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Father Jerry Bellamy
OWNER
Typically responds within 24h
AWARD WINNER (5X)
Thanks to recommendations from couples on The Knot
Father Jerry Bellamy is a retired Catholic priest, in CA. He has been planning and performing weddings for over 50 years. Ordained after 12 years of seminary training, he spent 9 happy years in parishes. In 1981, he retired from full time ministry because he wanted to be married. He and his wonderful wife have two children. Both children are professionals in California. He is still a Priest but performs weddings as a non-denominational minister. Father Jerry specializes in both religious and non-religious ceremonies. He also speaks Spanish.
This is NOT his “side job”. This is what he does.
ALSO . . . . .
Father Jerry is bilingual and will work with you to plan and celebrate your wedding, in English or Spanish traditions. So many of his couples are not religious, as adults, but were as children. Many couples are agnostics, atheists or are just upset with the church of their parents. Father Jerry very often helps bridge the gap between what the couple wants and what their parents want. Father Jerry’s couples usually want to be married outside of traditional churches or temples or synagogues. He also celebrates weddings, side by side, with Rabbis, Imams, Ministers, and Elders of other religions. He will take the time to sit down with you to plan your ceremony. His approach is to help you find the ceremony that is hiding within your relationship. Your wedding could end up being rather traditional, or not very traditional at all. The average duration of a ceremony is about 28 minutes.
“What makes a person holy, is determined by how loving one is, not by how religious one might be. We celebrate how great/holy it is that you love each other. Dios es Amor.”
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Details
Ceremony Types
Civil Union
Commitment Ceremony
Elopement
Interfaith Ceremony
Non-Religious Ceremony
Religious Ceremony
Second Wedding
Vow Renewal Ceremony
Planning
Se Habla Español
Religious Affiliations
Christian
Catholic
Protestant
Interfaith
Jewish
Muslim
Secular
Spiritual
Unitarian
Wedding Activities
Premarital Counseling
Wedding
Ceremony
Awards and Affiliations
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Meet the team
Father Jerry Bellamy
Owner
I have planned and performed thousands of weddings for couples of ALL religions for 45 years. Before that, I spent 12 full years of Seminary training in preparation for the work that I do. In 1972 I was ordained as a Catholic Priest for the Los Angeles area. In 1981, I retired from full-time ministry to marry and raise a family. I have a wonderful wife and two wonderful children. I am one "lucky duck", as they say. I often perform weddings with Rabbis, Emams and ministers of other religions. I speak Spanish. I also perform same-sex weddings. As the Pope says, "Who am I to judge?"
Reviews
4.9
out of 5.057 reviews
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Review Summary
This AI-generated summary is a snapshot of this vendor's ratings and feedback.
Father Bellamy is highly recommended by multiple reviewers as an officiant for wedding ceremonies. He is praised for his ability to create a spiritual and personalized ceremony that aligns with the couple's desires. Father Bellamy's comprehensive planning process and attention to detail make the entire experience stress-free. Reviewers appreciate his professionalism, humor, and ability to make everyone feel comfortable. Overall, couples had wonderful experiences with Father Bellamy as their officiant and highly recommend him for a memorable and meaningful wedding ceremony.- Top reviews
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Adri L
5.0
2/03/2023
My husband and I really wanted a ceremony that didn't feel like just a formality. We both had religious upbringings, but our families come from different faiths. We hoped that Father Bellamy could create a spiritual tone without being specific enough to risk stepping on anyone's personal beliefs. He did exactly that and so much more!
We first met with him in Santa Barbara, where we discussed what our ceremony would look and feel like. After the meeting, he emailed us an outline that we later used to run our rehearsal. The outline was so comprehensive that we managed to do everything without a coordinator, and we actually felt confident about it (which is saying a lot because I'm a big worrywart).
The ceremony took place at the Wee Kirk O' the Heather, a reproduction of a 14th-century Scottish church, on the grounds of Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, CA. Father Bellamy perfectly suited the Old World charm of the chapel, dressed in his traditional vestments.
Father Bellamy said all the right things. He has such a fun, quirky personality that puts everyone at ease, but he also masterfully created an environment in which we all felt spiritually in tune with each other and with God. After the ceremony, several of our guests remarked that the ceremony really touched them and that they felt like they were participating instead of just spectating. You absolutely will not regret hiring Father Bellamy!
Erin B
5.0
12/11/2022
Father Jerry celebrated my wedding *right before* the Pandemic hit back in Nov. 2019. We wanted a very small wedding and wanted to go to the forest at Sequoia National Park. Not only was Father Jerry agreeable, he was enthusiastic about the whole thing! We emailed back and forth and had a few phone calls. He made all of it so easy and everyone in my family remarked what a wonderful, memorable, funny, and touching ceremony it was. He made such a wonderful impression and I'm so glad he stayed to participate in a few delightful photographs afterward with the 10 member wedding party.
It was absolutely delightful and so joyful and so easy to have him work with us on making the ceremony just right. It was absolutely everything we could have wanted. I have to say Thank You once again to Father Jerry, for really ensuring that the day was special, memorable, emotional, and relaxed.
