Celebrancy – What is it and what does it entail?
If you’ve ever wondered what a celebrant actually does, beyond holding a lovely folder and looking serene in photographs, you’re not alone. Many people have heard the word celebrant, but aren’t entirely sure what it means. So let’s lift the lid and explore it together.
So… what is celebrancy?
In simple terms, a celebrant is someone who creates and delivers personalised ceremonies for life’s significant moments. Weddings, funerals, naming ceremonies, vow renewals, divorce and new beginnings ceremonies, anything that deserves to be acknowledged, honoured, or celebrated with meaning.
Think of a celebrant as the storyteller, guide, and calm presence who holds the emotional shape of your ceremony. Instead of using a standard script or religious order of service, a celebrant takes the time to get to know you, your story, your family, and what truly matters to you.
The result? A ceremony that feels personal, heartfelt, and authentically you, not a one-size-fits-all template that could belong to anyone.
Why choose a celebrant?
People choose celebrants for all sorts of reasons:
1. Freedom and flexibility
Want your ceremony in a woodland? On a beach? In your garden? At your favourite cosy pub? No problem.
Celebrant-led ceremonies offer a freedom that traditional settings sometimes can’t. You can shape the tone, style, structure, music, rituals, everything.
2. Truly personalised words
A celebrant ceremony isn’t a script plucked from a dusty folder. It’s personalised and written with intention, warmth, and genuine care.
Every story, every laugh, every moment is woven in, because I’ve taken the time to understand you.
3. Inclusion of symbolic acts
Handfasting, sand ceremonies, broomstick jumping, unity candles, tree planting, memory ribbons, if it feels meaningful, we can include it.
4. A calming, supportive presence
My background in hypnotherapy and coaching means I’m very comfortable helping people find their breath, settle their nerves, and feel grounded, whether it’s a nervous groom, an anxious speaker, or a family trying to navigate grief.
5. A ceremony that reflects your beliefs (or non-beliefs)
Whether you’re spiritual, secular, mixed-faith, non-religious, or “still figuring things out,” a celebrant ceremony honours what feels right for you.
Is it legal?
At the moment, in England and Wales, celebrant-led weddings are not legally binding.
This means you’ll still need to complete the brief legal paperwork at a registry office (often called a ‘two-plus-two’ ceremony) either before or after your wedding day.
However, and this is rather exciting, there is a Bill currently progressing through Parliament that may soon allow celebrants to conduct fully legal weddings.
If the Bill passes, I’ll be able to legally marry couples as part of your chosen ceremony, in your chosen location, with your chosen words. (And if that isn’t a reason to keep an eye on the news, I don’t know what is!)
What does a celebrant actually do?
More than you might expect. A celebrant:
- Meets with you to understand your story
- Writes a completely bespoke script
- Helps with vows, readings, symbolic acts
- Offers guidance, reassurance, and grounding
- Manages the flow of the day
- Delivers the ceremony with warmth, clarity, and genuine presence
Behind the scenes, there’s a surprising amount of planning, craftsmanship, and emotional support that goes into creating something that looks effortless.
(It’s a bit like a swan gliding across a lake, graceful on the surface, legs paddling wildly underneath. Except I promise there’s very little wild paddling, unless that’s on your bucket list!)
| Coaching with confidence: when you need a little extra support. |
| > Weddings As a Coach and Therapist, and with my love of performing on stage, if you or any of the bridal party need help with any aspect of the wedding or outside the wedding, I’m here for you. Maybe the groom needs confidence to deliver their speech, or a member of the wedding party has trouble being in crowds. Maybe the bride and bridesmaids/groomsmen need some direction to make the walk down the aisle flow with grace, poise and panache. I can coach all of you through this. |
| > Bereavement As a bereavement Coach and Therapist, I have helped people gently navigate their way through the grief process. Oftentimes, it’s not something a person needs immediately, but further down the line, as time goes on, for some people, some help and support is needed. I’ve worked with many people to help them through this. If you or a loved one would like to speak to me about how I can help them, this is an additional service I can provide. |
In essence…
Celebrancy is about connection, storytelling, and meaningful moments.
It’s about honouring life’s milestones with sincerity, personality, and heart.
And it’s about ceremonies that feel deeply personal, not transactionally formal.
Whether you’re beginning something beautiful, saying goodbye, welcoming a child, renewing vows, or stepping into a new chapter, a celebrant helps mark the moment with authenticity and care.
Would you like to know more?
If you’re curious about any kind of ceremony, or you’re dreaming up something a little different, I’d love to chat.
Get in touch, and let’s explore what your ceremony could become.