“Together, we’ll create a meaningful, fun, & memorable wedding experience!”
29 Years Serving Awesome Couples in Malibu, CA!
Wedding Officiant & Minister in Malibu, CA
“As a trusted wedding officiant Malibu couples rely on, finding the right person to stand with you at the most important moment of your life is a decision that matters more than most people realize. After 29 years of doing exactly that in Malibu, I know what that responsibility means. I don’t take it lightly. From the first time we talk to the moment I hand that signed license back to the county clerk, I’m all in on your wedding. That’s just how I operate.
What I bring to every ceremony here is something most officiants simply don’t offer. My background as a motivational speaker, minister, and professional writer means I don’t show up with a template. I sit with every couple for about an hour, ask questions, listen to your story, and then write a ceremony from scratch that is completely and uniquely yours.”
If you’re looking for a wedding officiant Malibu has to offer, I’d love to connect. Call or text me at (805) 300-4955.
The Benefits of Customized Ceremonies
“No two couples are alike — and after 29 years of doing this, I can tell you that the ceremonies that mean the most are the ones that actually sound like the people standing in them. Before I write a single word of your ceremony, I want to know your story. How you met. What makes you laugh. What you’ve been through together. That’s what goes into the ceremony — not a template, not a script pulled from a file, but something written specifically for you. I’ve officiated intimate elopements on the sand at El Matador and large estate celebrations at Calamigos Ranch. The size doesn’t matter. The personalization always does. That’s what makes me the wedding officiant Malibu couples return to again and again.”
Officiating Religious and Secular Weddings
My background is in Christian ministry, but over 29 years I’ve officiated ceremonies for couples of many faiths and backgrounds — Christian, Jewish, interfaith, and couples with no religious affiliation at all. Most couples I work with fall somewhere in the middle. They have values and beliefs but they don’t want a church service. They want something meaningful without feeling like a religious lecture. That’s exactly what I do. I’ll incorporate as much or as little faith as feels right for you — handled with genuine respect for who you are and what you believe.
5 Reasons to Get Married in Malibu, CA
As a wedding officiant Malibu couples have trusted for nearly three decades, here’s what I tell every couple who asks me why Malibu.
1. El Matador and El Pescador State Beach
These are two of my favorite spots in all of Malibu. Both sit right on the Pacific Ocean — not near it, not with a view of it, but on it. The rock formations at El Matador are unlike anything else in Southern California. El Pescador is quieter and more secluded, perfect for couples who want something intimate. I’ve officiated dozens of elopements at both beaches and they never disappoint.
2. World-Class Venues
From the one-of-a-kind experience at Calamigos Ranch to the hillside views at Malibu Rocky Oaks Estate, The Lodge at Malibou Lake, and Rancho del Cielo — Malibu has venues for every style and every budget. I’ve worked at all of them and know exactly what makes each one special.
3. The Drive In
Pacific Coast Highway into Malibu is one of the most beautiful drives in the world. Your guests will arrive already feeling like something special is about to happen. That matters more than people realize.
4. Dining Worth Celebrating
After the ceremony, Malibu delivers. Nobu Malibu and Geoffrey’s Malibu both offer stunning ocean views and food that matches the occasion. I’ve seen plenty of post-ceremony celebrations at both — they never disappoint.
5. It Feels Like Nowhere Else
Malibu is small — about 10,000 residents tucked between the Santa Monica Mountains and the Pacific. Despite its reputation, it has a genuine community feel. Couples who get married here always tell me afterward that it felt more personal than they expected. That’s Malibu.
Wedding Venues in Malibu, CA
Calamigos Ranch — The “Disneyland” of Malibu Weddings
I often tell my couples that Calamigos Ranch is essentially the “Disneyland” of wedding venues. Tucked away on 250 acres in the Malibu hills, the property is designed so that each wedding site feels like its own unique “land,” completely private from the others. Whether you are planning an intimate gathering for 75 guests or a grand celebration for 500, there is a specific world here that fits your story.
Choosing between the FIVE distinct venues is a bit like picking your favorite ride at a theme park — each one offers a completely different sense of adventure. You might choose the whimsical, nostalgic energy of the Pavilion with its iconic Ferris wheel, or the quiet, soulful journey through the redwood-lined Birchwood Room. As an officiant, I love that these locations feel like hidden sanctuaries. If you want a venue where the natural beauty does the heavy lifting so we can focus on the heart of your ceremony, Calamigos is a spectacular place to begin your forever.
Malibu Rocky Oaks Estate
Perched high in the Santa Monica Mountains, Malibu Rocky Oaks Estate is one of the most breathtaking wedding venues in all of Southern California. The panoramic views of the Malibu hills and the Pacific Ocean create a backdrop that simply cannot be manufactured. It’s intimate, private, and absolutely stunning — the kind of place where the setting alone moves people before the ceremony even begins.
The Lodge at Malibou Lake
Built in 1923, The Lodge at Malibou Lake sits on the shores of a private lake surrounded by oak trees and natural beauty. It has a timeless, rustic elegance that feels completely removed from the rest of the world. I’ve officiated ceremonies here where guests walked in and immediately exhaled — that’s the effect this place has on people.
Rancho del Cielo
Rancho del Cielo — “Ranch of the Sky” — lives up to its name. Sitting high above the Pacific, this venue offers sweeping ocean views and a warm, hacienda-style setting that feels both grand and intimate. It’s one of those venues that photographs magnificently in every season.