Any questions?
Matt F
5.0
7/21/2022
Wedding was early July at Trump National Tolf course in Palos Verdes, CA. From the initial introductory telephone call, we know Father Jerry was the one we wanted to conduct our ceremony. Father Jerry was extremely helpful and knowledgeable with planning our dream ceremony. We met with him a few weeks before the wedding so he could learn more about us as a couple and completely customize the ceremony to us and our desires. The wedding ceremony was amazing and we have Father Jerry to thank for it. All of our family and guests are still raving about how great he was and how it seemed as if he had known us for years. More importantly, my wife and I are still talking about how special he made our moment at the altar. I highly recommend Father Jerry for your big day.
Mary Ellen S
5.0
6/21/2022
Father Jerry was so incredible, from communication to the ceremony itself! We absolutely loved his memorable words and could not be more grateful to have found him!!
response 12/11/2022
Erin and Matt: your wedding was in November of 2019 in beautiful Sequoia National Park. I...
know that it was a drive for all of us, but how beautiful it all turned out. Thank you for your note, after all of that time, to today. I remember all of your family members and guests. We had a wonderful time after the ceremony to talk. Merry Christmas. Father Jerry Bellamy 805-687-4248
Nadine J
5.0
5/04/2022
Father Bellamy helped us plan a unique ceremony that met both a spiritual and religious need for our families and us as a couple. He was easy to work with and very stress free. He provides a very detailed plan that’s easy to follow and helps you visualize a ceremony that meets your needs and vision for your wedding. We loved working with him and our guests raved about him! He was the star of the night!
response 05/04/2022
Nadine and Scott, both of you were the "stars" of the night". I was just helping reflect ...
your love for each other, back to you and your guests. Really, your ceremony was great. Thank you for sharing your lives with me. We will always be part of each other's lives. Father Jerry
Stephanie C
5.0
9/29/2021
We had a fantastic time working with Father Bellemy. His guidance is what made our ceremony so special. He was very open to customizing the ceremony to us, while still keeping it traditional. Our ceremony was incredibly heartfelt, so many guests complimented us on the ceremony and many stated they were brought to tears. We were so happy to have found Father Jerry! He will also make you feel so comfortable, loved, and bring a smile (or laugh) to your face, We HIGHLY recommend!
response 10/02/2021
Stephanie and Nick: Seriously, it was so easy to work with both of you to "find your cerem...
ony that was hiding within your relationship." Our ceremony was at the Montalvo Arts Center in Saratoga. I have never seen it look better. There were so many guests and family members of so many different religious backgrounds. It was a joy to be included in your ceremony. Father Jerry Bellamy
Jake B
5.0
4/13/2021
Father Jerry went above and beyond to make our ceremony in San Luis Obispo everything we wanted it to be. I absolutely would recommend Father Jerry to anybody looking for someone who is genuine, respectful of all religions, honest, funny, and just a great conversation. 10/10!
response 04/13/2021
Jake and Sydney, your family and guests are amazing people. You can tell that they love a...
nd celebrate both of you, without reserve. The White Barn in Edna Valley will never be the same. Be sure to visit in Santa Barbara soon. Father Jerry
Jiashun L
5.0
3/28/2021
Jerry was the best marriage officiant we could of ask for on our wedding day, he was caring, loving, and entertaining. He is also responsive and on time and everything went smoothly and I would recommend him to my friends for their wedding!
response 03/28/2021
JL and GN, your wedding was one of the most wonderful I have ever celebrated at the Ritz-C...
arlton Laguna Niguel. Thank you for involving me. We really brought it all together - two people who love each other, surrounded by friends and families - two backgrounds and religions brought together in love. Father Jerry Bellamy
Nadia O
5.0
3/03/2021
I am so glad I booked Fr. Jerry as an officiant for my wedding. He is easy to talk to, organized, and has a great sense of humor. During our wedding preparation meeting, Fr. Jerry put me and my husband at ease. Fr. Jerry had many great ideas of what to incorporate into a wedding ceremony. He also provided great advice on how to ensure all parts flow together well. He was extremely flexible, and worked with us on every detail to create the wedding we both envisioned. Our wedding was bilingual, and incorporated Catholic and Mesoamerican based traditions. Fr. Jerry is bilingual. He spoke in Spanish at parts of the ceremony, which made my grandmother (who speaks little English) feel included in our celebration. Fr. Jerry’s years of experience planning, and officiating weddings helped to calm our nerves and carry out a day I will never forget.
response 03/04/2021
Bianca and Andres, it was so wonderful to meet both of you and plan your ceremony. In spi...
te of COVID-19, everything came together at your parent's house. It was beautifully decorated. Your grandmother was so cute. I saw her making certain that everything was perfectly in order and clean for you, your family members and your guests. It was especially wonderful when your family member included the Chumash blessing to honor those who have gone before us. Blessings.
