Hello, I'm Paul Marsh

Hi, I'm Paul. Thank you for visiting.                   (Photo: Kate Donaldson Photography)

My passion is helping to make your wedding day experience everything that you dreamed of, and maybe a little bit more. Your beautiful ceremony is performed in the gorgeous location you choose. Working with you to answer questions and craft a ceremony that meets your needs, so that your special day is more relaxed and joyful. I'm a semi-retired Adventure Recreation Professor and weddings found me after I left the university life. It is truly an honor to be celebrating 10 years, 4/20/2015 to 4/20/2025, and more than 375 ceremonies. Thank you to everyone who's lives have touched these years with your love!

The Officiant: After some nudging from former students after I had performed a ceremony for them, I turned to other students and early clients in order to crowdsource the creation of my services to provide a low-stress, joyful and heartfelt wedding day experience. Weddings In The Wild was created to provide the service of a professional go-anywhere wedding officiant, helping couples feel more comfortable in a gorgeous setting for their wedding. I use my gift of creating ceremonies and facilitating experiences that capture the intent and emotion of the couple and the moment. With thoughtful writing and a heartfelt and joyful performance of your ceremony on your wedding day.

The Story: Inspiration for Weddings In The Wild was born when a former student asked me to "marry them". The wedding photographer, also a former student of mine, told me that what I did was a really unique, meaningful and beautiful ceremony. That no one in our area was doing anything like it. Connecting the couple with the beauty, majesty and power of nature, creation and the universe. That was in 2015. After a few weddings, brides told me that they really appreciated all of the help with the planning of their trip. This feedback led to creation of the concierge service as an option for couples who want help planning. 

The Philosophy: I believe in love (Love is my religion ~Ziggy Marley). I'm inspired by the raw beauty, majesty and authenticity of nature and wilderness. I love to help people create the experience of their vision in the setting they want most. Let's make it memorable and joyful for the two of you. 

Thank you for considering my services. Please let me know your questions.

It would truly be an honor and privilege to help create you vision and officiate your wedding. 

peace and love,

 paul

• Joyful and inspiring performance of your ceremony.
• Clear and insightful wisdom based on life and adventure experience.
• Thoughtful, personalized standard or custom ceremonies tie the beauty and wisdom of nature to you and your wedding. This adds a joyous energy of unity to your ceremony.
• Expert experience and knowledge in the spiritual experience that results from wilderness adventures**.

• More than 40 years experience as a master of ceremonies and event organizer.
• Over 292 days of experience back-country guiding experience. 
• Plus, 268 nights of living in the wilderness. Leading groups and on private trips.
• Outdoor knowledge, skills, and abilities to go on any adventure, and provide instruction if necessary. 
• Excellent at building relationships with individual people, and at building high-functioning communities in small or large groups.
• 375 weddings & counting from the 10 year anniversary of 4/20/2025

Your wedding day benefits from my experience as a backcountry guide and a college professor. I'll perform your marriage nearby in nature or deep in the wild, in a heartfelt and joyous performance. Helping you create your dream day:

1. a ceremony that fits you, performed at your spot
2. recommendations and help to create your wishes
3. positive attitude ad uplifting demeanor
4. clear ideas of success in helping you meet your goals
5. nature based metaphors and life lessons
6. creative solutions to last minute surprises
7. empathetic understanding and compassionate considerations

Elope, have your wedding, renew your vows or have a commitment ceremony. 

Nearby in Nature or Deep in the Wild.

It would be an honor to perform your ceremony and help make your dream come true.

Your ceremony and celebration are shaped by your values, needs and wishes. As a Civic Minister (non-denominational),  I work to build a personal relationship with each couple. Then share my gift with words to connect you with the power of the nature that surrounds your love. The result is a joyful and heartfelt performance of your ceremony on your wedding day. Among the tall ferns and majestic trees or on the pristine, rugged, uncrowded beaches or ....?

I'm here to help make your dreams come true. It's all included in my services as your Wedding Officiant. Along with a memorable performance of your custom ceremony, humor, amazing memories & a new partner in life.

Reach out with your question!

*Your ceremony is enriched by insights from the experience and knowledge of my geeky side, Paul Marsh, human being, PhD. Ancient wisdom and more recent knowledge about the spiritual values of wilderness will add depth, inspiration, joy and beauty to your ceremony.

Learn more here: 

**Examining Backcountry Adventure as a Spiritual Experience, by Marsh & Bobilya