A Bit About Me & How I work...
(& Why it works)
I'm a celebrant based on the Bellarine, getting amongst weddings, elopements and funerals across Geelong, the Bellarine Peninsula, the Surf Coast and beyond.
I help people create ceremonies that feel unmistakably like them. Every ceremony looks different, but the key is always the same: it has to feel genuine and true to who you are, everything else comes from that. When a ceremony actually sounds like you, you stand up there feeling more relaxed and more present, and everyone else shows up in exactly the same way.
I am proudly an older celebrant (as in I have been at this a long time now, since 2014) who can, and does, calmly adapt when things don't go to plan.
Most recently, that was put into action when (I kid you not) the same wedding was impacted by an animal bite (in the lead-up), a downpour (mid-ceremony), and a medical episode (after we started the ceremony up again after relocating).
In spite of all that, it was still, hand on heart, one of the best ceremonies I've been a part of, because the couple focused on the comfort of their loved ones. They just kept stopping as needed, and when it was over, they were married and ready to celebrate surrounded by their people!
Yes, I have plenty of ideas, options and honest pros and cons to share with you.
No, I am not an expert on how your wedding should be; you are.
But we will use my experience to help shape the ceremony without telling you how your wedding "should" be.
No matter the dress code or theme, you always want it to feel relaxed, intimate and genuinely conversational. Like a big old chat, that everyone is a part of with you.
A ceremony like that carries the exact same atmosphere through the rest of the day effortlessly.
I grew up in Apollo Bay
Where the salt, the bush, and a big-hearted community shaped how I see the world
These days I live on the Bellarine with my partner Jimmy, our cat Ziggy, dog Lumi, and a coupla chickens. We also spend time down in the Otways, where we have some land, a caravan, and grow some potatoes.
We are both self-employed, so work is inevitably pretty hectic (hello last minute nature of funerals), so we try to keep things slow and intentional outside of that:
When I’m not leading ceremonies, you’ll usually find me
• Off on a roadie in our van Nel (she’s a purrrty thing ain’t she!)
• Dancing at festivals (Meredith Amphitheatre is a much-loved haven)
• Zombie wunning (you’ll have to ask)
• Swimming or defrosting from a swim
• Getting creative
• Chatting about life and death with good people, as often as possible
I’m a sucker for a cause, and tend to remind those around me that “these are the moments!” at any given opportunity…
I love a good tech hack, have no problem if you tell me the ending of a movie (I maintain you get to enjoy it twice that way!), oh, and I believe Milo counts as a meal. A good one at that! Quick, filling, fast & yum!
Wanna hear a bit more from me?
I had a great chat with the absolute gem that is Emma Young from the She Said It Out Loud podcast a while back.
We chatted about weddings, how much funeral work has shaped me, how I ended up where I am today, and all those fun life-y things in between.
Honestly, it was such a lovely experience being interviewed by her. Emma is an incredible interviewer and I highly recommend the podcast.
If you wanna get to know me a little better, this is a pretty good place to start.
Making a contribution
Before I was a fulltime celebrant I worked at SisterWorks Inc.
SisterWorks is a not for profit social enterprise that supports women of asylum seeker, refugee and migrant backgrounds to work towards financial independence and settle happily in Australia.
These women are my family & I am still a part of SisterWorks to this day because I get so much out of being a part of this community.
SisterWorks has also taught me the importance of making a contribution: a percentage of the fee I charge couples is donated directly to SisterWorks to support this organisation in continuing to grow.
My most recent project there has been working with my gal Petronia, helping her to design and digitally print her fabrics. It is the best fun EVER!!! This ipad is usually only used for ceremony writing, it's SO nice doing something creative with it as well!
ad is usually only used for ceremony writing, it’s SO nice doing something creative with it as well!
Marriage equality
Doesn't this photo to the left look like the best time ever! I gotta be honest, it really was. I worked in one of Melbourne's BEST gay bars for five golden years: SIRCUIT! Here, I had the opportunity to discuss marriage equality with many people. These conversations with dear friends and complete strangers left me clear on one thing, this issue mattered! And when equal marriage was finally recognized I wanted to be a part of it. Because, you know: love is love.
I am not sure I would even have become a celebrant if I hadn't had these conversations. Marriage wasn't really on my radar! I was 24 years old at the time!
So imagine my utter joy when I had the honour of marrying my two bosses (and dear friends) after equal marriage was passed!
It is really important to me, that the experience I offer couples feels genuine, safe & fun every step of the way; not just for you but everyone you invite to be a part of your day with you.