Cambridge-based certified celebrant, Corinne Davidson trained in our wedding and funeral celebrant training courses and now conducts personalised ceremonies, bespoke to your wishes for every life event.
Read on to learn more about Corinne's celebrant journey.
What did you do before becoming a celebrant or in addition to being a celebrant now?
After a few years at home with my small children, I trained to be a secondary school teacher. I taught Philosophy & Ethics so spent a great deal of time thinking about human relationships and the purpose of marking key events in life. More recently, I have worked in one of the Cambridge Colleges, but I feel it's time to go it alone and start up a business of my own, helping people to work through their life events in a way that works for them.
What experiences or past skills do you think helped you with being a celebrant?
As a teacher, I am used to talking in front of groups of people. My subject covered topics such as 'Death and the Afterlife' and 'Human Relationships' at GCSE/A level so I have spent a lot of time exploring the purpose of marking these events and hearing the perspectives of a wide range of people. I like working with people and I love creative writing so I think both of those skills will be perfect for this choice of career. I enjoy listening to people and helping them to make sense of things - this will be key to writing bespoke ceremonies for people.
What made you want to train to become a celebrant?
I think the work of a celebrant has a strong moral purpose - it is a role that helps support and comfort people through the key transitional moments in life. The joy (and relief) at the safe arrival of a baby (through birth or adoption) and the massive desire to show off this new human to everyone you care about! The excitement and anticipation that comes with moving from being a couple to married partners - it definitely changes something in people (even if they think it won't!) and it's an absolute honour to take people on that journey. Working with bereaved family and friends is also a special honour. Whether expected, or a shock, the end of life will always scar people and helping to manage how that scar heals through a funeral that provides a respectful celebration of life as well as some level of closure for the family is a privilege.
What did your friends and family think of your decision to become a celebrant?
I have been thinking about this transition for a number of years and now I have started to tell people about my plans, they have been incredibly supportive. My friends think it will fit my skill set really well and are enthusiastic to see how things develop.
Why did you choose to train with the Celebrants Collective?
I had looked at a number of courses online and reached out to a celebrant friend to see if she had any good tips. She recommended The Celebrants Collective and the 'feel' of the group was a good fit for me. I like that it is modern and inclusive and I like the emphasis on building a supportive community from which to draw (and offer) encouragement, guidance, and ideas.
Did you have any worries about being a celebrant which the course has helped you resolve?
I was worried about everything because I am a worrier! Working through the course has allayed many of my fears because you work at your own pace and focus more on the things that worry you and less on the things you feel are your strengths (whilst not neglecting these things!). I was worried about setting up a website, and I have just got on with it and worked slowly at my own pace to build it - it will evolve and it will get better as I learn more. This is what I'm thinking about everything - it will get better as I learn more!
Certified Wedding and Funeral Celebrant Corinne Davidson
What was your most favourite part of the course and why?
I've liked the online tutorial sessions because it makes everything more real. You get to meet other trainees/celebrants and the course organiser and you can ask things that are on your mind. The activities in these sessions are inspiring as well - they get you writing and give you ideas you can actually draw on and use. I loved the assignments too - I ended up getting quite stuck in to creating my fictional couple and their back story and it made creating their ceremony really exciting and satisfying! I may not love submitting videos of myself, but I have got on with it!
How has your training with the Celebrants Collective helped you to become a confident celebrant?
My confidence has definitely grown and I like that I am now connected to some people who can help me if I need ideas. I am absolutely sure that I will be very nervous as I start out, but the hurdles are cleared, the more you know you can clear them.
What’s been your biggest takeaway so far about training to be a celebrant?
It is possible to do something very different from your current life - take it step at a time and have a little faith that you can do the things you think are out of your comfort zone!
What kind of celebrant do you think you’re shaping up to be?
My plan is to work closely with people and leave them feeling that I really got them and made something for them that was just what they wanted and really helped them. I think I will be a storyteller; I will be warm, and I will be kind.
How have you been making a name for yourself since you became certified or in the process of getting certified?
I now have a Facebook page and have posted in my local group. I have set up an Instagram account (thinking of what to post is the next hurdle) - I have mostly connected with people I know through this at the moment. I have bought a domain name and my website is nearly ready to publish (as an evolving draft). I have not gone out to venues yet but will build up more as I wind my current job down more.
What would be your advice to someone looking to train to be a celebrant?
If this is something you have been thinking about for a while, that fits your skill set, and that you think you will enjoy, then go for it. Building a business comes with lots of risks, but the work is worthy and should be incredibly rewarding.
We are so proud and excited to have Corinne in our Celebrants Collective community and we know she'll be a fabulous celebrant ambassador.
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.