Learning from the Lived Experience
In the corner of our living room, I keep a heaping basket of heart-warming greeting cards that I’ve received, some of which include the ‘thank yous’ from my ceremony clients but also from people we’ve trained as celebrants.
The latest one reads (shared with permission):
Where do I begin? The Heart-led Celebrants’ training has been so thorough, beautiful and inspiring! I’m so glad I chose to train with you – clearly the vibes were right. From your hospitality and beautiful food, to taking time out of your busy lives to critique my work (yes, those pesky video submissions!), the shadowing experiences, and your detailed, gorgeous books. I’m really looking forward to reading the Love Story book – not just because it’s the same name as my fave Taylor Swift song. So THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for believing in me. Sophie
These words, and all the cards, mean a lot to Paul and I. What our celebrant training website (a portal into our world) deliberately lacks is the ‘slick, corporate look’. Why? Because there is nothing about the look or the reality of that sort of training that prepares you for celebrancy. So, what do we offer? Down-to-earth, realistic, lived celebrant experiences that we generously pass on in our teaching. After my thirty years of professional celebrancy and, for Paul, more than five decades earning his living from his voice and working with other people’s, you’re in the most capable and qualified hands. A lot of care, thought, time and energy investment has gone into ensuring each person is as prepared as possible before they take on their first ceremony. One of our recent students, wrote:
“From my perspective, to be trained in something you have to build a depth and knowledge of your subject. You should fully understand it and the checking of that understanding should be robust. The training should stretch and challenge you, feeling structured and progressive, with support on hand to guide you if necessary. This has been my experience with you and Paul. All of the things I expected are there – and more. So, in short, thank you. I know how much time and effort it takes to get it right. That time and effort is reflected in every aspect of my time with you both, and it’s a pleasure to experience. Thanks again, Frank”
Although our role is ensuring that each and every student receives the same information, care, attention to detail and rigorous feedback to help them be the best celebrant they can be, we also understand that the learning journey is a co-creative process. As teachers, we can only meet a student as far as they are willing to learn, invest time, and develop skills. Our job is to help facilitate the change that will enable someone to step into their career as a Heart-led Celebrant with confidence, compassion and creativity. HOWEVER, it is the celebrant-in-training’s responsibility to enact that change.
There are many aspects to our training that make it stand light years ahead of other training courses (even those with the slick, corporate £4.5K price tag). Examples include our legitimate real-life experience as celebrants. I also keep my foot in the celebrant world, even after thirty years, by still taking on ceremonies. This gives our students the opportunity to ‘shadow’ me (if desired) at no additional cost, but with the continued one-to-one guidance.
Paul works with each student for bespoke voice, communication and presentation training.
We offer guaranteed lifelong support to our certified celebrants. Most of our students reach certification. From our perspective, we will bend over backwards and do everything we can to help someone reach that point IF they are putting in the necessary work. Not everyone has the passion, curiosity, desire or dedication to continue the journey. I always say (and see it every single time) that the level of care, creativity and consciousness that someone puts into their training is a clear indicator of the way they’ll approach celebrancy.
Diploma in Advanced Celebrancy and Ritual Celebrant Training
Dear Paul and Veronika, Thank you for welcoming me into your home; for sharing your lovely home-made soup and biscuits – and all that tea! Thank you for your generosity in sharing your knowledge, for your guidance, and above all patience. Much love, Judy
Heart-led Ceremonies Celebrant Training
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. Without you two, none of this would be possible. You have unlocked a part of me that I never knew existed. The fulfilment I am getting from this is completing the hole I felt inside that I’ve never been able to fill.
Kirri Clayton
Veronika Robinson and Paul Robinson are a husband and wife team whose boutique celebrant training Heart-led Celebrants attracts people from around the world. Heart-led Celebrants has earned a reputation for excellence in celebrant training, and those who are certified exemplify the highest standards in the industry. Veronika also hosts retreats for celebrants.
Veronika is the author of many books including the popular Celebrant Collection: Write That Eulogy; The Successful Celebrant; Funeral Celebrant Ceremony Planner; Wedding Celebrant Ceremony Planner; The Discrimination-free Celebrant; The Five Elements.
Award-winning voice artist, Paul Robinson, has had a whole career centred around his voice and other people’s. He’s highly experienced as a celebrant, trained actor, drama coach, voice-over artist, singer, broadcaster, compère, and ventriloquist. Paul is an excellent communicator and teacher, and has a sixth sense about how to relate to individuals, groups and audiences.
