Former Hartlepool English teacher crowned best wedding celebrant in County Durham
A former English teacher from Hartlepool has been recognised as one of the UK’s top wedding professionals at two different awards ceremonies.
Joanne McLaughlin, known as The Celebrant of the North, has been crowned the best celebrant in County Durham at the Hitched Wedding Awards 2026 as well as best wedding officiant in Stockton at The Quality Business Awards 2025.
Celebrants have been “gradually growing in popularity” in recent years because of how they create and perform personalised wedding ceremonies.
More than 31,000 wedding professionals were in the running for the Hitched award, which recognises those who are highly rated by couples online.
This is the third time Joanne has been recognised for her work after setting up her one-woman celebrant business back in 2022.
Joanne, who used to be an English teacher at English Martyrs School and Sixth Form College from 2007 to 2009, said: "These awards are based solely on client feedback, which makes this recognition even more special.
"Knowing that my couples and their guests have taken the time to share their experiences and recommend me means the world to me.”
After working as a secondary school teacher for 15 years in the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain and Abu Dhabi, Joanne decided to hang up her whiteboard pen and change careers.
In 2022, she set up her own one-woman celebrant business after officiating the wedding of her two friends in Canada.
Joanne, 45, said: "There is no negative side to this job. I won’t pretend I live in a bubble where nothing could go wrong but I love it.
"When there is a lot of negativity in the world, it’s nice to see how much people love each other and rely on each other, and the lengths they’ll go to to get to where they are today.”
Joanne was also the regional finalist in the celebrant category at The Wedding Industry Awards 2026.
She said: "It’s awesome. Last year, it was just the one award but this year, it’s more than one and a nomination too.
"I just feel like it’s snowballing a bit. It’s especially nice because it’s by people who have experienced my work and taken the time to review it.”