Donna officiated our very small ceremony a couple of weeks ago, and the experience was wonderful. Donna is so sweet, honest, and easy to talk to. You can tell she dearly loves her work, and absolutely had our best interests at heart! As we prepared for the ceremony, she provided us structure along with plenty of options, and gave us the space we needed to figure out our vows, while also always being available when we had questions. On the big day right before festivities began, Donna checked in with both of us separately right before - it was great to get a little pep talk amidst all the nerves, and to touch base with her in person after the emails and phone and Zoom calls (pandemic times!). The ceremony turned out beautifully thanks to Donna's earnestness and support. Several guests told us afterwards to pass along how much they enjoyed Donna's beautiful, emotional words. As we were able to review the ceremony she'd put together beforehand (minus our vows, which we were keeping secret until the big day), we could to stay in the moment during the ceremony and really take things in, and we are so happy to be able to have the ceremony binder and vow booklets as keepsakes to remember this day going forward. The whole thing was such a surreal experience, we couldn't help but think our brief yet wonderful time with Donna was like having our own caring Fairy Godmother for a little while! Thank you, Donna! We can hardly express our gratitude for all that you did to make us feel comfortable, supported, and to create such a meaningful experience for both us and our guests!
Donna Rose Gardner - Honey In The Heart Ceremonies's reply:
It was an honor joining the two of you together in marriage! There truly was magic on your wedding day that was created with a laughter, honesty in the words spoken, and love as the special ingredient that brought you into deeper commitment with each other. I'm grateful for your kind words and I'm wishing you Honey in the Heart for many years to come.
Liz Sent on 04/12/2025
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
A perfect wedding
We hired Honey In The Heart team for our private elopement/wedding. Donna Rose Gardner was our officiant, and Rebecca Stark was our photographer. Donna was amazing and took care of all the arrangements with Rebecca, so we didn't have to worry about coordinating, it was all handled for us. She checked out various sites until she found the perfect one that was exactly what we had wanted. She made sure we knew the process of getting a license ahead of time, organized the timing of arrival, ceremony, etc. She even dealt with rescheduling us twice due to rain, always with a smile and reassurance for us. Donna also provided many pre-written ceremonies and vows for us to choose from and let us modify them to make them our own. She even made gorgeous little vow booklets with our vows, for us to keep as mementos. Rebecca took stunning photographs, before, during, and after the ceremony. She made sure to get many different poses, candid and staged, and included the ocean view and cliffs that we had requested. We ended up with around 150 high quality photos, and she provided them in a gallery we could share with people, and also downloadable in hi-res for printing and sharing online. Donna and Rebecca helped us achieve exactly the wedding we had hoped for, and left us with keepsakes and photos to look back on forever; I highly recommend them!
Donna Rose Gardner - Honey In The Heart Ceremonies's reply:
Liz and Craig, it was an absolute joy to be part of your beautiful day. You both radiated so much love—it was truly an honor to stand with you as you crossed the threshold into marriage and shared that love with the world. Thank you for inviting me into such a sacred moment. And I know Rebecca feels this in her heart too—we were both deeply moved to witness your union. 💛
Nate Sent on 11/05/2023
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Heartfelt ceremony
We had the privilege of having Donna Rose Gardner as the officiant at our outdoor wedding which took place in the serenely beautiful backdrop of the Redwoods at the Waterfall Lodge this past October. She spent a good amount of time getting to know us, which was beautifully reflected in the words she chose for our ceremony. On the day of the wedding, Donna spoke with an elegance and clarity that resonated with our hearts, and the personal anecdotes she included made the ceremony feel incredibly intimate and special.
We couldn’t have asked for a better person to officiate our marriage, Donna made sure our love story was told in a manner as beautiful and unique as the setting we were in. We highly recommend Donna for anyone looking to have a heartfelt and personalized wedding ceremony.
Are you interested?
Alyssa Sent on 08/15/2023
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Beautiful Ceremony
Donna is an amazing officiant. To start, she is the most kind-hearted and genuine lady that seems to truly love being in the presence of real love. We liked her so much that we had her marry us twice; once for the paperwork and again recently for our big ceremony and reception (9 months later).
She does an amazing job with incorporating a love story and any traditions you may have into the ceremony. We chose an Oathing Stone to be added (along with our personalized love story) and Donna’s delivery and conduction was flawless.
Not only is she very comfortable with her work and speaking in front of crowds, but she also came to assist/direct us at the rehearsal the day before. We had no idea how things traditionally go, but Donna did a great job with mapping it out for us.
Months leading up to the event, Donna takes the time to ask the questions (to both bride and groom) to personalize the ceremony. She has a questionnaire for each person, so that she can see each point of view. Donna also has about SIX different ceremony options (if you don’t have verbiage of your own to use). She will also provide different ideas for the traditions (mixing of sands, oathing stone, prayer stones incorporating guests, etc). For our first ceremony, we opted to use some of her suggested vows that she had pre-prepared; however, for our bigger ceremony, we wrote our own vows.
Overall, Donna made it so easy. Whether you are more religious, spiritual, cultural, or none of the above, Donna can fit and perform your ideal wedding ceremony. She is super easy to work with, VERY responsive (quick too), and willing to assist any where she can. We highly recommend her for your special day, or days in our case!
Mallory Sent on 03/14/2023
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Special, Personal, and Memorable Ceremony
I don’t think anyone better could have officiated our ceremony, Donna made it better than we could have ever imagined. From the first meeting to the big day, she put so much thought and care into our ceremony that made it truly special. I loved how many options she gave us for our ceremony, we loved choosing the various parts (like the opening words and ring exchange) and we went with a Celtic handfasting ceremony since it felt like the perfect thing for myself and my husband to seal our vows.
We also really enjoyed the love story questionnaire that Donna had us both complete. Even though we didn’t show them to each other until after the wedding, it was fun to do and talk about and brought us closer together in the months leading up to the wedding.
Donna also made us little vow booklets that I will cherish forever. I am so grateful to Donna for making our wedding day something we will remember forever.
G S Sent on 08/12/2022
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Absolutely perfect!
We are so very grateful that Donna was available to officiate our small backyard wedding. After describing our "style", she immediately knew what kind of ceremony we were looking for, and everything was PERFECT, from start to finish. Donna communicated very clearly throughout the process. She has a very loving, genuine and kind manner. At the same time, Donna projected her beautiful voice loud enough for our guests to hear without a microphone. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!
Alisha Sent on 03/09/2022
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Personal and engaging ceremony!
If you want a completely personal and meaningful wedding ceremony then you have found the perfect fit with Donna! Donna crafted our ceremony in a way that both told our story while keeping it engaging. We heard so many compliments after our ceremony about how great it was, with my grandfather-in-law even saying it was the best ceremony he had ever heard (and he has been to many & does not give compliments just to give compliments)! Donna provided amazing samples and guidance on how a ceremony flows while allowing us to insert details special to our relationship. She provided a questionnaire to get to know our "love story." This not only incorporated "us" so well into the ceremony, but provided a fun pre-wedding activity for us! She recommends you to fill them out individually, so after it was a fun date night to get to read each other's answers over some wine. She made the process easy & enjoyable. She took care of everything with the marriage license after the ceremony-- taking it with her and submitting it so we didn't even need to think about it after. She also gave us a copy of our ceremony in the binder she used with our personalized vow books that she printed and thoughtfully strung together with a ribbon of our wedding color. This is a wedding keepsake that we will treasure forever (& have even decided to read each anniversary). You can NOT go wrong by hiring Donna! Donna-- thank you so very much for making this experience amazing, and our ceremony completely unforgettable. You deserve all the best things.
