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876 feet in the air: Officiating an adventure wedding on the New River Gorge Bridge

Published Saturday, Jan. 30th, 2021

An AMM Minister performs a wedding high above the New River Gorge in an adventure wedding ceremony the couple will never forget. If you’re a new officiant and want to explore destination and adventure weddings, read on for inspiration!

Mathew takes a selfie with the bride and groom on the New River Gorge Bridge, with the river far below them in the distance — Mathew takes a selfie with the newlyweds on the New River Gorge Bridge, WV

This wedding officiant peformed an adventure elopement at 876 feet up!

Watching the newlyweds rappel off the bridge into open air, speeding downward toward the whitewater river below, the phrase ‘leap of faith’ took on new meaning. AMM Minister Mathew Anderson’s officiant career had just hit a new high -- performing a one-of-a-kind ceremony on the New River Gorge Bridge.

Officiant Mathew Anderson performs wedding ceremony on New River Bridge

This adventure elopement was not for the faint of heart! Officiant Mathew stood with the bride and groom nearly 900 feet above the river while they exchanged their wedding vows. (Photographs courtesy of Deb Parker, of Mamaw's House, near Minden, WV)

Mathew led the ceremony at a staggering 876 feet in the air, tethered by a single rope to the 3,000 foot wide steel arch bridge that sprawls across the deep canyon formed by the New River. It’s one of the most photographed and beloved areas of the country, and for good reason! Just outside of Fayette, West Virginia, the area is truly breathtaking.

Mathew knew from the moment the couple asked him to officiate that he would say yes.

Still, when they asked if he wanted to rappel down with them, he declined. Standing on the catwalk of the bridge was plenty thrilling for Mathew -- along with the knowledge that this daredevil ceremony was only the start of new adventures for the happy couple!

Adventure wedding New River Gorge Bridge WV

A stunning view of the New River Gorge Bridge, where the adventure wedding took place.

How to Officiate Elopement Ceremonies & Adventure Weddings

If you want to officiate an adventure elopement like this one, start by getting ordained online with AMM and follow the minister registration requirements in your state.

Get orained online free with AMM
Weddings by State: Wedding Officiant Registration

Then, start advertising & marketing your wedding officiant business and say YES to new things and interesting opportunities. Get outside your comfort zone, be willing to travel outside your region, and incorporate your unique hobbies and passions into your officiant services and wedding packages.

If you have a passion for something others find interesting, too - Disney movies or Star Wars weddings, rock climbing, vintage fashion, or even train travel - you can incorporate these themes into speciality wedding ceremony packages or custom scripts. You may have to travel to where the action is, but you’ll find your wedding officiant niche market!

Read Up, Up, and Away! How Wedding Officiants With Unique Career Paths Create Unique Wedding Ceremonies for more ideas on how to get started.

Elopement on the New River Gorge Bridge Walk National Park West Virginia

Officiant Mathew helps the bride and groom exchange wedding vows on the New River Gorge Bridge in a West Virginia adventure elopement. (Photo credit Deb Parker)

Fun facts about this unique wedding 'venue' in West Virginia:

The New River Gorge Bridge sprawls 876 feet above the New River, the third highest bridge in the country. Below, the river runs for more than 300 miles, a rugged whitewater expanse that races through the Appalachian mountains. It’s said to be the second oldest river in the world, anywhere from 10 t0 36 million years old.

Bridge Walk New River Gorge Bridge Elope

Another stunning view of this unique wedding 'venue' in West Virginia, the New River Gorge Bridge. (Photo cropped from original, credit Deb Parker)

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AMM Minister Mathew Anderson is on a mission to perform marriage in all 50 states. Follow along as he unites couples and celebrates love!

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Become a Wedding Officiant Online with American Marriage Ministries!

Get ordained online free with AMM and become a wedding officiant for friends and relatives!

Just complete the online ordination application to get started

Why AMM? American Marriage Ministries is an inclusive nondenominational internet church that ordains and trains ministers to officiate marriage ceremonies. We are a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit church, and help people from all backgrounds and beliefs become ordained ministers for weddings. Our online ordination is free, accessible, and never expire.

Officiating weddings is an incredible honor, and a great way to show your love and support for the people getting married. As a wedding officiant, you will help to create memorable ceremonies and memories that last a lifetime.

A bride and her father walk down the aisle at the start of the wedding ceremony while friends and family members cheer