Our Programme

The Celebrants Training College programme comprises three courses which are delivered in live Zoom sessions to fit with busy lives - and the current lockdown and distancing rules. These are:

The courses are stand-alone, yet complementary, so can be completed in any order, or on their own as a form of upskilling in one particular area of celebrant practice.

Each course is completed in two steps:

  1. A weekend workshop
  2. A series of supported assignments

Each course begins with a weekend workshop which comprises 14 hours of face-to-face teaching via Zoom,  by one of our four trainers. During the weekend, you will learn essential concepts, skills and knowledge to enable you to confidently begin celebrant practice.

Workshop content is extended by a series of assignments. Delivered via our on-line learning platform, these assignments enable you to further develop your knowledge and skills. Throughout your on-line learning, your trainers give you support and feedback.

  • On completion of a weekend workshop, you will be given a Certificate of Attendance
  • On successful completion of Courses 1 and 2, you will be awarded a Certificate in Marriage Celebrancy
  • On successful completion of Courses 2 and 3, you will be awarded a Certificate in Funeral Celebrancy.
  • On successful completion of all three courses, you will be awarded a Diploma in Celebrancy.

Our programme is offered flexibly and we suggest that you tailor the programme to your own needs and career aspirations. You may choose to:

Attend a weekend workshop and receive a Certificate of Attendance.

flowchartComplete follow-up assignments and achieve competency, with support and feedback from one of your trainers.

flowchartSuccessfully complete Courses 1 and 2 (weekend workshops and assignments) and obtain a Certificate in Marriage Celebrancy, and/or:

flowchartSuccessfully complete Courses 3 and 2 (weekend workshops and assignments) and obtain a Certificate in Funeral Celebrancy, and/or:

flowchartSuccessfully complete Courses 1, 2 and 3 (weekend workshops and assignments) and obtain a Diploma in Celebrancy.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT US

Our Courses

In 2020, we offer the following courses:

Course 1: Marriage Celebrancy and the Law

  • New Zealand law and celebrant practice
  • Step-by-step process: from booking to post-ceremony reflection
  • Documents and resources
  • Cultural considerations
  • Client interviewing
  • Personalising a ceremony
  • Structure of a marriage ceremony
  • Ceremony choreography
  • Effective ceremony delivery
Outdoor wedding arch and table setting

9am-4pm each day
Capacity: 16
Face to Face Cost: $695.00 
Online Live Zoom Cost: $569.25 ($604 in 2021) (this has been significantly reduced from the face to face cost because we are not offering catering, venue and printed materials)

Course 2: Creating Excellent Ceremonies and Business

Ceremonial Writing

By the end of the first part of the weekend workshop, you should be able to understand:

  • Ceremony as a rite of passage
  • The elements and structure of an effective ceremony
  • Creating an engaging story within a ceremony
  • Rituals and traditions
  • Effective use of poetry and readings
  • Crafting beginnings, endings and links
  • Style, flow and rhythm

The Celebrant Business

By the end of the second part of the weekend workshop, you should be able to:

  • Describe the features of an effective celebrant business
  • Discuss the rationale for a business plan
  • Discuss issues in working from home
  • Identify the components of a business plan
  • Write components of a business plan that includes:
  • Business strategy
  • Legal framework
  • Marketing research and promotion
  • Marketing strategy
  • Financial plan
Celebrant training books

9am-4pm each day
Capacity: 16
Face to Face Cost: $695.00
Online Live Zoom Cost: $569.25 ($604 in 2021) (this has been significantly reduced from the face to face cost because we are not offering catering, venue and printed materials)

Course 3: Funeral Celebrancy

  • The funeral service as a rite of passage ceremony
  • Step-by-step process: from booking to post-service reflection
  • Working with grieving people
  • Cultural considerations
  • Documents and resources
  • Client interviewing
  • Writing the service: structure and content
  • Effective funeral service delivery
  • The funeral director – celebrant relationship
  • Self-care
Funeral flowers

9am-4pm each day
Capacity: 16
Face to Face Cost: $695.00
Online Live Zoom Cost: $569.25 ($604 in 2021) (this has been significantly reduced from the face to face cost because we are not offering catering, venue and printed materials)