Aileen R
5.0
12/22/2020
Father Jerry was one of the components on why our wedding went so well. He is professional, caring, funny and just a pleasure to be around. Our communication during the preparations along with covid time was exceptional whether via email or texting. He always got back to us in a timely manner. Upon meeting him in person we felt so at ease about him marrying us. He was over our budget range but we just had to have him marry us. We worked very hard to have him marry us on 11/14/2020. Our family was so please and happy with the way our ceremony went. He accommodated our families many faith's with confidence. Thank you Father Jerry. We hope to see you again in person. God bless you and your family.
response 01/05/2021
Aileen, your ceremony was really wonderful and that is because of the two of you who took ...
the risk of letting your ceremony being joyful and at times solemn. It was the best of the old and the best of the new. Your ceremony reflected the both of you. Happy New Year, Father Jerry Bellamy
Karen V
5.0
11/26/2020
Father Jerry officiated my son's wedding in September. Due to health concerns this year, the wedding had a much smaller guest count, with many guests unable to travel to attend, including close family and bridal party members. We hired Father Jerry pre-COVID due to his great recommendations and that, as a retired Catholic priest, we could combine some religious, sacred elements into the ceremony while respecting the beliefs of all guests in a relaxed, outdoor ceremony. But Father Jerry's role became much more important as it was clear that this wedding would be a combination of bittersweet and joyful, poignant yet hopeful for a return to normalcy in the future. Father Jerry spoke on the phone with the bride and groom for almost 3 hours in order to just get to know them as a couple and help them see what was most important to them in their ceremony. On the wedding day, he brought just the right amount of solemnity with a great sense of joyfulness and humor. Guests alternated between crying and laughing during the 30 minute ceremony. It was just perfect! Guests kept asking where we "found" Father Jerry. I think my son's grandparents guided us from heaven. Thank you Father Jerry.
response 11/27/2020
Karen, your son Brian and Miranda were a joy to work with. It was a very hot day at the ...
Grace Maralyn Estate in Atascadero....but nobody really noticed it. The whole ceremony was happy and still holy. We had so many people of different faiths in attendance. Happy Thanksgiving. Father Jerry
Jalal M
5.0
9/02/2020
Father Jerry was absolutely amazing! Our wedding day could not have gone better and if I had to single out a reason why it went so well it was because of Father Jerry. He brought so much love and creativity to both the planning and the performance of the marriage. Initially we were going to have a large wedding at a fancy restaurant on the beach but because of Covid-19 everything changed and we elected to have a much smaller ceremony on the sand with only our immediate families. Lucky for us Father Jerry is a professional of the highest caliber with tons of experience. He took the time to talk to us at length and get a sense of who we were and afterwards brought to us a wealth of wonderful ideas. He was so easy to talk to, a great listener and I got the sense that he was having as much fun as we were in working out every detail. He loves what he does and it shows. I truly felt that it was as important to him as it was to us that everything come together perfectly. Without his help our ceremony would not have been nearly as good. As it were, it turned out to be magical and for that we have Father Jerry to thank. As far as his role in the actual performance of the wedding, Father Jerry is a very special man and very talented at what he does. He has a charm about him that speaks to the heart and his very presence radiates love and kindness. He knows how and when to interject humor into the ceremony and at which moments to speak words of wisdom that are profound and meaningful. This all leads to an unforgettable and well balance ceremony. Years ago I saw Father Jerry perform the wedding of a relative and now as the groom one of the few things I insisted upon was that he perform our wedding. It was the best choice we made and, not surprisingly, everyone who attended our wedding couldn’t say enough about Father Jerry. He was absolutely amazing!
response 09/03/2020
Jalal and Setareh: It was an honor to work with you to plan and then celebrate your weddi...
ng in San Clemente. Any compliments you wrote are a reflection of who the two of you are. I just tried to listen and provide a good reflection. We are now a part of each other's lives. Father Jerry
Daniel B
5.0
8/14/2020
He was just exactly what we were dreaming of: funny, sacred, modern yet ancient. All the starts for father Jerry, he is a truly humble spiritual soul. By the way, all our wedding pictures in which he appears are incredibly fun!
Connolly S
5.0
5/19/2020
As a same-sex, non-religious couple with Catholic parents, we struggled to find an officiant that would make everyone happy. And we did so much research but still had no idea what to say and do in our ceremony. When we met with Father Jerry for the first time, we knew we had found the perfect compromise. As it turned out, he was the perfect choice: we heard from many guests that it was the best wedding ceremony they'd ever attended.
He helped us personalize portions of the ceremony so that our relationship was always at the center, but kept the framework traditional so it felt like a "real" wedding. As a retired Catholic priest, he lent the gravity and seriousness our parents wanted, and as a marriage equality supporter, he made us feel comfortable and valued He was also willing to help us find that perfect balance of a nod to Catholicism without making us uncomfortable since we're non-religious. Father Jerry is hilarious and kind, and charmed everyone he spoke to. We would definitely recommend him to other couples!
response 05/25/2020
Connolly, you are right. Your family members and guests came from many different religiou...
