Portugal-based certified celebrant, Kellie Hardie trained in our wedding celebrant training course and now offers personalised, relaxed and fun wedding ceremonies for couples in the Algarve.

Read on to learn more about Kellie's celebrant journey.

What did you do before becoming a celebrant or in addition to being a celebrant now?

I was a professional Wedding Photographer.

What experiences or past skills do you think helped you with being a celebrant?

I spent years as a Holiday Representative which taught me to be confident and to public speak and then my years as an Algarve Wedding Photographer has taught me the Wedding industry and it has been easier for me to get my feet in the door.

What made you want to train to become a celebrant?

Wedding photographers work long hours and in the Portugal heat each year it was getting harder and harder. I have always wanted to become a Celebrant and felt I could offer couples something that was not available here in the Algarve.

What did your friends and family think of your decision to become a celebrant?

They were surprised as they have always known me as a Photographer but were thrilled and proud when I completed the course.

Why did you choose to train with the Celebrants Collective?

I spent a lot of time on the internet looking at different courses, being in Portugal made things more limited so it was hard until I found The Celebrants Collective. I was drawn in by the professionalism of the website, the energy just jumped out of the computer, and I spent most of the afternoon reading everything and getting more and more excited. I knew this was the course and the kind of people I wanted to train with.

Did you have any worries about being a celebrant which the course has helped you resolve?

I had no worries about being a Celebrant as I have worked with many and felt I could do it with some training on the behind the scenes... It will sound funny, but I was more worried about using Zoom as I had never used it before but my first Zoom class with Natasha was very relaxed, and it was easier than I thought. So much so that I Zoom all our wedding photography couples now!!

What was your most favourite part of the course and why?

The online classes were brilliant. I never had the chance to meet Claire as Thursday was always a better day for me, so I had Natasha and enjoyed all of them. She is so friendly and right from the go I felt like I had made a friend. I could ask her anything I was unsure of, and she always had the answer, she was always so positive. Once the busy wedding season is over here in the Algarve I will be back as I really enjoyed them.

How has your training with the Celebrants Collective helped you to become a confident celebrant?

Oh, wow there is no way I could have become the Celebrant I am today without the wise words from Claire and Natasha. They made me open my eyes to a completely different world that I knew 20 years ago, and I feel as if I can address people correctly, have the confidence to express myself and deliver the best ceremony that my couples deserve.

What’s been your biggest takeaway so far about training to be a celebrant?

How to address people, using friends, family and favourite people, instead of ladies and gentlemen. By changing words around things can come across differently, "Seal the deal with a kiss" instead of "You may kiss the bride". I'm loving the fact I bring a modern take to Algarve wedding ceremonies that so many celebrants don't do here.

What kind of celebrant do you think you’re shaping up to be?

I want to stand out from the rest, even though I am 50 I am still one of the youngest here and want to offer fresh, different and relaxed ceremonies. I have also become Ordained so I can now offer spiritual and religious Ceremonies which other Celebrants don't do.

How have you been making a name for yourself since you became certified or in the process of getting certified?

Already being in the wedding industry has made it easier to get my "new" name out there. I have been taken on by all the Algarve Wedding Planners. My website has had Google Ads in the UK and Ireland and has brought a lot of traffic in. I have added a page onto our Photography Website offering celebrancy services and a link to my website, and that is bringing in a lot of 2023 and 2024 weddings. And of course, being active on all social media, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter.

What would be your advice to someone looking to train to be a wedding or funeral celebrant?

Do it!! An Algarve Wedding Celebrant is the best job ever! But if you live in the Algarve, maybe find another profession, I have all the weddings covered here Lol!!!

We are so proud and excited to have Kellie in our Celebrants Collective community and we know she'll be a fabulous celebrant ambassador.

You can find Kellie here.

If reading this makes you really excited about training to be a celebrant, make sure to check out our homepage for more on our celebrant training online and in-person courses.