10 Golden Insights from our Celebrant Panel: Building a Thriving Celebrancy Business

CelebrantTopia 2025 brought together the brightest minds in modern celebrancy for an extraordinary virtual summit. Over two action-packed days, ambitious celebrants gathered to unlock the secrets of business growth through 13 brilliant talks, panels, roundtables and workshops with leading industry experts.

One of our summit highlights was the insights from our Celebrant Panel. The Panel featured three remarkable professionals who’ve carved their own paths in the industry. Let’s meet our brilliant panellists:

India Bel brings the vibrant energy of South-West London to her ceremonies. With a background in theatre direction and high-end hospitality, she’s made it her mission to ensure ceremonies are anything but boring. Her creative approach transforms each wedding into an unforgettable celebration of personality and joy.

Sarah Clarke shares her warmth from the bracing Northumberland coast. This former media professional and mum to twins has turned her passion for love stories into a flourishing celebrancy career. Her background in magazines, radio, and advertising adds a unique storytelling flair to her ceremonies.

Suzie Simmons, based in Winchester, demonstrates the beautiful versatility of celebrancy. Since launching her business in April 2023, she’s embraced all aspects of the role, from joyful weddings to meaningful funerals, proving that ceremonies can break free from tradition and truly reflect individual personalities.

Their collective wisdom revealed these essential insights for celebrants looking to build thriving businesses, and for those who missed it, we’re spilling the tea here:

1. Embrace Your Confidence

Your confidence as a celebrant isn’t just about presenting ceremonies—it’s the foundation of your entire business. Own your unique style and trust in your ability to create meaningful celebrations. Remember, couples choose you for your authentic presence as much as your professional skills.

Want to build your confidence as a celebrant? The Academy of Modern Celebrancy offers comprehensive guidance on developing your unique celebrant style and presence. Discover more about confidence building here.

2. Master the Art of Connection

Successful ceremonies start with a genuine connection. Take time to understand your couples and families deeply. Listen to their stories, understand their values, and create ceremonies that reflect their unique journey.

3. Break Down the Personal-Professional Barrier

Social media presents a brilliant opportunity to show your authentic self. Share your interests, books you’re reading, and daily joys—then naturally connect these back to your work as a celebrant. This approach helps potential clients see the person behind the profession.

4. Create Joyful Social Media Content

Consistency is key in social media, but it shouldn’t feel like a chore. Focus on sharing moments that bring you joy, and your authentic enthusiasm will shine through, making your content both engaging and sustainable.

5. Build a Strong Online Presence

A well-crafted website with thoughtful SEO is crucial. Your ‘About Me’ page should capture your personality, and including a video allows potential clients to experience your style firsthand. This digital shopfront often forms their first impression of you.

6. Nurture Your Professional Community

Success in celebrancy flourishes through community. Network widely and build meaningful connections with wedding professionals. These relationships often lead to referrals and collaborative opportunities that help your business grow.

Looking to strengthen your professional network? Learn about the power of community and collaboration in celebrancy here.

7. You Are Your Greatest Asset

In celebrancy, you truly are the product. Focus on developing and showcasing your unique approach. Your authentic style and personality will naturally attract the right clients and help build your reputation.

8. Embrace Abundance

Rather than viewing other celebrants as competition, see them as potential allies. Build relationships with celebrants you admire and create a network of mutual support. There are plenty of ceremonies to go around, and each celebrant brings something unique to the table.

9. Learn from Different Perspectives

Seek inspiration from celebrants who serve different markets or have contrasting styles. Their approaches might spark ideas you’d never have considered, helping you expand your own creative horizons.

10. Diversify Your Marketing Approach

Avoid putting all your eggs in one marketing basket. Develop multiple channels to reach potential clients, ensuring your business remains resilient and adaptable.

Missed these brilliant insights at CelebrantTopia? You can still upgrade to access all the summit recordings here to watch the full conversation and see all of the seminars and workshops.

Remember, your journey as a celebrant is unique. These insights provide a framework, but your personal touch will make them truly powerful. Keep learning, stay authentic, and watch your celebrancy business flourish.