Eric Gill
Wiltshire
Joint founder of County Celebrants Network, bringing extensive celebrant and wedding experience into the classroom.
Concise manual + 2-day class-style training
Train with confidence as a wedding celebrant.
Knowledge, practical skills and creative insight with Eric Gill and Diana Saxby. Course fee £1,250.
The trainers
Learn with working celebrants.
Eric Gill (Wiltshire) and Diana Saxby (Dorset & the Cotswolds) bring extensive celebrant and wedding experience into the classroom — including Ofqual-recognised training knowledge (PTLLS).
Students benefit from real ceremony experience at venues such as Elvetham Hotel, Longleat Orangery, The Manor House, Castle Combe and Wolverton Manor.
Diana Saxby
Dorset & the Cotswolds
Co-trainer for the wedding celebrant course — happy to help you decide if this training is right for you.
Course highlights
Warmth, clarity and professionalism.
The civil wedding business
Understand how independent wedding celebrancy works — from first enquiry through to the day itself.
Blessings, readings, poems and vows
Build a toolkit of words and moments that help couples shape a ceremony with real personal meaning.
Confidence and speechwriting
Practical guidance on voice, delivery and writing ceremonies that sound natural when spoken aloud.
Naming ceremonies included
Training covers naming ceremonies for babies and older children, including welcoming adopted children of any age.
Clear fee structure
£1,250 in total: a non-refundable £250 deposit, then £1,000 one month before training.
Support after the course
On successful completion, join County Celebrants Network for £13 a month — insurance, listing and mentor support.
A closer look
What students will learn.
Students learn how to deliver a complete wedding ceremony, hold thoughtful interviews and meetings with couples, and create personalised ceremonies that reflect each couple's personality, relationship and love story.
Training covers traditional ceremonies, handfasting, same-sex weddings, music, poetry, humour, readings and symbolic touches — plus naming ceremonies for babies and older children.
How the training works
From deposit to Day 2 delivery.
Deposit & manual
Your manual is sent out two months before training begins, once the non-refundable deposit of £250 has been received.
Pay the balance
The remaining balance of £1,000 is due one month before the class-style training date.
Pre-course homework
Before attending, students prepare a written wedding ceremony and a baby naming service. These are performed on Day 2, giving a supportive opportunity to practise delivery and build confidence.
Two-day training
A class-style course covering ceremony craft, interviews with couples, naming ceremonies and the practical business of working as a wedding celebrant.
Network membership
Support after successful training.
Join County Celebrants Network for £13 a month — business support, professional recognition, promotional materials, insurance and an experienced celebrant community.
No engagement fees
Members keep the full value of their own ceremony fee — nothing is payable to the Network per booking.
Insurance included
£5 million public liability insurance and personal indemnity insurance.
Promotional materials
250 personalised branded business cards, a Certificate of Authentication and a CCN identification badge.
Online presence
A county listing on the Network website and a personal profile page for photographs and reviews.
Mentor support
Support from your Network mentor whenever you need it as you build your practice.
Celebrant community
An experienced community of practising celebrants across the counties.
Common questions
Before you enquire.
Who leads the training?
Eric Gill (Wiltshire) and Diana Saxby (Dorset & the Cotswolds). Students benefit from extensive celebrant and wedding experience, including professional teaching knowledge and real-world ceremony examples.
How much does the course cost?
The course is £1,250: a non-refundable deposit of £250, with the remaining £1,000 due one month before training. The fee covers the concise manual and 2-day class-style training.
What homework is required?
Before the course, students prepare a written wedding ceremony and a baby naming service. These are performed on Day 2 in a supportive setting.
Does the course include naming ceremonies?
Yes. Training includes naming ceremonies for babies and older children, including adopted children of any age being welcomed into their new family.
Can I join the Network after training?
After successful training, students can join County Celebrants Network for £13 a month for business support, insurance, promotional materials and an experienced celebrant community.
Eric and Diana are happy to help.
Call for a friendly chat about whether this course is right for you, or send an enquiry via the Network.