Love Celebrations by Lisa: 10 Questions with Lisa Cockington

Marriage Celebrants - Lisa Cockington

Business: Love Celebrations by Lisa
Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Experience: 3 Years
Profile: Love Celebrations by Lisa
Website: lovecelebrationsbylisa.au

1. Introduction: What's your story?

Hi I'm Lisa and I’ve spent my whole life driven to add joy to the life of others. I'm just "that" person. After 30 years working in health - I decided I wanted the creative freedom of working for myself and immersing myself in the joy that comes from marrying people.

It seemed a natural progression to me as I’ve always strived to create “wow” moments when entertaining, celebrating, and facilitating events. And the opportunity to work as a celebrant/MC hasn’t disappointed.

Seemingly every day I meet new people, with amazing stories and get to offer them ways to celebrate their love and commitment that is truly meaningful for them. I love to challenge traditions, create new ones, whilst also finding ways to connect with others and respect culture and heritage. Right now, I can’t think of a greater or more fulfilling job than this.

There is nothing I’d rather be doing. Well that is apart from running, going to the gym, learning French, painting, playing games, spending time with my family and my two cavoodles. These things go without saying!

2. What's your experience as a marriage celebrant? How many weddings have you done?

I’m coming up to my 100th wedding soon after just a few years in the business. Its been a beautiful, crazy whirlwind of meeting, marrying and celebrating with the most amazing people. I consider myself so lucky to be privy to one of the most important and joyous times of their lives, and enabling their love and personalities to shine through in so many different ways. I love meeting new couples, hearing their stories, helping them to work out what a perfect day would look and feel like, and then taking those sometimes vague sentiments and feelings and transforming that into the best day ever! And I say day, not ceremony, as many couples book me as MC as well, so I can be their guide, coordinator, bestie and cheer squad throughout everything. As an experienced MC, I’m able to offer them advice about every aspect of their wedding, as I’m often there for all of it.

3. How far in advance do couples need to secure your services?

As someone who works full time as a celebrant/MC, I’ll start with a somewhat controversial answer here. I often pick up weddings at very short notice, particularly if they are during the week, because I have enormous flexibility to re-prioritise my commitments and make amazing things happen quickly. I’ve helped couples marry in as a little as a month (which is the minimum legal requirement), and I’ve helped others work out alternatives for when they want to have a ceremony on a particular date that is less than this. Because I also have well organised, professional systems, I can fit a lot in without compromising the journey’s of others. I will always go above and beyond to turn dreams in to realities.

But. And it’s a big BUT. Couples will get the most value for their money if they book me much earlier - 12 to 18 months in advance. Why you ask? Because my aim isn’t to just marry couples, it’s to be by their side for their entire wedding planning journey. I devote time to touching base with couples about once a month - providing them with tips about things they might be thinking about , and making sure they are ok. Planning a wedding is a big, overwhelming “thing”, and I like to reduce that stress by offering support every step of way. The celebrant is the vendor that couples spend the most time with, and I like to provide that “bestie” experience - a sounding board if needed. The price is the same - why go it alone for all those months?

4. How would you describe your ceremony style?

On this topic - I could write a book. In fact, I probably will one day. The short answer is that I listen really, really hard to my couples, and take the time to get to know them. Then I work on a style that matches their personalities. I’m a very comfortable flexible speaker, not tied to pre-written script (although I always write one) and able to present in an engaging, relaxed, friendly manner. More often that not - couples ask for something relaxed, casual and fun - so that’s what I deliver on. It wouldn’t be at all unusual to hear a few jokes peppered throughout their love story, or sneaking in elsewhere. But I also like to make sure there is shade and light in the ceremonies - time for fun and time for quieter more romantic moments that cue the tears. Some couples aren’t comfortable with expressing themselves in front of crowds and so I offer them ways to create meaningful moments without them having to say too much. And lastly - I’m really committed to making the guests feel a part of the ceremony and have strategies to engage them from beginning to end.

Having said all that I am also a very creative person who will rise to any challenge to create a ceremony that reflects what makes a couple unique. I’ve done themed weddings - most recently a Viking wedding - which the couple and guests absolutely adored but only works if you are Viking obsessed! I’ve also done many very small weddings for people who don’t enjoy being the centre of attention but still want it to be special.

I know I’ve got it right when couples and guests come up to me afterwards and say “That was so us/them”! And thankfully that is most of the time!

5. What are your fees for a wedding?

I have 3 packages for weddings and 3 packages for elopement or micro weddings.

Each of these have upgrades available so that packages can be customised. The package prices are really just there to make it easier for couples to get a sense of what my services cost and then we talk through the options to make it just right for them. I’m also a firm believer in being transparent about my pricing - so my prices are always listed on my website, set 3 years in advance and I offer discounts for off peak seasons and Tuesday - Thursdays.

I also spend time thinking about what else couples need to add those special touches to their weddings - so I hire out things like a wedding arbour with flowers for making those elopements special and photo perfect, parasols for the heat, clear umbrellas for the rain, and can video/livestream the ceremony for a small fee.

All up, I offer luxe services for any sized wedding.

6. What do you wear when you officiate a wedding?

Can I respectfully say this seems like a superficial question? LOL.
In one way it’s the last thing on the minds of myself and my couples as we plan much more exciting and important things, but, the question is always there in my final questionnaire - what would they like me to wear/not wear> I have a wide range of dresses and can accommodate most colour ways and styles and its always determined by the couples preferences. And in the case of the Viking wedding I mentioned? I wore a Viking outfit of course!

7. How many pre-wedding sessions will the couple need to have with you?

In some ways this isn’t about need but want. If the time frame is short or for an elopement - it may just be one meeting, but I usually have 3 - a first get to know you meeting, then after being booked- a planning/paperwork meeting about 4 months before the wedding and then a final one a few days before the big day.

I offer Zoom meetings as well as face to face to make this easier, and a wonderful online booking system so they can take their time to decide what suits them best.

Couples also have access to unlimited contact - so if they want another meeting - it’s entirely up to them!

8. Will you be able to create a personalised ceremony?

I think by now you’ve probably realised that every ceremony I create is completely personalised, so I probably don’t have to say too much more. I do provide my couples with a book of ideas for personalised things they can include in their ceremony and will often problems solve unique concerns about how something will work in their ceremony. May I add that I also love to create personalised receptions as well with fun games etc.

9. Are you available to travel if needed?

Of course! Most couples don’t get married in the city, but at one of the many beautiful wineries around Adelaide and travel to these places is generally included in the price. But I will also travel further/interstate for a fee to cover my costs, and if anyone wants a commitment ceremony in Paris in June/July 2025 (legals back in Adelaide) - let me know - I’ll be there ready for them!

10. What is your cancellation and/or refund policy?

My terms are specified at the time of booking, but apart from the deposit which is non refundable, if one of us is no longer able to fulfil our end of the contract, we negotiate a refund based on how much work has been done to date. I’m a pretty reasonable person!