Beyond The Ceremony Podcast Episode 21: Starting Over in Spain, Celebrancy, Loss, and a Leap of Faith with Marcia Bravo

Beyond The Ceremony Podcast Episode 21: Starting Over in Spain, Celebrancy, Loss, and a Leap of Faith with Marcia Bravo

A wedding celebrant in southern Spain, ceremonies at sunset, couples flying in from across the world, and the freedom to work from wherever the sun is shining. It sounds like a dream. But the real story behind how Marcia Bravo got there is even more extraordinary than the life she's living now. What do you do when grief leaves a hole so big that a new city just won't fill it? If you're Marcia, you learn to ride a bike, start Spanish lessons on your birthday, volunteer with the Red Cross in Cádiz, sell your house the day before your flight, and start again at 49 in Málaga. Then, during the COVID lockdown, with one hour of outdoor time a day, you find celebrancy, and everything clicks. In this episode of Beyond the Ceremony, host Laura Crockett is joined by AMC mentor and Málaga-based wedding celebrant Marcia Bravo for an honest, warm, and genuinely eye-opening conversation about what it really takes to build a celebrant career in Spain. This one is for anyone who has ever wondered if it is too late to start over, or thought that a career change of this scale simply isn't possible for someone like them. "Celebrancy found me. I didn't find it. And we clicked." Marcia Bravo 💡 IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN: 💎 How Marcia turned personal grief into one of the most courageous career changes you'll hear on this podcast, and why she says she would do every bit of it again 💎 What celebrancy in Spain actually looks like day to day, including why planners hold far more power than venues, and why that changes how you build your client relationships 💎 The one financial reality that catches almost every celebrant in Spain off guard: automatic VAT registration from day one, and what it means for how you price your ceremonies 💎 Why you do not need to speak Spanish to work as a celebrant in Spain, but why learning it gives you a real edge with planners and on ceremony days 💎 How the Spanish wedding season works, why ceremonies often start at five or six in the evening, and what August means for your diary 💎 How destination couples handle the legal side of marriage in Spain, and why the Gibraltar route is more popular than most people realise 💎 Marcia's advice for anyone sitting on the fence about training, and why she says the fact that you're even thinking about it is already your answer ✨ THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR: * Anyone living in Spain or Europe, and wondering whether celebrancy could work as a career where they are * Aspiring celebrants who feel they have left it too late or that the change is too big; Marcia started at 49 * Qualified celebrants curious about destination weddings and how the international market actually operates * Anyone drawn to the idea of building a celebrant business with a different kind of lifestyle at the centre of it If you're interested in how celebrancy works in different parts of the world, Episode 18 is a great companion listen [https://www.academyofmoderncelebrancy.com/podcast/beyond-the-ceremony-podcast-episode-18-celebrancy-in-scotland/], where Laura Crockett explores celebrancy in Scotland with Niki Smith and digs into how regional differences shape the way celebrants work. After this episode, you'll know exactly what building a celebrant career in Spain involves: the lifestyle, the business structure, the legal landscape, and the discipline it actually takes, so you can decide whether this path is genuinely for you. 🌟 Still exploring whether celebrancy could be your calling? Take our free quiz [https://www.academyofmoderncelebrancy.com/celebrant-quiz/] to find out if this is the path for you. 💒 Beyond The Ceremony Podcast: Modern Celebrancy. Unfiltered. 💒 Everything you need to know about how to succeed as a modern celebrant. From top tips on how to create unforgettable ceremonies, to success stories from some of the best in the biz, we give you a behind-the-scenes look into life as a celebrant. Hosted by Laura Crockett, award-winning celebrant, radio personality, and celebrant mentor at the Academy of Modern Celebrancy. ABOUT THE PEOPLE IN THIS EPISODE Marcia Bravo, Guest Marcia Bravo is a vibrant, warm destination wedding and elopement celebrant based in Málaga, southern Spain. She specialises in multicultural, multiracial, and bilingual ceremonies, weaving together English and Spanish for couples travelling to Spain from all over the world. Known for her trademark earrings, bright clothes, and boundless energy, Marcia is with her couples from the very first conversation right through to their wedding day. She also offers a range of new beginnings ceremonies for couples stepping into a fresh chapter together. Marcia is a mentor at the Academy of Modern Celebrancy. Website [https://www.marciabravo.com/] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/marcia_bravo_celebrant] Laura Crockett, Host Laura Crockett is an award-winning wedding and funeral celebrant based just south of Stratford-upon-Avon, covering the Cotswolds and West Midlands. She is a mentor at the Academy of Modern Celebrancy and the host of Beyond the Ceremony, the podcast dedicated to modern celebrancy, unfiltered. Laura has been working as a celebrant since 2019 and is passionate about helping aspiring celebrants find their calling and build careers they genuinely love. Website [https://www.lauracrockettcelebrant.com] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/lauracrockettcelebrants/]