+4photos
Lakshmi Sent on 12/06/2021
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Loved working with Elope Santa Cruz!
Donna and Rebecca were an absolute pleasure to work with from start to finish. Our wedding was planned during the pandemic and I appreciated their clear communication and collaboration through the process. My husband and I felt truly well taken care of and the day itself met our expectations perfectly. We especially appreciated Donna's efforts to incorporate our Indian customs and traditions into the ceremony to make it even more special. They are a great team and we made wonderful memories together!
Halie Sent on 12/02/2021
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Just perfect
We decided to go with the small elopement package, it being my husband and I, Donna and Rebecca. Donna was super sweet and helped me with any questions I had. Donna provided a questionnaire that let us choose our wedding ceremony word for word. Rebecca is an awesome photographer! My husband and I are not photogenic and we usually take silly pictures but these photos turned out beautiful! Rebecca helped us feel comfortable and lead us to gorgeous areas in the redwoods. The ceremony was quick and felt authentic. We got married, took pictures and still had more then enough time to change and go have some burgers and beers. If you want a stress free genuine wedding in a gorgeous spot, do yourself a favor and book these wonderful ladies. I would 100% recommend Donna and Rebecca to anyone, (I already have)
Donna Rose Gardner - Honey In The Heart Ceremonies's reply:
Thank you so much for your review Halie! Rebecca and I really were honored to be a part of your beautiful day.
Laura Sent on 11/11/2021
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
A Beautiful Ceremony by a Beautiful Person!
I cannot say enough wonderful things about Donna and her talents!!! Not only is she a wonderful, sweet, kind, caring person, but her way with words is exceptional. We had many wedding guests give high praise and said it was the best ceremony they've ever attended. Her communication was impeccable, and she truly cares about giving you your perfect wedding. We loved how she took the time to get to know us a little beforehand, and was always immediately responsive when we had any questions about the process. She's extremely flexible and gave us so many choices to help curate the ceremony that was perfect for us. We chose to write our own vows, and she typed them up and created beautiful booklets that matched our color scheme and are now special keepsakes. Through her, we were even able to book a great photographer, Mike Danen, who was also wonderful! I will be forever grateful to Donna for giving us a beautiful wedding and memories of the perfect day that we'll cherish forever. I very highly recommend this beautiful person to officiate your wedding! There aren't enough stars for the rating I wish I could give her!
Andrew Sent on 10/17/2021
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Pick Donna!
Donna did a fantastic job as our wedding officiant! She provides first class service and communication and enabled us to personalize every aspect of the ceremony. She added her personal touches which made the ceremony even better. We highly recommend Donna!
Helen Sent on 10/14/2021
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Heartfelt & Sincere Maiden of Matrimonial Ceremony
Once in a lifetime, if lucky, two things happen.
You meet the partner of your dreams and you decide to marry them.
Then, you meet the person who stands beside you and makes it official. They serve not only as a witness but as the "One" who will align the spoken words with the actions that bring two hearts together to the matrimonial alter.
That very important person is Donna Gardner.
Two weeks ago, she delivered our message of love to the most important people in our life. As messenger, she used her inherent good to share what we felt. As Sage, her delivery had moments of great wisdom and advice that all couples can use today and everyday as they move forward in their journey together.
Donna listened to us as if it were the first time and helped us craft our individual vows. She then eloquently delivered these vows on a beautiful day for all to hear.
We love Donna and feel that she is a part of The Divine's master plan in our lives together from this point forward.
Big Mahalo to this God sent woman for making our special day a glorious moment in time.
Jordana Sent on 09/16/2021
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Wonderful Wedding Experience
Donna Rose Gardner was a pleasure to work with throughout the process of planning our small wedding ceremony on the beach in Pacific Grove, and she performed beautifully at the ceremony. We had contacted Donna only a couple of weeks before the ceremony date after our original wedding plans had to be changed, and from our very first phone conversation Donna was helpful, reassuring, and competent in her knowledge of where and how to perform the ceremony that we envisioned. Donna connected us to a talented florist and photographer, and offered a range of options for the blessings, statements, and vows that we could select for our ceremony. When we met with Donna on Zoom before the ceremony, her extensive experience as an officiant and passion for her role were apparent, and her grounded presence put us at ease right away. During our wedding ceremony, Donna’s warm energy and heartfelt presentation offered a moving and memorable experience for everyone who was present. We would highly recommend Donna Rose Gardner as a wedding officiant for all types of wedding ceremonies and we are grateful that Donna was able to officiate at our special day!
Casandra Sent on 08/08/2021
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Donna and Dayna are the BEST!
Donna and Dayna were so wonderful to work with! Donna worked with my fiancé and I to write a beautiful ceremony that was unique to the two of us-it even tied into our venue! Dayna performed our ceremony and she did it flawlessly. She was professional and truly cared about us and our vision. I highly recommend Honey in the Heart to write and carry out a perfect ceremony for you and your partner!
Desiree Sent on 08/03/2021
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Highly Recommend Donna!
We were put in touch with Donna through the Dream Inn, where we got married using their Horizon beach-front wedding package. We met with Donna several times via Zoom, and she supported us every step of the way through the process of deciding our ceremony, writing our vows, and ensuring our ceremony went through seamlessly. She was supportive of us as a couple, and was sure to rock her pride for us too! I couldn't suggest a better officiant for your big day. Thank you so much, Donna!
Elana Sent on 06/03/2021
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Extraordinary
Donna was absolutely wonderful. She was so kind and helpful for months leading up to our wedding. She was so generous with her knowledge and resources. She wrote a beautiful ceremony for us that we will cherish always. Donna’s warmth is such a joy and a blessing to be around. We are ever so grateful to have found her, and recommend her without hesitation.
+5photos
Emily Sent on 05/19/2021
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Amazing!!!
Donna with honey in the heart was the officiant for our wedding, and I have nothing but amazing words for how she facilitated our ceremony. Everything was absolutely perfect. Her communication was spectacular from the beginning to the end. The booklets she provided were absolutely beautiful, and she was prepared with everything. Even down to after the wedding, with her providing us the information on the marriage certificate.
Donna, brandon and I are forever grateful for how amazing you were throughout this entire experience, and we are so happy that we picked you to be our officiant. Thank you!!!
Kelly Sent on 05/03/2021
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Amazing experience!
We worked with Donna on our elopement. Before we even finalized the ceremony, she helped us pick our dream wedding spot, tucked away on a local beach. Donna shared multiple, customizable ceremony options, which helped us immensely to pull together our celebration. Donna was such a pleasure to work with and helped make the day feel so special. Thank you Donna!
Camille Sent on 01/24/2021
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
So Wonderful and Meaningful!
Donna officiated my husband and my elopement in Mount Madonna and she couldn't have been more perfect. She was kind on the phone and so responsive. She let us customize our ceremony to fit us and made it all feel so important and personal. Her words were so perfect for the occasion. We'd recommend her to anyone, but especially quarantine couples. Even though we weren't able to have our families with us Donna made it feel like we were surrounded by love. Thank you for a perfect ceremony Donna!
