Ordained Offiants, Counseling, and Modern Ceremony Trends

Ordained Offiants, Counseling, and Modern Ceremony Trends

From The Wedding Dish by Sara Alepin

January 22, 2026 · 37 min · Episode 167

About this episode

This episode features expert advice on marriage from wedding officiant David Anderson, focusing on counseling and modern ceremony trends.

We often focus on the big day, but what about the rest of your lives? This week, we are getting expert advice on the marriage itself with David, a seasoned wedding officiant, pastor, and counselor with decades of experience! David shares insights not only on the ceremony but on building a successful, long-lasting partnership. Grab your fork as we dish on: The crucial conversation: How a simple 90-minute counseling session can dramatically reduce your divorce risk (David shares the numbers!). The rise of friends/family officiating and online ordination, and the practical challenges of having a non-professional run your ceremony. The importance of premarital counseling - focusing on family background, communication patterns, and how to transition from an "I" to a "we" mindset. What happens after the wedding? David explains the challenging "Cave Period" that couples face in the first year of marriage and how to prepare for it. Advice for first-time officiants on navigating venues, working with vendors, and focusing on the couple's relationship. This episode is an essential listen for every engaged couple looking to invest in a joyful, successful marriage that lasts! Guest: Rev…

People in this episode

Host: Sara Alepin

Guest: David Anderson

Topics covered

  • marriage counseling
  • wedding officiants
  • premarital counseling
  • relationship advice
  • ceremony trends

Keywords

  • marriage
  • wedding
  • counseling
  • officiant
  • ceremony
  • divorce risk
  • premarital
  • relationship

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Photos from the Harty

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