Shows
The Wedding Where...Vows Mini Series - Still Repeating After Me!Send me a message or any questions!Amanda explores repeat-after-me wedding vows as part of her six-week mini-series on vow options for couples planning their ceremonies. She provides practical advice for those who want meaningful vows without the pressure of memorization or writing completely custom promises.• Repeat-after-me vows are broken into small chunks by the officiant for easy repetition• These vows require minimal preparation while still feeling personal and meaningful• Amanda references the famous "Ross takes thee Rachel" Friends scene as a cautionary tale• Example vow shared: "I will love you as my husba...2025-08-0403 min
The Wedding Where...Vows Mini Series - Repeat After MeSend me a message or any questions!Amanda explores the art of "repeat after me" wedding vows in this episode of the Vow mini-series, offering practical guidance for creating simple yet meaningful promises that couples can easily repeat during their ceremony.• Part of a six-week deep dive into different wedding vow options• Explains how any traditional or custom vow can be adapted into a repeat-after-me format• Highlights the importance of clear pronunciation, slow speech, and simple word groupings• References the famous "Friends" episode where Ross mistakenly says Rachel's name• Provides a sample vow...2025-07-3003 min
The Wedding Where...Vows Mini Series - Long Traditional VowsSend me a message or any questions!Have you ever wondered about all the different ways to say "I do"? In this episode of the Vow mini-series on The Wedding Where, I'm exploring one of my favorite traditional vow formats—a comprehensive four-question approach that packs multiple commitments into one powerful moment.As a wedding officiant, I've seen firsthand how this particular vow structure resonates with couples who want something traditional but meaningful. The beauty of this format lies in its completeness: it combines promises of partnership ("taking each other as spouse and best friend"), co...2025-07-2403 min
The Wedding Where...Vows Mini Series - Just say "I Do"Send me a message or any questions!What exactly are you promising when you say "I do"? Wedding vows represent the heart of any marriage ceremony, yet many couples don't fully consider their options beyond tradition. In this first installment of our special mini-series on wedding vows, we explore question vows – those traditional promises where the officiant asks and the couple responds with "I do" or "I will." As a professional wedding officiant, I break down why these remain the most popular format and what makes them legally binding. We examine the classic promises: "for bet...2025-07-1503 min
The Wedding Where...200 Weddings Bonus! Top 2025 Trends so far!Send me a message or any questions!Milestone moments deserve reflection! Having just completed my 200th wedding ceremony, I'm pulling back the curtain to share fascinating trends emerging in 2025. This mid-year review reveals how modern couples are reshaping wedding traditions while honoring meaningful commitments.The data tells an interesting story: today's brides average 30 years old while grooms trend slightly older at 32-33. Nearly a quarter of couples include at least one previously married partner, reflecting evolving attitudes toward second chances at love. But perhaps most surprising has been the surge in waterfall weddings, with six...2025-07-0924 min
The Wedding Where...Surprise! The Bride was PregnantSend me a message or any questions!Ever wondered what surprises lurk beneath those winter wedding parkas? Let's wraps up the "We Listen and Don't Judge" series with a heartwarming tale of unexpected revelations and thoughtful timing. This episode features a seemingly straightforward winter elopement that took a surprising turn when the bride removed her heavy coat after the ceremony to reveal a beautiful baby bump. The quick-to-plan, private ceremony suddenly made perfect sense—the couple wanted to announce both their marriage and pregnancy to family during Christmas gatherings, presenting their loved ones with the com...2025-07-0510 min
The Before You Do PodcastSeason 2 Episode # 27 What About the Ceremony?Let's take a dive into this conversation with Amanda the wedding officiant. Would you want to write your own wedding vows? Do you want a traditional ceremony? Have you talked with your future spouse about what you really want?Amanda shares her experience with over 200 weddings and some sage advice. You can have the ceremony experience you desire.Contact Amanda here:Facebook: Officiating by Amanda or Amanda Walck OttingerSpotify & Apple: The Wedding WhereEmail: officiatingbyamanda@gmail.comwww.officiatingbyamanda.comTikTok: Amanda Walck Ottinger2025-07-0340 min
The Wedding Where...The Father of the Groom had a LONG SpeechSend me a message or any questions!Have you ever sat through a wedding speech so painfully long that it made you reconsider your own wedding plans? That's exactly what happened when I witnessed a father of the groom deliver what might be the most uncomfortable wedding toast I've ever experienced.The speech started with an ill-conceived toilet paper prop (yes, really) before launching into a methodical breakdown of all twelve points of the Boy Scout motto. For each attribute—trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent—he shared leng...2025-06-2514 min
