Hartwell, Georgia · Serving GA & SC

Your ceremony should feel like you.

Personal, meaningful wedding ceremonies throughout Northeast Georgia and Upstate South Carolina.

Whether you're planning a traditional Christian wedding, an intimate ceremony, or something uniquely yours, I'll help create a ceremony that's meaningful, natural, and stress-free.

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Pastor · Officiant · Hartwell local

A steady presence for a meaningful moment

Meet Derrick

I'm Derrick Brown, a pastor and wedding officiant based in Hartwell, Georgia.

I've spent years speaking, leading, counseling, and walking alongside people through some of life's most meaningful moments. One of my favorite opportunities is helping couples celebrate the beginning of their marriage.

I believe your wedding ceremony should feel personal, genuine, and true to who you are—not like something pulled from a generic script.

Whether you're planning a traditional Christian ceremony, something simple and intimate, or a personalized wedding built around your story, I'll help you create a ceremony that feels natural, meaningful, and memorable.

My goal is simple: make the ceremony one less thing you have to stress about.

I'll communicate clearly, help guide you through the process, show up prepared, and make sure you know exactly what to expect when the big day arrives. I'd be honored to be part of your wedding day.

Straightforward from the start

Simple Packages.
Meaningful Ceremonies.

Every wedding is different, but planning your ceremony shouldn't be complicated. Choose the option that best fits your day.

The Simple Ceremony

$150

Perfect for elopements, intimate weddings, or couples wanting a simple and meaningful ceremony.

  • ✓ One planning conversation
  • ✓ A professionally prepared ceremony
  • ✓ Wedding officiating
  • ✓ Travel within 30 miles of Hartwell, Georgia
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The Personalized Ceremony

$300

For couples who want a ceremony that feels personal, meaningful, and uniquely theirs.

  • ✓ Personal planning meeting
  • ✓ Fully personalized ceremony
  • ✓ The couple's story incorporated into the ceremony
  • ✓ Help with wedding vows, if desired
  • ✓ Attendance at the wedding rehearsal
  • ✓ Wedding officiating
  • ✓ Travel within 30 miles of Hartwell, Georgia
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The Marriage Experience

$500

More than preparation for a wedding day—preparation for the marriage that follows.

  • ✓ Everything in the Personalized Ceremony
  • ✓ Three premarital counseling sessions
  • ✓ Travel included within 75 miles of Hartwell, Georgia
  • ✓ Personalized ceremony planning questionnaire
  • ✓ Vow-writing guidance and review
  • ✓ Complimentary marriage check-in 3–6 months after the wedding
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Additional services

Support Beyond the Ceremony

Premarital Counseling $150

You don't have to book me as your officiant to prepare for your marriage together.

Three warm, practical conversations designed to help you talk intentionally about communication, conflict, expectations, marriage and partnership, family and relationships, faith and values, and building a healthy foundation for marriage.

Premarital counseling may be booked on its own or added to The Simple Ceremony or The Personalized Ceremony for $150. It is already included in The Marriage Experience.

Marriage Check-In $50

A relaxed pastoral conversation approximately 3–6 months after your wedding—a chance to celebrate what's going well and talk through areas where encouragement or intentional conversation may help.

Add it to The Simple Ceremony or The Personalized Ceremony for $50. It is included at no additional cost in The Marriage Experience.

What to expect

Your ceremony shouldn't be another thing to stress about.

No awkward generic scripts. No wondering what happens next. We'll talk through what you want, I'll prepare the ceremony, and you'll know exactly what to expect.

01

Reach Out

Tell me your wedding date, location, and a little about your plans.

02

Let's Talk

We'll have a quick conversation to make sure we're a good fit.

03

Make It Official

A $100 retainer reserves your date and goes toward your package.

04

Get Married

I'll arrive prepared and help make your ceremony smooth and memorable.

Meaningful moments, thoughtfully led

Ceremonies That Feel Like You

From quiet, intimate vows to joyful outdoor celebrations, every ceremony is prepared with care for the couple at the center of it.

Newly married couple celebrating after their outdoor ceremony
Derrick officiating a couple's wedding vows
Outdoor wedding ceremony beneath the Georgia pines
Derrick leading an intimate wedding ceremony
Real stories, coming soon

Kind Words From Couples

“Testimonial placeholder — replace this with a real couple's words after your first weddings.”Couple name · Venue
“Testimonial placeholder — replace this with a real couple's words after your first weddings.”Couple name · Venue
“Testimonial placeholder — replace this with a real couple's words after your first weddings.”Couple name · Venue
Based in Hartwell, Georgia

Serving Northeast Georgia & Upstate South Carolina

Available for weddings in Hartwell, around Lake Hartwell, Lavonia, Royston, Elberton, Athens, Anderson, Clemson, and throughout Northeast Georgia and Upstate South Carolina. Planning somewhere else? Additional travel may be available.

Let's Talk About Your Wedding
HartwellLavoniaRoystonAthensAndersonClemsonElbertonAnd beyond
Support for the marriage that follows

Post-Marital Counseling

$50 per session
Derrick Brown offering approachable pastoral marriage support

Marriage deserves care beyond the wedding day.

These relaxed, pastoral conversations give married couples an intentional space to reconnect, communicate honestly, work through challenges, and strengthen the relationship they are building together.

Whether you're adjusting to newlywed life, navigating a difficult season, or simply want to be more intentional about your marriage, you can book sessions individually whenever support would be helpful.

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Good to know

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you only perform Christian weddings? +

I am a pastor of a Christian church and am especially comfortable officiating Christian ceremonies, but every wedding is unique. Reach out and let's talk about what you're looking for.

Can you help us write our vows? +

Yes. Personalized Ceremony and Marriage Experience couples can receive help writing or refining their vows.

Do you attend rehearsals? +

Rehearsal attendance is included with the Personalized Ceremony and Marriage Experience packages.

How do we reserve our date? +

After we connect and confirm availability, a $100 retainer reserves your wedding date. The retainer goes toward the total cost of your package.

When is the remaining balance due? +

The remaining balance is due seven days before the wedding.

How far do you travel? +

Travel within 30 miles of Hartwell, Georgia is included. Weddings farther away are welcome and may include an additional travel fee.

Start the conversation

Let's Talk About Your Wedding

Tell me a little about your wedding and I'll get back with you about availability and next steps.

Your information will only be used to respond to your inquiry.
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