Philippe Sent on 01/04/2021
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Look no further for Kindness, Professionalism and Care
Donna and Rebecca exceeded expectations. The ceremony was beautiful, the process was straightforward and all precautions were taken given the current COVID situation. They made us feel comfortable and at ease throughout the day. Rebecca's photos were splendid. She is great at what she does. We took pictures on the beach and we could not be happier. We would recommend their services wholeheartedly. Our elopement was made all the more special and we have them to thank for it.
Annamarie Sent on 12/18/2020
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Amazing elopement package serving Northern CA coast!
I cannot say enough about how great our experience with Donna and Rebecca at Elope Santa Cruz was! We were in a bind in September as our previous officiant fell through so we emailed Donna and she promptly set up an appointment to see what we were looking for, with our COVID elopement in November fast approaching. Throughout all the planning, Donna always responded so quickly, and the whole process was so organized with clear timelines of decisions we would need to make and things we would need to send her. We ended up eloping in Big Sur with just us and Donna and Rebecca since we wanted to have the safest ceremony during COVID, and it was perfect. Donna's elocution is really amazing and I didn't realize how drawn in I would be!! She is just so warm and made what could have been a lonely experience without our friends and family, instead, so loving. Rebecca's photos are incredible- her shots of us in a redwood grove were already great, but she knew the perfect nearby beach to go to at sunset for the extra hour we purchased. The icing on the cake was that the turnaround time for the photos was only 2 weeks! I am so thankful my husband found this company online since it was exactly what we wanted for our wedding day!
Rachel Sent on 11/24/2020
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Experienced and very helpful!
From the first phone call I made with Elope Santa Cruz I knew that Donna and Rebecca were the ones that we wanted to help us with our elopement.
I didn’t know where to start and we got the perfect advice from them for our location. They even helped with valuable information about our Wedding License. We explained that we were going to have a large wedding and had to postpone those plans. They understood and throughout our planning, they did everything they could to help with making our elopement a great experience.
In fact, we are so happy that we eloped and the intimacy of our personal ceremony was more amazing that we even imagined it could be! All the way from that first phone call to the day of our Ceremony, they were there for us with quick responses to our questions.
The ceremony that Donna performed was truly heart felt and intimate – just perfect for the two of us. We wrote our own vows and she made vow booklets that we read from and kept. When tears welled up in my eyes, she even had a sweet handkerchief that she gave to me at just the right moment!
Rebecca captured all of our special moments with each other in photos that reflected our love and happiness. We received these just two weeks after our ceremony and have shared many of them with our family and friends.
I give a 5 star recommendation for the value we received and the service they provided!
Rachel and Mark
Allison Sent on 10/23/2020
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Lemonade!!
Donna was wonderful to work with. When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. Being one of the couples who had to change their wedding plans due to COVID-19, Donna was understanding, flexible and open to anything that could make our special day happen. We knew that Donna really cared for us and making our journey into marriage just what we wanted. We highly recommend Donna to help others in this very important step.
+2photos
Alisa Sent on 10/22/2020
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Absolutely would recommend!!
We were denied our Hawaii wedding due to covid. I found Donna per chance online and I ya e to say she did NOT disappoint. Our wedding was exactly what we imagined aside from having friends and family there. Thank you and Rebecca the photographer for making our day so special and magical!!!
+5photos
Stephanie Sent on 10/22/2020
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Lovely to work with
Donna is thoughtful and kind from the get go. She is helpful and responsive and very much a part of the process. She has a wide variety of ceremony choices to choose from & you are free to add or subtract wording to personalize them. She also creates booklets for your vows & leaves you with a lovely folder as a keepsake. A nice touch.
Also, she can create a package with a florist and photographer if you choose, which can really simplify the process. She is also very reasonably priced!!!
It was a lovely ceremony( even in the time of Covid!!) and she lends a very personal touch. I highly recommend her!
Michelle Sent on 10/22/2020
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Outstanding experience
Donna was so sweet and professional. She made sure to keep in contact and made us feel at ease up until the day of our ceremony.
Highly recommend.
Jada Sent on 10/21/2020
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Donna was amazing!
My husband Jonathan and I wanted something short and sweet for our private wedding, and Donna knew exactly what we were looking for. We took her advice and werent disappointed! Everything was perfect, she took care if it all— we just showed up! We highly recommend :)
Ama Sent on 09/14/2020
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Welcoming you into marriage with open loving arms
Donna is simply the best. We are so thankful and grateful to her for her warmth, kindness and loving demeanor. When our wedding was postponed due to COVID she offered us a small elopement ceremony in her beautiful home. It was everything and more than we ever could have dreamed of. She truly encompasses everything you could want or need in a wedding officiant. I would get married 100x over just to have her preside over our love. Thank you Donna!
Donna Rose Gardner - Honey In The Heart Ceremonies's reply:
Thank you Ama! It was such a joy bringing you together in marriage. Love prevails even in this time! It was such a joy to pronounce you as husband and wife.
Dave Sent on 08/28/2020
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Incredible experience
On very short notice Donna put together an incredible wedding. She worked with us to include the wording we wanted in the ceremony, arranged for beautiful flowers and timed everything to coincide with sunset on the beach. Rebecca set up and took beautiful photos before, during, and after the ceremony encompassing the natural beauty of the beach and the amazing sunset. COVID19 changed our large beach wedding in Southern California to an intimate beach wedding in Northern California and we couldn’t have been happier with the result.
Emily Sent on 08/06/2020
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Unexpected Elopement
Donna ad Rebecca were simply amazing. They made us feel comfortable, helped us problem solve as things came up and were totally available and willing to talk. Our elopement was definitely unexpected but turned out to be the best day we could have imagined.
Donna Rose Gardner - Honey In The Heart Ceremonies's reply:
Thank you Emily! We loved being at the beach with you and Chris at the moment you became Mr. and Mrs. It was a true joy helping you do this.
Silvia Sent on 08/01/2020
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
The perfect choice for us
We had to plan our wedding in less than a week and she was not only flexible but understanding of our special situation.
The minute we talked to her on the phone, we knew she had something special: she was very proffesional, organized and most of all kind.
She was able to create a ceremony with all the spiritual elements that we asked for, and made it memorable.
We're gald we chose her and that she is now part of our story as a married couple.
Silvia & Patrick
Yoshie Sent on 07/27/2020
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Absolutely wonderful
We consulted Donna on an intimate ceremony just a couple weeks before the big day (and let's face it, we barely had any knowledge on how we were supposed to proceed), but she responded very fast, even gave us suggestions on the location, and guided us through the process! She was very sweet and kind, along with the photographer Rebecca. The day was just absolutely wonderful. Thank you again :)
Donna Rose Gardner - Honey In The Heart Ceremonies's reply:
Congrats Kaichi and Yoshie and thank you for your kind words! Check out our Instagram post about your wedding (Elope-Santa Cruz Monterey.Bay). You both filled our day with joy from being around your love and happiness
Jillian Sent on 07/21/2020
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Personal and professional!
From our first phone call, Donna was caring and compassionate and truly went out of her way to accommodate our daughter’s elopement on very short notice. She was prompt, professional, and personalized the ceremony in such a lovely way! Highly recommend!
Samantha Sent on 03/01/2020
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Absolutely delightful
I cannot be more glad to have chosen Donna for our special day. Her daughter Christa was our officiant and an absolute godsend and delight. She was so lovely and made our special day that much more. Thank you times a million for the love, support and communication. Meant the world to me and us. I'd recommend anyone who crosses my path to her.