Four Free Beach Locations in Malibu for an Elopement or Small Wedding
Each of these locations is perfect for couples wanting to elope or invite 10 to 15 people to their wedding. And the best part — they’re free!
El Matador State Beach
Best known for its uneven cliffs, sea caves, and incredible rock formations, this secluded pocket beach has rocky shores and just enough slivers of sand for a cozy and romantic ceremony. It’s a favorite spot for photographers and social media influencers due to its stunning sunsets and picturesque views. Be aware that El Matador State Beach access involves a steep trail down to the sand, which can be challenging for those with mobility issues. Pro Tip: If you get married at sunset you’ll have lots of company — it’s that popular. I’ve met many couples at 8 or 9am and we had the entire place to ourselves.
El Pescador State Beach
This tranquil setting is less crowded and larger than El Matafor and offers a quieter, more private atmosphere. This is what I call a Southern California low-key wedding venue. Its privacy and serenity are ideal for couples seeking a more intimate and peaceful environment, and the scenic tide pools and unique rock formations provide a stunning backdrop for wedding photography. As with El Matador, El Pescador has a long winding staircase from the bluff down to the beach, so if mobility is a concern it may not be the best fit. But if you want a site that is perfectly Southern California, El Pescador State Beach might be the best choice for your wedding day.
Point Dume State Beach
Point Dume is world-famous as the beach featured in the iconic final scene of the original Planet of the Apes. The bluff overlooking the ocean offers panoramic views of the coastline and Santa Monica Bay, with nearby hiking trails for added adventure. I’ve officiated dozens of weddings at Point Dume and always look forward to the pod of dolphins that swim right off the beach. Pro Tip: Point Dume has a dramatic bluff high above the beach that is a breathtaking ceremony site. If you want a “top of the world” experience, it is THE wedding location in Malibu.
Lechuza Beach
Often called Malibu’s best-kept secret, Lechuza Beach offers a serene and tucked-away atmosphere that feels worlds apart from the busier stretches of the coast. This “hidden” gem is defined by its dramatic rock arches, kelp-strewn shoreline, and a sense of quiet isolation that is perfect for a truly private elopement. Because it is nestled below a residential neighborhood, it lacks the large crowds of nearby state beaches, allowing your vows to be heard over the gentle lap of the waves rather than the hum of a parking lot. Pro Tip: Lechuza has several access points via winding staircases at the end of residential cul-de-sacs. I recommend the Broad Beach Road entrance for the most scenic walk down to the sand. It’s the ideal spot if you want the beauty of Malibu’s rock formations without the “audience” you often find at El Matador.
Find Your Wedding Officiant in Malibu, CA
My Experience
29 years ago I became a licensed wedding officiant because I believed ceremonies could be better — more personal, more meaningful, and actually reflective of the two people standing there. Every couple I work with gets something written specifically for them. No templates. No recycled scripts. This is all about celebration!
The Locations
Southern California is my home and I know it well. From large estate weddings at Calamigos Ranch and Malibu Rocky Oaks Estate to intimate beach elopements at El Matador and El Pescador — I’ve officiated in just about every setting Malibu has to offer. Need your marriage license? The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder has everything you need before the big day.
You!
No two couples are alike. What you want for your wedding day is completely different from the couple before you and the couple after you. My job is to figure out what that is — your story, your humor, your values, what makes your relationship yours — and build a ceremony around it. That’s not something I do after I show up. That’s the work we do together beforehand.
Your Personalized Wedding Minister in Malibu, CA
You’ve got enough to think about. Finding the right officiant shouldn’t be one of them. When you work with me you get someone who actually picks up the phone, answers your questions the same day, and writes a ceremony that sounds like you — not like it came from a template.
I spend about an hour in a personal interview with every couple before I write a single word of your ceremony. I want to know how you met, what makes your partner laugh, what your families mean to you, and what you want the people in those seats to walk away feeling. That’s the foundation of everything I write.
After 29 years I know every venue, every beach, and every detail that makes a Malibu wedding work. I handle your license processing personally after the ceremony and make sure everything gets filed correctly and on time. Check out my wedding packages to find the right fit for your day. That’s what sets me apart as a wedding officiant Malibu families recommend year after year.
Reach out to Dean Merrill Weddings Today
“Whether you’re planning a beach elopement at El Matador, an estate celebration at Calamigos Ranch, or anything in between — I’d be honored to be the wedding officiant Malibu couples trust most for nearly three decades.”
Call or text me at (805) 300-4955 or fill out my online form to get started. I follow up fast and I’d love to hear your story.”
“My husband and I very easily decided to select Dean Merrill as our officiant after our first call with him inquiring about his services. We decided to proceed with his Personal package which led to a detailed and fun phone meeting with the three of us as he got to know us and to prepare for the ceremony. The day of our wedding Dean found is way to each of us prior to the ceremony to introduce himself in person and check in to see how we were doing before our big moment. Dean gladly joined my very close family and friends and I in a prayer to help guide us through the big day. During the ceremony Dean was calm and confident and very warm as he spoke about my husband and I. The ceremony was nothing but perfect. He did an amazing job sharing our stories and our love for each other to our friends and family. It has been two weeks since we were married and we still are receiving comments about how amazing and touching the ceremony was. I wish I could give him 100 stars if it were possible!”
Frequently Asked Questions
I am always available to answer specific questions or concerns. Weddings tend to bring up some common worries, so here are some of the ones I hear most often: