Explore Sacred Salt Ceremonies

A black-and-white photograph of a woman with long dark hair and a bright smile. She is wearing a sleeveless top with horizontal stripes and has jewelry including flowers and rings. She tilts her head slightly and looks directly at the camera.
A black-and-white photograph of a woman with long dark hair and a bright smile. She is wearing a sleeveless top with horizontal stripes and has jewelry including flowers and rings. She tilts her head slightly and looks directly at the camera.

Sacred Salt Ceremonies is Dena Merlino Scott, an all-occasion officiant in Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina who conducts weddings, unions, and ceremonies. A skilled writer and engaging public speaker, she blends warmth, creativity, and spiritual presence to craft meaningful custom wedding ceremonies and salt experiences.

Dena officiated her first wedding in 2016, an experience that revealed her gift for speaking about love with authenticity and depth, and she has been honored to guide ceremonies ever since. Dena was inspired to begin hand-crafting salt from our pristine oceans as part of her interest in Earth sciences, world history, symbolism, and food; there is a combination of ancient wisdoms in this experience, and Dena looks forward to infusing your special occasion with phenomenal meaning.

She holds a Master’s degree in Literature, a 100-hour meditation teacher certification, and brings a broad worldview shaped by her background in international marketing and business. With compassion and intention at the heart of her work, she helps couples feel truly seen, celebrated, and supported on their special day with the creation of their one-of-a kind sacred salt.

More Info About Wedding Process & Packages.

Check out the FAQ!

Learn about salt ceremonies.

Wilmington Wedding Officiant
Close-up of white flower with green star-shaped petals above a small bowl filled with sacred salt, in a decorative abalone shell.
Woman officiant dressed in fancy garb holding a book and a staff, walking in a grand hall with seated audience in the background.
A bride and groom dressed in white, sitting on a green sofa in a room with white walls. They are reaching toward a small white table with a sacred salt ceremony arranged on it.
Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach Wedding Officiant walking down aisle holding official folio
A dimly lit outdoor patio with brick walls, a black table draped with a cloth, and a sacred salt ceremony arranged for a wedding. Vines hang on the left side, and there is a large rectangular opening in the brick wall revealing greenery outside.
Five women standing on a beach holding colorful balloons and drinks, with dark clouds overhead.
A woman in a black swimsuit walking in the ocean at sunset, carrying a jar of Wrightsville Beach water to distill into sacred salt.
Group of people walking in a calm ocean on Wrightsville Beach at sunrise on to gather water to make into sacred salt after a sound bath experience.
A shell-shaped dish filled with coarse sea salt, placed on a ceremonial table with a glass and greenery nearby.
Wedding officiant with bride and groom
A round white marble table with a soft, textured white cloth. Centered is a ceramic salt cellar with the lid closed. Flanking are two shells filled with sea salt. Decoratively arranged around the items are sprigs of white and green flowers.

Ordained through Spirit of Love Ministry.

Meditation Alliance International Certified Meditation Instructor.

A red anchor with a globe background, a ribbon reading 'Spirit of Love', a Bible verse from John 13:34, and the word 'Ministry' in stylized text, symbolizing Dena is officially ordained in North Carolina
Pink circular logo for Meditative Alliance International with a lotus flower in the center and the text 'CMT 100 Certified Meditation Teacher'.

What People Are Saying

  • Lija O.

    “

    Dena was instrumental in orchestrating our nuptials from the beginning stages til the big day. Dena invested the time in getting to know us as a couple, by learning about how we met and our history together :) Allowing us to express our ideas and thoughts , Dena designed the perfect ceremony-while keeping our wishes in mind. Planning a wedding can be very emotional and stressful and having Dena there made it so much easier and memorable for us, we will always be grateful to have had her by our side :)

    ”

  • John

    Simply the best!

    Dena was responsive and worked diligently to do what we asked of her. She made some wonderful suggestions that were incorporated into the ceremony. Dena was flexible, professional and very personable. Her spirit is manifest clearly in her preparation and presentation. We highly recommend her to any couples seeking to have an inspired ceremony.

  • Danielle

    I want to say a big thank you to Dena for officiating my husband and my wedding. Dena made our day so special! We chose to do her salt ceremony and added in some of our own things such as hand fasting. Dena took her time and made sure everything was to how we wanted our wedding i would recommend her to anyone looking for an officiant. Thank you again! 

  • Andrea

    Best Decision!

    Dena officiated our wedding and it was the best decision we made. We struggled because the logistics of having a ceremony somewhere other than our venue became very complicated. We also wanted a ceremony that spoke to who we are and to focus on our love story. Dena took the time to really learn who we are and helped create a ceremony that was so special and personal. I would recommend her over and over again.

  • Leave or Read Reviews!

    Google

    Wedding Wire

    The Knot

Connect | Celebrate

Cleanse | Commemorate

Chat with Dena

Please reach out to Dena to learn more about her wedding or celebrant services, as well as how she can commemorate your special beach occasion with a Sacred Salt Ceremony.

Free 30-min chat