The Wedding Where...

Amanda Walck Ottinger
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Personal Journals
  • Updated Biweekly

Join me, Amanda, owner of Officiating by Amanda, as I share stories of weddings I've officiated and lessons I've learned, advice for the dating, engaged or married, reactions to wedding ceremonies in movies and TV shows, special guests from the wedding industry sharing their stories, behind the scenes interviews with some of my couples, and the answers to your questions.   With 10 years under my belt, I've got many, many tales to tell!

  1. 9h ago

    Readings Mini Series - Love is Like Beer

    Send me a message or any questions! Beer in the middle of a wedding ceremony might sound bold, but it can be surprisingly heartfelt when it’s done with intention. We’re sharing a short, non religious wedding reading designed to drop neatly into your ceremony and give everyone a moment to reflect, smile, and actually connect with what marriage is about. If you’ve been stuck searching for a ceremony reading that isn’t a Bible passage and also isn’t tied to a specific theme, this one is built to be flexible, clear, and guest friendly. We walk through “Love Is Like Brewing Beer,” a reading that pairs perfectly with a beer unity ceremony, brewery weddings, and couples who simply love craft beer. The script starts with each partner holding their own beer as a symbol of individuality, then moves into a smart metaphor: water as love, grain as trust, hops as passion, and yeast as commitment, the catalyst that transforms good ingredients into something new. It’s playful without being fluffy, and it lands as a real message about change, resilience, and choosing each other again and again. You’ll also get practical customization ideas, including how to tailor the wording if you’re drinking the same beer versus mixing two different beers, plus tips for making the pour into a shared mug feel smooth and meaningful. If you want a modern wedding ceremony script, a unique unity ritual, and a non religious reading that still feels sincere, this mini session is for you. Subscribe, leave a review, and share the episode with a friend who’s planning a wedding, then tell us: would you do a beer unity ceremony? Support the show Thank you for sharing the podcast with others who may enjoy it!  Share your funny wedding stories with me at theweddingwherepodcast@gmail.com.  Any links referenced are on linktree.

    Readings Mini Series - Love is Like Beer

  2. Sep 30

    Readings Mini Series - Love is Like a Puzzle

    Send me a message or any questions! You don’t need a Bible passage to create a meaningful wedding ceremony moment, but you do need words that feel true to you. We’re on maternity leave and rolling out a mini-series of short, non-religious wedding readings that fit neatly into a ceremony while still giving everyone a moment to breathe, reflect, and connect. If you’ve been stuck searching for something that isn’t overly themed, isn’t vague, and won’t take ten minutes to get through, this one is designed to help. We share an original reading called “My Love For You Is Like A Puzzle,” inspired by a Star Wars quote and then reworked into a universal metaphor for commitment. It’s perfect for couples who want just a smidge of Star Wars in the wedding without turning the ceremony into a full-on fandom bit, and it’s also a great match for puzzle lovers or anyone planning a puzzle unity ceremony. The reading walks through the excitement of the beginning, the messy middle where pieces don’t seem to fit, and the choice to keep going anyway, with room for both laughter and tenderness. Along the way, we talk about what makes a wedding ceremony reading actually work: keeping it around 3 to 5 minutes, making it easy for guests to follow, and leaving space for your relationship to be the focus. If you want a reading that sounds modern, personal, and heartfelt while staying non-religious, press play and see if this puzzle metaphor feels like your story. Subscribe, share the episode with a friend who’s planning, and leave a review so more couples can find these ceremony ideas. Support the show Thank you for sharing the podcast with others who may enjoy it!  Share your funny wedding stories with me at theweddingwherepodcast@gmail.com.  Any links referenced are on linktree.

    Readings Mini Series - Love is Like a Puzzle

  3. Sep 23

    Readings Mini Series - These Hands

    Send me a message or any questions! Disclaimer - Audio issues!  Maternity leave means I am working to get these out while pumping leading to some fun audio issues as I try to master editing.  Thank you for your understanding. That moment at the altar is beautiful, but it can also be oddly awkward: you finally get up front, everyone is watching, and you’re thinking, “Where do we stand… and what do we do with our hands?” I’m on maternity leave and sharing a mini-series of non-religious wedding readings that fit smoothly into a modern ceremony without turning into a theme or a sermon. Today I share my go-to secular wedding reading, “These Hands,” and why I’ve made it a standard option in the ceremonies I officiate. I walk through exactly where I place it in the wedding ceremony script, usually within the first three to five minutes, and how I stage the couple so they can face the audience just enough to soak in the room and get great photos before they turn fully toward each other. Then comes the simple cue that changes everything: “please join hands.” The reading turns that one small gesture into a clear promise of friendship, partnership, comfort, and long-term love. We also talk about personalization. If a couple tells me what they love doing together, like road trips or camping, I can lightly tailor a line so the reading sounds like them while staying timeless for guests. If you’re searching for non-religious wedding ceremony readings, a short meaningful handfasting alternative, or an officiant script idea that keeps the flow calm and intentional, this one belongs on your list. If it helped, subscribe, leave a review, and share the episode with a friend who’s planning a wedding. What’s the one ceremony moment you want to feel less awkward and more you? Support the show Thank you for sharing the podcast with others who may enjoy it!  Share your funny wedding stories with me at theweddingwherepodcast@gmail.com.  Any links referenced are on linktree.

