Student Spotlight
Building a retirement career with purpose. It isn’t about the money: Mandy Simons’s celebrant story
Mandy Simons spent 18 years keeping a small charity running. Now, as she nears graduation from AMC’s Master Celebrant course, she explains how funerals drew her into celebrancy, why the decision was never about money, and what it has taken to retrain in a new field, building a retirement career later in her working life.…
Read MoreFrom IT director to funeral celebrant: Nick Parsons’ AMC story
After four decades in IT and a retirement that was barely a few months old, Nick Parsons trained with the Academy of Modern Celebrancy and conducted his first funeral ceremony. This is how he got there, what the training was actually like, and what he is building now. Forty years at a keyboard Nick spent…
Read MoreAbi Fisher’s leap from the West End to wedding celebrancy
Abi Fisher spent a decade on stage and 25 years behind the scenes at some of London’s biggest shows. Then a podcast moment changed everything. This is how Abi trained with AMC, found her voice as a wedding celebrant, and discovered that jumping off the edge was exactly the right call. For two years, the…
Read MoreFrom Corporate Life to Coastal Ceremonies: Aleka’s Journey to Becoming a Celebrant in Mykonos
After more than 30 years in hospitality, AMC graduate Aleka K began her celebrant training in 2022 — emerging from the pandemic, adjusting to an empty nest, and stepping away from corporate life. Today she officiates weddings, elopements and vow renewals across Mykonos and the wider Cycladic islands. This is her story. Starting from scratch…
Read MoreFrom film sets to funeral ceremonies: how Mounira built a dual celebrant career
Mounira trained as a wedding celebrant with AMC before returning to qualify as a funeral celebrant too. Her story is one of deliberate choices, extraordinary preparation, and a career that finally matches who she is. A name that means light, a career to match There is something quietly fitting about the fact that Mounira’s name,…
Read MoreCall of the wild: Amanda’s Journey to celebrancy in nature
Wellies, wild landscapes and working on her own terms: meet Amanda, The Great Glen Celebrant. How one AMC graduate turned a love of the Scottish outdoors into a thriving celebrant career in the Highlands When Amanda Luscombe-Smith is scouting locations for an upcoming handfasting ceremony, she does it on foot — dog in tow, boots…
Read MoreCelebrant Spotlight: Arabella Wilde on Finding Purpose, Healing and a Life She Loves
Just 20 months ago, Arabella Wilde made a decision that would quietly but profoundly change her life. Today, she is a highly sought-after celebrant based in Kent, known for creating bespoke, luxury wedding ceremonies and deeply personal funerals and celebrations of life. What began as a step into a new profession has become a calling…
Read MoreFrom Solicitors to Award-Winning Celebrants: How Nia and Hugh Built Seren Celebrants
When Hugh received an unexpected question over dinner with friends—”Will you marry us?”—neither he nor his wife Nia imagined it would spark a complete career transformation. Within days, Nia had thoroughly researched what it meant to be a celebrant, and the couple realised they’d stumbled upon something that perfectly aligned with both their creative spirits…
Read MoreFrom Army Officer to Funeral Celebrant – Graham Miller’s Journey
When Graham Miller wrote the eulogy for his mother’s funeral, he discovered something unexpected. Working closely with the celebrant and crafting words to honour his mum wasn’t just meaningful—it was therapeutic. Two years later, when his father passed away and Graham once again found himself deeply involved in creating the funeral service, he realised this…
Read MoreCelebrant Training Reviews: What Real Students Say About Their Journey [with videos]
The Academy of Modern Celebrancy (AMC) has trained over 1,000 celebrants worldwide, but what do our graduates say about the experience? We’ve gathered honest reviews, detailed feedback, and inspiring success stories from real AMC students who’ve transformed their careers and lives through celebrant training. From celebrity graduates like singer Aled Jones to career changers who’ve…
Read MoreTraining with The AMC: Sophie’s Journey to Becoming a Celebrant
If you’re considering training as a Celebrant, you probably have questions: What does the course involve? Will I get the right support? Can I fit it around life’s challenges? Sophie Stockton, a recent student at the Academy of Modern Celebrancy (AMC), enrolled on AMC’s triple accreditation. Her journey shows exactly what it’s like to train…
Read MoreChris Howell’s Journey from Assistant Head Teacher to Master Celebrant
The call to become a celebrant is something that, once heard, becomes hard to ignore. That was certainly the case for Chris Howell, an assistant head teacher who felt the calling to become a funeral celebrant after attending the funeral of a loved one. His journey to become a celebrant has awoken his creativity and…
Read MoreStudent Spotlight: Georgia Cardy – From Bride to Celebrant with AMC
