At the Academy of Modern Celebrancy (AMC), we believe that the journey to becoming an exceptional celebrant is as much about the people who guide you as it is about the skills you learn. That’s why we’re excited to launch our “Meet the Mentor” series, designed to introduce you to our incredible team of Celebrant mentors. In the first of our series, we introduce Marcia Bravo.
Our mentors are the backbone of the unrivalled support we offer our students. Each one brings a wealth of real-world experience, passion, and creativity to their role, helping to shape the next generation of celebrants. Through this series, we aim to give you a glimpse into their journeys, their expertise, and the unique perspectives they bring to celebrancy.
Meet Marcia
Known for her trademark glasses, colourful outfits, and beaming smile, Marcia brings a wealth of experience and infectious enthusiasm to her role as a celebrant and mentor. Marcia is a vibrant and eclectic celebrant based in Málaga, Spain, who crafts personalized, bilingual ceremonies for couples seeking unique and heartfelt wedding experiences across Spain and the UK.
Marcia’s own journey to becoming a Celebrant involved a pretty major midlife pivot, and a relocation from Leeds, UK to Málaga, Spain. Marcia’s story is not just about geographical relocation, but also about personal transformation and finding a fulfilling new career path, a story we’re sure all of our students can relate to.
Marcia Bravo embodies the spirit of the modern celebrant – vibrant, passionate, and deeply committed to creating meaningful ceremonies. Her journey from the UK charity sector to becoming a celebrated celebrant in Spain is a testament to the transformative power of following one’s passion.
At AMC, we’re proud to have Marcia as part of our mentor team, inspiring and guiding the next generation of celebrants. Her story reminds us that it’s never too late to embark on a new adventure and find a career that truly lights you up.

From Charity to Celebrancy: A Natural Transition
Marcia’s background in the UK charity sector, where she spent over 26 years, laid the perfect foundation for her transition into celebrancy. As she puts it, “Being a celebrant has changed my life in a way that’s basically I get to continue to do a job I’m passionate about.” Her extensive experience in listening to people’s stories, interpreting them, and effectively communicating narratives to others made the shift into celebrancy a natural fit.
“I get to continue to be passionate, use the skills and experiences that I developed within my work to basically help couples on one of the days that are the most important days of their lives,” Marcia explains. This passion for helping others and creating meaningful experiences is evident in every ceremony she conducts.
As Marcia puts it, “Being a celebrant is a very rewarding role with privileges and honour, and it’s important to remember that we are being invited to share with a couple or family one of the most important days of their lives.”
A Mid-Life Adventure: From Leeds to Málaga
Ever wish you could just pack up your life and go live in the sun? That’s exactly what Marcia did! Her journey to becoming a celebrant began with a bold move from Leeds, UK to Málaga, Spain. This mid-life adventure presented both challenges and opportunities. As she settled into her new home, Marcia realized she needed to restart her career. It was during this period of readjustment that she discovered the world of celebrancy and the AMC.
“After a period of readjustment and moving to Spain and getting settled in, I needed to restart my career,” Marcia reflects. “When I looked at what was out there, I came across the AMC celebrant Academy, and saw it was an opportunity for me to continue to use the skills and the experience that I had.”

