Hello, I’m Jess

Storyteller, people-person, creative, lover of love - and your celebrant!

I live in beautiful Wānaka with my husband Pete, our two boys and our much-loved dog and cat. I've been married for almost 20 years, so I know that marriage is about far more than one incredible day ;-) But, that day really did matter a lot to me - so I understand wanting it to be your kind of perfect. However that looks for you.

I've worked very closely with people for all of my working life. As a life, mindset and health coach, copywriter, personal trainer, doula and carer, I've spent years listening to people's stories, asking the questions that get beneath the surface, building trust and being alongside people through some of the biggest chapters of their lives.

And somewhere along the way, I realised those are exactly the things I love most.

The people, their stories, the connections.

The stuff that actually matters.

So, why celebrancy?

A couple of years ago, life threw me a fairly spectacular curveball.

It changed the way I looked at a lot of things. It made me incredibly aware of how precious this whole crazy life is - and how much I want to spend mine doing things that bring me joy and being part of moments filled with love.

I remember thinking very clearly:

I want to work in the field of love. I need to work in the field of love!

People have the most beautiful, spectacular stories to tell, and moments to share, and I am determined to help them share them in the most meaningful ways possible.

So began the process of becoming a wedding and funeral celebrant.

I love hearing how two people found each other. I love the tiny details and ridiculous stories that make a relationship completely unique.

I love families, friendships, belly laughs, happy tears and those moments when you look around a room and realise just how many people have shown up because they love or have lodved you.

That's the magic I'm interested in.

Your wedding shouldn't sound like anybody else's.

I'm not here to turn up with a generic ceremony, insert your names and call it done.

I want to know you.

How did you meet? Who made the first move? What do you love about each other? What drives you completely mad? What have you been through together? What makes your relationship yours?

Then I'll take all of that and create a ceremony that actually sounds and feels like you.

It might be romantic. It might be hilarious. It might make everyone cry and then laugh thirty seconds later.

Probably all three.

My style is warm, relaxed and genuine. I'll take care of the serious stuff, guide you through the process and make sure all the legal boxes are ticked - but when we're standing together on the day.

I want you to be able to forget about everything else and simply be there.

Getting married to your person.

Your memorial service is a representation of a life.

Let’s make it heartfelt.

If you I have the honour to represent you and your memories of a loved one lost, I promise to listen deeply and share how that special someone made you feel.

I will be with you throughout the journey and help you navigate many of the details.

I care, like, I really care deeply and I want you to be proud of the send off you create for a loved one.

Memorial services or funerals are a lot, they are intense, emotional and heart breaking.

They are also a chance to celebrate a beautiful life.

I am always honoured to speak as the celebrant at the end of a life.