Haylee Sent on 02/05/2020
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Pronominal
Donna was wonderful, easy to work with and accommodating. During the ceremony Donna was calming her voice was relaxing. She even provided me with a handkerchief when the tears started rolling. I highly recommend Donna.
Diana Sent on 12/10/2019
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Consultation and Communication
Donna has been absolutely incredible and flexible with me so far!
We had an amazing initial chat, her process with documentation and signing is so easy!
So far absolutely brilliant and removed so much additional stress from us!
I can’t wait to keep working with Donna!
Lara Sent on 12/04/2019
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Highly Recommend
Donna married my daughter this past July. She does an amazing job at getting to know the couple and truly personalizing the ceremony in a way that’s heartfelt and genuine.
Donna Rose Gardner - Honey In The Heart Ceremonies's reply:
Thank you so much for your kind words. I know what it is to be the Mother of the Bride. You were such a bright loving light for her and so gracious with welcoming in your new son-in-law!
Ashley Sent on 11/12/2019
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Donna is an absolute joy to work with!
Donna was a pleasure to work with from beginning to end. When we began to search for an officiant for our Pescadero wedding, we sent out a few inquiries to nearby officiants. Donna stood out right away as she responded quickly and reached out to us by phone. She left a very kind voice message, leaving us with a wonderful impression of her warm nature. As we worked with Donna to create the ceremony, she made the tasks straight forward, organized and even made it a little fun and romantic. The final draft of the ceremony was extraordinarily beautiful and intimate. The wedding ceremony went smooth and without a hitch. A moment we both felt very nervous for turned into a moment in front of our loved ones that felt so relaxed and full of love. She truly made us feel as though we were the only two people in the world at that moment. Our guests have made several comments since the wedding, complimenting the beautiful ceremony, and many stated it was one of the best ceremonies they have ever witnessed. We feel honored to have been married by such a warm and kind person. Thank you so much, Donna!
Donna Rose Gardner - Honey In The Heart Ceremonies's reply:
Thank you Ashley! Your kind words mean so much to me. I loved joining the two of you together in marriage.
Katie Sent on 11/04/2019
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Just brilliant!
Donna very kindly officiated our wedding on 10/27. We are an international couple with guests from all over America and Europe and Donna nailed it! She took both of our stories and personalities and prepared a beautiful outdoor ceremony for us. Communication is great and we were always able to reach out with questions and received prompt responses!
All of our family and friends commented on how beautiful the ceremony and wedding was. Highly recommend.
Jenna Sent on 10/29/2019
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Couldn't imagine anyone else!!
We have only good things to say about our experience with Donna! Ryan and I knew the moment we hung up from our first phone call that we made the perfect choice. She is the most warm and genuine person, with a very calming presence, which was perfect for us. She crafted a beautiful ceremony that included our mothers helping perform our hand-fasting. She even accommodated a very last minute request/edit without trouble. We received a lot of compliments about the wonderful, heartfelt ceremony. THANK YOU DONNA!!!
Donna Rose Gardner - Honey In The Heart Ceremonies's reply:
Thank you for your kind words! I loved joining the two of you together in marriage. What a beautiful day it was and I love the photos! Sending you lots of Honey in the Heart.
Olivia Sent on 10/26/2019
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Simply the best
Donna is simply the best! From the moment that we jumped on a call to see if she was a fit we knew it was instantly. She has such a great calming energy that really carries throughout the entire ceremony. Being a high anxiety person myself I was at such ease to have this around me. I cannot express how thankful we are that we were connected with her! If you use Donna you will not be disappointed!
Donna Rose Gardner - Honey In The Heart Ceremonies's reply:
Thank you so much Olivia. I loved helping you and Tanner. It was such an amazing day overlooking the ocean in Big Sur. Truly beautiful!
Jacqueline Sent on 10/25/2019
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Incredibly amazing!
We had such a wonderful experience the entire process and planning the perfect ceremony tailored for us with Donna and Christa! We had the pleasure of having Christa join us in marriage and she was perfect ! Donna and Christa are very warm hearted and kind and just made everything so easy for us. We are so happy we booked Honey in the Heart. They take time to get to know you and really listen to your ideas to help create a beautiful ceremony for us. We are overjoyed and very thankful for Donna and Christa.
Thank you Ladies, for being part of our big day.
Donna Rose Gardner - Honey In The Heart Ceremonies's reply:
Jacqueline, thank you from my heart. It was wonderful being able to be a part of your surprise ceremony! Christa loved being able to help the two of you cross the threshold into marriage at your "house warming" :-). Wishing the two of you Honey in the Heart for many years to come.
Brandon Sent on 10/04/2019
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Spoken from the heart
Donna was fantastic in helping us put together the ceremony we wanted for our wedding day! She made it personable and kept it light hearted when needed.
Donna Rose Gardner - Honey In The Heart Ceremonies's reply:
Brandon, your wedding was so much fun! I loved being able to bring my humor into it as it was such a fun loving gathering. It was also wonderful to have those moments of seriousness too. Thank you for your kind words.
Marsha Sent on 09/19/2019
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Exactly who I needed!
Donna is absolutely amazing! She really listens to you and makes sure she is giving you the wedding of your dreams. In addition, she takes the time to get to know you so she can also make your wedding personal and fun. I can't say enough praise about her she is extremely helpful!
Donna Rose Gardner - Honey In The Heart Ceremonies's reply:
Thank you Marsha! I loved being there for you and Nick. The love you share is inspiring. I wish you both lots of continued Honey in the Heart.
Liana Sent on 07/07/2019
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Great ceremony
Donna did a great job. She provided enough guidance while still customizing the ceremony to fit our personalities. Her delivery during the ceremony was amazing, we had several guests comment on how sweet it was. She was also very responsive and accommodating.
Donna Rose Gardner - Honey In The Heart Ceremonies's reply:
Liana and Tim,
Thank you for your kind words. What a joy it was to join you together in marriage! It was the perfect setting at Chateau Partage. I picture the two of you standing in front of those beautiful redwood trees saying your heartfelt vows to one another.
I wish you all the very best and lots of Honey in the Heart,
Donna
Teresa Sent on 11/04/2018
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professions, warm, caring, and she really talk from her heart.
Donna was very warm and understanding. It couldn’t been any better. We are very thankful for such a beautiful experience.
Josette Sent on 11/02/2018
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
We highly recommend Donna!
From start to finish Donna was amazing! We felt a connection with her the first time we met. She was very intuitive of our needs. She was so kind and helpful throughout the whole processes. Communication was easy. Her flexibility allowed us to be creative with our ceremony. It was like she could see what we were envisioning and then ran with it! So many guest told us that our ceremony was the most beautiful they had ever witnessed! Thank you Donna!
Donna Rose Gardner - Honey In The Heart Ceremonies's reply:
Josette - thank you for the kind review. I had such an great time getting to know both of you. You brought love, beauty and warmth to your ceremony that captured the hearts of everyone that attended! I was so honored to be a part of joining the two of you together in marriage!