Beyond The Ceremony Podcast Episode 20: Intro to Season 2 with Laura Crockett

Celebrancy is one of the fastest-growing careers in the UK (and world) right now, and Beyond The Ceremony is the podcast that takes you inside it. Whether you're a qualified celebrant, somewhere in your training, or just wondering if this could be the career change you've been looking for, you're in exactly the right place. Season 2 is here. And honestly? It's going to be even better. In this opening episode, host Laura Crockett welcomes you back for Season 2 of Beyond The Ceremony, and if you're new, she gives you everything you need to know about the show, her story, and why right now is such a brilliant time to be part of the celebrant world.  Laura shares a candid look at the state of the celebrant industry in 2026, including a shift in couple booking behaviour that is catching a lot of wedding suppliers off guard, and why the growing number of celebrants, especially in the UK, is actually good news for everyone in the profession. "75% of the work is done before the day itself. 25% on the day. Being somewhere that you feel creative is really, really important." Laura Crockett 💡 In this episode, you'll learn: 💎 Why couples are booking their celebrants later in 2026, and what that means practically for your wedding business and your diary 💎 Why a growing celebrant market is a sign of a healthy profession, not a threat to your bookings 💎 The 75/25 rule that every new celebrant needs to hear: how the real work of celebrancy gets done long before you stand up at a ceremony 💎 How Laura rebuilt her celebrant business from scratch after relocating, and how she went from scared to her busiest year ever in three years flat 💎 Why Laura finally trained as a funeral celebrant in 2024, and the deeply personal reason that changed her mind about it 💎 What's coming in Season 2, including more practising celebrants, destination wedding episodes, international guests, and a full episode on the power of words in ceremony writing 💎 How to get involved and shape the season, because Laura genuinely wants to hear from you ✨ This episode is perfect for: * Anyone brand new to the show or to celebrancy, this is your best starting point for Season 2 * Aspiring celebrants wondering what a real, working celebrant's journey actually looks like * Qualified celebrants who want to understand what's shifting in the industry in 2026 and stay ahead of it * AMC students who want to hear from the perspective of someone who has trained, built, moved, rebuilt, and is now thriving If you listened all the way through Season 1, welcome back, and if you're just joining us, Season 1 is well worth going back to. Episode 2 is a brilliant place to start [https://www.academyofmoderncelebrancy.com/podcast/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-celebrant/], where Laura Crockett breaks down exactly what a celebrant's working day actually looks like, from the desk work to the ceremony day itself. After this episode, you'll understand not just who Laura is and why she does this work, but what the celebrant profession actually looks like on the ground in 2026 and why this is one of the most exciting moments to be part of it. 🌟 Still exploring whether celebrancy could be your calling? Take our free quiz [https://www.academyofmoderncelebrancy.com/celebrant-quiz/] to find out if this is the path for you. 💒 BEYOND THE CEREMONY PODCAST: MODERN CELEBRANCY. UNFILTERED. 💒 Everything you need to know about how to succeed as a modern celebrant. From top tips on how to create unforgettable ceremonies, to success stories from some of the best in the biz, we give you a behind-the-scenes look into life as a celebrant. Hosted by Laura Crockett, award-winning celebrant, radio personality, and celebrant mentor at the Academy of Modern Celebrancy. MEET YOUR HOST, LAURA CROCKETT Laura has been an independent celebrant for 5 years and absolutely loves it. It makes her so proud seeing how far she’s come in that time. Laura feels like she’s found her calling and is so excited to keep progressing and growing her Celebrant business! Laura creates all kinds of ceremonies, including Weddings, Funerals, Vow Renewals, and Naming Ceremonies. Before she was a celebrant, Laura was a breakfast radio presenter, so her happy place is either at the front of a ceremony or sitting behind a microphone! At home, Laura is married to Johnathan (a primary school teacher and her biggest cheerleader) and a mummy to two boys – Woody and Dougie. Laura is also a dog mum to Betty and Barney, the cockapoos! They can often be found curled up by her side when she’s writing scripts or lying by the radiator in the office when she’s on couples calls!  Website [http://www.lauracrockettcelebrant.com/] | Instagram [http://www.instagram.com/lauracrockettcelebrant] | Facebook [http://www.facebook.com/lauracrockettcelebrant]

