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About

On WeddingWire since 2014

Gwen helps fun couples have an exciting and entertaining ceremony by engaging their guests and telling their love story so they feel thrilled and proud of the experience of an unboring wedding.

Gwen will customize every element of your ceremony with your collaboration, assist you with the traditional elements you'd like to include, write your love story, ask members of your family and friends for their input, and tell it the way it happened to the delight of everyone in attendance. You and your guests will remember feeling riveted, engaged, and moved by your wedding ceremony for years to come.

Gwen serves many religious affiliations as well as non-religious, interfaith, spiritual-but-not-religious, and LGBTQ+ couples. Her process includes a no-obligation consultation, 1-hour ceremony planning session, unlimited script revisions, an open editing process, continuous communication via phone/email, complete rehearsal, travel fees, legal filing of your marriage license in North Carolina, a backup officiant (just in case), and a guarantee that you'll absolutely love your ceremony.

Besides performing custom ceremonies at large venues, Gwen also performs simple license signing and romantic elopement ceremonies at her Holly Springs location, and micro wedding ceremonies at parks, backyards, and restaurants.

  • Woman-owned

Frequently asked questions

Which of the following are included in the price?

Ceremony Rehearsal

What is the starting price for your wedding services?

$100

Does starting price include the ceremony rehearsal?

No

What is the starting price for ceremony rehearsals?

$100

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

Non-religious
Interfaith
Ceremony Rehearsal
Vow Renewal
Civil Union

What religious affiliations do you serve?

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

On average, how long are wedding ceremonies you officiate?

Less than 30 mins.

In which states are you licensed?

NC

What languages do you speak?

English
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Reviews of Gwen Downs, Wedding Celebrant

4.9 out of 5 rating
4.9 out of 5 rating
89 Reviews
98% recommend it
  • Quality of service
    4.9 out of 5 rating
  • Average response time
    4.9 out of 5 rating
  • Professionalism
    4.9 out of 5 rating
  • Value
    4.9 out of 5 rating
  • Flexibility
    4.9 out of 5 rating
This AI-generated summary gives you a snapshot of the overall ratings and feedback from the reviews this vendor has received.

Review summary

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Gwen is highly recommended as a wedding officiant by multiple reviewers. She is described as professional, pleasant, and knowledgeable. Reviewers appreciated her guidance in crafting personalized ceremonies and the delivery of a unique love story during the ceremony. Gwen is praised for being responsive, accommodating, and easy to work with. Her attention to detail, organization, and expertise contribute to a smooth and perfect wedding day experience. Overall, reviewers highly recommend Gwen for her professionalism, personalization, and exceptional officiating skills.

Review summary

Powered by AI
This AI-generated summary gives you a snapshot of the overall ratings and feedback from the reviews this vendor has received.

Gwen is highly recommended as a wedding officiant by multiple reviewers. She is described as professional, pleasant, and knowledgeable. Reviewers appreciated her guidance in crafting personalized ceremonies and the delivery of a unique love story during the ceremony. Gwen is praised for being responsive, accommodating, and easy to work with. Her attention to detail, organization, and expertise contribute to a smooth and perfect wedding day experience. Overall, reviewers highly recommend Gwen for her professionalism, personalization, and exceptional officiating skills.

Abigail
Abigail J. Sent on 01/02/2020
5 out of 5 rating

Beautiful ceremony and so easy to work with

We are not really sentimental or attention-loving people so we were nervous about figuring out our ceremony, but Gwen made every step of the process very easy and painless. She worked with us on all the logistics and content of our ceremony, and surveyed our friends and family to write a "love story" to tell at our ceremony, which many of our guests say they really enjoyed. She also did announcements, cued the DJ, and organized our marriage license signing. She is extremely flexible and organized (spreadsheets and google docs!) and we didn't have to do much at all, just a quick questionnaire and a meeting or two! She did a great job running our rehearsal and was familiar with the venue. She was respectful of all of our preferences and we were really happy with the result. She is a very kind, down-to-earth person and it was a pleasure to work with her.
J
Joshua T. Sent on 01/03/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Sensational

Wonderful wedding officiant. Exactly what we were looking for. Professional and pleasant.
Christian
Christian Sent on 11/06/2023
5 out of 5 rating

Incredible!

Gwen was absolutely fantastic and the ceremony she facilitated for our wedding was beautiful! Not to mention all the support and guidance she provided in preparation. My wife and I could not be more pleased. Highly recommend!
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Awards

89
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2023 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2022 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2021 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2020 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2019 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2018 Winner

Professional Network & Endorsements

1 Endorsement
Capital Region Ceremonies Capital Region Ceremonies Wedding Officiants

Gwen brings the premier experience for couples in the North Carolina area. Her higher level of education, as a Life Cycle Celebrant, has her focus on your needs and wants in the service. A wonderful and well spoken Officiant, Gwen has the experience and charm to enhance your day.

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