The Wedding Where...Bonus Episode - Unveiling Wedding Traditions!Send me a message or any questions!Wedding traditions carry the weight of generations past, but do they still serve today's couples? That's the exciting journey we embark on in this episode of The Wedding Ware, where we explore how time-honored customs can be reimagined, refreshed, and sometimes respectfully retired.From the classic "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" to the father walking his daughter down the aisle, we dive into the origins of these traditions and how they've evolved. Did you know the practice of "giving away" the bride dates back to...2025-06-2025 min
The Wedding Where...They Were Still Married to Other PeopleSend me a message or any questions!Amanda shares a unique wedding scenario where she conducted a non-legal commitment ceremony for a couple who were still married to other people. Let's explore the ethics and practicalities of commitment ceremonies versus legal marriages, unpacking various reasons couples might choose this path.• Couples requested a budget ceremony on the opposite side of Pennsylvania• They revealed they wanted a non-legal commitment ceremony via Zoom• Both individuals were still legally married to other people but in the divorce process• Amanda carefully explained the non-binding nature of the cere...2025-06-1814 min
The Wedding Where...The Bride Denied the Groom Cake featuring Verlyn TarltonSend me a message or any questions!Verlyn Tarlton returns to share insights from her work as a pre-marriage counselor, including a revealing wedding story where a bride's disrespectful cake-cutting behavior foreshadowed their eventual divorce, and three key pieces of advice for couples planning to marry.• Spend more time planning your marriage than your wedding—many couples invest more energy in selecting signature drinks than in their vows• Communication with comprehension is key rather than just communication alone—listen to understand, not to defend or deflect• When conflict arises, don't just apologize; ask "How can I...2025-06-1127 min
The Wedding Where...Interview with Verlyn Tarlton, host of "The Before You Do" PodcastSend me a message or any questions!Most couples will spend a year planning their wedding but barely a moment envisioning their actual marriage. In this eye-opening conversation with Verlyn Tarlton, author and host of "The Before You Do Podcast", we explore the critical conversations every couple should have before walking down the aisle.Verlyn shares how she started her podcast after years of having the same conversation with women who all expressed one common regret: "Why didn't I know this before I got married?" Drawing from decades of personal experience and coaching couples, she...2025-06-0434 min
The Wedding Where...The Mother of the Bride was DrunkSend me a message or any questions!Amanda shares a memorable wedding story where the mother of the bride was significantly intoxicated during the ceremony, offering thoughtful reflections on how alcohol impacts wedding celebrations.• The mother of the bride had consumed too much champagne during morning preparations• She treated the wedding ceremony like a call-and-response church service, vocally responding to the officiant• The groom responded to the situation with remarkable grace, telling his embarrassed bride "She's our family"• Alcohol is deeply embedded in American celebration culture, particularly at weddings• Different drinking patterns o...2025-05-2819 min
The Wedding Where...Bonus Episode - Wisdom from 11 Years of Officiating: From International Reach to Industry ScamsSend me a message or any questions!We celebrate 11 years in the officiating business by sharing milestones in our podcast journey and revealing the scams targeting wedding vendors. This bonus episode combines gratitude for our growing international audience with practical warnings about common industry fraud schemes that nearly ended our career.• Our podcast has reached 622 listens across 22 episodes with international listeners from the Netherlands, Estonia, Australia, Lebanon, Brazil, Germany, Turkey, and Italy• Preparing for an upcoming wedding marathon of six ceremonies in 36 hours• Warning signs of wedding vendor scams include rushed timelines, no consul...2025-05-2334 min
The Wedding Where...The Groom Had a Black EyeSend me a message or any questions!Ever wonder where wedding officiants draw their ethical lines? That dilemma sits at the heart of this raw, unflinching look at one of my most challenging ceremonies - a wedding where the groom showed up sporting a fresh black eye.The journey began with troubling signs: a bride who initially canceled because "the groom hit her," only to reconcile weeks later claiming a "misunderstanding." As someone educated in domestic violence dynamics, I found myself wrestling with whether to proceed. When I arrived at the venue (a converted auto...2025-05-2123 min