Lauren Sent on 10/27/2018
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Donna created a magical ceremony for us in the heart of the Redwoods
We are so grateful and blessed to have found Donna Gardner when searching for the perfect officiant for our wedding ceremony. After discovering her on the WeddingWire and reading her reviews we knew she was special. We sent her a message via WeddingWire and she responded within 24 hours. We set up a phone call and once we had our phone interview with Donna it further confirmed that she was "the one" within the first few minutes of our phone chat. We knew she was the one to help create and lead our ceremony for our special day. Donna has this way about her that instantly puts one at ease and allows one to feel an immediate sense of calm and peace. Donna was super responsive to our emails. She sent us documents of sample vows, readings, and ceremony layouts which allowed us to not feel overwhelmed and rather find excitement with the whole process as it allowed us to be fully able and capable to create and carry out our vision from a great starting point. We met with her in person a couple months before the ceremony where we were able to finalize our vision for our special day. Meeting her was a magical event that I will always cherish in my memory. Sometimes we get caught up in the trivial details of wedding planning and sometimes forget the main purpose of what we were set out to do. We knew after meeting with Donna that she was our anchor for this whole day and we put trust in knowing that. The ceremony was everything and more that we had hoped for. Our family and friends to this day keep talking about how our ceremony helped to rekindle their love for themselves and each other. It is a vibration that is still being carried out in the ether. Thank you so much Donna for being a beacon of light. You truly have a gift to meet people where they are at and with your strong intuition and genuine real down-to-earth nature you are able to see the light in others and provide the space to let that light shine forth into the world. Thank you. So much love and respect, LOVE.
-Lauren & Julian
Donna Rose Gardner - Honey In The Heart Ceremonies's reply:
With the Redwood Trees forming a circle around us, we truly were in Nature's Cathedral. The love and intention that you brought into your ceremony created such a beautiful energetic where Love was present for all of us gathered together to celebrate the two of you.
Thank you for bringing me into your relationship and letting me help you move into deeper commitment with each other.
Bethany Sent on 10/08/2018
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
It was an amazing and unforgettable experience working with Donna. From first meeting Donna, my partner and I could really feel the warmth from her. It was obvious how much she enjoys the process of working with couples and developing a unique ceremony. Donna delivered an incredible ceremony and I had so many people tell me how much they enjoyed it and were truly touched by the message. Thanks Donna! -Bethany
Donna Rose Gardner - Honey In The Heart Ceremonies's reply:
Thank you Bethany! The light, joy and love that both of emanated throughout our planning process together was so inspiring for me. The day of your ceremony it all poured forward and was met with the same energy by those you invited to be your tribe as they stood as witnesses to your love.
Richard Sent on 10/01/2018
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
As soon as I talked to Donna I knew I was lucky to have her be part of my ceremony, she was more than professional, she was a sweet caring woman who I could tell was doing this more as a service to god than for a financial gain and that meant the world to me. On top of that, when my chairs weren’t delivered and sound set didn’t show up, I thought I might lose it but she was a friend to me and talked me through it. A lot of my friends and family complimented me on the things she said and how her words really made everybody feel like laughing and crying happy tears. She really brought it out in everyone and made the day special. I couldn’t have asked for more from an officiant. I also really liked how she gave me options on what we wanted her to say. It really made it easy and made it feel more personal. I’ll always remember Donna and be forever greatful for all she did for my husband and I.
Donna Rose Gardner - Honey In The Heart Ceremonies's reply:
Thank you so much for your kind review! It truly was a joy bringing you together as husband and wife, standing on the beach with your family and friends.
Jenna Sent on 09/18/2018
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Where do I even begin with Donna?! She is the most beautiful human being I have ever met. She wholeheartedly believes in love and because of that she is love. My husband and I met with her, in her cozy home, and we walked away knowing we had found the most perfect person to marry us. At first, we were uncomfortable with the idea of having someone who we didn't know marry us- thought it was a little impersonal- but then we met Donna. I felt as if I had always known her- I felt like she understood us as a couple and she truly does. She is so thoughtful, kind, and truly cares about creating something beautiful and unique. I will always continue to recommend her!!
Thank you, Donna, for your heart, your sweetness, and your warmth. Your energy will always be apart of us!
Sheila Sent on 09/04/2018
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Donna was so sweet. We met her in her home and really connected with her. She immediately recognized the uniqueness of our story and retold it beautifully at our ceremony. We wanted to bring a religious element to our outdoor wedding, and when we proposed having a Unity Cross, Donna was very enthusiastic. She was willing to incorporate it into our custom ceremony even though she was not yet familiar with what a Unity Cross was. She made our special day even more special with how she spoke so eloquently. We would highly recommend her! P.S. The honey from her hive is amazing!
Lauren Sent on 07/29/2018
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Donna was so helpful through the entire process of booking her for her services and deciding what would be said at the ceremony. She gave us a ceremony planning document that helped us customize what our ceremony would become and it was a wonderful ceremony! She even walked us through the process of applying for and receiving our marriage license. We appreciate all that Donna did for us on our special day!
Donna Rose Gardner - Honey In The Heart Ceremonies's reply:
Thank you Lauren and Matt! I was so happy to pronounce you husband and wife. I’m looking forward to seeing the photos. What a beautiful ceremony site overlooking the Monterey Bay at Monarch Cove.
Jen Sent on 05/04/2018
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
When it came to planning our wedding we didn’t really know how we wanted to plan out our ceremony. We found Donna on our preferred vendor list and after reading her reviews we sent her an email asking if we could meet with her. Donna invited us into her home, asked about our story and what we wanted from our wedding day. She showed interest in us and our relationship and answered all of our questions and made us feel so at ease in the planning process. Donna provided us with lots of guidance and multiple options for each part of the ceremony and encouraged us to customize it to fit us. It was so much easier than we expected to plan out our ceremony with her help. We found examples we liked and tailored it to fit us. Donna is so kind and loving and really does a great job listening and helping couples plan out their ceremony to fit them, you’re not just given standard stuffy outlines. There was a variety of options from traditional to much more unique. Our guests really liked her too! We are so happy we found Donna and were able to have her there as a part of our big day. She truly added a special touch to our ceremony and made sure we were calm and happy. If you’re looking for someone who is kind, calming and passionate about their work, look no further. Reach out and connect with Donna. So happy we were able to work her. Thank you so much Donna!
+4photos
Katt Sent on 04/27/2018
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
I had an incredible experience with Donna for my wedding. From the beginning it was important for her to take time with my husband and I to get a feel for our personalities and familial backgrounds. We opted for a Celtic influenced ceremony with hand fasting and also did a ring exchange. Donna was responsive and flexible; She also provided a lot of resources for us to use in determining what we wanted in our ceremony. It was wonderful to have both sides of our families to be included, and the readings and our love story were beautiful. Neither of us felt awkward or pressured in any way which was great because we aren’t used to being center of attention! We got lots of compliments on our beautiful ceremony. What a wonderful way to be truely blessed and honored as we start our new lives as husband and wife. I assure you Donna will give you a personal experience you wont find elsewhere! She has a history in event planning and is able to help you tie together any loose knots in your vision.
Randi Sent on 04/26/2018
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
What amazing souls Donna and Christa are! They were so welcoming and kind from the first moment we communicated at their beehive! We were so comfortable with Christa while we were being joined as husband and wife. Donna definitely made the words so beautiful and heartfelt for our ceremony. We had so many options with what could be said, and if we ever had any questions their rapid responses were greatly appreciated. Although we will never need their services again, we will forever remember their part in our BEEautiful love story!
Christy Sent on 01/20/2018
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
I cannot say enough about this wonderful woman. She was the lady I needed to marry us from the first minute I met her. Thank you so much for listening to us and sharing our day. You are truly a lovely soul
Emily Sent on 01/15/2018
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Donna was fantastic! She was super accommodating with what we needed and wanted for our wedding. She took the time to get to know us to write a personalized ceremony. I am very religious but my husband is not and we were having a hard time agreeing on an officiant. Donna was able to fulfill both of our wants in an officiant and it felt like we were getting married by an old friend rather than some one that we had only known for months. She thought of little details too, such as a handkerchief to dry tears.
