Should I become a celebrant?

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    Have you ever witnessed a beautiful wedding ceremony or a touching memorial and thought about the person who orchestrated it so gracefully? That person is a celebrant, a professional who plays a pivotal role in the most significant moments of people’s lives. If you’re considering a career as a celebrant, it’s a path filled with emotion, meaning, and human connection. But is it the right path for you? Let’s explore what it means to be a celebrant and whether this fulfilling career aligns with your aspirations and talents.

    Should I become a celebrant? If you love meeting people, creative writing, are good at public speaking and want to get into an industry that supports people at pivotal moments in their life, then Celebrancy could be a great career move.

    So what is the role of a celebrant?

    A celebrant’s role extends far beyond just officiating ceremonies. They craft personalised experiences, weaving in stories, traditions, and values unique to each occasion. Whether it’s a wedding, a funeral, a naming ceremony, or a renewal of vows, celebrants create and perform tailored ceremonies that reflect the personalities and wishes of those involved. Their work is an art—a blend of creativity, empathy, and organization.

    As a Wedding celebrant, you’ll spend your time getting creative, writing ceremonies, meeting people and officiating ceremonies in fabulous locations. If you love public speaking too, this is a big bonus.

    The role of a Funeral Celebrant includes far more support for the families you are working with and a completely different set of qualities and traits.

    Would I make a good Celebrant?

    Embarking on a journey to become a celebrant is not just about choosing a career; it’s about discovering a calling. This section is designed to help you introspectively examine whether you possess the unique blend of qualities that make a good celebrant. From your ability to connect with diverse individuals to your skill in crafting and delivering deeply personal ceremonies, each trait you possess plays a critical role in determining your suitability for this heartfelt profession. As you read through, reflect on your own experiences, strengths, and aspirations to see if they align with the rewarding yet demanding role of a celebrant.

    Here are the top things you will need to become a celebrant:

    • A love for writing stories – Celebrants write wedding ceremonies for couples who want something personalised so you will get to know the couple and write a ceremony that is unique to them.
    • A love for weddings/families or people in general – Whether you choose to become a Wedding, Funeral or Naming Celebrant, people are a core part of what you do, whether it’s the people you are working for, the venues and vendors you’ll be liaising with or the networking you’ll be doing, you can’t escape people in this role, so if you’re not a people person, a career in celebrancy probably isn’t for you.
    • A creative spark – There is no doubt that you need to get creative with your ceremonies. People choose celebrant-led weddings because they want something unique. From poems and readings to adding symbolic extras, you’ll create a ceremony that is different from the rest. 
    • Confidence – You will create ceremonies and then perform them in front of anywhere between 2 people and 200! You will need the confidence to do this, but this will come with experience so don’t expect to have it straight away. Not many celebrants do!

    Questions to ask yourself before becoming a celebrant

    Certain traits are essential to being a successful celebrant. Ask yourself:

    • Do I have a passion for storytelling? Celebrants share and create stories that resonate with others.
    • Am I empathetic and sensitive to others’ needs? You’ll be working with people during some of the most emotional times of their lives.
    • Can I confidently speak in public? Public speaking is a core skill for any celebrant.
    • Am I organized and detail-oriented? Planning and executing a ceremony requires meticulous attention to detail.

    Still not sure? Read on, and Take our Celebrant Quiz 

    Should I become a Wedding Celebrant?

    Do you love weddings, and are you captivated by the magical moments they create? Have you been thinking about starting a new business and doing a job that brings you and others happiness?

    Becoming a wedding celebrant isn’t a job; it’s a doorway into an exciting world where every day is filled with joy and meaning. If you’re looking for a career where you can make your mark, where you can share in people’s joy, be part of their most memorable moments and express who you really are, becoming a Wedding Celebrant could be the perfect career move for you.

    If you become a wedding celebrant, you will attend a lot of weddings! So if you are nosey, love to see how others put together their big day, want to get involved and love ‘love’, then becoming a celebrant is definitely for you.

    You can choose how many weddings you want to officiate every year and work around your own schedule. Weddings take place every day of the week now, so be prepared to work mid-week and weekends, but expect your summers to be busy; it’s the peak season for weddings.

    If you’re lucky and market your business right, there might be some travel involved, and you can visit beautiful places.

    It’s perfectly possible to be a full-time or part-time wedding celebrant

    Wedding Celebrancy is for you if:

    • You love meeting people and being part of their celebrations
    • You’re excited by being creative and enjoy public speaking
    • You love being in beautiful surroundings and venues
    • You love to write stories and connect with new people of all backgrounds
    • You are looking for more freedom in your life and more flexibility with a job that works around you  

    Find out about our Accredited Wedding Celebrant Training

    Should I become a Funeral Celebrant?

    Becoming a funeral celebrant is a profoundly meaningful vocation that demands a distinctive combination of personal qualities.

    This role isn’t just about conducting a ceremony; it’s about providing support, understanding, and comfort to families during one of the most challenging times in their lives. It can be hard at times because you’re dealing with people in times of grief, but the job is incredibly meaningful with a real sense of purpose.

