The ceremony is the moment a celebration becomes a marriage.

I’m Ciera, a Virginia based wedding officiant with more than 15 years of experience in the events and wedding industry. My path into this work has always been rooted in creativity, storytelling, and the joy of bringing meaningful moments to life.

Originally from the 757 area of Virginia, I moved to Richmond in 2007 to attend Virginia Commonwealth University, graduating from the VCU School of the Arts in 2010. While studying fashion and production, I helped create one of the first fashion shows within the VCU School of the Arts fashion department. What began as a creative project quickly revealed something deeper. I LOVED designing experiences that brought people together.

That passion led me further into the events industry, including serving as a board member for RVA Fashion Week, where I continued producing large scale events and collaborating with creatives across Richmond. Around the same time, I stepped into the wedding industry and have spent the past 12 years working with couples through my role as a Senior Designer with the Hive Wedding Collective. And would you believe me if I told you that my last job was managing residential new construction for a gas company while simultaneously planning weddings? Well it was!

After more than a decade as a wedding planner, I will be retiring from wedding planning in spring 2026. I will continue focusing on officiating ceremonies while also owning and operating my event venue, Copper Hall RVA, where I frequently host intimate weddings, elopements, and celebrations.

Over the years I have worn many hats in the events world. From producing fashion shows and speaking on industry panels to planning weddings and even helping couples book honeymoons through a travel planning business I once operated. Through all of those experiences, the moment that has always moved me the most is the ceremony itself.

There is something incredibly powerful about standing with two people as they share their vows and commit their lives to one another. It is the part of a wedding day that still makes me tear up. Officiating allows me to help couples tell their story and create a ceremony that feels personal, meaningful, and true to who they are.

My approach is rooted in warmth, intention, and a deep understanding of the wedding experience. I know that planning a wedding can sometimes feel overwhelming, which is why I strive to make the ceremony portion one of the easiest and most enjoyable parts of the process. Together we create something thoughtful, seamless, and reflective of your relationship.

Couples often tell me that working together feels less like hiring a vendor and more like having a trusted friend guiding them through the process. That balance of professionalism and genuine connection is something I care deeply about.

When I am not officiating weddings, you can usually find me hosting dinner for friends, testing new recipes in the kitchen, or enjoying a well crafted espresso martini. I believe celebrations of all kinds deserve intention and care, whether it is a dinner party with friends or the beginning of a marriage.

While I am based in Virginia, I am also available to travel for ceremonies beyond the Commonwealth.

At the heart of everything I do is a simple goal: to help couples create a ceremony that feels authentic, emotional, and uniquely their own. Because the beginning of your marriage deserves to be just as meaningful as the celebration that follows.

It would be an honor to help tell your story.