Tip Your Hat

As an Independent Celebrant and the founder of Tip Your Hat, my name is Lisa Cooper, and I believe every story deserves to be told with care. My passion is helping individuals, couples, and families mark their most significant life events—from joyful to solemn occasions—with a ceremony that is uniquely their own.

I work closely with you to create and deliver a ceremony that is personal, meaningful, and authentic. As a newly qualified celebrant and a published poet, I listen to your story and help you find the words and rituals that feel right. With my recent awards from the IOEE and SFEDI for enterprise skills, my approach is all about ensuring your ceremony is a beautiful experience that is also seamlessly professional.

Whether you are celebrating love with a wedding or vow renewal, honouring a life with a funeral or memorial service, or welcoming a new family member with a naming ceremony, I am here to make your unique story unforgettable.

I started offering celebrancy because I found that life's biggest moments—from beautiful weddings to heartfelt goodbyes—often felt stuck in standard, impersonal services. As a writer, I know the real power of finding the perfect words, and I was determined to offer something much more personal and meaningful.

What truly inspires me is getting to be the person you trust with your story. It’s a huge privilege to hear your unique history, put those deep feelings into a confident, one-of-a-kind ceremony, and make sure you feel totally relaxed and present on the day.

My background is built on years of public speaking and a passion for great storytelling. I set up Tip Your Hat to offer clients expert planning, reliable confidence, and ceremonies that are written just for them—a genuine reflection of a life well-lived or a love deeply shared.

My experience seamlessly combines decades of high-level professional organisation—honed through office management and e-commerce—with rigorous, distinction-level celebrancy training and industry-recognised excellence.

Key Milestones & Achievements:

Awarded Industry Excellence (2026): Recognised as the Civil Celebrant of the Year 2026 (Yorkshire) at the UK Enterprise Awards and named an Official SBA Finalist 2026.

Dual Certificates of Distinction (2025): Successfully completed advanced training with the Academy of Professional Celebrants, earning Distinctions in both Wedding Celebrancy and Funeral Celebrancy.

Business & Enterprise Accreditation (SFEDI): Achieved three formal Level 1 Awards covering crucial operational skills, including:

Strategic Growth: Business Planning, Marketing, and Social Media Principles.

Professional Delivery: Advanced Time Management, Communication Skills, and Resilience & Grit.

Events & Clients

Weddings and Vow Renewals: Couples who are looking for a ceremony that is a true reflection of their unique love story. This includes couples who want to get married in a non-traditional venue, celebrate an anniversary with a vow renewal, or who want a ceremony that is more personal than a standard civil service.

Funerals and Memorials: Families and individuals who want to honour a loved one's life in a way that is personal and meaningful. This includes those who wish to tell a unique life story, incorporate special music or readings, or hold a ceremony in a place that was significant to the person who has passed away.

Naming and Family Ceremonies: Parents and families who want to celebrate the arrival of a new child or the blending of families. These clients are looking for a joyful and heartfelt way to welcome a new member and create a lasting memory.

In summary, our typical clients are people who value authenticity, storytelling, and professional partnership. They are committed to making their significant life events—whether joyful or reflective—truly meaningful and deeply personal. They choose Tip Your Hat because they expect seamless organization, bespoke writing, and a confident, experienced presence to guide their ceremony exactly as they envisioned.

As an award-winning professional, I uphold the highest standards of preparation, storytelling, and service. My current credentials and accolades include:

Award-Winning Recognition: Named Civil Celebrant of the Year 2026 (Yorkshire) by the UK Enterprise Awards, and an Official SBA Finalist 2026.

Certified Wedding Celebrant: Training completed with a Certificate of Distinction from the Academy of Professional Celebrants.

Certified Funeral Celebrant: Training completed with a Certificate of Distinction from the Academy of Professional Celebrants.

Enterprise Qualified: Holder of three Level 1 Awards in Enterprise, certified by SFEDI Awards (an Ofqual-regulated awarding organisation).

Professional Status: Full public liability insurance is maintained, and I am currently awaiting updated enhanced DBS check confirmation.

These industry accolades and certifications ensure you receive both a beautifully written ceremony and a flawlessly organised, premium experience.