A day in the life of a celebrant

People often ask me what it’s like to be a celebrant. “It must be so emotional,” they say, or “How do you balance weddings and funerals?” The truth is, no two days are ever the same, and that’s one of the things I love most about this job.

Being a celebrant means standing alongside people during the most meaningful moments of their lives: from the joy of a wedding day to the tender farewell of a funeral. Each day is different, but here’s a glimpse into what my work truly involves.

My day usually begins with a cup of strong coffee or two—and time spent reviewing scripts. If it’s a wedding day, I’ll check the vows, the ceremony structure, and any special rituals we’ve included, such as handfasting, candle lighting, or readings from friends and family. If it’s a funeral, I’ll review the eulogy and the order of service, making sure every word is respectful and personal. I always like to pause and reflect on the person we’re honouring; it grounds me before the day starts. My job relies on my voice, so while I practice my speeches, I will drink a hot honey and lemon — no one wants a croaky celebrant.

When I’m not officiating, I often meet with couples or families. These conversations are the heart of my work. With wedding couples, we might discuss how they met, what they love about each other, and what kind of ceremony feels “right” for them. These chats are often full of laughter, funny stories, and excitement. They can happen over Zoom or in person, so I get to visit some beautiful wedding venues. I love driving to the venues, its a bit of me time !!!, I listen to podcasts or sing loudly, and badly, along to the radio.

When I am with families arranging a funeral, the conversations are gentler. We share memories, stories, and sometimes tears. My role is to listen carefully, gather details, and shape them into a tribute that does justice to the person’s life. Because I fit in around people's schedules, I have to be flexible so meetings with families and couples can take place at weekends or in the evenings; celebrants definitely don’t work a 9-5.

Some days, I’ll be heading out to a venue, a sunny garden, a rustic barn, a crematorium, or even someone’s home. Each setting carries its own atmosphere.

At a wedding, there’s an air of excitement: guests arriving in their best clothes, music playing softly, nerves and smiles all around. My role is to hold that space, guide everyone through the ceremony, and make sure the couple feel calm and present in the moment. ( I love a wedding because it means I can dress up, put my heels and lipstick on)

At a funeral, the atmosphere is quieter, more reflective. Families gather with heavy hearts, but also with love. Here, my role is to offer comfort, lead with compassion, and create a ceremony that celebrates a life well lived.

After a ceremony, I often feel a mix of emotions, uplifted by love at a wedding or humbled by the honour of telling someone’s story at a funeral. I’ll take some time to jot down notes, clear my mind, and prepare for what’s next.

Being a celebrant doesn’t end with the ceremony itself. It’s about building connections, offering support, and leaving people with a memory they’ll cherish forever. If I am not conducting a ceremony that day, I will spend some time doing admin; running your own business can be hard work. It’s a part of the job I hadn’t considered when I was training. I was a teacher for 30 years, so dealing with tax and marketing is a totally new concept to me and if i’m honest, it’s not my favourite part of my day !!

I will spend any free time I have on marketing, networking, and writing these lovely blogs for you to read and learn about what a celebrant does.

At some point in the day, I will take my beautiful pup, Daphne, for a walk and ensure my children are fed and where they should be!!

The world of funerals and weddings is constantly evolving, so I attend training sessions to stay up-to-date with the latest innovations and legislation. I want to provide the best service to my couples and families. I also assist at grief workshops and bereavement cafes. Death is something that happens to us all, and helping people understand and cope with the emotions it brings is a vital part of being a celebrant.

I am precious about my evenings. Having spent many years marking and planning lessons, I now try to keep my evenings free. Unless I am actually meeting a family or couple, I don't work in the evening. I curl up with a cup of tea and watch a film or read a good book. And on the rare occasion I don't have a weekend wedding, I like to go to a gig. This bank holiday weekend was special; we attended a festival and danced with thousands of other people, all of us covered in glitter, having the best time ever. Now that I have recovered, I am ready to resume work. We all need a reset sometimes.

People sometimes wonder how I move between the happiness of weddings and the sadness of funerals. The truth is, both are about love. A wedding celebrates love at its beginning; a funeral honours love that endures even after someone has gone.

Being a celebrant is not just a job, it’s a privilege. I get to walk beside people on their most significant days, helping them find words, rituals, and moments that truly matter.

If you want to know more, DM me, 07858667835 or email me KerrieLouiseCeremomnies@outlook.com