s backgrounds. What pulled all of them together was your love for each other. The Bel-Aire Bay Club in Malibu hosted such a wonderful celebration. Both of you touched something very deep within each person there. You will forever know that you have awakened something very deep within each person at your ceremony. Wouldn't it be wonderful if all of us could promise to love each other for the rest or our lives? What makes a person "holy" is determined by how loving he or she is. That is how one imitates Christ. Thank you for sharing your lives with all of us. Father Jerry
Jackie G
5.0
3/15/2020
I would recommend Father Jerry as a priest for your upcoming wedding. My wedding ceremony was perfect because I had father Jerry. He made it very comfortable as I stood there in the altar with my husband. He made it comfortable for the guests that attended the ceremony as well. I had my ceremony done in english with the reading and prayers done in Spanish. My relatives were grateful that I had some of my Spanish culture included in the ceremony because father Jerry was able to provide it for me. I had booked him a couple of weeks before the wedding since I couldn't find a priest. I was so grateful that he was able to be part of the ceremony because it turned out amazing.
Tani J
5.0
1/11/2020
Father Jerry was perfect! As two families with different religious backgrounds he was a perfect fit! Meeting with him and having all his insights went super smoothly. I loved and appreciated how he would give us support in planning such as giving options to pick/things to include. He was a perfect balance of guiding and also letting us have our own special twist to our ceremony. He met with us in person, was very responsive via telephone and following up. At first we felt his price was high but after meeting with him we realized he was worth it. Let me tell you he was so worth it. Everyone complimented on our ceremony and how funny he was!
Christine B
5.0
1/08/2020
We loved having Father Jerry as our officiant! Our wedding was at the Santa Barbara courthouse and he did a tremendous job. He helped us design a ceremony that included all the things that were important to us and put us at such ease with his wonderful sense of humor and professionalism. Our guests raved about him and were appreciative that the ceremony reflected our families’ Christian and Buddhist faiths. We are so grateful to Father Jerry for making our day so special and memorable- we cannot recommend him enough!
response 01/27/2020
Christine, I am blown away by your comments. Remember, all of the beauty and joy that was...
your day, was a reflection of who the both of you are.... Father Jerry
Karissa C
5.0
11/13/2019
Father Jerry Bellamy is the absolute best! From the moment we met him, we knew he was the one we had been searching for, as he was an incredible fit for our personalities. He is kind, funny, laid back and yet, a true professional. During our initial meeting, he walked us through the entire process, explaining every step of the way. He saw our vision and brought it to fruition on the day of our wedding. He was well prepared and executed his duties with ease. Many of our guests later explained how his personality made the experience feel more engaging than any other wedding they had ever attended. I highly recommend his services and know you will not regret choosing him!
Troy Q
5.0
11/08/2019
My wife and I got married on May 31st in Beverly Hills and we were looking for the ideal priest who would bring a religious aspect to the ceremony, as I am Catholic, but also balance our multicultural and inter-religious needs as my wife's family is Pakistani Christians. Do not waste your time looking for anyone else, Fr. Jerry is the best in the business! Fr. Jerry couldn't have been more kind, genuine, or knowledgeable about the entire process. He worked with us in detail regarding the whole ceremonial process, gave us the freedom to design the ceremony ourselves all the while being a true professional, and listening to our needs. Thank you Fr. Jerry for making our wedding the most spectacular day!
response 11/08/2019
Troy, thank you for your thoughts and reflections. Weddings are always wonderful events b...
ut especially so when the brides and grooms come from different cultures. Seeing them AND their families coming together is proof that there is only one God with many faces. De Colores. Father Jerry
Danny O
5.0
10/25/2019
Thank you Father Jerry!
We are very happy that we asked Father Jerry to perform our ceremony in the bell tower of the Santa Barbara Courthouse. He was very helpful and a great guide for our ceremony. We highly recommend him for your special day!
Frank T
5.0
10/22/2019
Father Jerry performed our 25th wedding vow renewal this past September in Santa Ynez and it was a ceremony my wife and I will never forget. Think of a perfect simple ceremony and that’s what Father Jerry performed that day. Easy to work with, very delightful attitude and easy going. Thank you very much Father Jerry. We love you and will will never forget the beautiful ceremony.
Brandon B
5.0
10/20/2019
Father Jerry Bellamy is a funny and interesting guy. During our same sex wedding he made me feel at ease and calm. He cracks jokes to lighten the mood and makes everyone laugh.
Sheila D
5.0
10/18/2019
Michael and I were so pleased that Father Bellamy facilitated our wedding ceremony. He did an excellent job blending humor and spirituality. We highly recommend him to any couple who is planning their wedding.
Andrea M
5.0
10/17/2019
Father Jerry made our wedding a unique, original and personalized wedding.
He performed our ceremony in English and Spanish (only for me because I'm Spanish) and it was amazing. Jerry and I were the only people speaking Spanish.
He chose one of the best places in Santa Barbara!
All of our friends were able to attend including our dog.
Jerry is amazing, I haven't met anyone like him. I remember that day laughing and crying so much at the same time. He was always so warm and close, something that was supposed to be normal in a ceremony, made it something different and uncommon.