Nathan Sent on 02/16/2017
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Donna was absolutely AMAZING! She made my partner and I feel extremely comfortable from the very first phone call. She is SO supportive and loving to the LGBT community, which was really important to us. We truly feel she helped to make our day even more magical and special. We are so thankful to her, for this. Thank you, Donna - from the bottom of our hearts. -Nate & Jared
Gaston Sent on 02/14/2017
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
It was real honey in the heart, thanks Donna!!! We will never forget you! =)
Laura Sent on 01/27/2017
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
I spoke to a few officiants on the phone before asking one to be ours, and Donna was the first who we just clicked with. She worked with my husband and I come to up with a custom ceremony that was meaningful, funny, and reflected our relationship. I am more of a hippy and he is more traditional, and what Donna came up with for us was perfect. Donna and her husband Tom drove down to Big Sur in a rainstorm and waited for us to get ready. There were buckets of rain and gusting winds, but we really wanted to get married on the beach as planned. Donna was amazing. She and Tom put on their rain coats and smiles and helped us caravan to the beach. We got to our ceremony site, and despite the monsoon going on around us, Donna locked in and gave the most beautiful wedding ceremony (I know, I'm biased but it was great) while the waves crashed behind her. Tom helped wrangle tourists away and had umbrellas waiting for us (and our lovely photographers Allison Bird and Josh!) to walk us all back to the car. They stayed with us for dinner and glass of bourbon by the fire while we signed our wedding license. It was the most magical day.
Thank you, Donna and Tom, for being an integral part to our wedding day and our start as a married couple.
Angela Sent on 01/01/2017
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Donna did an amazing job officiating our wedding in September. From our first conversation with her, my husband and I knew that she was the perfect match for us. She is very accessible and easy to get in contact with. Our wedding ceremony was personalized and had so much meaning to us. She has a very calming and gentle presence. Donna was an absolute pleasure to work with throughout our wedding planning process. Choosing Donna as our officiant was one of the best decisions that we've made. We highly recommend Donna. :)
Susanna Sent on 12/24/2016
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Donna is an amazing officiant. She really took the time to get to know us before the big day and made our ceremony super special. She incorporated our different traditions beautifully and seamlessly. Everyone was touched by her words and delivery. Honestly the ceremony was my favorite part of the whole day including the reception. I would definitely recommend Donna to everyone I know.
Donna Rose Gardner - Honey In The Heart Ceremonies's reply:
Thank you for your kind words Susanna!
Whitney Sent on 12/21/2016
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Donna did an amazing job! She was so helpful with coordinating the ceremony and timeline. She was a very joyous and calming presence on what turned out to be a perfect day. We would highly recommend her!!
Donna Rose Gardner - Honey In The Heart Ceremonies's reply:
Thank you so much for your kind words! I wish you both the very best in the New Year.
Mary Sent on 12/12/2016
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
If you want the most amazing, heartfelt and lovely ceremony, choose Rev. Donna -- our family is so inspired by her ideas and the way she each works with each of us. Donna pays close attention to our conversations and adds meaningful details and suggestions so that the upcoming ceremony and wedding will have personalized touches, that reflect the personality of us all -- She is professional, knowledgeable, well connected, stays on budget and is a delight!
Donna Rose Gardner - Honey In The Heart Ceremonies's reply:
It was truly a delight to be able to help you cross this important threshold with your combined family and bring everyone into the circle together. Sometimes my experience as a planner allows me to extend my self a little farther than that of officiant and I'm so happy that my ideas and suggestions helped to create a day that will always be remembered with joy and love. Thank you for your kind words.
Jessica Sent on 05/15/2016
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Donna was fantastic! We eloped to Santa Cruz from Arkansas, so never had the chance to meet her face-to-face before the ceremony, but she was very responsive by email and phone, provided resources to help us put together our ceremony/vows, and provided us much appreciated advice on locations in Santa Cruz. On the day of our ceremony, she was kind and warm and definitely made our ceremony special. I absolutely recommend Donna!
Mia Sent on 01/03/2016
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Donna was our officiant for our ceremony last summer, and there are not enough words to express how amazing our ceremony turned out because of her. We love Donna. We were looking for someone who could really tell our story of how we met and grew as a couple in a deep but lighthearted way. She nailed it! Not only did she do that, but we really felt connected to Donna at the ceremony and we could tell she really cared about us as a couple. Our friends and family at the ceremony said the same, and they all were crying and laughing throughout it. Her ceremony really incited a great mix of emotions.
Before the wedding, Donna met with us and spent time getting to know us (our families, our hopes and dreams, how we met, and how we grew to love each other). It was personal and the time she spent doing that really reflected in the ceremony. She also was present at our wedding rehearsal.
If you are in the need of an officiant, Donna is THE person who can make your ceremony everything you want it to be and more. Trust me.
Jose Sent on 12/27/2015
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Very understanding l, easy to talk to. Affordable, dependable. Strongly recommend to future couples.
Cheryl Sent on 12/22/2015
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
From the moment we meet with Donna we loved her! She is so sweet, gentle, and loving. She was wonderful to work with from start to finish. It is obvious she has a passion for what she does. Amazing!!
William Sent on 12/22/2015
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Donna was excellent throughout the entire event. From a planning petspective, she made us at ease. I really appreciated how she took us through the many options.
On the big day, she was so good-- made our guests at ease, made us calmer and it all went off very well.
Donna is awesome and highly recommend her.
Kimberly Sent on 08/01/2015
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
We felt like Donna was family. On our first phone interview her voice had joy and warmth in it... and that definitely carried over at our wedding. Donna's down to earth, loving, vows set the tone and brought our guests into a loving day. We wanted to write our own vows, which seemed terrifying, but after Donna's worksheet, we ended up with personal, complimentary vows to exchange. My wife and I would definitely recommend Donna!!
Donna Rose Gardner - Honey In The Heart Ceremonies's reply:
Thank you for your kind words. It was truly a joy to help you both step over the threshold into becoming married! The opportunity to meet your children and have them be such an important part of the day was really sweet. I wish you years of increasing love and happiness together.
Cara Sent on 05/27/2015
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
We were referred to Donna through a family friend, and could not have been happier with our choice to work with her!! Donna was absolutely wonderful, full of helpful advice, and was easy to communicate with despite the fact that we live in Denver. Our rehearsal ended up clashing with another ceremony last minute, and as promised, Donna was proactive in finding a fantastic 'stand-in' that walked us through the ceremony. We highly recommend asking Donna to be your officiant, you will not be disappointed!! She truly knows how to bring magic to your wedding ceremony
Robyn Sent on 04/01/2015
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Donna was amazing. She sat down and really got to know us. Her words were so beautiful and she was a big help on us writing our own vows. She was a perfect fit to our wedding.
Ayella Sent on 12/10/2014
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
My husband and I could not have asked for a better officiant to marry us. Donna went above and beyond to keep in touch with us throughout the entire process, sending us ideas and rough drafts, and making changes whenever we requested them. She also welcomed us into her home more than once to go over everything and was patient with the changes we made! She was so wonderful to work with and really made our ceremony beautiful. I would recommend her to anyone looking for an officiant for their upcoming wedding. Donna was amazing. She even sent us our ceremony in a little booklet with some very cute little gifts after the wedding. She is so thoughtful! Go with Donna, you will not regret it!
