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. Marry Now Party Later

    4d ago

    Marry Now Party Later

    Send me a message or any questions! You don’t have to cram love, logistics, and legal paperwork into one high-pressure day. More couples are choosing a “marry now, party later” wedding timeline and it’s not just a leftover COVID trend. It’s a real, meaningful shift in how people approach commitment, family needs, money, and the kind of wedding day they actually want. I walk through the biggest reasons couples get legally married first, then plan the full wedding reception later: health insurance and medical realities, illness in the family, a baby on the way, military leave and deployment schedules, and the simple truth that wedding budgets rarely match wedding dreams on the same timeline. We also talk about the personal side, like wanting private handwritten vows without a crowd, then giving parents and friends the big celebration they’re excited for when the time is right. From the officiant side, I get practical about how two-part weddings work in real life. What does the intimate legal ceremony look like when it’s just a couple, an officiant, and a marriage license? What changes in the script when guests already know you’re married, when only a few people know, or when nobody knows at all? I share language tweaks that keep the ceremony authentic, protect the couple’s story, and still create that “this feels like a wedding” moment even when the legal part is already done. If you’re planning a micro wedding, elopement, courthouse-style signing, or a full celebration later, you’ll leave with options and questions to ask so both days feel intentional. Subscribe, share this with someone wedding planning right now, and leave a review so more couples can find it. 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.

    23 min
  2. Interview with Alex Part 2

    Jun 16

    Interview with Alex Part 2

    Send me a message or any questions! You can spend months planning a wedding and still feel like the day disappears in a blur. We wanted to slow it down and tell the truth about what actually sticks: the quiet first look that cracks everyone open, the split-second reveal that changes the room, and the small choices that make a ceremony feel like real life instead of a performance. Amanda shares what she sees as an officiant, and Alex walks us through the moments that mattered most, including the ones she didn’t expect to hit so hard. We get into the tender stuff and the practical stuff, because wedding planning is both. We talk about honoring loved ones who are gone through a remembrance table and a brief moment of silence, and how to do it with care without turning the day into a memorial. We also unpack wedding day nerves and the way stress shows up right before the ceremony, plus what helped Alex come back to herself when emotions ran high. If you’re planning a wedding ceremony, blending a family, or trying to build a meaningful wedding timeline, you’ll take away ideas you can actually use. Then we hit the real-world tips couples ask for: why you may want to record your ceremony, how to avoid photo regrets with a simple shot list, and what to do about guests who won’t put their phones away even when there’s a sign. We even debate the dollar dance and why a “fun tradition” can be either perfect or a personal nightmare depending on your personality. We close with post-wedding advice that matters more than any centerpiece: communicate, say the hard things, and don’t be afraid of premarital therapy when life has sharp edges. If this made you laugh, think, or text your partner, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who’s planning a wedding. 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.

    45 min
  3. Interview with Alex Part 1

    Jun 12

    Interview with Alex Part 1

    Send me a message or any questions! A hose clamp instead of a diamond. A meet-cute that starts with “whose red Jeep is that?” And a wedding plan that works precisely because it’s not trying to be perfect. I’m joined by my longtime friend Alex Feldman for a hilarious, sweet, and surprisingly practical conversation about how her relationship with Mark takes off and how their wedding comes together with fall colors, country energy, and a venue that does a lot of the heavy lifting.  We get into the stuff couples actually wrestle with during wedding planning: how to stay calm when you don’t care about a million tiny details, how to delegate without losing your mind, and why having one trusted person (hello, maid of honor) can save the whole process. We also talk real logistics like transportation plans, vendor reliability, what happens when your DJ falls through, and the panic of losing carefully organized music and guest list notes to a computer crash. If you’re hunting for wedding planning tips, this one is packed with usable ideas you can steal.  We also go there on spicy choices like a kid-free wedding night (except for your own kids), plus meaningful “must-haves” like convincing a reluctant groom that dress blues belong in the spotlight. And because I’m an officiant, we end with the less-glamorous side of weddings: marriage license paperwork, out-of-state divorce documentation, and why the courthouse experience can be wildly hit or miss. If you laughed, cringed, or nodded along, subscribe, share the episode with a friend who’s planning, and leave a review. What’s the most unforgettable proposal you’ve ever heard? 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.

    35 min

  4. Apr 30

    Bonus: Officiant FAQ

    Send me a message or any questions! You can plan the most personal ceremony in the world and still get tripped up by one simple question: when should we book the officiant? I’m Amanda, and I’m answering the real FAQs I hear from couples all the time, including the ones people forget to ask until they’re already stressed. If you’re planning a wedding in a busy season or a competitive market, this conversation will help you build a timeline that leaves you choices instead of leftovers. We talk through why a consult call matters even if you think you already know what you want. I share what I’m listening for on that first conversation, how to show up “50% prepared” when you’re still figuring out your style, and how ceremony length affects everything from pricing to pacing. We also get practical about writing your own vows, different ways to deliver them, and how to find a format that feels like both of you instead of a performance. Then we get into the legal essentials: marriage license basics, authorization rules, witnesses (sometimes), and the key lines that turn a wedding into a legal marriage. From there, we cover rehearsal options (Zoom, in-person, and what you can skip), what happens when something goes wrong on the day, and whether officiants usually stay for the reception. If you want a ceremony that feels human, calm, and unmistakably yours, this is your roadmap. Subscribe, share this with a newly engaged friend, and leave a review with the biggest question you want me to answer next. 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.

