How to Become a Celebrant in the UK – Your Questions Answered

Section 1 — What is Celebrancy?

What is a celebrant?

A celebrant is someone who plans, writes, and leads meaningful ceremonies – weddings, funerals, naming ceremonies, renewal of vows, and much more. Unlike a registrar or a religious minister, a celebrant is completely independent. They have no script handed to them, no fixed words they must say, and no institutional framework shaping what’s possible.

What a celebrant brings instead is time, creativity, and deep attention to the people in front of them. They listen to a family’s stories, a couple’s love, a person’s history – and they shape those stories into a ceremony that feels genuinely theirs.

It is, at its heart, one of the most human-centred roles that exists.

What’s the difference between a celebrant and a registrar?

A registrar is a civil official whose primary role is to legally register a marriage or civil partnership. Their ceremony is shaped by legal requirements – there are fixed words that must be spoken, a strict time limit, and little room for personalisation.

A celebrant has no legal registration powers – which means that couples who want a celebrant wedding will usually have a short, separate legal registration before or after their ceremony. But what a celebrant offers in return is complete creative freedom: a ceremony that can be as long, as personal, as unconventional, and as deeply meaningful as the people involved want it to be.

Many people feel that working with a celebrant gives them a ceremony that truly reflects who they are – not one that fits a template.

What types of ceremonies can a celebrant perform?

Celebrants work across a remarkably wide range of ceremonies. The most common are weddings and funerals – but the work extends far beyond those.

Naming ceremonies. Renewal of vows. Memorials and celebrations of life. Adoption ceremonies. Gender affirmation ceremonies. Retirement celebrations. Coming of age ceremonies. Even divorce ceremonies, which mark the close of one chapter with the same care and intention we bring to beginnings.

One of the things I love most about celebrancy is this breadth. There is always more to learn, more to explore, and more ways to show up for people at the moments that matter most to them.

Is there a demand for celebrants in the UK?

Yes, and it is growing. The shift away from traditional religious ceremonies has been significant and sustained, with an increasing number of families and couples choosing a ceremony that reflects their own values, beliefs, and stories rather than a faith tradition.

Independent celebrancy is still a relatively young profession in the UK, which means there is genuine opportunity for people who are committed, professional, and thoughtful in their approach. In many areas, the supply of skilled, experienced celebrants doesn’t yet meet the demand.

That said, it’s a profession where reputation and relationships matter enormously. The celebrants who build sustainable, fulfilling businesses are those who invest in their craft, their professionalism, and their communities – not just those who are first to market.

I am sometimes asked if I think the celebrant market is flooded – and I certainly do not. You can read my thoughts on this topic in this blog:

Section 2 — Is Celebrancy Right for Me?

Do I need any previous experience or qualifications to train as a celebrant?

No formal qualifications are required to train as a celebrant. What matters far more is who you are – your capacity for empathy, your ability to listen deeply, your willingness to show up fully for the people in your care.

That said, good training makes an enormous difference. Not just to the quality of your ceremonies, but to your confidence, your professionalism, and your ability to build a business that is sustainable and fulfilling.

At the Celebrant Coaching & Training Academy, we welcome people from all educational backgrounds. What we look for is genuine commitment to doing this work well and a willingness to bring your whole self to it.

Is there an age limit? Can I train as a celebrant in my 50s or 60s?

There is absolutely no age limit – and I want to say this with real conviction, because it’s one of the questions I’m asked most often, and the worry behind it is something I deeply understand.

The truth is that some of the most remarkable celebrants I’ve trained have come to this work in their 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond. Not in spite of their age and experience, but because of it.

Celebrancy asks for emotional depth, steadiness, and the ability to hold space for people at some of the most significant moments of their lives. Those aren’t qualities you acquire quickly. They come from living – from navigating loss, from building relationships, from years of showing up for others.

If you’re in your 50s or 60s and something in you is drawn to this work, I’d gently suggest that your timing might be exactly right.

I’ve spent my career in care, teaching, or support work – is that relevant?

It is more than relevant. It may be the most valuable preparation you could have.

People who’ve worked in care, healthcare, education, social work, counselling, and support roles already possess something that cannot be taught in a training room: the ability to be genuinely present with someone who is vulnerable. The capacity to listen without judgement. The steadiness that comes from years of holding space for others in difficulty.

These are the qualities at the heart of excellent celebrancy. They are the foundation on which we build ceremony craft, communication skills, and business confidence.