Beyond The Ceremony Podcast Episode 19: Your Celebrant Questions Answered

As Season 1 of Beyond the Ceremony comes to a close, host Laura Crockett steps behind the mic for a final, solo episode, answering all of the celebrant questions you’ve been sending in this season. Laura is a practising celebrant and mentor at The Academy of Modern Celebrancy, and for this finale, she opens up her sparkly pot of audience questions and answers them live, unscripted, and honestly. From the practical realities of running a celebrant business to confidence, boundaries, creativity, and career sustainability, this episode offers a grounded look at what celebrancy really involves behind the scenes. 💡 IN THIS EPISODE, LAURA EXPLORES: * How celebrants manage seasonal work and income throughout the year * What the off-season actually looks like in practice * When and how your brand identity develops, and why it’s allowed to change * The best advice Laura has received, and why “be yourself” really matters * Whether age, experience, or background affects how celebrants are perceived * How much time truly goes into preparing a ceremony * Planning holidays, rest, and boundaries in a people-focused business * Why community and fellow celebrants are essential for emergencies and support * Life events that deserve more celebration, including vow renewals and parenthood * What’s worth investing in beyond training to build a sustainable celebrant business * The role of ongoing learning and professional development over time This episode is especially valuable for anyone exploring celebrancy as a career, newly trained celebrants finding their feet, or those curious about the realities of working in this space long-term. It’s honest, reassuring, practical, and full of small insights that only come from lived experience. If you’ve enjoyed this season, leaving a rating on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-ceremony-modern-celebrancy-unfiltered/id1793145900] or over on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/2P6JcTpPZXu6g6jmP1MCIm?si=f7f7c505e0704b5f] would be greatly appreciated. Or even a simple comment on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@theacademyofmoderncelebrancy], where you can watch each episode unfold and finally put a face to the name. Sharing the podcast with friends or family considering becoming a celebrant would be wonderful as well. Every engagement truly will help fuel and make Season 2 possible. And if there’s something you’d love to hear covered next, Laura would love to hear from you. Email us at hello@academyofmoderncelebrancy.com. BUT FOR NOW, A BIG THANK YOU FOR BEING PART OF THE JOURNEY.

