1 John 4:8 "But anyone who does not love, does not know God, for God is love"
Planning and performing weddings is not my “side job”, This is the work that I do.
I have always believed that the most important thing we can do in our lives, is to be loving people. All the time we spend studying, working, earning money, being religious, going to church or temple is really very little and meaningless if we do not know what it is all about. It is love that gives everything meaning. No celebration in your lives is more important than your wedding ceremony.
“It is possible for a person to know all about it but never know what it is all about.”
More than 50 years ago I decided that I wanted to serve God’s people, to be of service to others through the church. I grew up as a Catholic Christian and loved that part of my life. I entered seminary and spent 12 full years of preparation in study, prayer and hard work. I was ordained as a Catholic Priest and then spent about 9 years working in parishes in Southern California. In 1981, I retired from full time ministry because I wanted to be married and raise a family. My wife is younger and smarter than me. Our two children are adults and work and live in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. We have two grandchildren.
I have been planning and performing legal and religious weddings in California since 1971. I perform weddings everywhere in California, for couples of all or NO faith backgrounds.
I am still an ordained Catholic Priest, on Inactive Status, but I am not assigned to a parish and the weddings I perform do not represent the Catholic Church. I do not have what is called, “faculties”. I like to describe the weddings I celebrate as, being the closest one might get to being married by the church, without getting there.” I perform weddings for couples of ALL faiths and NO faiths.
My years of Scripture study, counseling and therapy have focused on helping people realize that God loves them. I guide my couples to find their wedding ceremony. Their ceremony is simply hiding within themselves and their relationship.
The Wedding Minister You Can Rely On In Santa Barbara and all California
I am a retired Catholic priest on inactive status who currently performs marriages in the capacity of a Non-Denominational Minister. Since 1971, I’ve had the opportunity of marrying couples in San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Francisco, Napa, Yosemite, Sequoia, Joshua Tree, Palm Springs, and almost every county in California.
I welcome couples from all religious backgrounds, including those who desire a completely non-religious wedding. My method is highly personalized; I never give pre-written ceremonies for couples to select from. Instead, we work together to design a ceremony that is completely unique to you, reflecting your love story and ideals. This planning process often takes only one, two-hour session to create the ideal event.
“Your ceremony can be exactly as you want AND still be a bridge between what you want and what your families might want or expect. I help you build that bridge.“
— Father Jerry Bellamy
Let’s Create Something Beautiful Together
Your ceremony can be traditional or totally out of the ordinary, and I love officiating wedding anniversaries, quinceañeras, and elopements. In my opinion, love is the ultimate test of holiness, thus celebrating same-sex marriages is also an honor.
I’d love to hear about your wedding plans and help bring your vision to life. Let’s make your ceremony a moment you’ll cherish forever.
- 3463 State Street, Suite 285, Santa Barbara, CA 93105
- 805-687-4248
- jerry@bellamyservices.com
