A Moment With ‘Love Celebrations by Lisa’

ABIA meets Adelaide-based, marriage celebrant and Master of Ceremonies, Lisa Cockington.

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Lisa Cockington believes life is all about experiences, and makes it her aim to tell each couple’s unique story and create the wedding of their dreams. She’s overseen all manner of celebrations, from fun-filled wedding ceremonies with musical-inspired themes to those with thoughtful, subtle gestures, and considers each one a privilege.

“I specialise in working with couples who either want to do things differently, or make a difference in the world,” she says, adding that it’s each couple’s personality and values that have the potential to make their wedding ceremony and reception stand out.

ABIA sat down with Lisa to find out more about her creative approach to wedding hosting, and the assorted ways she seeks to support her couples in the lead-up to their big day.

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Tell us about your wedding celebrant and MC services.

I'm a full-time marriage celebrant and love to help people celebrate important milestones and events in their lives, from weddings to baby showers, in ways that create unforgettable memories.

I combine my creativity and upfront leadership skills to help everyone connect, and my wedding services are totally centred around the needs of each couple. I'm there for them every step of the way, offering unlimited contact and support from the time we meet until after the big day. I’m an MC too, so I can pull a wedding ceremony and a reception together and provide total coordination for the whole day. I bring the energy (and do the hard work) so my couples can relax.

How did you get started in the wedding industry?

I spent 30 years working in the health industry, which was fulfilling but demanding, and when the time came to move on I decided to focus only on things that gave me joy. I could think of no job that would bring me more joy than being part of the special moments in people's lives, and so I became a celebrant.

Where are you based and what locations do you service?

I'm based in Glenelg, South Australia, and regularly cover areas up to 90 minutes away, but I’m available Australia-wide, and for overseas destination weddings as well.

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How can couples make their wedding ceremony stand out from others?

In some ways it can be quite simple — they just need to allow their wedding to be ‘uniquely’ them. When it comes to weddings there are very few actual rules, just a lot of traditions. Unless they mean something to the couple, I'm not a fan of traditions. In fact, I love to challenge traditions and create new ones.

I'm a very creative person, who listens hard to what couples say — and sometimes don't say — about themselves and their wedding. I can take what I glean from them and help with inspirational ideas that are a perfect reflection of them. Sometimes that might be a ceremony inclusion, or sometimes it might be a way of engaging the guests, or incorporating their values into the planning of the day.

You hear lots of wedding vows. Are there any that stand out? And do you have any advice for couples writing theirs?

They all stand out because they are all so different. Some are raw and courageous, many are hilarious and some are simple and sweet. My advice to couples is to find ways of sharing how they feel, and that doesn’t necessarily have to be done through their vows. Sometimes, if a couple isn’t comfortable sharing, I can include their thoughts in my story instead. I provide a guide, and happily coach my couples through the process, to help them find an approach that suits them.

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What was the most memorable wedding ceremony you’ve conducted?

It’s hard to pick just one, but I had the great privilege of marrying my daughter recently, which was incredibly special.

In another that springs to mind, I wrote the love story as a musical — with five-second music clips inserted throughout — a bit like a glee club. And I have a wedding coming up with a full-on viking theme, where they’ll be arriving by boat and exchanging arm bangles instead of rings.

Weddings certainly don't have to be ‘unusual’ to be beautiful though, something as simple as including a time capsule, can really personalise the moment.

In your opinion, what are the main things couples need to consider when planning a wedding?

There's a lot of information out there about wedding planning, but I encourage couples to think about how they want to feel on the day, rather than focus on the glitz and glamour. Once they know what emotions they want to feel in the ceremony, the reception and afterwards — with the help of a celebrant to tease out some ideas — the rest of the planning tends to fall into place.

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At what point in their planning should couples choose a wedding celebrant and MC? And how far in advance should they book?

About 12 to 18 months out is best, to ensure that they can book a celebrant and Master of Ceremonies who really ‘gets’ them, and someone they’re totally comfortable with. Celebrancy and MC services aren't all the same and the popular ones book out quickly.

Quality also comes at a price, but in my case the earlier couples book me the more value they get, as I maintain regular contact throughout, and can give general advice about most aspects of the wedding planning process.

What makes your service unique?

I specialise in working with couples who either want to do things differently, or make a difference in the world. I love a themed or fun-filled wedding, but I also love to help couples include important principles — such as inclusivity, cultural diversity, sustainability and equality — into their celebration. They don’t need to be the main focus, but small, or more radical, touches woven throughout the day can add to the meaning.

How would you describe the couples you connect with the most?

I'm fortunate to have a pretty warm and relaxed personality, so generally connect well with people from all walks of life, but I'd say I connect best with couples who are focussed on their wedding being both fun and meaningful, and who are looking to incorporate some of their values or quirkiness into the day. They don't even need to know how to do that — that’s where I come in.