In other words, it was the wedding that I had always dreamed of.
response 10/18/2019
Andrea and Les, I am so happy that you decided not to be married in Barcelona, but in Sant...
a Barbara. We will always be a part of each others' lives. Father Jerry
Stephanie T
5.0
10/16/2019
Father Jerry Bellamy is outstanding – on so many levels. Quite simply, our review cannot do him justice. Father Jerry officiated our wedding in Malibu in March. From the moment we met him, he brought a positive energy – full of wisdom, to the planning and officiating of the wedding. His ceremonies are thoughtful in that he considers the personalities and needs of the couple and their families. For example, he asked us to write letters to one another for him to read. In doing so, my husband and I were able to be fully present – not needing to worry about nerves. Father Jerry thoughtfully planned every aspect of the ceremony from our self-selected readings; to acknowledging the importance of our guests in supporting us as a couple; to the flowers presented to our moms and step-mom; to putting my dad at ease with his humor when it came time to give me away. In short, Father Jerry is inspiring in the way he conducts himself; in his genuine concern and love for the couple, families, and guests; and in his ability to set the tone for the couple’s union. Meeting him and having him officiate our wedding was a true honor.
response 10/16/2019
Stephanie and Chris, really, your ceremony was great and that was because of the two of yo...
u. It was an expression of your amazing personalities. All three of us come from a little different religious backgrounds but your love brought all of us together. You will never do anything more important (or holier) in your lives than being loving people. Just being religious does not make a person holy . . . . Father Jerry
Shan B
5.0
10/15/2019
Father Jerry was great! He honored both families traditions, incorporated family into the ceremony, and made us feel at ease!
Kristen S
5.0
10/15/2019
Father Jerry was absolutely one of the best decisions we made for our ceremony at Silver Creek Valley Country Club in San Jose, CA. After our first call, I knew we HAD to have Father Jerry conduct our wedding. Our ceremony had a perfect flow, perfect personal touches, and enough tradition to make it feel classic and timeless.
We met with Father Jerry with Santa Barbara to plan the ceremony. He made some great suggestions and drew out the ceremony so we understood exactly what would happen. After our meeting, he typed up every single small detail so that our wedding planner could seamlessly run the rehearsal. It’s clear why he’s been trusted with thousands and thousands of ceremonies :)
In the ceremony itself, we used traditional vows along with letters that we wrote to each other the day before the wedding. This allowed us the personal touch, but since Father Jerry read the letters aloud, it helped a ton because I was crying the entire time. My personal favorite part was when Father Jerry asked us to take a second and look out at the crowd of people who came to celebrate with us. It really helped to be in the moment. In additional, Father Jerry recommended we handed out flowers to our grandparents and parents during the ceremony, and it made for some beautiful photos hugging our grandparents that we’ll all cherish.
I know this review is heavily focused on logistics, but I can’t emphasize enough the emotion, beauty and personality Father Jerry brough to the ceremony. So many guests raved about him after the ceremony, and our families continued to talk about the ceremony for months after. You plan your whole wedding thinking the reception is going to be the best part, but hands down the ceremony was the most memorable and amazing — thanks to the expertise and love Father Jerry puts into the ceremony.
response 11/08/2019
Thank you so much for your kind words. We did really have fun and it was still holy..... ...
Father Jerry
Christina F
5.0
10/15/2019
Father Jerry was wonderful to work with. From the planning meeting to the ceremony we had the best experience. He made our wedding so special. All our family and friends commented how impressed they were and that ours was the best they had been to. We highly recommend Father Jerry
Julie H
5.0
10/06/2019
Father Bellamy officiated our wedding ceremony and he was AMAZING!! Not only did he represent our Catholic faith, but he added the perfect amount of humor and sincerity and had our guests fully engaged! People are still talking to us about how great Father Bellamy was.
Danielle H
5.0
3/02/2019
We are so glad we found Father Jerry. Our entire experience was great, from the first phone call with him to see what we were looking for and if he would be a good fit for us. You could tell by that first call that he really cares about what he does and that he really cares about getting to know you. He was a perfect fit for us, as an ex-priest, because both our families are mostly Catholic. He was flexible enough to work with us at our outside venue, and we were thrilled we picked him. We visited him in Santa Barbara and spoke with him in person for over an hour about ourselves and what we wanted from our wedding ceremony. All of his suggestions were spot on, and it was clear that we were in good hands. The weekend to Santa Barbara to meet with him was one of the highlights of our wedding planning. Father Jerry was a hit at our wedding. Everyone had nothing but great comments about how great he was. He made everything stress free. Our ceremony was perfect and beautiful. Thanks, Father Jerry!
Amber P
5.0
1/11/2019
Father Jerry performed our wedding ceremony on the beach in La Jolla. He did an amazing job and brought a bit of each of us into the ceremony in a unique way that had all of our guests laughing/crying the whole time. Father Jerry’s attention to detail during our initial meeting translated into truly representing our dynamic throughout the ceremony.
S R
5.0
6/19/2018
My fiancé (now husband!) and I are so glad that we had Father Jerry officiate our elopement. He was super flexible, especially considering we contacted him on such short notice. He patiently guided us through each step of the process, and was quick to respond to each question we had. The ceremony was touching and meaningful. We would recommend Father Jerry to anyone looking for that special touch to add to their ceremony.