    Readings Mini Series - These Hands

  4. Sep 16

    Readings Mini Series - Getting Married Means You'll Have

    Send me a message or any questions! Disclaimer - Audio issues!  Maternity leave means I am working to get these out while pumping leading to some fun audio issues as I try to master editing.  Thank you for your understanding. Finding the right wedding ceremony reading can be surprisingly stressful, especially when you want something non-religious, not pulled from scripture, and not so themed that it feels like an inside joke. We’re on maternity leave, so we’re sharing a mini-series of secular wedding readings you can drop straight into your ceremony for a meaningful three to five minutes of reflection that still feels light, warm, and true. This installment features “Getting Married Means You’ll Have” by Nicholas Gordon, a short, simple poem that captures the heart of marriage without fancy language. We talk about why so many couples get stuck hunting for an inclusive reading, what makes a piece work for a mixed crowd, and how formatting can make a reading look long even when it performs fast. Then we share a real-life moment from a ceremony where the bride’s niece, serving as flower girl, read this poem and even memorized it, proving it’s approachable for readers of all ages. You’ll hear the full text and why it resonates: the everyday comfort of having someone to hold your hand, share meals with, help you out, and sit with you when the lights go out. If you’re building a modern wedding ceremony script, writing personal vows, or looking for an easy secular ceremony reading that guests actually feel, this is a strong option to consider. Subscribe, leave a review, and share the show with a couple planning their wedding, then tell us what kind of reading you want for your day. Support the show Thank you for sharing the podcast with others who may enjoy it!  Share your funny wedding stories with me at theweddingwherepodcast@gmail.com.  Any links referenced are on linktree.

    Readings Mini Series - Getting Married Means You'll Have

  5. Sep 9

    Readings Mini Series - Maybe

    Send me a message or any questions! Disclaimer - Audio issues!  Maternity leave means I am working to get these out while pumping leading to some fun audio issues as I try to master editing.  Thank you for your understanding. You want a wedding ceremony reading that feels real, not religious, not fandom-themed, and not so long that guests lose the thread. That sweet spot exists, and it can change the entire tone of your ceremony in just a few minutes. While we’re on maternity leave, I’m sharing a special mini-series of non-religious wedding readings that slide easily into a modern ceremony and give everyone space to reflect. This installment features a short, powerful reading called “Maybe.” It’s especially meaningful for couples who have lived a little before this moment: second marriages, blended families, or anyone whose path included heartbreak, waiting, or a few wrong turns. The language is simple and universal, and it lands because it reframes the journey as part of the gift. I also talk through why the cadence makes it ideal for a guest reader, whether that’s your maid of honor, best man, a parent, or a close friend. We also get practical about ceremony planning: how a three to five minute secular reading helps pace the script, draws your guests in, and adds a calm emotional center without changing your beliefs or your style. I share a quick delivery tip for the famously tricky final line about “seeing an imperfect person perfectly,” and why slowing down there matters. If you’re building your ceremony script and searching for the best secular wedding readings, press play and see if “Maybe” fits your story. Subscribe for more readings and planning help, and if this helped you, share it with a friend and leave a quick review. Support the show Thank you for sharing the podcast with others who may enjoy it!  Share your funny wedding stories with me at theweddingwherepodcast@gmail.com.  Any links referenced are on linktree.

