Finding My Path

 

The path to becoming a celebrant has been a long, winding and interesting journey. I have sat on the idea for at least two years after seeing a game show contestant declare their job as a Celebrant. I confess I didn't know what that was or what it entailed, but I was intrigued so I did a little research.

So, what types of ceremony can a Celebrant carry out for couples in the UK?

Independent Celebrants can offer non religious wedding ceremonies or civil partnership ceremonies, similar to Humanists. However they can also offer ceremonies with elements of religion and spirituality. This will make each ceremony totally unique and makes them popular with interfaith weddings. The key differences between a Humanist Celebrant and an Independent Celebrant had me intrigued. I did not realise the many different pathways a celebrant can take.

A humanist celebrant is an individual who offer non religious ceremonies. Their belief system is one of logic and evidence. They themselves are probably atheist or agnostic.

As an Independent Celebrant on the other hand, I have a spiritual belief system that is unique to me. I am happy to incorporate as many elements of a couples beliefs into the ceremony to make it unique to them.

The way couples get married was quite stagnant in the UK until a new law was passed in 2013. While The Marriage(same sex)Act 2013 is a very welcome change, there are still some changes waiting in the wings that as an independent celebrant, I am interested in

It is quite staggering that a law from 1836 still largely dictates how a couple can legally get married in the UK Thankfully the1836 wedding law is being investigated and updated to reflect the needs of modern couples. The detailed review began in 2019 and set out to consider,

• The legal preliminaries that should be required prior to a wedding ( having intention posted online as well as in local register office)
• Where weddings should be able to take place ( the Law commission recommends a person being licenced and not just the venue. Giving couples greater choice)
• Who should be able to solemnise a marriage (this is of great interest)
• Whether specific vows should be required during a ceremony
• How marriages should be registered
• What the consequences should be for couples who do not comply with any requirements.

The Law commission has provisionally proposed an ‘officiant-based system’ that could potentially allow for celebrants to conduct legally binding weddings, but this will ultimately be a decision for government. Despite the final report being published in July 2022, as of March 2025, the Government has yet to respond to the recommendations.

How do you, the client benefit from my membership of the Association Of Independent Celebrants?

Being a member of the AOIC gives them the confidence to book the celebrant, safe in the knowledge that, should there be an issue, they have somewhere to turn if problems cannot be resolved. It gives them the peace of mind to know that the celebrant they have chosen follows procedure regarding data protection, keep the information safe, turn up at meetings and conduct the ceremony in a way that has been agreed.

As well as weddings ceremonies, as an Independent Celebrant I can offer a vow renewal ceremony, a naming ceremony for a new birth or adoption. A naming ceremony for the completion of Transitioning or two families coming together and taking on a new collective name, as well as separation and closure ceremonies.

As I continue along my path to becoming an Independent Celebrant, I look forward to meeting all the new people that will give me the privilege and honour of being part of their journey.