How to Choose Your Ceremony Officiant at Honeysuckle Hills

When you book an all-inclusive wedding package at Honeysuckle Hills, you get to choose from our wonderful group of ceremony officiants! We’ve hand-picked a team of professionals who are not only legally authorized to sign your marriage license but are also experts at delivering heartfelt, personal ceremonies. We truly believe that love is love—we welcome all couples and all faiths, and we’re excited to help you find an officiant that’s a perfect fit for your unique story.

Your officiant will arrive approximately 15 minutes prior to your ceremony for a “meet and greet.” You may choose from the vows provided in the marriage license section of our venue resource guide, or submit a script of your own prior to the ceremony. Personal vows and unity ceremonies are always welcome additions.

Don’t forget to bring us your Tennessee marriage license because it gives you permission to get married. Because you’re getting married in Tennessee, it can ONLY be obtained from a clerk’s office in Tennessee. After your wedding ceremony, your officiant will sign your license and return it to the appropriate clerk. Sevier County automatically mails your marriage certificate, which is the document you’ll need to change your name. (Your license is permission to get married, and the certificate indicates you actually got married.) If you obtain your marriage license from a different county in Tennessee, ask that clerk how they handle mailing the certificate once the wedding is over.

Learn how and where to get a Tennessee marriage license for your wedding in Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg in our Marriage License Tutorial blog.

The base ceremony rate covers your officiant’s services for the wedding day itself and is included in your all-inclusive wedding package unless otherwise noted. While attendance at rehearsals, walk-throughs, or pre-marital counseling is not included, these services are available as add-ons. Each of our officiants sets their own independent fees for these extras and would be delighted to discuss them with you directly.

Here are descriptions of each of the officiants you may choose from for your Honeysuckle Hills all-inclusive wedding, based on their availability. Let your coordinator, Regina, know your first and second choice and she’ll schedule the officiant for you. These officiants conduct ceremonies all over the Smoky Mountains, so choose sooner rather than later.

“Legendary” Phil King

Phil King, our most requested officiant, is a beloved Sevier County official who has performed literally thousands of weddings in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Born and raised in the Smoky Mountains, he is well known for his love of the outdoors and hunting. His voice is deep and melodic, and he always dresses in a suit and tie. When welcome, he starts each ceremony with a personal prayer including tidbits of information derived from conversation just prior to the ceremony. He has a pastoral presence with a sweet, kind nature. Many couples lovingly refer to Phil as their “Smoky Mountain Grandpa.”

We are thankful for Phil’s return to health after a liver transplant in 2023! Our entire community rallied together to make the transplant possible.

Best For: Faith based, Civil, or Commitment ceremonies
LGBTQ: Please choose Miss Santana, Jim Eastin, or Regina instead

Pastor Jody, AKA “The Mountain Preacher.”

Pastor Jody Secaur is the epitome of the mountain man persona for your Smoky Mountain wedding with his long beard, black vest and leather hat. He is an Evangelist and the Senior Pastor of Cowboy Church in the Smokies where many of our couples attend services while they’re in town.

He officiates with a touch of humor mixed with the sacredness of the wedding vows. He is especially knowledgeable about hand fastings, foot washings, and even baptisms! Photographers especially love him because of his coaching on hand placement during the ring exchange along with a few other “secrets.”

Request him as quickly as you can because he travels all over the Smokies, especially within the National Park.

Best for: Faith based, Civil, or Commitment ceremonies
LGBTQ: Please choose Miss Santana, Jim Eastin, or Regina instead

Miss Santana (Evermore Vows)

Santana is the owner of Evermore Vows and officiates as a TN Notary with a heart dedicated to providing a meaningful ceremony experience. Her heart is open to ALL couples in love, including the LGBTQ community. She officiates with a peaceful, soft nature similar to a gentle spring breeze.

I met Santa in 2025 and have never regretted adding her to our team of ceremony officiants.

Best for: Faith based or Civil Ceremonies
LGBTQ: Welcome with open arms

Miss Abi (Willow Mae Weddings)

Abi is perfect for couples seeking a bubbly ceremony filled with giggles. She coordinated many weddings here before starting her own company, Willow Mae Weddings. She is a Tennessee Notary and loves performing vow renewals as much as wedding ceremonies.
I often refer couples to Abi when our schedule is full, because she can help you plan a wedding at another venue or location in the Smoky Mountain area.

Best for: Faith based or Civil ceremonies
LGBTQ: Please choose Miss Santana, Jim Eastin, or Regina instead

Pastor Jim Eastin

Pastor Jim Eastin officates weddings with a smile and welcoming personality. He’s a retired Methodist Pastor and a beloved story-teller in our area. Most Tuesdays at 8pm you can find him at the Tree Tops resort spinning his tales! He is a local treasure, and once you meet him you’ll understand why.

He dresses with a pastoral presence and is loved by photographers because of his unique style of moving around during the ceremony to ensure the couple is the main focal point.

Best for: Faith based or Civil Ceremonies
LGBTQ: Welcome with open arms

Lloyd, The Conservative Cowboy Preacher

Ordained by his late Pastor, Sam Gerhardt, Lloyd is a retired Army veteran and semi-retired wedding officiant (literally thousands at our venue from 2008 through 2024) He is the most conservative on our list, and accepts only Christian couples with a belief in Jesus Christ.
He wears jeans, a vest with bolo, and cowboy hat to officiate weddings.
Here’s his famous introduction to the wedding ceremony:
And Ruth said, “Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for wither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.
Only for: Christian, faith based ceremonies
LGBTQ: Please choose Miss Santana, Jim Eastin, or Regina instead

Regina Starkey, TN Notary

Regina is the venue owner and coordinator at Honeysuckle Hills, and sometimes even your photographer! That said, she officiates as a Tennessee Notary only for the “Simply the Ceremony” package when you have your own photographer, or for the quick, five minute “Sign and Go” option. If you would like a family member or friend to officiate the ceremony, but they are not legally permitted to sign the Tennessee license, Regina can help with this, too. She’ll conduct a short ceremony prior to the wedding and notarize your license, allowing someone more personal to handle the ceremony for you.
Best for: Faith based or Civil Ceremonies
LGBTQ: Welcome with open arms

**Specialty Service** Edna TN Notary & Bilingual Spanish Ceremony Officiant

Pastor Edna is new to our venue as of January 2026, but I can already tell you she will be here more and more often because of the rising need for a bilingual Spanish ceremony officiant in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Because she can officiate in BOTH Spanish and English as a specialized service, she charges $100 more than our other officiants. We will add this extra fee to your wedding package if you choose her services.

Edna officiates as a Tennessee Notary.

Best for: Faith based or Civil Ceremonies, Bilingual Spanish Ceremonies
LGBTQ: To be Determined

Ready to Start Your Adventure?

Choosing the right package is the first step toward a stress-free wedding day. Whether you want a 5-minute “I do” or a 6-hour luxury experience, Honeysuckle Hills is here to make it happen.

Honeysuckle Tradition

I’m Regina, and I look forward to helping you plan your special day! Couples just like you have helped me carry on a legacy of love for the past 19 years. At one time my venue was a working farm where my Daddy raised cattle and tobacco. As much as I enjoyed growing up here, I sure do enjoy weddings more than farming!

My venue’s down-to-earth attitude attracts Christians, outdoor lovers, hikers, fishers, hunters, conservationists, travelers, adventurers, all skin colors, LGBTQ lovers, and fAree-spirited souls with an abundance of respect for diversity.

My family believes that our own personal faith in Jesus Christ fosters abounding love to welcome all with open arms and a servant’s heart.