Today we’d like to introduce you to Leslie Bockian.
Leslie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I had been ordained as a non-denominational minister while studying at a church that taught alternative approaches to healing and wellness. It never occurred to me that I would end up as a wedding officiant, but one day a friend asked if I could perform her wedding ceremony. I of course agreed, and soon after was asked to do a second one for another set of friends. It turned out to be so much fun that I started advertising my services professionally.
In retrospect, many pieces of my background came together to make it a natural fit – I had experience as a writer, as an editor, a stage performer, and an opera singer (voice training is definitely useful for venues where sound systems aren’t possible). I’m also organized and detail-oriented, which is helpful for making a wedding go smoothly.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of the unique challenges of being a wedding officiant is that you cannot build a clientele that will provide you with repeat business. People use my services only once (except for maybe doing a renewal-of-vows ceremony years later).
Other wedding professionals – DJs, photographers, caterers, florists, videographers – can be asked back by satisfied customers to do another event for them, but wedding officiants aren’t needed for things like museum galas or birthday parties or corporate events, so the ongoing challenge is to create a constant supply of new clients. I realized early on that I needed to become my own marketing department, and I was far from an expert. I took classes, read books, and was fortunate to find good teachers and mentors along the way.
Please tell us about Ceremonies by Rev. Leslie Bockian.
As an officiant, I’m responsible for creating and presenting the wedding ceremony, and for taking care of the couple’s marriage license afterward. I also make it a point to be accessible and available to the couples I work with – to answer questions, offer suggestions, provide solutions, and generally help troubleshoot, so that the planning process can be as easy and stress-free for them as possible.
I specialize in providing beautiful, customized ceremonies designed to fit each individual couple. Everyone’s wedding vision is a little different: Some people want an elegant and sophisticated event, some prefer casual and fun; some are looking for a more traditional celebration, others want something completely outside the box. My goal is to give every couple a ceremony they will love, and it really is a delight to create something wonderful for them. My favorite thing is to hear a couple say afterward, “That was exactly what we wanted.”
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
In the last several years, we’ve seen a push toward “do it yourself” weddings. I’ve heard so many horror stories about couples ending up with no decent wedding photos because they thought the guests could just take pictures with their phones, receptions that ran out of food in ten minutes because the couples were relying on the idea that everyone would bring something, and so on. I’ve officiated for weddings where a DIY sound system suddenly stopped working – have you ever seen a bride walk down the aisle in complete silence? It’s surprisingly eerie – and for backyard weddings where people passed out in the heat because nobody thought to rent a canopy or a tent.
A wedding is a pretty complex event. A lot of things go into it that most people don’t even think about, and it’s hard for people who have never done one to make it all go off without a hitch. I’ve even officiated for several weddings that threatened to disintegrate into chaos – at one, the fathers of the bride and groom actually got into a fistfight; at a couple of others, some guests showed up with the specific intention of disrupting and trying to ruin the wedding – and you really need someone experienced to handle situations like that. I think the “do it yourself” trend is on its way out, as couples realize that it really does work better – and it’s easier on them – when they entrust their wedding to professionals.
Contact Info:
- Website: ajoyfulwedding.com
- Phone: 818-776-8185
- Email: [email protected]
- Facebook: Rev. Leslie Bockian
- Yelp: Rev. Leslie Bockian
Image Credit:
DREAM WEDDING: Yvonne Kleiman
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Robyn Suggs-Farrell
May 2, 2017 at 02:08
My husband and I were very grateful to find Leslie and have her officiate our Halloween wedding almost 7 years ago! Working with her was a pleasure. If we ever renew our vows we would certainly come to her first!
Rev. Leslie
May 2, 2017 at 23:44
Thanks, Robyn! Your wedding was wonderful, and I actually remember it quite clearly – not every bride mentions Nutter Butter in her vows. And I’m sure a renewal-of-vows would be just as much fun. Let me know when!
Elizabeth Monticue
May 2, 2017 at 03:19
I’ve known Rev. Leslie for many years, and have heard many stories of the numerous weddings for which she was officiant. She cares deeply that her clients’ weddings are as stress free as possible, and is always willing to go that ‘extra mile’ to ensure a successful event. Leslie officated at my son and daughter-in-law’s wedding in 2012 and was successfully able to coordinate with our family, from 500 miles away.
So exciting to see Leslie’s interview in VoyageLA!
Rev. Leslie
May 3, 2017 at 23:32
Such a fun celebration up there in Northern California! And what a truly unique wedding, with science demonstrations and guests in costume. Thank you for the opportunity to be part of a couple of incredibly fun days. I remember chatting with the maid of honor at the wedding brunch…I should say, the HERPETOLOGIST maid of honor. We had a fascinating conversation about rattlesnakes.
