About Amanda of Golden Dolphin Weddings
I am an ordained non-denominational Minister with the Wisdom of the Heart Church, with a Master of Divinity Degree. I have been performing weddings for almost 3 years. I would best describe my faith as spiritual, but not religious.
Previously, I owned and directed dance studios, so I am quite familiar with planning, directing, and being able to speak and carry myself professionally in front of a crowd.
I like to offer that 'little something extra' with my weddings. I have been known to take photos after the wedding (like the ones above, and the one on the home page) when my couples are trying to control the cost and/or keep their ceremony very intimate. If you are having a large ceremony with all of the fixings, I am very comfortable with that too, and don't mind at all if your photographer gets close or shoots from behind me to get the best shots of the two of you.
My attire changes based on the style and type of wedding you are having. My usual outfit is a long black dress with a white stole. However, if you are having a theme wedding, I am open to adopting an island look, a non-traditional blue dress with batik stole, or whatever else you can dream up. I am open to what will work best with your style and taste. I am here to support you and I am open to all faiths, paths, and belief systems.
Testimonials
"We want you to know what a perfect job you did as our officiant. You were such a calming, elegant, and wise presence. I really liked your comment about the beauty and magic of the downpour as Lucy sang. I hope we will have the opportunity to serve as a reference for you. Please feel free to pass on our email or phone number for this purpose." M.F. Wisconsin
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I was looking for a non denominational minister that would honor and respect whatever my husband to be and I wanted as part of our wedding ceremony. Neither my husband or I are religious, but spiritual in nature, so we were very particular about who would be leading our ceremony. I found Amanda's information on line and called her up. I felt an instant connection with her on the phone, and felt immediately at ease and comfortable knowing I had found the right person. We followed up with a meeting at a coffee shop and went over what we wanted our ceremony to be about. We threw out there whatever we wanted and she constructed a ceromony based on our needs and desires. Everything turned out beautifully, actually perfect! I couldn't have asked for a better minister or ceremony. It was heartfelt, magical and completely reflected our spirits and who we are and what our love meant to each other. I am grateful and thankful for Amanda's presence at our wedding! -Heather Walker
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Choosing to get married in Hawaii was an easy decision for us; we’ve spent time on the Islands and love the land and its people. Choosing someone to perform a wedding ceremony was much more difficult, until we met Amanda that is.
She was a breath of fresh air, professional and competent, yet allowing us the flexibility, and letting the romance and a spirit of the occasion to seep in. Amanda is easily the nicest person you would meet, keen to listen, but ready to offer subtle advice when she perceived, correctly, that we needed it. The moment a couple gets married is one of the life altering experiences I believe, we are most fortunate and grateful to Amanda for helping usher us on the new path with smiles and tears of joy, with deep sense of goodness and humanity she emanates. Whether you want your wedding small or big, just the 2 of you or 500 people, she can make it happen. We felt that the moment was about us, not all the external accessories the wedding entails. It takes a special person to make that happen, for us it was Amanda.
Thank you.
-A & A
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My husband and I found Amanda through an extensive internet search. We were going to be flying to Kaua'i, a place we had never been before, to get married on a beach, yet-to-be-determined. As soon as we read her bio, we called her. Upon speaking with her on the phone, we knew she was the *one* who was meant to marry us. We met her just days prior to one of the most important days of our lives, and we were even MORE certain she would make our day perfect. We have always been thankful to have found her, and are now lucky to name her among our dearest friends. If you are searching for just the right mixture of fun-loving, spiritual, laid-back, organized, and professional, look no further. Amanda is all that and more!
-J & C
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi Amanda-
I just wanted to say thank you again for such a stress free and enjoyable ceremony! It was perfect in every way.
Katie and Brandon, Married in Tennessee
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amanda,
Thank you so much, the ceremony was wonderful, and you helped make it beautiful! Elijah and I had the best wedding we could ever dream of and are so glad to have you as a part of it.
Amanda,
My hunch about you was right. You were perfect.
-Sarah and Elijah, TN
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amanda - We're getting back into our normal routine after the wedding and finally settled enough to tell you how much we appreciated you being with us on Miller and Breana's wedding day. The service was absolutely beautiful and they've gotten so many compliments on the vows and your officiating. Thank you so very much and we'll always remember you and treasure your part in our lives.
Becky, Tennessee
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I, the Bride-to Be called and talked to Amanda and when we met her it was then that we felt her spirit, it was a good vibe and she was very down to earth, honest, and genuinely a kind and caring person who stayed that way all throughout. Amanda was also a listening ear to us, I specifically remember that it was 2 weeks before the wedding when she tried assisting me, the Bride, with finding some where and some how to relax before the big day. The day of she came to the wedding prepared, she was checking and making sure we had everything together like a coordinator does, she was great."
Thanks Amanda from Tan & H, Tennessee
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amanda thank you so much for being a part of our day. After meeting with you I had no doubt that my big day would all work out worry free. Getting married in a different state was making me very stressed till we found you online. All the emails and questions I had, you answered so quickly. Getting to help personalize our wedding vows really made it very special. You were so kind and our family was also impressed with how personal our wedding vows were and how close we had became with you, It was like you had become our friend not just a random officiant. Needless to say our wedding was smooth sailing and thanks for making sure we had a wonderful day. Kendra & Anthony Bailey Married in TN Oct. 1 2010
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Amanda,
I want to say a warm thank you for being such an important part of our wedding. Your comments and ceremony were simply perfect for the occasion. You captured the way David and I feel about each other, and you spoke with warmth and sincerity. I simply couldn't have asked for it to be more perfect. We received several compliments on the service throughout the evening. I know our meeting was serendipitous, but I am so thankful we met and that you were included in our wedding.
Sincerely, Tara and David, TN
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My husband had been asking me to marry him for a year and for a year I had continuously refused, not because I did not want to commit to him, but because I did not believe that marriage by today's standards was sincere. I saw marriage as a show you put on for everyone you know and the vows as something someone else came up with forever ago. My opinion changed when I attended my uncle's wedding, officiated by Amanda Dobra, the feeling in the room was honest and personal. My husband and I were married less than a month later with Amanda as our officiant. Our wedding was perfect and truly us! I felt instantly comfortable with Amanda and knew that there would be no judgement or criticism about any of the non-conventional beliefs my husband and I share. In addition to suggestions with vows and support with any concerns I had Amanda was also very helpful with all of the confusing legal forms and processes involved in marriage that we were completely in the dark about. I felt as if I had found a very knowledgeable and supportive friend, I will always be grateful and I would recommend her to any bride or groom!
Rachel Schmidt, TN