Jared Sent on 12/10/2014
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Donna was great, she really took the time to understand us and what we wanted. We highly recommend her.
Joel Sent on 12/09/2014
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Donna did an absolutely amazing job of officiating our wedding and we would recommend her to anyone without hesitation. Weddings can be stressful for the bride and groom but she has a calming and loving way about her that makes you feel like your in good hands and everything is going to work out great...and it did! She gave us a variety of options and ideas for our ceremony and we were able to pick and choose what felt right to us. We received several compliments about her during the reception. 6 stars!
Kate Sent on 12/09/2014
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
My name is Kate & Donna from Honey in the Heart married Ralph & I on Thanksgiving Day. I can hardly describe the way the whole event went, it was sooo lovely. For the ceremony, Donna chose opening words that were beautiful, loving & real for us. She brought calm to our nervousness & hankies for my tears! I am still amazed at the perfection Donna brought for our special day...it was all about us but it was her patience & gentle, loving presence guiding us through the planning & the actual ceremony that really made it what it was...absolutely perfect. We are thrilled at the memories Donna helped us create that day & I cannot even imagine anyone else providing to us what Donna. Thank you Donna!!
Nancy Sent on 12/09/2014
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Donna is warm, caring, and responsive to her clients needs. She listens, encourages, and makes suggestions when needed. Our renewal of vows ceremony and celebration was all we hoped for and more. I highly recommend her.
Donna Rose Gardner - Honey In The Heart Ceremonies's reply:
Thank you Nancy. Your vow renewal was so special. Fifty years together is beautiful. Everyone in your family was swept up in the moment and transported with love back to the day that you and Tom first were married.
Nathan Sent on 12/09/2014
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Donna Rose Gardner is a rare mix of consummate professional and warm, caring spiritual advisor. Her service was personal, sweet, and poignant. She gave such a sense of sacred space to the proceedings without dipping into the maudlin or overly contrived. I would recommend her for any and every ceremony without reservation.
Donna Rose Gardner - Honey In The Heart Ceremonies's reply:
Thank you for your kind words Nathan. Your marriage to Jon deeply touched me and will stay in my heart for years to come!
User1961076 Sent on 12/09/2014
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Donna provided tons of help for our vows and for our ceremony's structure. I would highly recommend her. She was really nice and easy to work with, and also quick to respond to any questions we had.
Donna Rose Gardner - Honey In The Heart Ceremonies's reply:
Please send me an email so I know who sent in this review and I can thank you for your kind words!
Lianna Sent on 08/17/2014
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
I highly recommend Donna, she is amazing! She was so relaxed and helpful during the whole process. She continued to answer all of my questions and made any changes that I asked for. Donna is clearly passionate about what she does and it shows in every part of the process. Due to budget, we chose the pre-written ceremony; we were able to pick and choose parts from different options to create our own ceremony. It was a beautiful ceremony and I am glad that we chose Donna to be a part of it. Thanks Donna! :-)
Kerri Sent on 07/19/2014
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
I can't picture having our special day without Donna! She is truly an amazing person and it was a pleasure getting to know her. I feel very lucky to have found her!
Linda Sent on 06/27/2014
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
We had a wonderful experience with Donna officiating our wedding. We had our first meeting at her home in Santa Cruz. She was very warm and inviting and we felt comfortable with her right away. She provided lovely vows and ceremony talking points for us to choose from. She was also willing to help us write our own vows. She is very responsive and helpful. She arrived on time and helped facilitate the ceremony. We were unable to mic her for the ceremony due to wind but her voice was able to project nicely. She is very sincere and did a beautiful job. She made it easy for us. Donna is a good soul. I highly recommend her services.
Angela Sent on 01/06/2014
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Donna was absolutely lovely to get to know throughout our wedding planning. She was open-minded to ceremony ideas and provided a lot of great insight and inspiration. It's apparent she's very passionate and spiritual, and it was an honor to have her conduct the ceremony of our marriage.
Jeannie Sent on 12/26/2013
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
We were so happy with Donna's ceremony. It was perfectly suited to what we wanted for our wedding. We are both grateful that she traveled out to the beach that we wanted to be married on. Her words and demeanor were a perfect addition to such a beautiful day. She even gave us a sweet little gift.
Ronni Sent on 12/16/2013
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
We are so lucky we found Donna! Ten days before our intimate beach wedding, our friend who was going to officiate got cold feet! We don't live near Santa Cruz, so we spoke to Donna on the phone and exchanged emails to plan the ceremony. Once we got to town, she graciously met with us over coffee, we got to tell her our love story and fine tune the ceremony. With her warm welcome and calming energy, we felt like we had already met before. Our wedding was beautiful, Donna helped make our day perfect! Thank you Donna!
Donna Rose Gardner - Honey In The Heart Ceremonies's reply:
Thank you for the glowing review. It truly was an honor for me to be able to meet both of you and perform your ceremony! What a beautiful day it was.
Roxanne Sent on 10/21/2013
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
We had the pleasure of having Donna Gardner officiate our ceremony. She was very helpful during the entire process. It was both of our second marriages and I was bringing children into the marriage. We wanted the children included so Donna gave us a few excellent ideas that worked. She was very patient with us as we went through the process of choosing our verbiage. The best part was that she had the vows and ceremony verbiage printed out for us in a booklet. What a great gift! We loved it. I would reccomend Donna's services to anyone. She is very friendly and great to work with.
Jason Sent on 10/04/2013
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Donna was great. She brought a contagious warmth to our ceremony that emphasized who we are and what we wanted our wedding to convey in the perfect way. She worked wonderfully with us when we were picky and had the utmost patience when we were too busy to get our homework in on time. She was prepared, flexible, understanding but above all else I would have to say it was her outlook and positive energy that was most important to us.
Thanks Donna, you're the best!
Donna Rose Gardner - Honey In The Heart Ceremonies's reply:
Thank you Jason! I really came from my heart and wanted your wedding ceremony to reflect the love that you and Cassie share. And to have a little of the humor in the ceremony that the two of you bring out in each other too! What a joy it was for me to help you cross the threshold into becoming husband and wife!
Jutta Sent on 10/03/2013
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Donna Gardner of Honey in the Heart Ceremonies prepared a highly personalized ceremony text for the couple, officiating with warmth and charm, engaging the congregation and creating a unique atmosphere of "togetherness" for the couple and their family and friends.
I wholeheartedly recommend Donna as an officiant!
Donna Rose Gardner - Honey In The Heart Ceremonies's reply:
Thank you Jutta. Your kind words mean the world to me and I so appreciate you sharing them. I hope to have the opportunity of being on the "A" team with you overseeing a wedding again in the near future!
Jessica Sent on 08/18/2013
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Donna was absolutely wonderful to work with, I couldn't have asked for anything more from her. When I originally set out to find an officiant, I thought this would be the least exciting part of my wedding planning, as I naively figured that the vows and ceremony were just this standard, boring part of our wedding that you just have to sit through. All I knew was that I wanted our ceremony to be nondenominational and my husband and I did not want to write our own vows. After speaking with Donna, I soon realized how personal, fun and interesting she could help us make the ceremony without our having to write our own vows. Donna has many different selections to choose from for the various parts of the ceremony, from the opening words, through the vows, the ring exchange, etc. We were able to pick the perfect ceremony from the choices she provided us. She also hosted an intimate meeting between my husband and I where we shared our love story with her. She was able to incorporate our love story into our ceremony, and helped us share our journey with our loved ones (some of the stories were new even to them!). Everyone at our wedding took the time to tell us how much they enjoyed Donna, the ceremony, and our love story. Donna is so easy to work with, so sweet and real, and has just the perfect personality for this line of work. She connected so well with us, and my husband and I were so very happy to have had Donna help to make our wedding as special as it was. She rocks!
