- Murrieta, CA
- Elvis Impersonator
- $400-5000
Gary Kelley: Wedding Officiant - Ordained Minister & Celebrant
Overview
Every great marriage begins with a story.
I believe the most meaningful wedding ceremonies are never about scripts or templates—they're about the two people standing at the altar.
That's why every ceremony I create is written exclusively for the couple I have the privilege of marrying. By taking the time to learn your story, I create a ceremony that reflects your personalities, celebrates your journey, and sounds like it could only belong to the two of you.
It's a privilege to help couples begin one of life's greatest adventures, and I would be honored to tell your story.
Reviews
9 reviews
Deborah E.
July 8, 2026Gary Kelley is the Is the greatest!!
It was such an incredible experience from start to finish having Gary Kelley as our wedding officiant. He was so efficient in every area so full of knowledge and great help in every way. We never felt left alone or just another couple on a check off list. Gary made our time before the wedding and during the wedding so personalized and warm. Friends and family commented on Gary’s personalization of our wedding not to mention he has a great sense of humor and makes you feel very comfortable! We would choose Gary Kelley anytime for any services that he offers. We will certainly recommend him to all our friends and family. Thank you Gary. You helped make our day so wonderful!
Hired as: Wedding Officiant
Irina
June 29, 2026Wonderful Celebration of Life service provided by Gary
We retained Gary's services for our celebration of life for our mother-in-law this last Saturday, and it could not have gone better. Gary was so conscientious, so kind, so thoughtful, and very caring. He spent time sending us a questionnaire to make sure that he understood more details about my late mother-in-law, and then he put together from the information provided a beautiful tribute. He made sure to have all pronunciation handled ahead of time, and when he delivered the service, it felt so natural and so comfortable. He felt like he had been very connected with the family. There were so many people who were so impressed with the sincerity of Gary, and it just made the day so much more special. I would hire Gary any time that he could be used for a service of this type.
Hired as: Wedding Officiant
Trever T.
May 15, 2026A Thoughtful and Incredible Officiant
Gary Kelley was an incredible wedding officiant, and we could not have asked for a better person to lead our ceremony. From the beginning, he was thoughtful, attentive, and genuinely invested in making our ceremony feel personal and meaningful. He attended our rehearsal, collaborated with us on the script, and made sure every part of the ceremony reflected us as a couple.
What stood out most was how Gary kept the focus entirely on the bride and groom. He created a ceremony that felt heartfelt, intimate, and special without ever making it about himself. You could truly tell that our wedding meant something to him too, and that care came through in every word he spoke.
We are so grateful for the role Gary played in our day. He helped create one of the most memorable and meaningful parts of our wedding, and we would highly recommend him to any couple looking for a thoughtful, professional, and genuinely caring officiant.
Hired as: Wedding Officiant
Keri H.
April 1, 2026Gary!
Gary was truly an exceptional wedding officiant, and we feel incredibly lucky to have had him as part of our special day. From the very beginning to the end of the ceremony, he guided us with such kindness, warmth, and professionalism that immediately put us at ease!!
He sent us a voice recording beforhand, and we loved it. At our wedding, his voice was clear, calm, and soothing, which made a huge difference during such an emotional moment. He led us through our vows in a way that felt natural and heartfelt, allowing us to stay present and truly take in every second. Many of our guests later mentioned how much they appreciated his gentle tone and the way he carried the ceremony—it created such a beautiful and intimate atmosphere ´͈ ᵕ `͈ ♡°◌̊
Our wedding day itself was quite hectic, especially with the unexpected challenges of moving between outdoor and indoor spaces due to the heat (100 degreees!). Despite everything going on, Gary remained composed, attentive, and incredibly thoughtful throughout. He handled every situation with grace and made sure the ceremony flowed smoothly, which meant so so much to all of us.
We’re still waiting to receive our wedding photos and videos from the photographer, so it’s a little disappointing that we don’t have those moments captured just yet—but even without them, we clearly remember how wonderful Gary was and how beautifully he led our ceremony.
What stood out the most was not just his professionalism, but his genuine care really. He didn’t feel like just an officiant doing a job—he felt like someone who truly cared about making our ceremony meaningful and memorable ❤︎ꔛ❜
We will never forget this day, and Gary played a huge role in making it so special. We’ve already recommended him to friends and family, and we would wholeheartedly recommend him to any couple looking for a wedding officiant who is both professional and genuinely kind. Thank you so much Gary!!
Hired as: Wedding Officiant
Renee
January 29, 2026Wonderfully supportive
Review for DJ Gary
We cannot thank Gary enough for the incredible care, professionalism, and compassion he showed during my husband Todd's Celebration of Life. From the moment we connected, Gary understood how important this event was and treated it with the respect and sensitivity it deserved.
The music was absolutely perfect-every song felt intentional and meaningful, creating a warm, loving atmosphere that truly honored Todd's life. Gary knew when to let the music speak and when to gently guide the moment, which made the entire event flow beautifully.
During an emotionally difficult time, having someone so reliable, calm, and thoughtful made all the difference. Our family and friends commented on how beautifully everything was done, and I will always be grateful for the role Gary played in helping us celebrate and remember someone we loved so deeply.
I highly recommend Gary to anyone looking for a DJ who is not only talented, but genuinely compassionate and caring.
Sincerely,
Renee and Madison Knudson
Hired as: DJ
Gary Kelley: Wedding Officiant - Ordained Minister & Celebrant
Renee,
Good morning. I awoke to one of the kindest, most thoughtful reviews of my lifetime. I’m touched my your magnificent writing and caring heart. I’m speechless on the proper way to say thank you for this incredible gift. I’m stunned and thankful if that makes sense? God bless you and your daughter Madison. I will put together the video clips I’ve saved from your late husband’s celebration of life and get it to you over the weekend. Thank you Renee so very much. You blessed me during one of most difficult times in your life. It was a honor to help you and your family.