Anita
May 2, 2017 at 04:23
I can confirm that Leslie is amazing, having officiated at the marriage of both my daughters and renewing the vows for my elderly parents after more than 60 years of marriage. She is smart, thoughtful, well organized, and absolutely passionate at what she does. For lifetime of memories, she is the one to call if you want your wedding to be perfect!
Rev. Leslie
May 3, 2017 at 00:11
Being able to officiate for your family first in Vermont and then in Colorado was just so special. In Vermont – my first out-of-state wedding – I was so afraid that I would conclude the ceremony by saying, “By the authority vested in me by the State of California – oops!” that I recall walking down the aisle repeating in my head, “Vermont! Vermont! VERMONT!” Fortunately, it went fine.
Vicki
May 2, 2017 at 04:38
Sixteen years ago Leslie performed our wedding ceremony and we’re still telling folks about it. To say it was unique is an understatement but it was precisely right for us. She will create what you need even if you’re not sure what that is. Leslie is the greatest! We’ll never get married again but we’ll always refer her to anyone we know who needs to get married their way! Love and hugs!
Rev. Leslie
May 3, 2017 at 23:51
A moonlight wedding next to a running stream…beautiful and magical. I’m thrilled that we could create a celebration that felt right for the two of you.
Linda Kaun
May 2, 2017 at 06:32
Leslie,
It’s so great to see you with all these different couples!
I’m the friend who first asked Leslie to officiate at my wedding… many years ago now. It’s wonderful to know I had a hand in Leslie continuing to bring a special joy to so many people.
Rev. Leslie
May 2, 2017 at 23:47
Thank you for starting it all, Linda. I still remember your gorgeous hand-painted wedding invitations. And didn’t we perform your ceremony standing on top of a hot tub? Ya gotta love Malibu!
Jim Lione and Luis Mendoza
May 2, 2017 at 06:40
Leslie was awesome to work with. Guided is through all the paperwork involved, nurturing us together to how and what we wanted to share about one another and verses to use since it was a very mixed wedding! Not only were we one of the first 18,000 gay couples she married, presided over, but translated in Spanish nearly every part of our wedding for my HUSBAND’S family attending. Me being Jewish and Luis Catholic, everything come among so smoothly. I would recommend Rev. Leslie any higher!! Our 10 anniversary will be 9/20/18 and plan to have her renew our commitments to one another since I battled stage IV CRC only 3 months after being married. Leslie actually visited and prayed with in the hospital out her own goodness of her heart. Let her continue her good reverenship for you! Much love, Leslie.
Rev. Leslie
May 2, 2017 at 23:54
Such a beautiful wedding, with you two SO elegant in formal attire. And I especially loved that we did the ceremony in both Spanish and English, so that all of your guests would feel included and be able to enjoy it. Looking forward to that 10th anniversary celebration!
Nili Shamrat
May 2, 2017 at 07:15
Leslie Bockian is a unique person with a universal perspective about the unity of people who love each other. She brings open mind and caring when interacting with people and is eager to make a wedding ceremony as meaningful as possible for everyone involved in such an event.
eden
May 2, 2017 at 12:28
Leslie really is amazing! She helped with my brothers wedding.
Tilda De Wolfe
May 2, 2017 at 15:04
Good article on a neat lady!
Bee Colman
May 2, 2017 at 16:56
I was guest at a wedding that Leslie performed several years ago for mutual friends. she included me and several other close friends of the bride in the ceremony. Leslie’s care an planning made it a beautiful and moving event for everyone. I would recommend her with wholeheartedness.
Barbara Margolies
May 3, 2017 at 00:36
Leslie officiated at our wedding almost 21 years ago and then again at our renewal of vows ceremony 10 years later. She was wonderful in guiding us through both ceremonies, giving us a selection of readings to choose from & offering suggestions. She is a joy to work with and made everything easy and fun. My husband and I still read our vows to each other on our anniversary each year! I recommend it!
Rev. Leslie
May 3, 2017 at 23:58
Thanks for the wonderful feedback, Barbara! I always feel honored to be invited back to do a renewal of vows, and I’m so glad those vows still resonate for you. Here’s to many more happy years!
Sharon Lumbantobing
May 4, 2017 at 05:25
Great article. Beautiful photos!
Raymond Silkman
May 4, 2017 at 15:59
I have known Leslie for many years and her truthful, insightful perspective on life and daily matters is always touching and refreshing.
She is very real, calm, intelligent and well informed about many topics, and she packs a good punch to top it all as a Martial Arts expert as well!
I believe she is an asset to every couple who plans to have her as a Wedding Officiant and someone that can help with the nuts and bolts of planning a wedding.