Thinking of training as a celebrant?
If you are considering pursuing a career as an independent celebrant, here is some information on what’s involved in the role, along with details of our Associate Trainers.
We are pleased to waive our standard £50 joining fee for all those who apply for AOIC membership within 3 months of passing a course with one of our Associate Trainers. We are also happy to accept celebrants trained by other organisations. All new members will receive a £100 discount on their first year of membership.
Is a celebrant career right for you?
There are a few important aspects to consider before you decide if training as a celebrant is right for you.
Celebrancy can be an extremely fulfilling and rewarding career. As a celebrant you will have the privilege of working alongside people during the most significant milestones in their lives, creating bespoke and personalised ceremonies that celebrate life and love. Depending on whether you train as a funeral celebrant or a wedding celebrant, you will be supporting people during some of the most joyous, stressful and emotional times of their lives. It is therefore a big responsibility.
To be a good celebrant, you must possess excellent listening and interpersonal skills, creative writing skills and presentation skills. All of these can and should be developed throughout your training and career, but it is important to be aware that the role of a celebrant is about much more than having the confidence to deliver a ceremony.
Setting up a celebrant business
Most independent celebrants are self-employed, so having qualified as a celebrant you would be responsible for launching and growing your own business as a sole trader. In order to grow your business, you will likely need a website and marketing materials, plus a commitment to making connections in your local area with relevant businesses and venues.
The celebrant profession has grown rapidly in recent years, so you will probably find there are many other celebrants in your area. But by joining the AOIC and networking with other celebrants locally and nationally, you can become part of a supportive community and continually develop your knowledge and skills.
We feel strongly that continuing professional development is essential for celebrants and we recommend a variety of CPD options to our members, including webinars, conferences, networking events and business support.
If, having read the above, you feel you might like to pursue a career as a celebrant, you will need to do some research, ask some questions and, of course, get professional training.
Where can I train as a celebrant?
The celebrancy profession is made up of a very diverse range of people with a vast array of beliefs, styles and ways in which they choose to serve as celebrants. This is very much reflected in the range of celebrant trainers out there. All the organisations listed below are different in style, so do some research and find the one that fits you best.
If you still feel that this is the right career for you then we wish you all the best with your training. And if you do go on to qualify as an independent celebrant, we hope you’ll come back and join us!
Celebrant training organisations – AOIC Associate Trainers
We are pleased to provide below details of our associate celebrant training companies, which we have confidence will deliver a professional level of training to the standard required to prepare you for the role of a celebrant.
Disclaimer
Please keep in mind that training to become a celebrant is a subjective experience. The AOIC cannot be held responsible for anyone’s experience on a course they undertake. It is for each individual to assess which training route/trainer is best for them. Should you have any complaints about the training you receive from one of the trainers listed below, your first port of call should be the relevant training organisation. If this route does not prove successful, the AOIC will investigate and try to resolve the issues raised, both for the sake of that individual and for the benefit of future trainees.
Civil Ceremonies Ltd
Civil Ceremonies is an Ofsted Outstanding provider (‘Outstanding’ rating renewed in 2024) offering Level 3 and 4 Diplomas in Funeral Celebrancy and Naming and Couples Celebrancy. Civil Ceremonies has specialised in celebrancy training since 2002 and has developed its courses to a very high level of national qualifications. The AOIC has worked alongside Civil Ceremonies for many years and we receive consistently good feedback from celebrants who have trained with them.
“First rate celebrant training. Great materials, excellent residential and thoroughly engaging tutors.”
Match and Dispatch
Celebrant training with humour, honesty and heart.
Founded by award-winning celebrants Kate Dyer and Kate Tym, Match and Dispatch offers industry-leading wedding, funeral and naming celebrant training that goes far beyond writing ceremonies. With over 20 years’ experience as working celebrants and former registrars, the Kates combine practical know-how with straight-talking support, helping trainees build confident, successful celebrant careers.
Their courses are fun, frank and rooted in real-world experience — from ceremony creation to marketing, pricing and running your own business.
“Match and Dispatch training is second to none. The Kates are inspiring, hilarious and totally honest about what it takes to succeed. I finished the course feeling fully prepared — and I’ve never looked back.””
Sacred Celebrants Academy
Sacred Celebrants Academy (SCA) is a centre of excellence based in the historic town of Glastonbury, Somerset, also known as the Isle of Avalon. SCA offers accredited, in-person Spiritual Celebrant training programmes. The Director and founder of SCA, Dawn Kinsella, is a Priestess of Avalon/Authorised person and officiated the first legal pagan marriages in England & Wales. The SCA also delivers sacred ceremony CPD training via Civil Ceremonies Ltd.
“I left confident and inspired, being able to do things that I would not have thought possible. Dawn is an incredible teacher, passionate, down to earth, approachable and giving.”
School of Celebrancy
The School of Celebrancy is run by the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids – a worldwide group of over 25,000 members across 50 countries, who love nature and want to follow a spiritual path with their celebrancy. The School of Celebrancy is an accredited provider of training, professional development and mentoring for nature-inspired celebrants worldwide.
“A tremendously inspiring course, that helped me to deepen my experiences in celebrancy and develop new skills and good forms of organisation.”
Need some more guidance?
The AOIC team are happy to speak to anyone who is considering a new career as a celebrant. Please feel free to get in touch and we will do our best to help.