Beyond The Ceremony Podcast Episode 18: Celebrancy in Scotland

Ever wondered what really sets celebrancy in Scotland apart when it comes to weddings, ceremony choices, and the way celebrants work? In Episode 18 of Beyond the Ceremony, Laura is joined by the brilliant Niki Smith, an Independent Celebrant and Chair of The Fulcrum Foundation, an organisation that provides inclusive legal weddings and civil ceremonies across Scotland. Bringing decades of experience in dance, teaching, community arts, and events, Niki has a rare gift for understanding people and drawing out the heart of their stories. Her ceremonies are filled with warmth, depth, and meaning, and her insight into Scotland’s celebrancy landscape is a masterclass in empathy, flexibility, and human-centred practice. This conversation opens up what celebrancy in Scotland really looks like — not just in law, but in lived experience, creativity, and the way celebrants hold space for every kind of story. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: HOW CELEBRANTS WORK WITHIN SCOTLAND’S INCLUSIVE MARRIAGE LANDSCAPE Niki explains how authorised celebrants operate in Scotland, how belief-based authorisation works, and why couples often turn to independent celebrants for the freedom to shape a ceremony that genuinely reflects who they are. WHY PERSONALISATION MATTERS MORE THAN FORMAT You’ll hear real stories of couples who blended faith traditions, honoured religious family members, included hymns or readings, or simply wanted their values reflected in a meaningful way. WHY CHOICE, EMPATHY, AND CURIOSITY SIT AT THE HEART OF SCOTTISH CELEBRANCY Niki describes how celebrants support couples through deeply personal conversations, helping them articulate what matters most and shaping ceremonies that feel authentic. THE REALITIES COUPLES FACE UNDER RESTRICTIVE SYSTEMS ELSEWHERE Although the episode never discusses the Give Couples Choice movement, it does reveal how couples react to being told they “must” do things a certain way, and why Scotland’s flexibility resonates so strongly. WHY THIS EPISODE MATTERS While this episode focuses specifically on Scotland, the deeper lessons carry across the whole celebrancy profession. Scotland shows what becomes possible when celebrants are trusted to work with skill, emotional intelligence, and creative freedom. And this is exactly why the foundations taught at the Academy of Modern Celebrancy matter, wherever you choose to practise. THE EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS, IN PRACTICE, THE VERY SKILLS THE ACADEMY OF MODERN CELEBRANCY BUILDS: * Deep listening * Empathy as a working tool * Crafting story-rich scripts * Holding space for culture, religion, and personal meaning * Delivering ceremonies with confidence and presence These core abilities are essential for: * Independent celebrants in Scotland offering vow renewals, symbolic ceremonies, and non-legal weddings * Celebrants anywhere in the world, where personalisation is becoming increasingly important * Future celebrants who may later seek authorisation through belief organisations in Scotland No matter where you work, your Academy of Modern Celebrancy training gives you the creative and professional toolkit required to serve people with authenticity, compassion, and confidence, and this episode shows exactly why those foundations matter. WHO THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR * Anyone considering a career as a celebrant in Scotland * Trainee celebrants wanting to understand how stories shape ceremonies * UK celebrants curious about how Scottish flexibility could influence future models * Anyone who loves hearing about the heart-led side of ceremony work 🌟 ENJOYED THE EPISODE? Still exploring if celebrancy is right for you? Take our quiz [https://www.academyofmoderncelebrancy.com/celebrant-quiz/take-the-quiz/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=organic_social&utm_campaign=podcast_quiz_leads&utm_content=quiz_link_podcast_blog] to see if this path might be the perfect fit. 💒 BEYOND THE CEREMONY PODCAST: MODERN CELEBRANCY. UNFILTERED. 💒 Everything you need to know about how to succeed as a modern celebrant. From top tips on how to create unforgettable ceremonies, to success stories from some of the best in the biz, we will give you a behind-the-scenes look into life as a celebrant. Hosted by Laura Crockett, Award-winning Celebrant, radio personality, and celebrant mentor at the Academy of Modern Celebrancy.  Learn more about the Academy of Modern Celebrancy here [https://www.academyofmoderncelebrancy.com/]. MEET NIKI SMITH Niki Smith is a fully qualified Independent Celebrant and the Chair of The Fulcrum Foundation. Based in Glasgow, she brings a lifelong passion for people, storytelling, and creativity to every ceremony she leads. With a vibrant background that spans professional dance, teaching, playwork, events management, and the running of community and arts facilities, Niki has spent her entire career working closely with people and championing their stories. Dedicated, dependable, and full of heart, Niki prides herself on going above and beyond to ensure every ceremony feels unforgettable. She brings professionalism, creativity, and a touch of playfulness to every step of the journey. If anything goes awry on the day, her dance background means she’s more than capable of redirecting attention with a smile. Niki believes ceremonies should be alive with love, laughter, and connection, never dull or predictable, and she brings that philosophy to every event she leads. Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/nikismithcelebrant/] | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/nikismithcelebrant/] | Website [https://www.sophisticatedceremonies.co.uk/fulcrum] | Fulcrum Celebrants [http://www.fulcrumcelebrants.co.uk/] MEET YOUR HOST, LAURA CROCKETT Laura has been an independent celebrant for 5 years and absolutely loves it. It makes her so proud seeing how far she’s come in that time. Laura feels like she’s found her calling and is so excited to keep progressing and growing her Celebrant business! Laura creates all kinds of ceremonies, including Weddings, Funerals, Vow Renewals, and Naming Ceremonies. Before she was a celebrant, Laura was a breakfast radio presenter, so her happy place is either at the front of a ceremony or sitting behind a microphone! At home, Laura is married to Johnathan (a primary school teacher and her biggest cheerleader) and a mummy to two boys – Woody and Dougie. Laura is also a dog mum to Betty and Barney, the cockapoos! They can often be found curled up by her side when she’s writing scripts or lying by the radiator in the office when she’s on couples calls!  Website [http://www.lauracrockettcelebrant.com/] | Instagram [http://www.instagram.com/lauracrockettcelebrant] | Facebook [http://www.facebook.com/lauracrockettcelebrant]