    28 min
  5. What's The Process?

    Apr 28

    What's The Process?

    Send me a message or any questions! Most couples think hiring a wedding officiant is simple: send a message, sign a contract, done. The truth is the process matters, and when you understand it, you avoid date confusion, last-minute stress, and that uneasy feeling of not knowing what you’re paying for. I’m Amanda, and I’m pulling back the curtain on how working with me actually flows from start to finish. We start with the inquiry and the few details that instantly change everything: your wedding date, ceremony start time, location, and how flexible you are. I explain why those basics help me confirm availability, estimate travel, and even suggest a better-fit officiant if I’m already booked. You’ll also hear how my officiant network works and why personality, ceremony style, and even scheduling preferences can shape who’s best for your day. From there, I walk through the complimentary consult call and the exact questions I ask to build a ceremony that sounds like you. We talk vows, readings, unity rituals, ceremony length, tone, and the marriage license. I also share why “we don’t need a consult call” can be a red flag and how a clear process protects you from scams and misunderstandings. Then we get into the quote, what a soft hold really means, how booking is finalized with a deposit and plain-English e-contract, and why communication naturally goes quiet until the two-month mark when we lock in the script, rehearsal plan, timeline, and license steps. If you’re planning a 2026 wedding or beyond, this is your roadmap for vendor communication, wedding planning logistics, and a smooth ceremony experience. Subscribe for more wedding stories and planning clarity, share this with a recently engaged friend, and leave a review so more couples 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.

    24 min
  6. It was a Wedding but Not a Marriage

    Apr 24

    It was a Wedding but Not a Marriage

    Send me a message or any questions! A wedding can be a life-changing promise without being a legal contract, and that difference matters less to love than most people think. I’m Amanda, an officiant for 12 years, and I’m pulling back the curtain on commitment ceremonies: the weddings that look and feel like a traditional wedding day, complete with vows, rings, guests, and celebration, but skip the marriage license and the state paperwork. We dig into the real reasons couples choose a non-legal wedding or commitment ceremony, from student loan debt and medical bills to alimony clauses, custody concerns, health insurance costs, VA or disability benefits, and the tax surprises that come with “filing jointly.” I also talk about later-in-life partners who have done the legal part before and want to protect assets, while still choosing each other fully. The throughline is simple: skipping legal marriage is not anti-love. It’s intentional love. Then we get practical. I explain what I can and cannot say as your wedding officiant when there is no license, why language like “union” and “partner” can matter, and how common law marriage rules vary by state. We also tackle the big etiquette question: do you have to tell your guests it’s not legal? Finally, I share planning tips for booking vendors, deciding how public you want to be, and designing a ceremony that reflects your story without over-explaining it. If this sparks questions or sounds like your path, listen now, then subscribe, share with a friend who’s wedding planning, and leave a review so more couples can find these options. 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.

    24 min
  7. We got Back into the Swing of Things

    Apr 18

    We got Back into the Swing of Things

    Send me a message or any questions! Coming back after a break feels weirdly like walking into school mid-year. You’re excited, you’re rusty, and you’re not totally sure where your rhythm went. That’s where I’m at right now, stepping back into podcasting while stepping into a packed wedding season as an officiant in Northeast Pennsylvania, with maternity leave planning in the background and a calendar that suddenly has zero empty space.  I share what “wedding season” really looks like from the vendor side, including why fall is the true peak here, why spring is a close second, and why July weddings often get skipped. We talk about the whiplash between the slow season and the moment wedding expos hit, when consult calls and last-minute elopement requests stack up fast. If you’re planning a ceremony, work in events, or you’re just curious about the behind-the-scenes pace, this is a real look at how quickly the workload ramps.  Then we get practical: how I balance quick sign-and-go paperwork ceremonies with longer, more personal wedding ceremonies that need real lead time. I walk through the systems that keep me sane, like a heavily labeled Google Calendar, task timelines for script writing and reminders, and tools like Motion AI to prioritize what actually needs doing first. I also talk about learning to say no, building recovery time, and leaning on a trusted referral network so couples still get someone who can show up fully present.  If you’re in your own restart season, I hope this gives you momentum and a little calm. Subscribe to The Wedding Where, share the show with a friend who loves weddings, and leave a review so more listeners can find the stories and the planning advice. 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.

    21 min
  8. I Almost Quit

    Feb 19

    I Almost Quit

    Send me a message or any questions! A fever, a delayed start, and a flying pair of slippers push Amanda to the edge, then sharpen her standards. We share the red flags, the chaos, and the exact boundaries that turned a near-quit into better work and clearer contracts. • the difference between normal stress and cruelty • early red flags and why cancellations matter • rehearsal missteps and payment/license issues • timeline collapse and ceremony tech gaps • the slippers incident as a boundary line • compressing a 30-minute script to 10 • vendor coordination, meals, and respect • contracts, clauses, and clear scope of work • office hours, arrival windows, and audio requirements • lessons for couples and vendors to protect the day If you haven't already, please subscribe, like, comment, and share to help us reach even more listeners who might laugh a little at the wedding wear For the links referenced in the show, visit Linktree at OfficiatingByAmanda If you have a question you'd like me to answer on the podcast, just send an email to theweddingwear podcast at gmail.com If you're ready to inquire about officiating services for your own big day, you can reach me at officiatingbyamanda at gmail.com 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.

    22 min
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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
    65
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Wedding Where...
  • Show Website
    The Wedding Where...