Everything you need to know about becoming a celebrant
If you’re wondering what’s involved in becoming a celebrant and what it takes to run a successful celebrancy business, you’ll find the answers here!
Life’s significant moments deserve to be honoured, and whether it’s a marriage, a farewell or another important family milestone, a celebrant has the privilege of serving a vital role in this celebration of life. They’re driven to support and guide people in bringing emotions, memories and stories together to craft a meaningful ceremony.
Celebrants are playing a growing role in Australian life. For instance, did you know that more than 80% of wedding ceremonies in Australia are now performed by civil celebrants? That’s up from about 50% in 2001, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics data.
In addition to the human connections they make, celebrants are also drawn to the flexibility this profession offers, which in turn, requires personal and financial investment to succeed and build a reputation as a popular, in-demand celebrant.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the various celebrant services, the skills and training required, and what you’ll need to consider when setting up your celebrant business. Continue reading to delve deeper into this rewarding vocation.
What’s involved in being a celebrant?
At the heart of a celebrant’s work is crafting personalised ceremonies, which consists of writing and delivering wedding vows, eulogies or other ceremonial rites. You’ll need to coordinate closely with clients to understand their needs, using a supportive approach that inspires trust and puts people at ease. Your responsibility is to deliver a service where participants can connect deeply in the moment, whether in joy or in remembrance.
Depending on their uptake of clients, celebrants can choose to book as few as one ceremony per year, multiple ceremonies on a part-time or full-time basis and as a primary source of income, or somewhere in between. There are three main celebrant services, and a celebrant may engage in one or more types:
Marriage celebrant: Officiates wedding ceremonies, guiding couples through the process of creating and personalising their vows in a way that reflects their values and beliefs, while also adhering to legal requirements for marriage registration.
Funeral celebrant: Leads memorial and funeral services by providing a personalised and meaningful tribute to the deceased in partnership with the family, that supports grieving and remembrance while ensuring that procedure and ethics are maintained.
Family and community celebrant: recognises various life events and conducts ceremonies that celebrate family milestones and community gatherings, including naming or blessing ceremonies for children, commitment ceremonies and community events.
Alongside these categories, you may have heard the term ‘civil celebrant’, which is used to describe celebrants that perform non-denominational ceremonies not linked to any religion, belief system or spiritual tradition. Civil celebrants emerged as a response to an evolving social landscape where more people are seeking ceremony alternatives that reflect their personal values rather than religious beliefs. For example, these celebrants have been instrumental in catering to the needs of the LGBTIQA+ community in their celebration of marriage.
In the two most common celebrant services — marriage celebrancy and funeral celebrancy — here are the general duties you can expect to perform:
A marriage celebrant helps plan, draft and deliver custom vows, selects readings, and integrates meaningful rituals to create ceremonies that honour the values and wishes of each couple. Celebrants ensure compliance with local marriage laws, preparing and submitting the necessary legal documentation to register the marriage. Additionally, they often provide logistical support, coordinating details such as venue arrangements and ceremony timelines. A good celebrant will create a warm, inclusive atmosphere where couples can celebrate their commitment in a way that feels authentic.
A funeral celebrant consults with a deceased person’s family to develop a personalised structure for a funeral service, which they lead on the day. It usually features a tribute/eulogy and/or a review of the person’s life, presented by the celebrant or a family member or friend. It may also include a reflection period, often accompanied by music, and/or a dignified audio visual presentation that helps create a space for remembrance and healing. A good celebrant will help guests find comfort in shared grief and cherished memories, however they are not trained to provide grief counselling.
Am I suited to celebrancy work?
In many cases, celebrancy is the result of a career change, serving as a second, third or even fourth career for people looking for greater meaning and independence in the work they do. It’s likely you have a love of weddings and/or a deep respect for the deceased and their surviving families.
There is upfront cost and effort to get up and running as a professional celebrant, so it’s important that you’re passionate about the service(s) you will be providing. The first step is to look inward and explore why you want to be a celebrant. There are a number of motivators, including a genuine desire to contribute to one of the best days in a couple’s lives, in the case of a wedding, or on the flip side, feeling a sense of duty to soothe families during one of the most difficult days of their lives, in the context of a funeral service. You could be interested in one, or perhaps both!
A strong ability to build relationships and trust is the primary trait you will need to thrive in this business. A listening ear, attention to detail and a non-judgmental attitude are key ingredients of this relationship-building, and although you’re there to advise, you’ll need to be gracious in prioritising the wishes of your client above your own opinions.
You’ll also need to be comfortable working for yourself, and will be rewarded with a flexible work schedule allowing for greater work-life balance. That being said, you’ll need to be content with weekend work, and possibly travel, for the bookings you choose to take on.
To help determine whether your personality, preferences and skills are aligned to celebrancy work, here are some essential questions to ask:
Do you want to help families create meaningful ceremonies of life, love or loss?
Are you both highly organised and creative?
Can you be joyous, empathetic or sensitive when the occasion calls?
Are you known for being a calming influence in emotional situations?