Lauren O
5.0
12/06/2017
From the moment we talked with Father Jerry we knew we had picked the correct person to officiate our wedding in Topanga Canyon, CA. During the wedding planning process he helped lessen the stress of perfecting our wedding ceremony by guiding us to pick readings and incorporating messages that reflected our personal upbringings and relationship. It is so easy to work with Father Jerry; he is knowledgeable, professional, and offers suggestions and advice to create the perfect ceremony. He truly has a way of putting you at ease during the planning process and the day of the wedding. With his guidance our ceremony was easily constructed and he helped us create memories that we will cherish for a lifetime! Father Jerry helped us create a ceremony that was warm, full of laughter, and unique. We were so pleased by how personal the ceremony was and how Father Jerry incorporated Catholic and non-denominational traditions that reflected our marriage and relationship perfectly. Our family and friends have continually commented on our wedding ceremony and how special it was. We give all of the credit to Father Jerry and his magical work. We are beyond grateful he officiated our wedding and could not image our wedding day without him!
response 12/07/2017
Lauren and Alan, yes, your wedding ceremony was spectacular but only because it reflected ...
who the both of you are and your values. I really enjoyed working with you to find your ceremony that was simply hiding within your relationship. Together, we found it and celebrated it. Be sure to come to visit. The three of us are connected for the rest of your lives. Father Jerry Bellamy 805-687-4248
Lauren A
5.0
11/15/2017
I hired Father Jerry to officiate our wedding in LA. I am Catholic and my husband in Hindu, so we were doing back-to-back wedding ceremonies and wanted to make sure both of our families felt like we were giving each religion equal attention. Father Jerry spent a significant amount of time helping me to plan the ceremony and had some wonderful ideas. I wanted a light hearted ceremony that was joyful and full of love and he definitely delivered that. He was the perfect choice for our dual-religious ceremonies and I would highly recommend!
Christine F
5.0
10/18/2017
We got married a couple of weeks ago and father Jerry was our officiant. What can we say? Simply AMAZING. He was exactly what we wanted and more. He came all the way to San Diego and we had our dream ceremony because of him. Our guests loved him and can't stop talking about him. He is super fun! Also, speaks Spanish which is a plus. Thanks father Jerry!
response 10/18/2017
Christine and Alex, your wedding was the best ever. Your families and guests were to read...
y to celebrate your wedding which was holy and still great fun. I will always remember the two of you. Father Jerry
Tristan C
5.0
8/05/2017
I wanted to thank Father Jerry for being the best officiant in our small intimate wedding in the Mural Room of Santa Barbara Courthouse on 06/20/17. We chose him based on the online reviews they posted about him and because of his background as a retired catholic priest and yes he's the best and he will not disappoint! His humor and wisdom gave color and meaning to our already wonderful union of love as husband and wife. His message to us and the way he handled our special day will always be memorable to us and our family. Given our hectic schedule, he was able to work with us through phone and it turned out perfect! On the day itself, he reminded us to relax and would reassure us every step of the way. Overall, I would not have it any other way. Thank you so much Father Bellamy!
response 08/05/2017
I wish everyone could meet this couple. They were so easy to work with and their guests a...
nd family members were completely wrapped up in their love for each other. It was also a fun ceremony with laughs following and preceding tears..... Thank you for letting me celebrate with you. Father Jerry
Antonia J
5.0
5/07/2017
We were so thrilled to have Father Jerry Bellamy officiate our wedding! We really enjoyed working with him and he helped to make our interfaith wedding ceremony unique and personal. Our guests really enjoyed our ceremony and made a point to tell us how unique and warm it was. We are so pleased with how our wedding ceremony turned out!
My husband is Jewish and I am Catholic, so we were clueless about how to incorporate both faiths into our wedding ceremony. In fact, the ceremony seemed like one of the biggest challenges when we first began planning our destination wedding. Luckily, we were able to book Father Jerry to co-officiate our ceremony with Rabbi Barry Tuchman. They took a lot of the stress out of planning the interfaith ceremony and were integral to helping us design a ceremony that incorporated our faiths.
From the beginning, Father Jerry was very helpful in guiding us through the process. He spent a lot of time talking with us during our first phone call and then met with us in person to create a detailed plan for our wedding ceremony. Father Jerry has a lot of experience officiating weddings and gave us a lot of helpful advice regarding which aspects of the Catholic mass would blend well with the Jewish traditions. He also worked closely with Rabbi Barry to incorporate the Catholic and Jewish traditions and it’s clear that they have experience co-officiating weddings together.
Father Jerry worked very well with Rabbi Barry and the two have a great chemistry together. They are both very open-minded about interfaith ceremonies and are very knowledgeable about blending faiths to create a cohesive ceremony. For the ceremony, the two stood side-by-side and incorporated their respective parts of seamlessly. Father Jerry and Rabbi Barry also both have a great sense of humor and did a great job of making our guests feel comfortable. Our ceremony was fantastic and we really enjoyed working with Father Jerry!
response 05/07/2017
I wish everyone this couple. They both come from very different backgrounds and prove to ...
all who know them that love is the common language among different faiths. Rabbi Barry and I learn so much from our couples when we have a chance to work together.