Beyond The Ceremony Podcast Episode 17: Marriage Law Reform

MARRIAGE LAW REFORM HAS BEEN A LONG-AWAITED TOPIC IN THE WORLD OF CELEBRANCY, RAISING ONE BIG QUESTION: WILL INDEPENDENT CELEBRANTS EVER BE ABLE TO LEGALLY MARRY THEIR COUPLES? In this episode, host Laura Crockett is joined by Professor Russell Sandberg, a leading expert on law and religion, whose research has helped shape national discussions on modernising wedding law in the UK. Together, they unpack what’s been happening behind the scenes, what the government’s next consultation could mean, and how celebrants can play a part in shaping the future. Russell shares his insights into the Law Commission’s recommendations, the government’s recent response, and why education and public awareness are crucial steps forward. Despite the slow pace of reform, there are real reasons for optimism, and independent celebrants have an opportunity to be part of the conversation like never before. 💡 In this episode, you’ll learn: * What’s happening with the upcoming marriage law reform consultation, and how it came about * Why humanist marriages are likely to be legally recognised, and what that means for independent celebrants * How celebrants can educate MPs, share real stories, and have their voices heard * Why the move towards regulated officiants could be a positive step for everyone * What we can learn from reform in other countries, where change is already underway As Russell puts it, reform might move slowly, but progress is happening, and the more informed, visible, and united celebrants are, the stronger their case for recognition will be. A must-listen for every celebrant who believes in equality, inclusion, and the right to celebrate love your way. ✨ VISIT THE GIVE COUPLES CHOICE MOVEMENT [https://gccmovement.org/] WEBSITE FOR MORE INFO. 🌟 Enjoyed the episode? Still exploring if celebrancy is right for you? Take our quiz [https://www.academyofmoderncelebrancy.com/celebrant-quiz/take-the-quiz/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=organic_social&utm_campaign=podcast_quiz_leads&utm_content=quiz_link_podcast_blog] to see if this path might be the perfect fit. 💒 BEYOND THE CEREMONY PODCAST: MODERN CELEBRANCY. UNFILTERED. 💒 Everything you need to know about how to succeed as a modern celebrant. From top tips on how to create unforgettable ceremonies, to success stories from some of the best in the biz, we will give you a behind-the-scenes look into life as a celebrant. Hosted by Laura Crockett, Award-winning Celebrant, radio personality, and celebrant mentor at the Academy of Modern Celebrancy.  Learn more about the Academy of Modern Celebrancy here [https://www.academyofmoderncelebrancy.com/]. MEET PROFESSOR RUSSELL SANDBERG Professor Russell Sandberg is a leading voice in the field of Law and Religion, known for his insightful work exploring how law connects with culture, belief, and everyday life. Based at Cardiff University, his research delves into the history and evolution of marriage law and the role of faith and freedom within it. With a particular focus on reform and inclusion, Russell’s work has helped shape national conversations about modernising wedding law in the UK and recognising the vital role of independent celebrants. Passionate about making law understandable and human, he brings a rare blend of academic rigour and empathy to the discussion around how we celebrate love, equality, and choice in modern society. Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/sandbergrlaw/?hl=en] | YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@russellsandberg4019] | Website [https://sandbergrlaw.wordpress.com/] MEET YOUR HOST, LAURA CROCKETT Laura has been an independent celebrant for 5 years and absolutely loves it. It makes her so proud seeing how far she’s come in that time. Laura feels like she’s found her calling and is so excited to keep progressing and growing her Celebrant business! Laura creates all kinds of ceremonies, including Weddings, Funerals, Vow Renewals, and Naming Ceremonies. Before she was a celebrant, Laura was a breakfast radio presenter, so her happy place is either at the front of a ceremony or sitting behind a microphone! At home, Laura is married to Johnathan (a primary school teacher and her biggest cheerleader) and a mummy to two boys – Woody and Dougie. Laura is also a dog mum to Betty and Barney, the cockapoos! They can often be found curled up by her side when she’s writing scripts or lying by the radiator in the office when she’s on couples calls!  Website [http://www.lauracrockettcelebrant.com/] | Instagram [http://www.instagram.com/lauracrockettcelebrant] | Facebook [http://www.facebook.com/lauracrockettcelebrant]