Finding Her Calling with AMC
Marcia’s experience with the AMC was transformative. She was drawn to the Academy’s friendly approach, engaging content, and supportive community. “I really liked the setup of the course,” Marcia shares. I liked the workbooks, and I liked using them alongside the videos of you explaining the process.”
The flexibility of the online course, combined with the personal touch of mentorship, allowed Marcia to thrive. She particularly appreciated her mentor, Stuart, describing him as “absolutely an amazing mentor, just very motivational in the way that he speaks and the feedback he gives.”
From Student to Mentor: The AMC Experience
Marcia’s journey with the Academy of Modern Celebrancy didn’t end with her certification. Her transition from student to successful celebrant and now to mentor makes her an invaluable asset to the AMC community.
Having navigated the AMC training herself, Marcia brings a fresh perspective to her mentoring role. She intimately understands the challenges, questions, and excitement that new students face. Her firsthand knowledge of the curriculum allows her to provide targeted guidance, helping students make the most of their AMC experience. This appreciation for the AMC methodology enables her to authentically champion the program’s value to her mentees.
Marcia’s personal journey of embracing a new career while adapting to life in a new country equips her with unique insights. Based on her own experiences of overcoming doubts and building a thriving business from scratch, she offers not just professional guidance but also emotional support and encouragement.
Marcia is a living example of the program’s effectiveness as someone who has successfully applied the AMC training to build her celebrancy career. She bridges the gap between student and professional, helping aspiring celebrants envision and work towards their own successful futures in the field.
Marcia’s commitment to continuous learning and growth aligns perfectly with the AMC ethos. Her enthusiasm for the celebrant’s path is infectious, inspiring her mentees to embrace every opportunity for development and creativity in their new careers.
Through her role as a mentor, Marcia embodies the AMC’s commitment to nurturing not just skilled celebrants but also confident, passionate professionals ready to make their mark in the world of ceremonies.

A Celebrant’s Highlight: Love Under an Ancient Oak
One of Marcia’s most memorable ceremonies perfectly encapsulates her approach as a celebrant. She officiated an elopement in Spain under a 700-year-old oak tree, creating a deeply meaningful experience for the couple.
“I invited the couple to step into their moment, be grounded and really enjoy and embrace their ceremony, which they did and loved,” Marcia recounts. “There was so much love there and positive energy.” This ceremony highlights Marcia’s ability to create intimate, personalized experiences that resonate with couples long after the day has passed.
Marcia’s Tips for Aspiring Celebrants
For those considering a career in celebrancy, Marcia offers enthusiastic encouragement:
- “Jump in! For me, it’s been one of the best things I’ve done.”
- Embrace the opportunity to work with people on one of the most important days of their lives.
- See celebrancy as a career that can continue into retirement.
- Approach the journey with a “beginner’s mind” – be curious and open to learning.
- View the training as a gift to yourself, an opportunity for personal growth and creativity.

Our celebrant mentorship program at AMC
At AMC, we pride ourselves on going above and beyond in supporting our students. From weekly Q&A sessions where you can get your burning questions answered, to our vibrant Facebook groups where you can connect with peers and industry professionals, we’re committed to providing a comprehensive learning experience.
But perhaps the jewel in our crown is the opportunity for one-on-one mentorship with our experienced celebrants. This personalized guidance is invaluable as you embark on your celebrant career. Our mentors share their triumphs, their challenges, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way, helping you to navigate your own path with confidence.
Through the “Meet the Mentor” series, we hope to showcase the diverse talents within our mentor team and give you a taste of the support you can expect as an AMC student. Whether you’re just starting to explore the world of celebrancy or you’re looking to take your existing skills to the next level, our mentors are here to inspire, guide, and support you every step of the way.
Stay tuned as we introduce you to more of our amazing mentors, each with their own unique story and insights into the rewarding world of celebrancy. Your journey to becoming a celebrated celebrant starts here, with the guidance of those who have walked the path before you.
You can find out more at Marcia via her website Marcia Bravo Celebrant via her Facebook page or on instagram @marcia_bravo_celebrant
Your Celebrant Journey Starts Here
Inspired by Marcia’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 celebrant training programmes, guided by experienced mentors like Marcia, 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!
Team AMC
Our team of writers and contributors at The Academy of Modern Celebrancy are dedicated to educating Celebrants and helping them build thriving Celebrant businesses. Our team is made up of Celebrants and Industry experts dedicated to sharing their expertise with you.
The Academy of Modern Celebrancy also has a thriving community of 2.8k celebrants that we are dedicated to helping grow their businesses and taking celebrancy from a hobby to a lifestyle.
AMC host the global celebrant summit, Celebrantopia, each year, where experts from the Celebrant world share their expertise and passion for Celebrancy.
The Academy of Modern Celebrancy has trained over 600 celebrants, and employs award-winning Celebrant Mentors who know what it takes to make it in the industry. We train the best celebrants out there across the UK, Europe and the USA.
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