Residential Celebrant Training

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is a celebrant?

  A celebrant is a person who plans, oversees and guides ceremonies, whether they be weddings, funerals etc.  A celebrant is not linked to any religious institution and cannot currently legally marry anybody, but is in charge of writing and delivering the ceremony itself.

• What qualifications does a celebrant need?

  A celebrant does not need any formal qualifications but it does help enormously to take part in celebrant training. Celebrant training in the UK, such as that offered by ICPC, equips you with the tools and knowledge to be a celebrant and maintain a successful celebrancy business into the future.

• How much does it cost to become a celebrant?

  How much does it cost to become a celebrant?

  At ICPC we offer 2 different qualifications both with different price points. Some other training academies are cheaper, but they also tend to only cover certain areas of celebrancy, whereas we offer a much more comprehensive combined course.

  The NOCN Level 3 certificate in Civil Celebrancy in the UK currently costs £2994.

  Our exclusive Platinum Double Diploma, a combined course achieving the NOCN Diploma in Funerals AND the NOCN Diploma in Couples & Naming currently costs £4500.

  Both qualifications includes all accommodation, food, training, resources, 12 months ICPC membership, 12 month public liability and professional indemnity insurance.

  It’s important you think carefully about which path will be best for you.

• How long does it take to become a celebrant?

  Training with ICPC takes 5 days. You arrive at High Trenhouse on a Sunday evening and get settled into your room and meet the other trainees. You then begin training at 9am Monday morning. Training completes at 3.30pm on Friday.  At the end of the 5 days you will receive a Training Certificate, your ICPC badge, Membership and insurance to start work. Your qualification period then starts and you will have 12 months to complete the Certificate or 18 months to complete the Platinum Double Diploma

• How much money can celebrants make?

  The amount of time and effort you put into your celebrancy business will help to determine how much money you make. Some people work part time, others full time.

  When conducting a wedding you can expect to charge a minimum of £650. The number of weddings you then book and complete within a year will tell you your annual salary. So, 2 weddings a month would give you an annual income of £15,600 if you charge the minimum.

  The average funeral is charged at £220 and you can choose how many you would like to do per week.

  You can find out more about how much wedding celebrants earn on our blog

• Where is the ICPC celebrant training?

  The ICPC training takes place at High Trenhouse in Settle, Yorkshire. You can see more about High Trenhouse here. You will get your own bedroom with an ensuite bathroom. You will also be given three meals per day including a three course dinner. You gain access to a sauna and the expansive grounds, as well as two bars.

• Is celebrancy the same as being a registrar?

  No.  A celebrant cannot legally marry a couple, whereas a registrar can. A celebrant is there to conduct and guide the ceremony only. The registrar has fixed words that they must say by law and a fixed time limit. The civil celebrant can help you write and deliver the ceremony and your personalised vows and has no time restrictions.

• What ceremonies can celebrants perform?

  A celebrant can perform any ceremony. Some of these include weddings, renewal of vows, baby naming ceremonies and funerals. More modern rites of passage include adoption ceremonies, gender affirmation ceremonies and even divorce ceremonies.