When people from these backgrounds come to train with me, there is often a moment – sometimes quite early on – when they realise they have been doing a version of this work for years. They just didn’t have the ceremony skills yet.

If that resonates with you, I’d love to talk.

How do I know if celebrancy is the right path for me?

That’s one of the most honest and important questions you can ask – and the fact that you’re asking it already says something good about you.

There are some things that tend to point towards celebrancy being a strong fit: you are genuinely energised by people and their stories; you feel comfortable speaking in front of others, or are motivated to develop that skill; you have a natural capacity for empathy; you are drawn to work that has real meaning and impact; and you are able to remain calm and present in emotionally charged situations.

At the same time, celebrancy is not the right path for everyone – and I think it’s important to say that clearly, with kindness. It requires self-employment confidence, consistent business development, and the ability to manage the emotional weight of grief work, particularly for funeral celebrants.

One of the reasons I offer Informed Decision Sessions is precisely this: I want to help you explore honestly whether this is right for you – before you commit time, money, or energy. There is no pressure, and no agenda other than helping you make the best decision for yourself.

Section 3 — The Training

What does training with the Celebrant Coaching & Training Academy involve?

Training with the Academy is a deeply personal experience – and that’s intentional. This is not a large cohort course where you’re one of twenty people moving through the same material at the same pace. It is tailored, one-to-one, and built around you.

You’ll develop ceremony craft – how to structure, write, and deliver weddings, funerals, and other ceremonies with skill and sensitivity. We’ll work on your confidence, your voice, and your presence. You’ll explore the emotional landscape of this work, including how to care for yourself while caring for others. And you’ll build the business foundations you need to establish and grow a practice.

You can view the format of the wedding celebrant training here and the funeral celebrant training here. I also offer self-paced courses for funeral and wedding celebrants.

Throughout all of it, I am alongside you – not as a distant instructor, but as a genuine guide and supporter.

How long does training take?

At the Academy, we offer two options for how you take your training:
one-to-one with your dedicated trainer, Dinah Liversidge, over seven zoom sessions. You get whatsapp and email support from Dinah between your sessions (which are often one a week but can be over a longer period if that works better for your needs) and every session is just the two of you.
self-paced, watching pre-recorded sessions and with email support from Dinah – and you can take up to six months to complete this course.
Whichever format you take, students find they spend around 30-40 hours on their sessions and additional learning over the duration.

What if I’m a slow learner, or haven’t studied for a long time?

This is one of the things I feel most strongly about – and it shapes everything about how I teach.

Many of the people who come to me haven’t been in formal education for twenty or thirty years. Some are neurodivergent and have had difficult experiences with learning environments in the past. Some simply learn differently – through conversation, through doing, through reflection rather than reading.

There is no one-size-fits-all here. I adapt to you; your pace, your learning style, your life, and your needs. If something isn’t landing, we find another way in. If you need more time, we take more time. The goal is always your confidence and your competence – not a ticked box or a completed checklist. You will not be left behind. That is a promise.

What support will I receive during and after training?

Support is woven into every part of what I offer – not bolted on as an afterthought.

During training, you’ll have direct, ongoing access to me. Questions don’t wait until the next scheduled session. If something comes up, you can reach out.

After training, I continue to be available to my graduates. The transition from trainee to practising celebrant can bring its own moments of doubt and uncertainty, and I believe that support shouldn’t end the moment training does.

My Graduates are not customers who have completed a transaction. They are people I have invested in, and that relationship continues. I fully expect you to contact me when you get your first ceremonies and to assist you in feeling confident to deliver an outstanding experience for you and your clients.

In addition, I have a group call for Graduates, every six weeks, on Zoom where you can ask me anything, connect with your peers and get lots of ideas and support.

Will I receive a qualification or certificate?

Yes – you will receive a National Open College Network ( NOCN )Endorsed Certificate on completion of your training. It’s worth noting that celebrancy in the UK is not currently a regulated profession – which means there is no single mandatory qualification. What matters most to families and couples when choosing a celebrant is not a certificate, but trust, reputation, and the quality of the work.

My training is designed to give you the skills, confidence, and professionalism to build that trust from the very beginning of your celebrant career.

Section 4 — The Practicalities

How much does training cost?

Training with the Celebrant Coaching & Training Academy is an investment in a new professional life – and I want to be straightforward with you about that.

