Meet Valarie Manning as The ATL Wedding Officiant

Today we’d like to introduce you to Valarie Manning.

Hi Valarie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I had been interested in officiating for quite some time, but was nervous about attempting it. Speaking in front of all of those people! Two events occurred in the Fall of 2018 that gave me the courage to jump in. I lost my only sister in October of 2018 and I couldn’t allow her memorial service happen without speaking about all the good things that she was responsible for during her lifetime. Speaking in front of that large group of people was effortless. It gave me confidence. My daughter’s wedding came a month later. Being in that happy environment gave me the final push that I needed to begin officiating. It was a little slow out of the gate, but over the past seven years, I’ve built a business that I love!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Growth started out a bit slow, but steady. I have no complaints. I love what I do! I love helping couples turn their wedding dreams into realities!

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I am a professional Wedding Officiant and ordained, nondenominational minister, I offer Christian, interfaith, and non-religious wedding officiating services for weddings of all sizes for all couples. No matter your vision…from the formal, traditional to whimsical and fun, I can help turn your wedding dream into reality!

I am dedicated to crafting one-of-a-kind, custom ceremonies tailored to the unique personalities of each couple. During the planning process, I am happy to provide guidance with vow writing, as well as incorporating new and old traditions into the ceremony to make it uniquely yours. I easily accommodate special requests such as hand fasting, sand jar ceremonies, unity shots, and much more into your ceremony. This is YOUR wedding! I want it to be your vision!

In addition to officiating full weddings, I provide legal license signings, officiate elopements, micro-weddings, and vow renewals.

I am proud to say that approximately 50% of my couples are members of the LGBTQIA+ community. I believe that every couple has the right to live the way that they want and have the wedding of their dreams without interference.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I moved from Huntsville, AL to College Park at the age of ten when my dad accepted a position as a radar specialist at Hartsfield (Now Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport). I have always loved Atlanta. As an adult, I grew to love it even more for its diversity, variety of options in higher education, and the Arts. Oh, and The Varsity! 😁

The thing that disturbs me about the city is the increase in crime. When I was a student at Georgia State, I rode MARTA from Lindbergh Station, near my apartment, to Five Points Station and walked to campus every day with no worries. I no longer live in town, but the stories on the news make me believe that people aren’t as safe as they used to be.

Pricing:

• Elopements from $150.
• Weddings from $350. Travel fee may apply.
• More detailed pricing info on IWedGA.com.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://IWedGA.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/iwedga/
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/TheATLWeddingOfficiant/ and https://facebook.com/TheLGBTWeddingOfficiant/

Image Credits
All of the submitted photos I own and were taken with my iPhone.