    Readings Mini Series - Maybe

  6. Sep 2

    Readings Mini Series - Ceremony Blessing

    Send me a message or any questions! Disclaimer - Audio issues!  Maternity leave means I am working to get these out while pumping leading to some fun audio issues as I try to master editing.  Thank you for your understanding.  Finding a wedding reading that feels heartfelt without being religious or overly themed can be harder than picking the venue. We’re on maternity leave and sharing a short mini-series of nonreligious wedding readings you can drop right into your ceremony, especially if you want something that lands in three to five minutes and actually sounds like you. This week, I share a favorite reading I inherited early in my officiating career, often titled “Minister Blessing.” I explain where I usually place it in the ceremony script (between the vows and the rings) and why that timing matters. It gives you a pause to breathe, lets your guests reflect, and keeps the ceremony moving with intention. The reading is packed with grounded marriage advice: hold hands, say “I love you,” don’t go to bed angry, show gratitude, forgive, build a united front, and remember that the biggest things are often the little things. The best part is how customizable it is. I walk through simple ways to tailor the lines to fit your life, whether you have pets, kids, or a blended family, whether you’re planning an elopement, or whether family dynamics mean certain phrases should be skipped. If you want a light sprinkle of fandom, I share how I’ve woven in Disney, Marvel, Outlander, and sitcom references without taking over the tone of the ceremony. Subscribe for more wedding readings and ceremony ideas, and if this helped, share the episode and leave a review so more couples can find it. What line would you personalize first? Support the show Thank you for sharing the podcast with others who may enjoy it!  Share your funny wedding stories with me at theweddingwherepodcast@gmail.com.  Any links referenced are on linktree.

    Readings Mini Series - Ceremony Blessing

  7. Jul 8

    I Said No

    Send me a message or any questions! “Can you travel three hours each way?” “Can you squeeze in a last-minute consult?” “Can you do a weekday ceremony for food money?” For years my answer was almost always yes, because that hustle helped me build a wedding officiant business, learn fast, and meet incredible couples. Lately, though, I’ve been confronting something that’s way harder than writing a ceremony script: saying no and actually meaning it. I walk you through the real reasons the word “no” is showing up more often, from time tracking and the hidden labor behind “small, simple” weddings to the emotional and physical limits that come with pregnancy. We talk about the moment the question changes from “How can I make this work?” to “Should I make this work?” and why that shift matters for any wedding vendor trying to avoid burnout while still delivering a great client experience. You’ll hear the five filters I’m using to make booking decisions clearer and more sustainable: time (including lead-up), date, travel math, cost and pricing, and the all-important vibe check. I also share simple scripts for turning down weddings quickly, kindly, and confidently, plus how to stop negotiating with yourself after you’ve already said no. If you’re a wedding pro, a business owner, or just someone trying to protect your time, this one’s for you. Subscribe, share the episode with a friend who needs boundaries, and leave a review so more people can find the show. Support the show Thank you for sharing the podcast with others who may enjoy it!  Share your funny wedding stories with me at theweddingwherepodcast@gmail.com.  Any links referenced are on linktree.

    I Said No

  8. Jul 1

    My Husband and I had a Date Night

    Send me a message or any questions! You don’t expect to find your own romance while you’re busy holding someone else’s wedding together, but that’s exactly what happened to me. I’m Amanda, a wedding officiant, and I’m sharing the story of a rare day where I’m wearing my minister hat and also living a small, sweet chapter of my own love story at the same time. The setup matters: this is a friend’s wedding, the kind where “client” and “chosen family” blur a little, and my husband is invited from the beginning. If you’re a wedding vendor, you already know the awkward middle ground when your partner shows up as a guest and you’re still on the clock. If you’re a couple wedding planning right now, you’ll hear the behind-the-scenes reality of what vendors juggle even after the ceremony ends, from paperwork to timelines to the pressure of staying professional without becoming invisible. Then comes my favorite part: cocktail hour hits, I’m struggling to fully shut off work brain, and my husband pulls me into a tiny reset that feels ridiculously normal. We sneak next door to a thrift store, set a five-dollar budget, and wander the aisles in full wedding attire. It’s funny, it’s low-stakes, and it becomes the moment that helps me reconnect and come back to the reception as a real guest. Along the way, I reflect on the years I spent officiating weddings while single and longing, and why clear boundaries, trust, and communication are what make rare, meaningful moments possible. If this story resonates, subscribe, share the episode with a friend in the wedding industry, and leave a review so more couples and vendors can find it. What’s your best “pocket of joy” date idea? Support the show Thank you for sharing the podcast with others who may enjoy it!  Share your funny wedding stories with me at theweddingwherepodcast@gmail.com.  Any links referenced are on linktree.

    My Husband and I had a Date Night
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About

Join me, Amanda, owner of Officiating by Amanda, as I share stories of weddings I've officiated and lessons I've learned, advice for the dating, engaged or married, reactions to wedding ceremonies in movies and TV shows, special guests from the wedding industry sharing their stories, behind the scenes interviews with some of my couples, and the answers to your questions.   With 10 years under my belt, I've got many, many tales to tell!

Information

  • Creator
    Amanda Walck Ottinger
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    73
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Wedding Where...
  • Show Website
    The Wedding Where...