Becoming a Wedding Celebrant

‘What are you doing now?’ A question I have been asked many times recently having left my full-time role as a director at a research institute in Cambridge. My story to becoming a wedding celebrant began in late March 2025. One of my former students sent me a message. ‘I need to speak with you soon. I have exciting news. Keep this quiet though’. I may be good at keeping secrets but I was impatient to hear from him. We spoke a few minutes later. He was organising a trip to Cambridge where he planned to propose to his girlfriend, another of my former students. 

Fast forward to May 2025. He proposed at the top of Castle Mound overlooking Cambridge. She said yes. We celebrated at the Varsity Hotel at its top floor SIX Brasserie with incredible 360 degrees view across the city. We talked about their wedding and future plans. I was so excited for them. A couple of days later, just before they headed to the airport, they came to my then workplace to ask me something I had not expected: would I officiate at their wedding?

I said yes immediately. What an incredible honour. But I knew absolutely nothing about what it would involve. Not only that but the wedding was scheduled for late August! I rose to the challenge immediately and undertook extensive research, understanding my responsibilities under US legislation and studying ceremony structures. As I become enveloped in working with the couple to create a ceremony that reflected them, I soon realised how privileged I was to be in this position. During my research, I learnt about the Academy of Modern Celebrancy and their certified training opportunities. Could I do this? I wanted to concentrate on this couple’s ceremony first, giving it all I had and more. 

Wow, the experience is something I will never forget. On a family friend’s ranch, I stood in front of 150 guests and watched as the groom made his way down the aisle arm in arm with his parents, followed by the bridesmaids and groomsmen, flower girls and ring bearer. I smiled as each moved to the left or right of me. Then the wedding party turned to see the beautiful bride with her parents. She looked stunning and the groom was a little overwhelmed with emotion. (I always promise to be wearing a dress designed with pockets and have tissues at the ready!) I was emotional too but had to maintain my composure. 

As I invited the party to take their seats, I ensured the bride and groom were ok. What a special moment for the three of us. Over the years, we had become friends and that moment will stay with me forever. I delivered a ceremony that was personal, heartfelt and unique to them. 

The response was overwhelming. Guest after guest approached me afterwards asking if this was my full-time job and whether I would come back to conduct more weddings. During their honeymoon, the couple messaged to say I was “one of the primary reasons” their wedding had felt so special.

In the days that followed, I sat and reflected. I had helped create genuine joy. I had made people laugh and cry (in a good way). I had been part of something truly meaningful. It was an experience I will always cherish and will never forget. Every time, I speak to the couple I thank them for giving me agency to contemplate a life beyond academia, to use knowledge and skills I have gained over the years in interfaith studies, teaching, public engagement, and in pastoral care and wellbeing to engage fully with couples, to listen (and hear) their stories and to help them create meaningful ceremonies through storytelling and family tradition that will live long in the memory for years to come.

Telling your story will be a great honour. Let’s work together and create special memories for you and your loved ones to cherish forever.

Contact me for an initial free consultation to see how we can work together. 

Email: hello@emmatanyaweddingcelebrant.co.uk

Mobile: 07712 114945