A Celebrant toolkit is like a friend who’s always got your back, but knowing what to pack isn’t always easy, especially when you’re new to Celebrancy. We asked Jennifer Constant, founder of The Academy of Modern Celebrancy, for her must-have items in her celebrant toolkit.
Jen said, “I always advise doing your research about your venue beforehand; however, sometimes you don’t know what you’ll need before it’s too late. I know I definitely learned the hard way! It’s best to come prepared with a fully-stocked toolkit that will cover you for any eventuality.”
Celebrant Toolkit for Ceremony Days
Here’s my Wedding Celebrant Checklist of 8 absolute must-haves you need with you for a ceremony.
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1. Multi Microphone System
If you want to make sure your meticulously planned ceremony script is heard, a multi-microphone system, including a lapel and headset microphone, is an absolute must in your Wedding Celebrant kit.
Having a microphone will ensure that all of the guests can hear you clearly, and you can move around with ease throughout the ceremony. This one has some great features, including universal compatibility, fast charging and volume control.
2. Script Stand
You’ll be working at multiple venues and locations, so make sure you have a script stand that works with you, not against you. This one is lightweight and easily transportable. It has a wide reading surface with a built-in hard rubber book stopper and is adjustable in height too!
Oklahoma Sound Portable Presentation Lectern
3. A White or black golf Umbrella
An umbrella is an all-year must-have for any celebrant; make sure you get one that’s big enough to protect you from the rain or sun. Golf umbrellas tend to be larger than your standard umbrella.
If you’re a wedding celebrant, go for a white umbrella that’s unobtrusive and fits in with the theme of the day (if it’s a themed wedding, you might need to rethink the colour). Obviously, as a funeral celebrant, a black umbrella might be more appropriate.
Fulton Fairway Wedding Umbrella
4. Roller Bag
There’s quite a bit of kit to carry to a ceremony; microphones, scripts, certificates, umbrellas, speakers etc, so having all your things in one place will definitely make it less stressful. And the venue might not be directly next to the car park, so a portable bag is a no-brainer, but make sure you get one that works for you and can fit all your Wedding Celebrant toolkit items in it.
This one has lots of different compartments and a fully retractable handle, so you can store it neatly once you’ve unpacked it.
Surfanic Luggage Maxim Roller Bag
5. Personalised Presentation Folder –
Arrive at your ceremonies looking professional with a personalised script folder; it’s a wonderful addition to your Wedding Celebrant Checklist. This one from Etsy is made of recycled leather with an internal ring binder to keep all your written notes safe and you can even add your Celebrant logo too!
Personalised Celebrant Folder – £35 -£110
Undercover presentation folder – £75 +
We also love Undercover, a UK-based company that provides Recycled leather presentation folders. They’re beautifully made, durable, available in a range of 21 different colours, and you can add your logo too.
Toplive Portfolio/conference Folder – £28.99
If you’re looking for a presentation folder that’s a bit easier on the pocket, this TopLive Folder, available through Amazon UK is a favourite with our celebrants.
I love this one… it has a notepad at the back for meetings, which can be taken out… and rings for polypockets (ideal for outside) – it works well for me!
Gill Robertson, Celebrant
It comes in Black, Wine Red and Gold, has a ring binder so you can easily flick through your ceremony notes without getting lost, and there’s a handy pocket to keep your ceremony certificates safe, and it’s well-made for the price.
6. Portable Bluetooth Speaker
If you don’t need a full PA system, then a quality portable Bluetooth speaker is perfect. This one has a good-quality sound, and it’s waterproof for those days when you need it!
W-King Portable Bluetooth Speaker
5 of our favourite portable Bluetooth speakers for Celebrants
Bluetooth speakers vary massively in both quality and price, we asked our community for their best picks:
- Bose Soundlink – This name came up again and again. It comes in 5 colours, packs great sound quality, and you can turn up the volume without distortion.
- JBL – Sturdy build and sounds great. comes in 9 colours with 20 hrs playtime
- Bang & Olufsen Beoplay – This small unit offers good sound quality with warmth.
- Anker Soundcore Speaker – A small and mighty speaker that can be used inside and out, the charge also lasts for ages.
- W-King – This mighty speaker comes with 40 hours battery life and it’s Jen’s pick of the bunch.
7. Folding Table
You may find yourself needing somewhere to put your extras on. A foldaway table or tables means that you can transport them easily and store them when you don’t need them anymore. These wooden ones will match your script stand too for a cohesive look.
8. PA System
If the venue doesn’t have one or you are working in an outdoor space, you may need a portable PA sound system. This one by Bose has wireless Bluetooth pairing, built-in sensors and multiple aiming positions for optimal sound in any position. Or opt for this Fenton one; it’s got Bluetooth connectivity, and it comes with a handy wireless mic.
As we wrap up our dive into the essential items for a celebrant’s toolkit, remember that these tools are just the start of your incredible journey in celebrancy. They’re your companions in crafting memorable, personalized ceremonies that touch hearts and celebrate life’s most precious moments. But the journey doesn’t end here.
To continue the conversation and share your own experiences or learn from fellow celebrants, join us on our Facebook Page for more celebrant-led discussions. And for those of you just embarking on this fulfilling path, don’t forget to download our comprehensive guide to becoming a celebrant. It’s filled with insights, tips, and advice to help you navigate this beautiful profession.
Your toolkit is ready; now, let’s make some magic happen!
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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