Are you able to communicate clearly and without judgement?
Are you comfortable with public speaking?
Are you happy to work for yourself and can you remain self-motivated?
Are you prepared for strict deadlines and weekend work?
What qualifications or training do I need to become a celebrant?
Regardless of the type of celebrancy service(s) you intend to provide, all benefit from formal training. There is a legal requirement for marriage celebrants to gain formal training and registration to practise as a celebrant. Funeral celebrants do not need formal training, however being a qualified marriage celebrant helps to gain work for funerals, as it shows you have a good understanding of creating customised ceremonies and dealing with people in a respectful and professional manner.
To legally marry people in Australia, you must be an authorised marriage celebrant, classed as either a Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrant who generally performs civil (non-religious) ceremonies, or a Commonwealth-registered religious marriage celebrant. There are a number of steps to achieve this, beginning with a national police check and enrolment in CHC41015 Certificate IV in Celebrancy. Once you have completed this training, you must apply to the relevant government regulator, the Attorney-General’s Department, to make your status as a marriage celebrant official. As part of this registration, you’ll need to pay a one-off, non-refundable application fee which is currently $400.
To maintain your accreditation as a marriage celebrant, you must comply with the legal frameworks governing marriage in Australia: the Marriage Act 1961 and Marriage Regulations 2017. Finally, you’ll need to complete compulsory professional development (PD) every year, in the calendar year after your registration.
Whereas wedding celebrants have both a ceremonial and legal role, funeral celebrants and family or community celebrants’ function is purely ceremonial. Funeral celebrancy is an unregulated industry and you are not required to undertake formal training, however it is highly recommended, and becoming qualified means you are far more likely to be employed by funeral homes/directors and likely to succeed.
Setting up your celebrant business
Starting a celebrant business is a fulfilling way to build an income while doing something you’re passionate about. However, it’s important to understand that this journey can be a labour of love, requiring plenty of time and effort before you see a return on your investment. Embracing this reality will help you stay motivated as you lay the groundwork for a purpose-driven and profitable business.
Launching your celebrant business involves a blend of strategy, creativity and personal connection. It all begins by establishing your brand, including your unique style and values. Today, an online, digital presence is vital for attracting potential clients and building credibility in your field, so you’ll need to arrange a professional logo and website that showcase your services, testimonials and contact information.
Networking is crucial in this industry, so expect to engage in both digital and face-to-face networking to connect with other professionals, vendors and potential clients. Being active on social media will provide the foundation for this networking, and joining professional industry groups can also broaden your reach, allowing you to engage with a wider audience and establish yourself as an expert.
Key advice:
Decide how much time you can commit to your business and the frequency of services to suit your lifestyle and financial needs.
Create a business plan that outlines your goals, target market and marketing strategies to stay focused and organised as you grow your business.
In an increasingly competitive celebrant landscape, develop your unique identity and service offering to stand out from the crowd.
Invest in ongoing professional development such as workshops to enhance your skills, stay up to date with industry trends and attract more clients.
How to pick the right celebrancy training provider
Your choice of course and celebrancy training provider is the key to setting you up for success in the industry. A reputable and student-focused provider can help you: develop relevant, job-ready skills, sustain your motivation to complete your study, and give you the tools to establish your own celebrant business. On the other hand, a celebrancy course or provider that is not aligned to your needs could delay or derail your journey, by making you feel under-valued and left on your own.
Here are some questions you ought to consider before enrolling with a provider:
Are they upfront about costs or do they have hidden fees?
Are their courses informed by close, ongoing connections with industry?
Is the training practical and hands-on for superior job readiness?
Do they offer personalised support?
Are the trainers experienced in the industry, reliable and invested in your growth?
Do they provide ongoing support and professional development training?
At Nepean Edge Industry training, we’re proud to offer CHC41015 Certificate IV in Celebrancy to equip you with the skills and confidence to conduct professional ceremonies and develop and manage your celebrant business. As part of our course, we’ll guide you in creating a business and marketing plan that puts you in reach of your goals. Keep in mind that people who do the celebrancy course may choose to only do weddings and not do funerals, as they are not suited to funerals.
We understand the challenges and opportunities of running a celebrant business and want to see you succeed long after you complete your course with us! Therefore, we run further training including a Running A Successful Celebrancy Business workshop, a Social Media for Celebrants workshop, and a range of professional development training for funeral celebrants.
The NIET industry edge offers:
Strong Industry Relationships – our courses are designed with robust input from industry experts, delivering job-ready skills
Flexible Training – students favour the ongoing support received with in-person training, with on- or off-site customised training options for employers.
Passionate People – our professional, accredited facilitators bring learning content to life, empowering students to succeed.
Value for Money – with government funding and low administrative fees, our courses are often more cost-effective than TAFE.
Starting a career in celebrancy is an exciting journey and even a ‘calling’ for those who seek greater meaning in their work. It requires a big investment, but provided you’re dedicated to honouring the unique stories of diverse people and can access the right training and business support, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to enrich the lives of those you serve. Ready to take the next step with NIET?