Donna Rose Gardner - Honey In The Heart Ceremonies's reply:
I miss the two of you. Everytime I hear White Sands your wedding comes to my minds eye and settles with joy in my heart. I am so appreciative of the time we spent bonding over your ceremony. I have so much gratitude for your kind words and I wish both of you lots of Honey In The Heart!!
Sarah Sent on 08/02/2013
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Donna is a genuine officiant who loves what she does. She put a lot of time and effort into tailoring our ceremony to bring together our personalities and share it with our friends and family. She is flexible and responsive through emails, by phone, meeting in person or skype. We cannot describe how valuable her services were to us and how special she made our wedding day. It was the best part of our day and hearing from all our different guests how touched they were by the ceremony and how they loved hearing our letters... it just makes it that much sweeter.
Donna Rose Gardner - Honey In The Heart Ceremonies's reply:
Sarah, your love letters to one another are to be treasured. What a beautiful day overlooking Monterey Bay. And, it was truly and honor to marry the two of you. Lots of Honey In The Heart was present by everyone who attended!
Lauren Sent on 07/17/2013
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Donna did an amazing job! We did not want to write our own vows, but still have a ceremony that reflected us. Donna helped us put together a great ceremony, and was extremely helpful and supportive through the whole process. I highly recommend her!
Donna Rose Gardner - Honey In The Heart Ceremonies's reply:
Lauren, when I saw you walking down the aisle my breath almost was taken away. What a beautiful site to see you coming to your beloved! Thank you, thank you, thank you for giving me the opportunity to get to know both of you. I'm so happy that the vintage handercheif that I brought came into such good use! Sacred and most loving tears were shed.
Jennifer Sent on 06/03/2013
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
My husband and I are convinced that Donna was put on this earth to marry us. I originally found Donna through our venues officiant recommendation list. We emailed back and forth a bit, but we didn't want to commit until we were able to meet in person. After meeting her we knew that she was the one to help guide us into the next chapter of our lives. We corresponded with Donna over the next few months via email, phone, and Skype and truly created a ceremony that was tailor made for us. Donna was so genuine and caring and eager to make sure that we were comfortable throughout every aspect of this process. My husband and I honestly had input on every word spoken during our ceremony. Even today, our guests keep telling us how "US" the ceremony was! We feel that the most important part of a wedding is the ceremony and we can't thank Donna enough for making this part so magical for us. We are so blessed and are truly grateful for all of the love we received from her. We not only gained a spouse during this process, but a friend. Much Amor * Aloha * Love
Donna Rose Gardner - Honey In The Heart Ceremonies's reply:
Jennifer and Jamie - thank you so much for your kind words. I am so happy and that we met. And I'm deeply honored to be the one that helped you cross the threshold into being husband and wife.
Mahalo - Donna
Michelle Sent on 01/30/2013
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Donna was amazing! She was professional, flexible and added that something special to our ceremony. She has a huge heart and free spirit, and we connected with her immediately. Anyone would be lucky to have her perform thier wedding ceremony :).
User1967744 Sent on 12/13/2014
4.9 out of 5 rating
4.9
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
4.5 out of 5 rating
4.5
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Donna was wonderful for our wedding. She helped us with custom vows and a custom ceremony, and guided us through the process of designing them. We got lots of compliments from people who said that the ceremony fit us really well and seemed truly heartfelt.
Neither of us are particularly religious, and Donna was wonderful at finding ways to give us the sense of tradition and ritual to our wedding without needing to draw on any particular religious background.
Michelle Sent on 02/06/2013
4.9 out of 5 rating
4.9
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
4.5 out of 5 rating
4.5
We felt so lucky to find Donna as our wedding officiant. She was very good at helping us create the perfect ceremony. We needed some guidance of and ideas and she did a wonderful job helping us find what felt right for our day. Donna made the ceremony personal and included everyone which was just perfect. Donna has a wonderful spiritual presence and great love for what she does. She is nothing short of a gem!
Lauren Sent on 09/13/2023
4.8 out of 5 rating
4.8
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Flexibility
4 out of 5 rating
4.0
Amazing! Highly recommend
Ellen served as our officiant in Big Sur, and we couldn't have asked for a better person to lead our ceremony. From the moment we met her, it was clear that she was dedicated to making our day special.
Ellen took the time to get to know us as a couple, and it showed in the ceremony she crafted. Her words were heartfelt and personal, capturing the essence of our relationship beautifully. She struck the perfect balance between sincerity and lightheartedness, making our guests feel engaged and connected throughout.
Her calming presence was a welcome addition to our wedding day. She ensured that everything ran smoothly, from the rehearsal to the ceremony itself. Ellen's professionalism and attention to detail put us at ease, allowing us to fully enjoy the moment.
We are grateful to Ellen for making our Big Sur wedding unforgettable. She played a crucial role in creating the intimate and meaningful experience we had dreamed of. If you're looking for an officiant who genuinely cares and excels at crafting unique ceremonies, Ellen is the perfect choice.
Caitlin Sent on 12/09/2014
4.7 out of 5 rating
4.7
Quality of service
4.5 out of 5 rating
4.5
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
4 out of 5 rating
4.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Donna has such a sweet heart (must be all the honey). She gave suggestions and helped us organize and plan our ceremony which was very helpful since neither of us really had any clue how a wedding should go. She also had many prompts and examples to help us write unique and personal vows. Donna is so gentle, calm and easy to work with, she felt more like a friend than someone we hired. I would certainly work with her again and am so happy she was a part of our special day.
User1505060 Sent on 01/12/2014
4.6 out of 5 rating
4.6
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
4 out of 5 rating
4.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
4 out of 5 rating
4.0
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Donna was a great officiant, we loved her words that we customized to our siituation! She is very professional and flexible, and provided a beautiful print copy of the ceremony. Heartily recommend!
User1962068 Sent on 12/10/2014
4.4 out of 5 rating
4.4
Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Average response time
4 out of 5 rating
4.0
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Value
4 out of 5 rating
4.0
Flexibility
4 out of 5 rating
4.0
Donna was a wonderful officiant. She is so open and so welcoming. When you are planning a wedding it is so hard sometimes to see the big picture. Donna helped us keep in mind that this event was about us and reminded us about the emotional and spiritual aspect of the ceremony.
On a more practical level, she made outstanding suggestions to help us set the agenda and involve our friends and family in the ceremony. She was very responsive to all our inquiries and had numerous examples for us to use to structure the ceremony to our liking.
It was an absolute joy working with her. Nothing ever went wrong.
Are you interested?
Photo gallery
Donna Rose Gardner - Honey In The Heart Ceremonies
User1962068 Sent on 12/10/2014Donna was a wonderful officiant. She is so open and so welcoming. When you are planning a wedding it is so hard sometimes to see the big picture. Donna helped us keep in mind that this event was about us and reminded us about the emotional and spiritual aspect of the ceremony.