The Wedding Where...I RoaredSend me a message or any questions!Have you ever witnessed a wedding officiant roar like a dinosaur during the ceremony? In one of my most memorable weddings, that's exactly what happened - and it wasn't even planned! I share the delightful story of arriving at what appeared to be a traditional wedding only to discover everything from the centerpieces to the place cards featured elegant rose gold dinosaurs, inspiring an impromptu prehistoric declaration of love during the vows.This episode dives deep into the art of wedding personalization and finding that sweet spot between...2025-05-1412 min
The Wedding Where...I Calmed a Nervous Groom with a Dirty JokeSend me a message or any questions!Weddings are days full of emotions, especially nerves, and as an officiant I often step in to calm anxious couples, attendants, and family members before the ceremony begins.• Nerves stem from the significant time, money, and planning invested in creating the perfect day• Helping calm nerves can involve everything from reassuring flower girls to tying ties for shaking fathers• Humor, particularly "clean dirty jokes," can be especially effective with nervous grooms• The "12-inch pianist" joke has become my go-to for breaking tension with groom's parties• An...2025-05-0715 minThe Wedding Where...Behind the Scenes: What's in My Officiating BagSend me a message or any questions!What does a wedding officiant actually bring to your ceremony? In this celebratory bonus episode marking over 500 listens, I'm unzipping my officiating bag to reveal the essential toolkit that helps me navigate wedding days with confidence and composure.From the moment I arrive at a venue until the final signature on your marriage license, my trusty black bag (emblazoned with "and so the adventure begins") contains everything I might need to handle any situation. You'll discover why I always pack protein drinks and snacks, how my elaborate binder...2025-05-0523 min
The Wedding Where...I Gave a Drunken ToastSend me a message or any questions!Unexpected moments can define our professional boundaries. After officiating a beautiful ceremony for Amanda and Tito, I found myself unexpectedly called upon to deliver the reception blessing—a task that had specifically been assigned to the bride's uncle. Three Jolly Rancher cocktails deep and with absolutely no preparation, I somehow managed to cobble together a meaningful blessing that incorporated Bob Dylan lyrics and brought the house down.This pivotal experience transformed how I approach my role as a wedding officiant. While I once eagerly attended receptions as a yo...2025-04-3018 min
The Wedding Where...Interview with Bride Amanda (pt. 2)Send me a message or any questions!Part two of what should be called "A Few Drinks In", Amanda reflects on her wedding day eight years later, sharing intimate details and offering wisdom for couples on maintaining their connection through life's challenges.• The ceremony and vows were the most special moments, creating an intimate connection while being surrounded by loved ones• The unity box included a private note for their daughter, creating a meaningful connection between their wedding and their child's future• Using her parents' wedding song for the father-daughter dance created a profou...2025-04-2536 min
The Wedding Where...Interview with Bride Amanda (pt. 1)Send me a message or any questions!This episode could have been best described as "a few drinks in".Bride Amanda joins Amanda as she shares her wedding journey, from meeting her husband on Tinder to planning their family-centered celebration while juggling nursing school and a newborn daughter.• Meeting online after a friend convinced her to try Tinder in Rehoboth Beach• Knowing immediately he was "the one" - telling her sister she would marry him after their first date• Getting engaged in a hotel when her now-husband waited on one knee for he...2025-04-2325 min
The Wedding Where...I CriedSend me a message or any questions!I share the story of the wedding that made me break my professional composure and cry during the ceremony. This emotional experience changed how I approach my role as an officiant, allowing me to be more flexible with ceremony scripts and more authentic with showing emotions.• Young couple incorporated their two-month-old daughter into the ceremony• Bride wanted special tributes to her late father throughout the wedding• Days before the wedding, bride discovered a 20-year-old message from her father in a book• The quote perfectly captured the mome...2025-04-1612 min
The Wedding Where...Bonus Episode: Officiant Pet Peeves with TristenSend me a message or any questions!What makes wedding officiants silently cringe during your special day? Amanda and guest officiant Tristan pull back the curtain on the pet peeves that haunt even the most professional ceremony leaders in this milestone 250-listener bonus episode.Nothing throws an officiant off quite like the jarring visual of a bride in a $10,000 designer dress at an otherwise casual backyard barbecue. This conversation dives deep into budget imbalances that leave guests confused and vendors questioning. The hosts share candid thoughts about wedding priorities and how couples might better distribute...2025-04-0936 min