Based in Sunderland in the North East of England, Georgia Cardy is the creative heart behind Serendipity Ceremonies by Georgia — Georgia trained with The Academy of Modern Celebrancy in 2023 and describes herself as a celebrant who truly loves the joy and excitement that comes with crafting unforgettable ceremonies. In the words of Nat…
Read MoreWhat It’s Really Like to Train as a Celebrant with the AMC
Ever wondered what it’s really like to train as a Celebrant? We’re taking you behind the scenes to share 3 AMC graduate experiences of training with us. We share the highs and highs of following your dream and grabbing life with both hands. Whether you’re looking to bring more variety into your routine, find meaningful…
Read MoreHow it started: Julie’s Celebrant Journey
We’re back with our second installment of our “How It Started, How It’s Going” series, where we revisit conversations with Academy of Modern Celebrancy graduates at the start of their celebrancy journey and catch up with them to see how their businesses have evolved. In this second instalment, we’re turning back the clock to early…
Read MoreHow it’s going: Martin Fox Roberts – The UK’s First Drag Queen Celebrant
Part of our “How It Started/How It’s Going” series exploring the journeys of Academy of Modern Celebrancy graduates When we first interviewed Martin Fox Roberts in 2021, he was just beginning his celebrancy journey with AMC. Now, we catch up with him during an incredible year of achievements – including an appearance on Married at…
Read MoreHow It Started: Looking Back at Martin Fox Roberts’ Journey into Celebrancy
Welcome to our “How It Started, How It’s Going” series, where we revisit conversations with Academy of Modern Celebrancy graduates at the start of their celebrancy journey and catch up with them to see how their businesses have evolved. In this first instalment, we’re turning back the clock to 2021, when recent AMC graduate Martin…
Read MoreJulie Chudleigh’s Journey from Education to Celebrant: Mentor Spotlight
At the Academy of Modern Celebrancy, we take immense pride in our mentors who guide and inspire the next generation of celebrants. Today, we’re thrilled to spotlight Julie Chudleigh, who began as one of our first students and has since become one of our most sought-after mentors. Her story perfectly illustrates how a career transition…
Read MoreSusan McGregor’s Joy-Filled Journey to a Fulfilling New Career
At the Academy of Modern Celebrancy, nothing brings us more joy than witnessing the incredible transformations our students undergo as they step into their roles as celebrants. Each journey is unique, each story inspiring, and we’re passionate about sharing these remarkable tales of personal and professional growth with our community. These stories not only showcase…
Read MoreFrom Dog Grooming to Dream Ceremonies: Julie Goodall’s Celebrant Journey
Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? Julie Goodall certainly didn’t get that memo. After 12 years of helping pooches look their best, dog groomer Julie decided to swap the grooming scissors for a celebrant’s pen, proving that life’s second acts can be just as tail-wagging as the first. Julie’s journey from…
Read MoreA light-filled, creative, gift of a journey: Charlotte Green on becoming a funeral celebrant
Most people assume the role of a funeral celebrant to be sombre and serious, but that’s not the experience of AMC graduate Charlotte Green, who describes her ‘light-filled’ journey of being a funeral celebrant as one that has awoken dormant creativity and as a gift to herself. Charlotte spoke to AMC founder Jennifer Claire about…
Read MoreBecoming a Wedding Celebrant Changed My Life
For Andrew D. Scott, a tall, bearded, kilt-wearing celebrant, the journey to becoming a wedding celebrant has been nothing short of life-changing. His story is one of passion, dedication, and a desire to bring genuine joy to couples on their special day. With a background in auctions, hosting events, and voiceovers, Andrew’s transition into celebrancy…
Read MoreGrief led me to becoming a funeral celebrant
Losing a loved one can often lead people to question what is important in their life. For one single mum, it led her on a journey to her dream career and becoming a funeral celebrant. Theresa Ribeiro is a single mum of three who became a full-time Celebrant in 2021 after training with The Academy…
Read MoreFrom Charity Fundraiser to Celebrant: Interview – A mid-life career journey
Suzie Simmons is a Celebrant from Winchester, Hampshire who trained with The Academy of Modern Celebrancy. She has enjoyed a successful career as a Charity Fundraiser for small to medium-sized regional health-based charities and currently works as a head of fundraising and children and young adult hospice alongside her Celebrancy work. Suzie spoke to AMC…
Read MoreAled Jones on becoming a funeral celebrant at 52
Here at The Academy of Modern Celebrancy, we’ve trained our fair share of award-winning, rockstar Celebrants, but when bone fide global superstar and voice of an angel, Aled Jones, MBE, decided to train as a Celebrant with us, we have to admit, the team here were more than a little bit excited. Aled very generously…
Read More