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Celebrant

Alternative titles for this job include

Celebrants conduct personalised wedding, naming and funeral ceremonies. They also help mark other important occasions and relationships.

Average salary (a year)

Variable

Typical hours (a week)

Variable irregular

You could work

as a contractor / self-employed as customers demand

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through a private training course.

Other Routes

You do not need formal qualifications to become a celebrant though training may help your career prospects.

You can search online for celebrancy training providers that offer courses in wedding, funeral and naming ceremonies. Some courses also allow you to complete a nationally recognised qualification in celebrancy.

Courses vary in length, cost and entry requirements, so it's important to do your research to find a course that is right for you.

Excellent organisational skills and sensitivity to people's emotions when planning and conducting ceremonies is very important. You'll also need the ability to speak confidently in public and bring out participants' life stories in an engaging way.

Experience in wedding or event planning may be helpful but is not essential.

More Information

Career tips

Celebrants are usually self-employed and often combine their work with a second career, for example wedding planning, events management or funeral directing.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • sensitivity and understanding
  • customer service skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • the ability to work well with others
  • leadership skills
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • active listening skills
  • business management skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a celebrant, you would:

  • meet with couples and families to plan the ceremony they want
  • offer practical advice on things like venues, music and timings
  • help clients to write personal vows, tributes or readings
  • organise a rehearsal before the actual event
  • lead the ceremony on the day
  • advise clients about legal obligations, like registering a marriage
  • market your business to attract clients

Working environment

You could work at a venue or at a client's home.

Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

As an experienced celebrant, you may wish to train in conducting different types of ceremonies, or set up your own celebrant training business. You could also offer related services, such as wedding or event planning.

You could use your skills to move into areas like counselling, for example bereavement counselling or family mediation.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a celebrant right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Are you interested in becoming a celebrant?

Search for training courses near you.

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

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