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 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. 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 | Facebook | Website | Fulcrum Celebrants 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 | Instagram | Facebook
