Amanda Lynn Qualls

ABOUT THIS WEDDING

"Love at First Sight: Officiating the Wedding of Ariele Nicole Nash in Dakota Eugene Arehart On March 14th, 2025, I had the privilege of officiating the wedding of Ariele Nicole Nash and Dakota Eugene Arehart. The ceremony took place by the river Kanawha County, Charleston, West Virginia. It was a beautiful, intimate setting The perfectly matched the heartfelt love between Ariele and Dakota. What was it like officiating their wedding? Honestly, it was like an incredible experience. From the moment Dakota called me that morning, I could tell how much this wedding meant to them. He spoke with so much love and determination. I didn't even hesitate to offer my services for free - their story touched me deeply. They were going through tough times, and I understood the kind of struggle. It felt right to be part of something so special. Was I excited? Absolutely. Nervous? A little, but not in a bad way. I always want to give couples the best ceremony possible. But this time, with no personalized script prepared and no traditional rings, I had to trust my instincts and speak from the heart. Surprisingly, it made my whole experience even more meaningful. The valves flowed naturally, and every word was filled with sincerity. Any cool surprises happen? Plenty! Getting ordained in West Virginia was it's own adventure. The staff at the State Capitol treated me like such kindness, guided me through the whole process like I was royalty. That moment reminded me of why I love what I do - people coming together to celebrate love, even behind the scenes. And then there were the laughs. Ariele and Dakota we're just so full of joy and humor. When it came time to exchange rings, we had a bit of a challenge. They didn't have their own rings, but thankfully, I had some golden bands I kept for moments like this. Dakota's ring was too small, but we managed to shove it on, laughing the entire time. And let's not forget the moment Ariele playfully smacked him with her flowers during the photo session - she even made sure I captured it on camera! That moment still cracks me up. What did I like about the ceremony? Without a doubt, it was seeing the raw, genuine connection between Ariele and Dakota. The way Dakota looked at her, like she was the most precious thing in the world, was unforgettable. He just couldn't keep his hands off her - not in a distracting way, but in a quotation mark I'm so lucky " kind of way. You could tell they were soulmates. I also appreciated the little moments of kindness. Dakota even tried to help me with my camera, which was sweet, even if it didn't work out as plan. And when the day was done, they handed me their last $6 as a thank you. It wasn't about the money - it was about their gratitude. That meant everything to me. After their ceremony, we rushed to the courthouse to file their marriage certificate before closing time. Despite everything happening in reverse, it all worked out perfectly. The sense of accomplishment enjoy I felt knowing they were officially husband and wife was immeasurable. Now that I'm ordained in both Ohio and West Virginia, I'm even more excited to continue my journey as an officiant. Ariele and Dakota's wedding reminded me why I love this work. Love is powerful. Love is resilient. And sometimes, love shows up when you least expect it - like a 1:36 AM Facebook message that turns into a lifelong memory. To Ariele and Dakota, I wish you both a lifetime of laughter, joy, and unwavering love. May everyday feel like the beautiful one we shared by the river."

Amanda Lynn Qualls