Madeline J
5.0
1/12/2017
Father Jerry Bellamy was absolutely one of my favorite parts of our wedding day. He made everyone feel comfortable and at ease with all the chaos that ensues around a wedding. During the ceremony he spoke eloquently and added so much humor & light. All of our families and friends still comment on how great of a job he did. I would absolutely recommend him to any couple. Selecting an officiant can be difficult because you want someone who knows you. Father Jerry takes the time to get to know you both. We will always remember how special he made our ceremony.
response 05/07/2017
I hope that this couple realizes that their ceremony and entire day was so beautiful becau...
se it was a reflection of who they are. I just sort of "lucked out" by being able to work with them.
5.0
3/04/2016
Where do I begin? I’ve known Father Jerry for quite a long time, first meeting him during the 5 years I worked at a resort in Santa Barbara. During that time I saw Father Jerry meet with numerous couples (preplanning for the wedding at the hotel I believe). I loved the way he conversed with each couple he spoke to. Over the years I heard many reviews of Father Jerry from many of these couples. This is why I would always joke with him that “someday I hope you can officiate my wedding”. So after “Mr. Right” popped the question, I immediately called Father Jerry and asked him if he would do the honor of officiating our special day. He immediately said yes of course. I am so thankful that he was able to do it for us, I do not think anyone could have done a better ceremony than Father Jerry. His professional demeanor and kind personality along with his many years of experience officiating ceremonies make him the perfect man for the job.
3.0
12/16/2015
Jerry was quirky and personable, however he did not listen to the two specific requests that we had, and it was obvious that he did not take any time to review who we were or what we had discussed during the planning session or subsequently. During the ceremony, he acknowledged grandparents who were not there (we'd told him months before that all our grandparents passed on long ago) which made the ceremony feel impersonal. He seemed preoccupied with payment and receiving a tip, rather than fulfilling his role as an officiant.
response 03/05/2016
In my mind and notes I have gone over every wedding I have planned and performed over the ...
last year and I cannot, for the life of me, imagine who this couple could be. Not even once, after performing over 7,000 weddings, has a bride or groom or family member ever come up to me and said anything negative about a ceremony. First of all, I only mention grandparents when the bride and groom specifically ask me to. Also, I have never "waited around" for a tip. I spend hours and hours talking with the brides and grooms to personalize their ceremony and always make the ceremony personal. Maybe I could request this review to be removed, but, I will let it stay here for all to read, to keep me humble. I will say a prayer for the person, whoever it is, who wrote this.
Michelle M
5.0
10/14/2015
My husband is Catholic and I am Christian, but didn't grow up in church. We wanted some of the traditions, but not all and definitely wanted a shorter ceremony if possible. Father Jerry was amazing. We got to meet with him in Santa Barbara which was an added bonus since it's a beautiful place. He is friendly, kind and funny. Meeting with a holly man can be intimidating, but Father Jerry makes you feel at ease. He gave us amazing advice and suggestions for our ceremony. He added an element of uniqueness. Everyone loved him and the ceremony. I would absolutely recommend him.
Micha N
5.0
8/17/2015
You probably can’t throw a stone in Santa Barbara without hitting someone who was either married by Fr. Jerry or knows someone who was married by him. Working with Fr. Jerry you really get to witness someone who knows their stuff when it comes to weddings. Fr. Jerry knew all the vendors and inside tips and tricks to make our wedding just the way we wanted it. He hooked us up with the musician for our ceremony and our ceremony location, both of which we loved. Leading up to the ceremony Fr. Jerry has lots of suggestions to personalize your ceremony based on his past experience in the field. While it may seem like you’re adding a lot, the ceremony actually flies by, typically lasting just under 30 minutes. On the day of our ceremony we were pleased by how personal the celebration was and how Fr. Jerry was able to incorporate Catholic and non-denominational traditions that reflected our marriage perfectly. All of our guests had a great time and Fr. Jerry was a huge part of making that happen.
Tricia M
5.0
7/29/2015
Father Jerry Bellamy is the absolute best. My husband and I were both not too sure about the type of ceremony we wanted. All we knew is that we did not want it to be too long, have some religious points but not too many, and we wanted it to be enjoyable. Father Bellamy far exceeded our expectations. He met with us about 5 months before our wedding for a few hours. I had a unique situation with my father passing before the wedding, and Father Bellamy knew exactly how to handle everything. He planned out our entire ceremony to our liking, and he gave us great advice. We have been getting constant praise/compliments from our guests about Father Bellamy. They all stated that the ceremony was lovely, funny and that our officiant was so great. Our wedding would not have been the same if Father Bellamy did not perform our ceremony. My husband and I are so grateful that he was part of our special day.
