About Jenny O'Keefe
Hello! Some things about me: I’m a professional communicator and celebrator who spends my time conducting ceremonies as a civil celebrant, MCing receptions and generally just hanging out around Castlemaine enjoying myself. I have a flair for the details in event management and a background in youth work, Auslan interpreting and community radio.
Back in the 2000’s when I was based in Melbourne, I spent many years broadcasting and teaching at Joy 94.9 and PBS FM. I’m a lover of animals, gardening, bushwalking, podcasts, craft of all kinds (except scrapbooking) and cooking. My wife Tracey and I have a very energetic toddler and a super cute baby who would be happy to usher you inside with a high five or some jumping around general drooling. If you come visit me I’ll probably make a batch of scones and a pot of tea to welcome you. Or a cheese platter or similar.
Becoming a celebrant was a dream come true, and I’m thrilled to regularly facilitate love festivals for people from all walks of life. I’ve got your back, and I know that the details taken care of behind the scenes will create a seamlessly beautiful experience for couples on the day. If you’re looking for a relaxed and inclusive ceremony with just the right amounts of laughter and tears, I reckon I’m your person.
I see you and I would love to facilitate and represent what you stand for.
Working as a Woman of Love has been quite a ride. My first ceremony was conducted in 2006 (not counting the super official mass wedding conducted under the paperbark trees at Somers Primary in 1989) and it’s been an adventure nothing can compare to. Being placed into your family for that day is something I don’t take lightly and my ethos is to be a channel where your message and the celebration of your commitment flows through me, but it’s never about me.
One of my favourite photographers and total dreamboat babeface Lakshal Perera gave me this phenomenal feedback after shooting a surprise wedding masquerading as an engagement, and it meant a lot to me because he’s seen quite a few weddings over the years.
“You were warm, funny, irreverent when required and absolutely brilliant, the perfect celebrant. And I never got the sense that at any stage was the ceremony about you”.
It’s such a balance, being the centre of attention and not being the centre of attention. The attention lands on me a bit but I refer the love bubble to you as a couple. It’s very much a geometry thing. Sort of.
A favourite memory was turning my niece’s naming ceremony into a surprise wedding where I married my brother (to another lady, nothing suss) even though our mum was really mad that nobody told her ahead of time so she could get her hair done.
I am based in Castlemaine, 90 mins north-west of Melbourne in the Central Goldfields.