the "Calling of the Directions" and "Ring Warming" events into our ceremony and were pleasantly surprised at how the ceremony turned out, as we were both apprehensive about being the center of attention (which of course in unavoidable at your wedding!). Numerous guests shared that it was one of the most beautiful and authentic ceremonies they had ever witnessed. I wouldn't be surprised if Michelle is good at performing traditional ceremonies, but I definitely recommend Michelle to the open-minded, secular, and non-traditional couple.
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    Lauren Sent on 02/18/2015
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    Michelle was a pleasure to work with and provided us with a ceremony that we will treasure forever. We came to her very last minute when our officiant backed out, and we sought to co-create a very unique and intimate ceremony despite having a large wedding. With both of us coming from different religious backgrounds we had a clear vision of how we wanted to weave our beliefs into the ceremony. Michelle was thoughtful, creative, and knowledgeable in doing this. People RAVED about how lovely and special our ceremony felt. Michelle is laid-back and friendly making her very easy to work with.
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    Lacy W. Sent on 03/29/2024
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    Good Officiant

    Michelle was a good choice. We had a destination wedding and all of my planning with her was done via email, so the first time meeting her was at the altar. She stumbled a bit in her speech, which is why I gave her an average. I think it was overpriced, but she was the most reasonable in the Asheville area.
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    Angela Sent on 03/26/2017
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    Terrible, She didn't showed up, she didn't answer her phone and she has not even explained why. We are expecting a refund.

    Asheville Celebrant's reply:

    Angela,
    I understand your resentment. I felt so terrible about missing your ceremony. I had to respond to an emergency with an elder family member earlier in the day which took me out of cell phone range and took much longer than I expected. If I had been able to call I would have.

    I'm gratified that at least you and your fiance did have a copy of the wedding ceremony I prepared and so you were able to have your ceremony. You were not charged for officiating the service, so there was nothing to refund.

    I wish you and your fiance all the best in your life together, including the ability to forgive when the unavoidable mistakes of life occur.

    For other couples reading this review, I'm relieved at least that this was a very small, intimate wedding with no attendants and no guests. Nevertheless, If I could have done anything to avoid this situation, I would have. In 5 years of officiating ceremonies of all kinds, nothing like this has ever happened in my experience.
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