From 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 primping pups to penning personalised ceremonies is nothing short of inspiring. It’s a story that shows how, sometimes, life’s unexpected twists can lead us to unleash our true potential. So, sit, stay, and let’s fetch the details of how this dog groomer extraordinaire became a celebrant who’s collaring awards and winning hearts across Wales.

You can also watch the interview that Julie did about her experience with AMC.

About Julie Goodall

For over 12 years, Julie Goodall ran a thriving dog grooming business, building strong connections with her clients and their beloved pets. Her salon became known not just for its grooming services, but as a place where people felt comfortable sharing their stories and experiences. Little did Julie know that this ability to connect with people would become the foundation for her future career as a celebrant.

The Journey to Becoming a Celebrant

Julie’s transition to celebrancy was sparked by an unexpected turn of events. About 18 months ago, she suffered an injury that made her reconsider the longevity of her dog grooming career. This moment of reflection led her to explore new possibilities, and the idea of becoming a celebrant kept resurfacing.

“I wanted something that would really fire up the belly again,” Julie explains. Her love for reading and writing, combined with her natural ability to connect with people, made celebrancy an appealing option. After careful consideration and discussions with her supportive husband, Julie decided to take the plunge and enrolled in celebrancy training with the Academy of Modern Celebrancy (AMC).

Balancing Two Passions

One of the most impressive aspects of Julie’s journey is how she has managed to balance her established dog grooming business with her budding celebrancy career. Her experience as a business owner has proven invaluable in navigating the challenges of starting a new venture.

“Having a business before has helped me, particularly on the business side of it,” Julie shares. “You don’t take knockbacks quite as personally because it’s part of the role. Not everybody’s going to like you or want your style, and that’s okay.”

The Rewards of Celebrancy

Julie’s passion for celebrancy shines through when she talks about her experiences. From crafting a bedside wedding ceremony in just 30 minutes for a terminally ill couple to conducting a high-profile funeral that earned her praise from the funeral director, Julie has embraced the diverse and often emotionally charged nature of her new role.

“If I can help somebody, then I will,” Julie says, embodying the spirit of service that defines great celebrants. Her ability to create meaningful ceremonies, even under pressure, demonstrates the depth of her commitment to her new profession.

Achieving Excellence in a New Field

Julie’s dedication and talent have not gone unnoticed. She was named the Most Trusted Wedding Celebrant 2023 in the SME Welsh Enterprise Awards and has just been named as a finalist in the North Wales Wedding Awards (2024). These accolades are a testament to the impact she has made in a relatively short time as a celebrant.

Experience as a Celebrant

Julie’s first year as a celebrant was a whirlwind of diverse and emotionally charged experiences, each presenting unique challenges that tested her newfound skills and reinforced her passion for the role.

“Last year, I actually did seven weddings and a funeral,” Julie recalls with a mix of pride and awe in her voice. “Each wedding was so different, from your typical hotel, corporate type wedding to really sad, deeply moving ceremonies.”

A High-Stakes Debut: The High-Profile Funeral

Julie’s entry into funeral celebrancy came with an unexpected twist. Her very first funeral was for a high-profile local figure, a circumstance that would make even seasoned celebrants nervous. The gravity of the situation wasn’t lost on Julie or those around her.

“It was huge, not just a huge deal for me because it was my number one,” Julie explains. “The whole thing was… well, it was a very high-profile person locally. Even the funeral director had the collywobbles the night before.”

Despite the pressure, Julie’s natural empathy and the solid foundation provided by her training shone through. Her performance not only met but exceeded expectations, earning her heartfelt appreciation from an unexpected source.

“The funeral director gave me a hug afterwards and said, ‘Thank you for supporting me so well.’ I was really touched by that. It really went a long way, you know?”

This experience, while daunting, proved to Julie that she had made the right choice in becoming a celebrant. It showcased her ability to rise to the occasion and provide comfort and structure during one of life’s most challenging moments.

Love Against the Clock: The M56 Wedding Dash

Among Julie’s most memorable experiences was a wedding that truly put her skills to the test. She received a call to perform a bedside wedding ceremony for a terminally ill acquaintance – a deeply emotional situation complicated by extreme time pressure.

“It was a bedside wedding for a couple where one partner was terminally ill,” Julie recounts. “They asked me, and of course, I said yes. But here’s the kicker – I had just half an hour to prepare while driving down the M56!”

With her husband at the wheel, Julie embarked on perhaps the most intense writing session of her life. “Who knew I could do that?” she marvels. “With the knowledge and the training and the support, yes, of course I can do that.”

This experience was a powerful affirmation of Julie’s training and her natural aptitude for the role. In a high-pressure situation, she was able to create a meaningful, personalized ceremony that honored the couple’s love and provided comfort in a difficult time.

“It was hard,” Julie admits, “but it was also incredibly rewarding. To be able to give that gift to the couple, to create a beautiful moment in such challenging circumstances – that’s what being a celebrant is all about.”

These experiences, while vastly different, share a common thread – they highlight Julie’s dedication to her craft and her ability to rise to any occasion. From high-profile community events to intensely personal moments, Julie’s journey as a celebrant has already taken her to emotional depths and professional heights she never imagined when she first embarked on this path.

Training with the Academy of Modern Celebrancy

Julie’s choice to train with AMC was influenced by the flexibility of the program and the support system it offers. “I love the way I could learn in my own time but still have support from either my peers on the Facebook groups or the mentors,” she explains.

The training has equipped Julie with the skills and confidence to handle a wide range of ceremonies, from joyous celebrations to more sombre occasions. She credits the AMC’s comprehensive approach for her ability to craft meaningful ceremonies, even under tight time constraints.

Future Goals and Aspirations

Looking ahead, Julie has set ambitious goals for herself. She aims to transition celebrancy from a side hustle to her main profession, reducing her dog grooming work to serving only family and friends.

“My goal would be to next Christmas just work the grooming salon for family and friends,” Julie says. “I want celebrancy to be my job, and grooming will be my side hustle.”

With her determination and the momentum she’s already built, there’s little doubt that Julie will achieve her goals and continue to make a significant impact in the world of celebrancy.

Learn More About Julie Goodall

You can reach out to Julie through her professional channels Ceremonies by Julie Goodall to connect with her or learn more about her services.

• Website: Ceremonies by Julie
• Julie’s Facebook Page
• Instagram: @ceremiesbyjuliegoodall

Unleash Your Potential: Your Celebrant Journey Awaits

Julie Goodall’s transition from grooming coats to crafting ceremonies is more than just a career change—it’s a testament to the transformative power of following your passion. Her journey reminds us that our past experiences, no matter how seemingly unrelated, can be the very foundation upon which we build our dreams.

As Julie’s story shows, the path to becoming a celebrant isn’t about where you start—it’s about where your heart leads you. Whether you’re currently in a corporate cubicle, a bustling kitchen, or yes, even a dog grooming salon, the skills you’ve honed and the connections you’ve made could be the perfect prelude to a fulfilling career in celebrancy.

So, are you ready to write the next chapter of your own story? To create ceremonies that celebrate life’s most precious moments? The world of celebrancy is waiting, and like Julie, you might find it’s where you truly belong.

Take that first step. Explore the training programs at the Academy of Modern Celebrancy. Who knows? Your unique background might just be the secret ingredient to becoming an exceptional celebrant. After all, as Julie proved, sometimes the most unexpected journeys lead to the most rewarding destinations.