Sarah M
5.0
11/07/2013
I can't imagine what our wedding would have been like without Father Jerry! From start to finsih he was exactly what we were looking for. Friendly, great sense of humor, really put us at ease and made the whole ceremony planning process so smooth. It only took one meeting with him and our whole ceremony was planned, in detail from start to finsih - he took in every consideration and suggestion from us, and we loved and used a lot of his recommendations too. Father Jerry really works with you to customize tings exactly how you imagine. He's such a pro and will keep you relaxed on your wedding day. We received so many compliments from our guests that it was one of the most personal and special ceremonies they'd every been to, and afterward Father Jerry took care of all the paperwork and logistics so we could enjoy without any stress. Highly recommend.
Drea S
5.0
9/29/2013
Jerry really made our ceremony special. He brought exactly the right pace and mix of personal & intimate and funny & engaging. He's a crowd pleaser and sure knows how to deliver an incredible show! When we first met Jerry, he led the session from the beginning, asking us questions and then gave us several recommendations on how to craft the perfect ceremony for us. We took him up on many of them, and the end result was just perfect. Jerry also designs the ceremony to include the guests in the moment, and they sure felt like they were part of the celebration with us. We received comments that this was the best wedding they had ever attended, and we give Father/Reverend Jerry a lot of the credit for helping to set that up.
Erin S
5.0
9/25/2013
Father Jerry was wonderful from the very beginning of our planning to the very end when the marriage certificate was signed. He was professional, yet genuine and thoughtful. He has the ability to take the stress out of it and put everyone at ease. Father Jerry is also bilingual; therefore it was the perfect combination for our bilingual wedding. Father Jerry offers a unique service that you won't be able to get from anyone else. Definitely worth the extra money!!
Angelina V
5.0
7/02/2013
Jerry was brilliant officiating our wedding on a SB day of June gloom and a bit of rain! He has a way of making all feel relaxed and at ease during potentially nerve racking moments!! He is also very comedic and entertaining and had most of our guests laughing.. After the ceremony they all remarked at how much they liked him!! Jerry is the best!
Josephine V
4.0
6/11/2013
He is easy going and made the ceremony very intimate...loved his sermon and made it fun with a great sense of humor
Michella H
5.0
9/04/2012
Fr. Jerry has a lot of passion for what he does and it shows. I had my wedding at Mountaingate Country Club on June 29th in Los Angeles. He drove down all the way for my wedding! I looked all over Los Angeles and met with countless officiants and it was important to me to have an officiant that I bonded with and felt comfortable with. My fiance and I drove down to meet with him in Santa Barbara and we planned our entire ceremony and the timings of everything. It was great because we could give this document to our wedding planner and have there be no issues or confusions between the various elements and people involved in the wedding.
He is able to keep the ceremony up-beat and interesting. This is important and an element people may overlook but you want an officiant that is able to be friendly and amicable to your guests. He also stayed for cocktail hour and spoke to people. He was very friendly. He is definitely worth the cost because you are getting someone who is upbeat, professional, and brings good energy to your wedding. He brings interesting ideas to the wedding planning process as well and introduces different elements you can incorporate. He also files your license for you after. I would definitely recommend Fr. Jerry!
amparo w
5.0
8/27/2012
We knew from the beginning that Father Jerry was the person we wanted to marry us. He incorporated our recommendations to make our ceremony specific to us. He kept the ceremony light and entertaining. We received so many compliments about our ceremony because of Father Jerry.
sheelagh s
5.0
8/02/2012
Can't say enough how much we were blessed to have Father Jerry Bellamy marry us!! Very professional and personable.
Stephanie M
5.0
7/14/2012
father jerry is all my guest talk about!! they loved him and so did we :) worth every penny, for your special day!!
Shannon B
5.0
6/23/2012
Jerry did a great job for our wedding ceremony! He made it so special and incorporated all the items we wanted. Thanks Jerry!
Whitney C
5.0
11/27/2011
Ft. Bellamy provided a beautiful wedding ceremony for us, engaging our guests, being sentimental, relevant, and humorous. He is great!
A R
5.0
10/04/2011
Father Bellamy is fantastic. My husband and I live in Los Angeles and traveled to Santa Barbara for our wedding. It was a little more difficult for us to set aside time to travel to SB to meet with officiants than if we'd decided to get married closer to home. Luckily, our venue had a short list of officiants they recommended and Father Bellamy was at the top of the list. We called him up and were immediately convinced that he would be perfect. A few weeks later, we drove up to SB to meet with him and plan our ceremony. He made everything so easy. We could add or remove things from our ceremony depending on what we were most comfortable with to create a ceremony that was perfect for us.
All of the guests at our wedding loved him too. We got (and are still getting) so many comments on how great he was and how much they liked what he had to say during the ceremony.
Father Bellamy really contributed to making our wedding day perfect. My husband and I would recommend him to anyone!
Lita j
5.0
6/20/2011
Great for nondenominational and Catholics!
Becky M
5.0
11/24/2010
Father Bellamy was an absolute pleasure to work with. Not only did he provide the type of ceremony that we wanted, he also had some excellent suggestions for how to personalize it. He was tremendous at keeping us calm during the ceremony and making everyone feel comfortable. Our guests commented on how touched they were by some of his unique elements.
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