The price for our self-paced Wedding Celebrant Training and self-paced Funeral Celebrant Training is £895. The price for our one-to-one Wedding Celebrant Programme, or one-to-one Funeral Celebrant Programme is £1430. Both courses are covered by our money-back guarantee: On completion of all modules, lessons and assignments, if you do not believe you got more value from the training than you paid for, we will refund you in full.

Full details of our current programmes and pricing are available on our training pages. I would always encourage you to have a conversation with me before making any decision, so that we can look together at which pathway makes the most sense for you, your goals, and your circumstances.

I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all pricing any more than I believe in one-size-fits-all training. If you have questions about cost, options, or what’s included, please do get in touch – I’m always happy to talk. Take a look at my blog on what it costs to train as a celebrant in the UK for more on this topic,

Can I train part-time, around my current job?

Yes – and for many people, this is exactly how they begin.

Because training at the Celebrant Coaching and Training Academy is personalised and flexible, we work around your life rather than asking your life to work around us. Many of my students are still in employment when they begin training, building their celebrant practice gradually before making a full transition.

There is no pressure to move faster than feels right. This is your journey, and we take it at your pace.

How much can I earn as a celebrant?

Celebrant income varies considerably depending on the type of ceremonies you perform, how many you take on, the area you work in, and how you price your services.

As a general guide, wedding celebrant fees in the UK currently range from around £600 to well over £1,000 per ceremony. Funeral celebrant fees tend to be lower – typically in the range of £225 to £300 – but funerals are more frequent and consistent in demand.

Many celebrants begin part-time and build their income gradually. Others move into full-time celebrancy within their first year or two. What makes the difference is not just the number of ceremonies, but the quality of the work, the strength of your reputation, and your confidence in valuing yourself appropriately.

I teach business confidence and pricing as part of training – because knowing your worth is as important as knowing your craft.

How long before I’m ready to take my first ceremony?

This depends on the individual and the programme. Most graduates are ready to take their first ceremony within a few months of beginning training – sometimes sooner.

Part of my role is to help you recognise your own readiness and to give you the push of encouragement that most of us need at the beginning.

Do I need insurance to work as a celebrant?

Yes – professional indemnity and public liability insurance are strongly recommended for all practising celebrants. Many venues will ask to see evidence of your insurance before allowing you to work there.

I’ll make sure you understand exactly what you need and how to obtain it as part of your training. I recommend taking a look at Civil Celebrant Connection – who offer an excellent insurance as part of the membership.

Section 5 — Your Wider Questions

I’m not sure yet – can I talk to someone before committing?

Absolutely – and I’d actively encourage it.

I offer Informed Decision Sessions for exactly this reason. It’s a no-pressure conversation where we explore what celebrancy involves and whether it might be right for you. We’ll talk about what training with me would look like. There is no sales pitch and no obligation. I make a small charge for this call which is deducted from any training you decide to take with me.

My belief is that the right decision is one that’s made with full information and genuine clarity. I’d rather have a conversation that leads you to decide celebrancy isn’t for you than have you commit to training before you’re sure. If you’re exploring this path, I’d love to talk.

How is training with Dinah different from other training providers?

There are several things that make the Celebrant Coaching and Training Academy genuinely different:

The most significant difference is that training here is one-to-one. Not one of twenty. Not a self-paced video programme you work through alone without support of a tutor. You and me, in genuine partnership, working at your pace, in your way.

I bring nearly three decades of experience in training, coaching and public speaking. I’ve held ceremonies for hundreds of families. I’ve trained and mentored celebrants across a wide spectrum of backgrounds and learning styles. And I care – genuinely – about the person in front of me.

I also believe that celebrancy training should prepare you for the whole of this career. The emotional weight of it, the business reality of it. And the ongoing work of staying confident and grounded in it. Not just the ceremony craft.

If that approach resonates with you, I think we’d work well together. Let’s have a conversation.

I’m neurodivergent or have a learning difference – will I be supported?

Yes. Wholeheartedly and without reservation.

Inclusive, adapted teaching is not an add-on here – it’s central to how I work. I’ve supported students with dyslexia, ADHD, anxiety, autism, and a range of other learning differences and life experiences. In every case, we find the approach that works for that particular person.

If you have specific needs or questions about how I can support you, please do ask. I’m always open to that conversation.

Still have a question? I’d love to hear it.

If there’s something you’d like to ask that isn’t covered here, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. There are no silly questions, and no pressure – only an honest conversation.

And if you’re ready to explore what celebrancy might look like for you, I’d love to invite you to book an Informed Decision Session. We’ll take it one step at a time, together.

Warmly,

Dinah