Gary
Booking information
Price range: $299 to $599 - wedding officiant gary kelley
Gig length: 15 - 60 minutes
Insurance: $1,000,000 - Yes. I carry $1,000,000 in full liability insurance.
Unions: SAG-AFTRA
What to expect
Every great marriage begins with a story.
That's where we begin.
Rather than simply tell you what I do, I'd love to show you.
Every ceremony I create is written exclusively for the couple I have the privilege of marrying. I begin by learning your story—how you met, what makes your relationship unique, and the kind of ceremony you envision. From there, I transform your love story into a ceremony that's personal, meaningful, and unmistakably yours.
Some couples want something heartfelt and emotional. Others prefer a ceremony that's joyful, lighthearted, and relaxed. Whether you include personal vows, family traditions, faith, or simply want an elegant celebration of your commitment, we'll create a ceremony that feels authentic to the two of you.
From our first conversation through your wedding day, you can expect a calm, organized, and professional experience. I'll guide you through each step, answer your questions, and make sure you feel confident every step of the way.
On your wedding day, my role is simple:
A calm and confident officiant.
Clear guidance throughout your ceremony.
A warm, reassuring presence.
A ceremony that flows naturally and keeps the focus exactly where it belongs...
...on the two of you.
Your wedding ceremony is more than the beginning of your marriage.
It's the moment your story is shared with everyone you love.
I'd be honored to help tell it.
About
Every great marriage begins with a story.
I believe the most meaningful wedding ceremonies are never about scripts or templates—they're about the two people standing at the altar.
That's why every ceremony I create is written exclusively for the couple I have the privilege of marrying. By taking the time to learn your story, I create a ceremony that reflects your personalities, celebrates your journey together, and sounds like it could only belong to the two of you.
Rather than simply tell you what I do, I'd love to show you. My approach begins by listening—learning how you met, what makes your relationship unique, and the kind of ceremony you envision. From there, I transform your love story into a ceremony that's warm, personal, and uniquely yours.
As an ordained minister, celebrant, broadcaster, and professional communicator with more than four decades of experience, I bring a calm presence, confidence, and genuine care to every ceremony I officiate. Many couples—and often their parents—recognize me from my years on San Diego radio stations including KCBQ, B100, KPRI, and KSON, as well as ABC 10News and CW6.
Long before becoming an officiant, I spent decades helping people celebrate life's biggest moments through my San Diego entertainment company, providing music and hosting for thousands of weddings, anniversaries, and special events. Throughout my broadcasting career, I also had the privilege of introducing legendary entertainers including The Beach Boys, The Doobie Brothers, Kenny Loggins, Robin Williams, and Adam Sandler.
Whether I'm officiating a wedding, leading a celebration of life, or helping a family honor someone they love, my role is always the same—to support the moment so the people experiencing it can simply be present.
That moment belongs to you.
My privilege is helping you remember it forever.
Additional booking notes
Clear, comfortable sound helps everyone enjoy your ceremony—especially for outdoor and beach weddings.
Many venues provide a microphone and sound system for the ceremony. If not, I'm happy to recommend the best solution so your vows are heard clearly by all your guests.
Beach Weddings
Because of the open space and ocean breeze, beach ceremonies often benefit from a portable sound system. I can provide professional ceremony sound when needed or coordinate with your venue's equipment.
If your venue has any specific requirements or restrictions, I'll be happy to work directly with your coordinator or event team to ensure everything is ready before your ceremony begins.
Services offered
Upcoming booked events
September 2026
19
Saturday
Anniversary Party
6:00pm - 9:30pm
•
La Jolla, CA
October 2026
10
Saturday
Wedding Reception
3:00pm - 9:00pm
•
Carlsbad, CA
Past booked events
July 2026
04
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
11:00am - 11:30am
•
Lakeside, CA
June 2026
27
Saturday
Funeral/Memorial Service
3:30pm - 4:30pm
•
Encinitas, CA
April 2026
24
Friday
Wedding Ceremony
3:30pm - 4:30pm
•
La Jolla, CA
March 2026
20
Friday
Wedding Reception
2:30pm - 3:30pm
•
Temecula, CA
December 2025
31
Wednesday
New Year's Party
6:30pm - 8:30pm
•
San Diego, CA
06
Saturday
Birthday Party
3:30pm - 8:30pm
•
El Cajon, CA
Set list
Whatever my clients desire — all planned in advance to ensure a perfect afternoon or evening.
I use three decades of experience to read the room, connect with the crowd, and create a flow that feels natural and fun.
For older crowds, I blend 50s, 60s, and 70s standards, with special attention to great slow songs — those memory-making moments matter.
For middle-age groups, I focus on 70s, 80s, 90s, and the best of today’s feel-good hits.
I enjoy working with people! And of course, music for adult-focused events is a good fit. — 40th, 50th, 60th, 70th, 80th, 90th, and even 100th birthday celebrations.
We connect both on and off the dance floor with conversation, requests, and a fun, friendly atmosphere. Guests like to know who’s entertaining them — and I make sure they do.
Setup requirements
Most venues or production teams provide microphones for wedding ceremonies. If microphones are not included, just let me know — we’ll talk through the best option for your space so the ceremony is clear and comfortable for everyone.
Report Gary Kelley: Wedding Officiant - Ordained Minister & Celebrant
Wedding Officiant
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