    The hours are flexible, with no late nights, and you can choose when you work and how often. The work is generally mid-week as well, so if you want your weekends free, this career is ideal. Funeral celebrancy is harder to fit around other jobs but we find the role appeals to those considering early retirement, who aren’t ready to stop working entirely. It’s also a great full-time job.

    Funeral Celebrancy is for you if:

    • You’re a compassionate, empathic person
    • You love meeting people and supporting others in their time of need
    • You are looking to start a new career in an industry that changes lives
    • You love to write stories and connect with new people of all backgrounds
    • You are looking for more freedom in your life and more flexibility with a job that works around you  

    Find out about our Accredited Funeral Celebrant Training

    Should I become a Naming Celebrant?

    If you love being around, babies, kids and families and want to inject some fun and celebration in your life, then becoming a Naming or Family Celebrant could be right up your street.

    Naming Celebrancy is for you if:

    • You love the idea of celebrating love, life and family
    • You are captivated by the magical moments that new life offers
    • You get excited by being creative and telling stories is your thing
    • You love the idea of creating innovative naming ceremonies
    • You are looking for more freedom in your life and more flexibility with a job that works around you
    • You enjoy making new connections and want to be part of the most special moments in life
    • You want to love what you do and have a career path that’s stress-free

    The hours are flexible, and late nights are incredibly rare. You can choose when you work and how often, so it’s easy to fit around other work. Expect to be working at the weekend, though, with the occasional mid-week event.

    Naming Celebrancy a perfect job to do part-time, or as a side hustle to create additional income. Celebrants will often offer naming celebrant services alongside Wedding or Funeral ceremonies.

    Find out about our Accredited Naming Celebrant Training

    The rewards of being a Celebrant 

    The rewards of being a Celebrant are almost endless, for those who’ve made the leap, a career in Celebrancy feels like the gift that keeps on giving. Here are just some of the benefits you can expect with the job:

    • Endlessly Rewarding: Creating unique wedding ceremonies for couples is immensely fulfilling. The joy of crafting personalized stories or poems and performing them for someone is unparalleled. There’s also the joy of creative expression as well as the privilege of being part of people’s most cherished moments.
    • No two ceremonies or days are the same – you’ll be crafting ceremonies that are as unique as the individuals you’re celebrating and your job is varied from one day to the next.
    • Flexible hours – For many, the role offers flexibility and autonomy, allowing you to shape your career around your lifestyle.
    • Becoming Your Own Boss: As a celebrant, you can start your own business, work on your own terms, and enjoy the freedom of choosing when, where, and for whom you work.
    • A Job for Life: With consistent demand for celebrant-led weddings and ceremonies, this career offers long-term stability and continual opportunities for work.
    • Creating New Connections: whether it’s the couples or families you’re working with, the people and suppliers you’ll meet or the supportive celebrant community you get to join, being around amazing people is definitely a bonus of being a Celebrant. The role allows you to meet and network with like-minded individuals, fostering friendships and professional relationships within the industry​​.

    The Challenges of being a Celebrant

    While rewarding, the role of a celebrant can also be challenging. You’re often working during weekends and holidays, times when most ceremonies occur. Emotional resilience is key, especially for Funeral Celebrants, as you’ll be dealing with sensitive situations and grieving families. The profession also requires continuous learning and adaptation to meet the diverse needs of those you serve.

    And don’t forget, as an independent Celebrant, you’re running your own business, so it does come with the challenges of managing customer enquiries, marketing yourself and staying organised.

    Real Celebrant Stories

    Vikki Harris: A Lancashire-based, Marketing Director turned Wedding Celebrant

    Starting out completely new to the industry, Vikki was so excited to become part of creating dream weddings ceremonies.

    Coming from a background in tourism, Vikki use her skills in marketing to accelerate her business so quickly she secured bookings during the course!

    Read more: Celebrant Success Stories.

    Do I need a qualification to become a celebrant?

    In the UK, it is recommended that you train as a celebrant. This gives you the credibility and the knowledge you need to do the role successfully. Training to become a celebrant is crucial. At The Academy of Modern Celebrancy, we offer comprehensive training that covers all aspects of celebrancy. From crafting ceremonies to understanding the legalities in different regions, our training equips you with the knowledge and skills needed to excel. And, importantly, how to build a successful business as a Celebrant. Remember, becoming a skilled celebrant takes time and dedication.

    How much can I earn as a celebrant?

    This is all dependent on how much time you have to put into your business and how many hours you want to work. As a celebrant you can choose when you work and how many ceremonies you take on. As a general rule of thumb, celebrants earn between £500-£1500 a ceremony.

    Wedding Celebrants in the UK are currently charging between £600-£1500 per ceremony (2023/24), with some outliers charging as much as £2500 for a wedding ceremony.

    Our experienced Full-time Wedding Celebrants are generally conducting between 50-60 weddings a year, and earnings vary between £30,000 – £100,000 a year, depending on their rates. 