The Wedding Where...Birthday Bonus: 15 Essential Tips for Couples and VendorsSend me a message or any questions!Wedding planning involves countless decisions, expectations, and potential pitfalls. Drawing from my extensive experience officiating ceremonies, I'm sharing fifteen essential wedding tips that can transform your planning process and wedding day experience.The absolute must-dos begin with having realistic backup plans. While you can't anticipate everything, thinking through alternatives for weather, timing delays, and unexpected hiccups provides crucial peace of mind. Equally important is the contract process – couples should thoroughly read and understand agreements, while vendors need clear documentation of services, policies, and procedures. Personalizing your ceremony creates me...2025-04-0728 min
The Wedding Where...There were 3 Weddings in 24 HoursSend me a message or any questions!I am normally a person to run around from project to event to task to meal, so why should officiating schedule be any different! Today's episode talks about my marathon days and how communication is key in making sure everything can run smoothly for three very different couples and three vastly different weddings - all happening in 24 hours.Support the showThank you for sharing the podcast with others who may enjoy it! Share your funny wedding stories with me at theweddingwherepodcast@gmail.com. Any links r...2025-04-0214 min
The Wedding Where...Everyone was in Bathing SuitsSend me a message or any questions!Today we are talking about wedding attire, some of the mismatches that happen - like brides in $15,000 gowns and grooms in Tux T-Shirts, why it is important to inquiry about the dress code for weddings, the grace couples should give in deciding a dress code and, most humorously, the wedding I officiated where everyone was in their bathing suit. Support the showThank you for sharing the podcast with others who may enjoy it! Share your funny wedding stories with me at theweddingwherepodcast@gmail.com. Any l...2025-03-2616 min
The Wedding Where...Interview with Bride Jess (pt. 2)Send me a message or any questions!Welcome back to my wonderful interview with Jess, my first bride. Part 2 picks up from our earlier conversation and is much more focused on the actual wedding day, things Jess would change, and advice for couples. I hope you enjoyed the interview as much as Jess and I did making it - if not, do what we did and pour yourself another mimosa! What questions would you like me to ask in future interview episodes?Support the showThank you for sharing the podcast wit...2025-03-1934 min
The Wedding Where...Interview with Bride Jess (pt.1)Send me a message or any questions!Loved going back to where it all began and diving in! Join me and special guest Jess (my first bride) as we drink one too many mimosas and talk about her experiences in wedding planning, the wedding day, advice she would give and, of course, me as her officiant.Highly recommend you list to "The Wedding Where ... I Had No Clue What I Was Doing" first as that covers some of the blunders from my first wedding. We chatted for 3 hours (an hour of that was mimosas and ca...2025-03-1729 min
The Wedding Where...I Had no Clue What I was DoingSend me a message or any questions!Do you remember your first time? And you stumbled through it? And just generally had not clue what you were doing?Did you keep everyone standing for 5 minutes? Just me - okay! Join me in this episode where I talk about my first wedding and how I really had no clue what I was in for as well as some other wedding situations that have left me scratching my head. And tune in for a special 2 part episode next week with my first ever interview - very fitting for m...2025-03-1218 min
The Wedding Where...Disney was the ThemeSend me a message or any questions!Sharing a 'tale as old as time' with how to combine in an element you are passionate about into your ceremony. There are themes galore for weddings and today we are talking about Disney!Whether it is just a simple tie in reference or a quote or the whole kit and caboodle because you decided on a Disney wedding, I'll share some cool elements I've done for weddings where Disney was the theme.Tune in next Monday for a special bonus episode answering some of your q...2025-03-0515 min
The Wedding Where...It Was a QuickieSend me a message or any questions!Quick - what is the shortest length of time for a marriage ceremony and what elements have to be in it? How long is a ceremony when a couple says they want "short and sweet"? This episode covers some of my quickest weddings, what has to be in the ceremony and how I structure all of the other ceremony sizes as people go from quickie to elopement to deluxe with inclusions and everything but the kitchen sink.How long was your wedding? Did it feel as long as it...2025-02-2615 min