Meet the Mentor: Helen Jubb

We’re excited to introduce you to Helen Jubb, one of our vibrant and passionate mentors. Helen is a Wedding and Naming celebrant known for her humour-filled ceremonies and infectious enthusiasm, Helen brings a wealth of experience from her diverse background in journalism and teaching to her role as a celebrant and mentor. Read on or watch the interview below:

From Headlines to Heartfelt Ceremonies: Helen’s Celebrant Journey

Helen’s path to becoming a celebrant is as colourful and vibrant as the ceremonies she creates. With a background that spans from the fast-paced world of journalism to the nurturing environment of education, Helen’s career has always revolved around one central theme: telling stories that matter.

“I’ve always been fascinated by people’s stories,” Helen shares. “As a journalist, I chased down tales that needed to be told. Now, as a celebrant, I have the privilege of crafting and sharing the most important stories of all – love stories.”

With a decade of experience in journalism and writing for local newspapers and national magazines, Helen honed her storytelling abilities. She then spent another ten years teaching at A-level and degree level, focusing on subjects like tourism, events management, and journalism.

“For me, being able to come on and be a trainer for AMC is happy days because I get to utilize all my skills,” Helen explains. “As you’re learning to become a celebrant, one of the big things is that you realize you have all these transferable skills you can use.”

This transition from headline-maker to heart-warmer wasn’t just a career change for Helen; it was a calling. Her years of experience in journalism and teaching equipped her with a unique toolbox of skills – the ability to ask the right questions, to listen deeply, and to weave words into unforgettable moments.

“When I discovered celebrancy, it felt like all the pieces of my career puzzle finally fit together,” Helen explains. “It’s as if everything I’d done before was preparing me for this role, where I can use all my skills to create something truly magical for couples.”

Humour-filled & fun: Helen’s unique celebrant style

Helen runs her own celebrant business, Helen Jubb Ceremonies primarily serving Sheffield, South Yorkshire, Derbyshire, and Nottinghamshire. Her brand is all about “humour-filled ceremonies with modern, fun couples.”

“I’m all about humour. I’m not very good at the lovey-dovey stuff,” Helen admits with a laugh. Her target clients are typically couples in their late 20s to late 30s, and she often officiates at high-end venues, outdoor locations, and in people’s gardens.

Helen’s journalism background shines through in her approach: “I’m quite nosy, so for me, it’s perfect. I get to find out about people. It’s great!”

The Joy of Celebrancy

For Helen, the best part of being a celebrant is the human connection. “You’re dealing with love every day, which is amazing,” she says. She particularly enjoys the moments before the ceremony, chatting with the couple and calming any nerves.

“There is nothing finer than right at the end of the ceremony… everyone’s happy and cheering and clapping. Oh, it’s just such… it gives you goosebumps,” Helen shares, her enthusiasm palpable.

A Celebrant’s Favourite Ceremony: A Garden Wedding to Remember

When asked about her favourite ceremony, Helen’s eyes light up as she recalls an intimate garden wedding that perfectly encapsulated her celebrant style. “It was in the bride’s mum and dad’s back garden,” she begins, her enthusiasm palpable. “Even though there were still a lot of guests, it was just so relaxed because it was in their garden.”

What made this ceremony stand out was the abundance of personal touches that transformed the familiar space into a magical wedding venue. “They had a beautiful flower arch as the focal point,” Helen describes. “But what really made it special were the photos of the couple growing up, hanging from the trees all around the garden. It was like walking through their love story.”

The significance of the location added an extra layer of meaning to the day. “This was the house the bride had grown up in,” Helen explains. “Every corner held a memory, and we were adding a new, beautiful chapter to its history.”

The couple had gone all out in decorating both the garden and the house, creating a cohesive and visually stunning environment. “It wasn’t just about making it look pretty,” Helen notes. “Every decoration, every little detail, reflected who they were as a couple. It made the ceremony feel incredibly inclusive and personal from the very start.”

