Hi! I’m Jess Stanley. I’m an authorised civil celebrant, writer and MC based in Naarm/Melbourne. I can solemnise marriages and facilitate funerals.

Why did I become a celebrant? Well, it was a long-term goal of mine, so when I stood beside my bestie as she got married to the love of her life in 2019, I knew that I wanted to use my pre-existing skills to shift careers and give back to the community. I knew I could give couples relaxed, entertaining and authentic ceremonies that reflect them. Then Covid hit, and it seemed like the perfect opportunity to begin studying. I completed my certification online during lockdown and haven’t looked back since. In 2022, my first year solemnising marriages, I married over 50 couples!

In 2026, I made the decision to transition into offering funeral and memorial services as part of my services too. After several years being immersed in the gorgeous world of weddings, I felt ready to expand my practice and support people as they go through those early days of grief upon losing a loved one. My approach to both weddings and funerals is the same: leading with calmness, sincerity, compassion and warmth.

I’m also a performer, audiobook narrator and psychology enthusiast. As well as my Certificate IV in Celebrancy and training with The Funeral Fix, I’ve earned a Bachelor of Performing Arts from Monash University, a Bachelor of Social Sciences from Swinburne University, and am qualified mental health first aider. In 2026, I won the Kingston Artz Blitz Prize for my short story themed around death and was a Writer in Residence for the City of Kingston. I was long-listed for the Richell Prize in 2022, have had my plays performed around the globe, and feature articles published throughout Australia and New Zealand as a copywriter. I’m a big bookworm, lover of trying new things and am often known to be in the midst of a new hobby (archery, anyone?). I live in Highett with my fiancé and our ginger cat, Antigone…yes, we’re theatre nerds.

So, that’s a little about me. I hope that with my background in performing, writing and psychology, you’ll find me to be an engaging, warm and empathetic celebrant. If you ever want to have a D&M over some mulled wine and chocolate, I’m your gal.

FIVE FAST LIKES: Coffee, anything green, a nice long nature walk, trashy 90s thrillers & black cats (any cats, TBH).

FIVE FAST DISLIKES: Bad listeners, shepherd’s pie, beer, humidity & the smell of sunscreen.