    Funeral Celebrants typically charge anywhere between £250 – £500 (2023/24) per ceremony and a Full-time Funeral Celebrant might expect to conduct anywhere between 3 and 5 funeral ceremonies per week. Full-time Funeral Celebrants can expect to earn anywhere between £39,000 to £100,000+

    Average Prices for Naming Ceremonies for 2023/24 are typically £200-£400, but we’ve seen established Celebrants charging as much as £675 and most celebrants offer these as an add-on service.

    What skills will I need to become a celebrant?

    Several key skills and attributes are important to develop to become a successful celebrant. These skills not only help in conducting ceremonies effectively but also contribute to building a meaningful career in celebrancy:

    1. Public Speaking: As a celebrant, you will be required to speak confidently and clearly in front of groups, often in emotionally charged situations. Public speaking skills are essential for delivering ceremonies in a way that engages and moves the audience.
    2. Empathy and Sensitivity: Celebrants must be empathetic and sensitive to the needs and feelings of others. Understanding and respecting clients’ emotional state, especially during significant life events like weddings or funerals, is crucial.
    3. Writing and Storytelling: Crafting personalized and meaningful ceremonies requires strong writing skills. You should be able to tell stories that resonate with the participants and guests, capturing the essence of the occasion and the personalities involved.
    4. Organization and Attention to Detail: Organizing a ceremony involves managing numerous details, from the script to the logistics. Being organized and detail-oriented ensures that each ceremony runs smoothly.
    5. Interpersonal Skills: Good interpersonal skills are essential for working closely with clients to understand their vision and preferences for their ceremony. Building rapport and communicating effectively helps create ceremonies that reflect the client’s wishes.
    6. Cultural Competency: Celebrants often work with people from diverse backgrounds. Understanding and respecting different cultures, traditions, and customs is important in creating inclusive and respectful ceremonies.
    7. Creativity and Flexibility: Each ceremony is unique, and creativity helps personalise these experiences. Flexibility is also key, as plans can change, and you might need to adapt quickly.
    8. Legal Knowledge: Depending on your location, certain ceremonies may have legal aspects, particularly weddings. Understanding the legal requirements for ceremonies in your area is essential.
    9. Continuous Learning: The field of celebrancy is always evolving. Ongoing learning and professional development are important for staying up-to-date with trends, legal changes, and best practices.
    10. Marketing and Business Skills: If you are running your own celebrancy business, basic marketing and business skills are important for promoting your services, managing finances, and building client relationships.

    These skills collectively contribute to a celebrant’s ability to create and deliver memorable, meaningful, and professional ceremonies. As with any profession, some of these skills may come naturally, while others can be developed through training and experience.

    At the Academy of Modern Celebrancy, our courses are designed to give you all the skills you need to become a celebrant and build a successful career.

    Deciding to become a Celebrant

    Deciding to become a celebrant is not a choice to be made lightly. It’s about understanding yourself, your skills, and your willingness to commit to a role that deeply affects others’ lives. We encourage aspiring celebrants to shadow experienced professionals, attend workshops, and immerse themselves in the celebrant community to gain a true understanding of what the job entails.

    Being a celebrant is about more than just leading ceremonies; it’s about crafting experiences that leave a lasting imprint on people’s hearts. If you’re drawn to a career that combines creativity, empathy, and the joy of celebrating life’s milestones, then this might just be your calling. Take your time, do your research, and if you decide to embark on this journey, know that it’s one of the most rewarding paths you can take.

    Have you got what it takes?: Take our Celebrant Quiz 

    How do I train to become a celebrant?

     Training to become a celebrant is crucial. At The Academy of Modern Celebrancy, we offer comprehensive training that covers all aspects of celebrancy. From crafting ceremonies to understanding the legalities in different regions, our training equips you with the knowledge and skills needed to excel. Remember, becoming a skilled celebrant takes time and dedication.

    We support you with online 1-2-1 coaching sessions and group sessions, and give you access to your own hub of video and workbook tutorials. When you enrol with AMC, you become part of a team of celebrants that will help you learn how to be a celebrant and how to be successful too. Business skills are just as important as training to be a celebrant and this is our focus. Your success is our success so we are with you all the way!

    Ready to find out more? Get in touch to book a call with us or jump on in and enrol. This is the start of an amazing new chapter of your life. You won’t look back.

    Photo Credit: Samantha Kelsie Celebrant.

    Jennifer Claire

    Jennifer is the Director of the leading celebrant training company, The Academy of Modern Celebrancy as well as the Founder of The Celebrant Directory, supporting over 600 celebrants globally.

    Jennifer run a 2.5k community of celebrants who she dedicates her time to helping them grow their businesses and taking celebrancy from a hobby to a lifestyle.

    Jennifer heads up the global Celebrant Industry Awards and the global celebrant summit, Celebrantopia each year!

    A celebrant herself since 2010, she knows what it takes to make it in the industry and trains the best celebrants out there across the UK, Europe and the USA.

    Take the Quiz to find out if you have what it takes!

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