For Helen, this ceremony exemplified the beauty of a celebrant-led wedding. “It was totally all about them,” she says. “We had the freedom to create a ceremony that wasn’t just about ticking boxes, but about genuinely celebrating their unique love story in a place that meant so much to them.”

The relaxed atmosphere of the garden setting allowed for moments of spontaneity and joy that Helen cherishes. “There was this wonderful moment when the couple’s dog decided to join us at the flower arch,” she laughs. “Instead of it being a problem, it became this heartwarming, funny part of the ceremony that everyone loved. That’s the beauty of a personalized ceremony – we can embrace these unplanned moments and make them part of the story.”

As she reflects on this favourite ceremony, Helen’s passion for her work shines through. “From start to finish, it was really, really special,” she says. “Not just for them, but for me as well. It reminded me why I love being a celebrant – we get to be part of these incredible, intimate moments of joy and love. There’s really nothing else like it.”

Helen’s Advice for Aspiring Celebrants

We asked Helen what she sees as essential traits for those thinking about becoming a celebrant:

“First and foremost, you have to have a passion for people, definitely,” Helen beams. “This job is all about human connection. You’re not just officiating a ceremony; you’re weaving yourself into the fabric of someone’s most precious moments.”

“You’ve got to love speaking to people. And not just speaking but really listening. You’ve got to love asking questions, digging deeper, uncovering those little gems that make each couple’s story unique.”

But it’s not all about being a people person. Helen emphasizes the practical side too. “You have got to be organized,” she says firmly. “There’s a lot of behind-the-scenes work that goes into creating that perfect ceremony. If you’re not on top of things, it shows.”

For those who love to express themselves, Helen has good news. “You do have to enjoy writing,” she nods. “Each ceremony is a brand new story waiting to be told. If you find joy in playing with words, in crafting narratives that resonate, you’ll thrive in this role.”

Finally, Helen touches on the performative aspect of the job. “You have to enjoy performing,” she says with a theatrical flourish. “On the day, you’re not just reading a script. You’re breathing life into it, engaging an audience, creating an atmosphere. It’s like being the conductor of an emotional orchestra!”

But don’t be discouraged if you don’t tick all these boxes right away. Helen is quick to add, “The beautiful thing about celebrancy is that it can appeal to people from all walks of life. As long as you have a genuine love for connecting with others, the rest can be learned and developed.”

Her final words of wisdom? “Bring your whole self to this role. Your unique background, your quirks, your passions – they all contribute to making you a one-of-a-kind celebrant. That’s what couples are looking for – someone authentic who can truly represent their story.”

The AMC Experience

As an AMC trainer, Helen is passionate about helping new celebrants discover their potential. She values the comprehensive nature of the AMC training, which covers not just ceremony creation but also the crucial business aspects of being a celebrant.

“It’s not just about talking about the ceremony and what you write about and how you deliver it,” Helen explains. “It’s covering the business side of it as well… To be able to learn that from the get-go within that course is brilliant. It’s so beneficial.”

Helen Jubb embodies the spirit of the modern celebrant – vibrant, passionate, and deeply committed to creating meaningful, personalized ceremonies. Her journey from journalism to celebrancy demonstrates the diverse paths that can lead to this rewarding career.

At AMC, we’re proud to have Helen as part of our mentor team, inspiring and guiding the next generation of celebrants. Her story reminds us that with the right skills, passion, and training, anyone can embark on this fulfilling career journey.

Your Celebrant Journey Starts Here

Inspired by Helen’s journey? At the Academy of Modern Celebrancy, we believe you, too, can transform your passion for creating meaningful moments into a fulfilling career as a celebrant. Whether you’re seeking a career change, a new challenge, or a way to channel your creativity, celebrancy offers a unique opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives.

Our comprehensive training programs, guided by experienced mentors like Helen, equip you with all the tools and support you need to succeed. From mastering ceremony writing to building a thriving business, we’re with you every step of the way. Ready to embark on your own celebrant adventure? Join us at AMC and start creating unforgettable ceremonies that touch hearts and change lives. Your journey to becoming a celebrated celebrant begins now!