QLD Brisbane Narelle Jackson

Narelle Jackson Authorised Civil Celebrant - Appointed May 2009

My Background

I grew up in the eastern suburbs of Sydney and travelled extensively in my 20's. I moved to Brisbane at the age of 28 and settled down to a wonderful married life at the age of 30, living half way between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast Queensland. My husband Terry and I have been happily married for over 20 years. I have 3 step children and 5 real treasures (my step grandchildren) and they are the love of my life.

What attracted me to celebrancy?

It was my very beautiful wedding ceremony over 20 years ago by a marriage celebrant, that my dream of becoming a marriage celebrant began.  After a very busy professional career as a trainer, project manager and  consultant, I established my own very successful promotional product and sign business in 2000. In 2008, I reflected on my dreams and realised it was time to take action and fulfil my dream by taking action and completing my studies for my career change to the very rewarding career as a marriage celebrant.  In addition to the Plan, Conduct and Review a marriage ceremony, I completed the unit in Life Celebrations for naming ceremonies, renewal of vow ceremonies, commitment ceremonies, general celebration and public speaking ceremonies, and completed the Certificate IV in Marriage Celebrancy and in Small Business Management.

Upon the successful completion of the required Celebrant training qualifications to meet the legislative requirements, I applied to the Australian Government, Attorney Generals Department for registration as an Authorised Civil Marriage Celebrant. I was notified of my successful application and appointed as an Authorised Civil Marriage Celebrant on 21/05/2009.

I have a genuine love for people and together with my passion for weddings is reflected in the quality of my celebrant service and professional approach to couples. I meet with the couple intending to marry and  spend time getting to know them and work with them to develop the ceremony of their dreams. It is such an important day in their lives and my approach is to provide a celebrant service to the couple that is “Your Ceremony, Your Way on Your Day”.  My celebrant service is flexible in every way from traditional to the most modern and/or a happy mix of both. I have performed wedding ceremonies that include special unity ceremonies such as candle ceremonies, variance to the traditional ring ceremonies, sand ceremonies that include the bridal couple and their children as well as sand ceremonies that include parents, grand-parents and the bridal couple. I work with the couple and identify a ceremony that touches their hearts and include rituals or unity ceremonies that will include family and friends that are close to their hearts. This in turn provides the couple with the warm and loving ceremony of their dreams and allows them to include everyone that is important to them which in turn has the everlasting memory of their treasured day of their dreams.

A treasured memory related to celebrancy?

As a romantic at heart, I would have to say that every wedding ceremony has been and will be a treasured memory for me.  Although I was only appointed in May of 2009, by January 2010 I had performed 8 wedding ceremonies and 4 naming ceremonies. I have bonded with each and all of my wedding couples and parents for naming ceremonies. We have become friends and the special memories of the unique added touches we have incorporated into each ceremony implants into my treasured memories forever.

My first ceremony was a home venue with beautiful views which included a special candle lighting to represent all of the family that could not be with them on their wedding day (mother and grandparents sadly departed) which provided the bride with a sense of them being with her on the day and touched everyone’s hearts. Then we also included a sand ceremony with sand colours for the bride, groom and their little 2 year old daughter. This represented a unity of the parents with the child as part of the marriage. Every person at the ceremony were deeply touched at the personal, meaningful and unique ceremony including myself.

I think every celebrant would have to say that their first ceremony is a treasured memory that will linger forever. I have to admit I thought this too, however, I now realise that every ceremony I have officiated has provided me with the unique. valued and individual treasured memory that I will certainly treasure forever.

Where would I like to be in 5 years time?

By 2015, I plan to move to the Sunshine Coast around the Cooroy region to fulfil another of my dreams. I plan to purchase an acreage property with my husband and include a special romantic garden and wedding ceremony venue with views to die for.  Achieving this dream will also completely fulfil my dream of providing a Celebrancy service for weddings and other ceremonies that provides my clients with an added value service.

Narelle Jackson

Civil Marriage Celebrant, Family, Naming and General Celebrant

Sunshine Coast Queensland