Do we need to organise a PA System for the ceremony?

I have my own cordless PA system which is suitable for indoor or outdoor use and capable of playing all formats for music.

How is our personalised ceremony written?

I will provide you both with samples and suggestions for your ceremony, incorporating in any of your own ideas to create a ceremony that is perfect for you. During the writing process I will provide several drafts of my work until you are completely satisfied with a final copy for presentation!

How do we know what will be said on the day?

As I work with the couple through the ceremony process, I provide drafts of the ideas and inclusions until a final draft is approved by the couple well prior to the wedding day. This is then exactly what I will present – no additional wording or changes.

To establish if there is any additional documentation required, it is usual for the celebrant to ask if one or both of the parties have been married before, and if so, how did the marriage end?

If a marriage ended in divorce, then the original Divorce Order document would be required. If a marriage ended in death, then the original Death Certificate would be required. The details of these documents are required for the legal documentation and registration of the marriage.

Do we have to have a rehearsal?

No, this is personal choice. Whilst I always offer a rehearsal, for some couples they may find this unnecessary or difficult to arrange due to work or other commitments. The benefit of a rehearsal can help the couple and the wedding party be comfortable with the part they are playing on the day. It can also settle any “pre wedding jitters” or concerns on how the ceremony will run. NOTE: If you decide to have a rehearsal, a time and date needs to be booked with the venue at a convenient time for all parties.

Do you have Packages for your ceremonies?

My fee of $780.00 is for a complete package of preparation for a full 30 minute ceremony. As an alternative , I offer to my couples who may wish to have a shorter 15 minute ceremony (also referre to a “Legals Only” ceremony) for $450.00 . I would be happy to discuss these ceremonies in more detail if requested.

How long have you been a marriage celebrant?

I have been a registered celebrant with the Attorney-General’s Department since 2011. My details can also be found on www.ag.gov.au.

Noelene Smith Marriage Celebrant - Marriage Celebrant Connewarre

OVERVIEW

Congratulations on your recent engagement!

As a passionate Marriage Celebrant of 11 years, it would be my privilege to be part of your day.

If you are looking for:

a personally written ceremony - as long or as short as you wish
a celebrant who is happy to arrange a rehearsal prior to the wedding
someone to look after all legal documentation including registration with Births Deaths & Marriages
a detail oriented, reliable & professional hand throughout your journey

... then you have just found your match!

I like to help my couples feel comfortable and at ease with me at all times. My goal is to present a hassle-free, smoothly run ceremony that is exactly as you both envisaged.

I would be delighted to chat with you over the phone or catch up over a coffee for a free no obligation meeting

Best wishes

Noelene

Instagram: @noelene_marriage_celebrant

About

My working career often involved contact with clients and since becoming a registered celebrant in 2011, I have been privileged to continue sharing in many special occasions with my couples as they plan their wedding day. I am very much a "people person" and love what I do, especially with happy couples eagerly preparing for the next step in their committed relationship together. It would be my privilege to assist you in planning a personally-designed ceremony for your special day.

Noelene Smith

Owner

Photos

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Noelene Smith Marriage Celebrant Geelong Great Ocean Road wedding

Noelene Smith Celebrant Geelong Great Ocean Road marriage celebrant

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FAQ

How much do you charge to present a wedding?

Weddings can be and I understand that couples are working to a budget. My fees are a one-off cost of $780.00 and includes meetings/a rehearsal at the venue (if requested)/several drafts of the ceremony to final stage/all legal document preparation and lodgement to Births Deaths & Marriages for registration of marriage/Certificate of Marriage/Presentation Copy of Ceremony as a keepsake/a wireless PA system suited to indoor or outdoor use/travel to and from venue on the wedding day and last but not least, presentation of the ceremony! There are no hidden extras.

I like to meet with a couple for an initial no-cost meeting to help with the decision-making of choosing a celebrant. Phone conversations are helpful, but I find face-to-face much more beneficial to all.

NOTE: To book my services I usually require a booking fee of $350 with the balance payable up to two weeks prior to the wedding or part payments along the way, whatever suits best.

How much notice do you need for us to book you as our marriage celebrant?

As soon as possible is the short answer – firstly so a couple can secure the date they wish and secondly to have their NOIM (Notice of Intended Marriage) ready on time. The required legal time frame for a couple to lodge and sign a NOIM with the celebrant is no less than 30 days and no more than 18 months prior to the proposed wedding date. To ensure this important document is dated and signed within the time frame, original birth certificates, current drivers licences/passports, divorce or death certificates (if relevant) for both parties, need to be provided.

We have not been married before, what documents do we need to provide for you?”

For a celebrant to complete the legal documentation required to register a marriage in Australia, a couple need to provide their original birth certificates, a current drivers licence or Australian/overseas passport.

What do I/we do if we can’t find our birth certificates?

If a couple were born in Australia, it is an easy online process to request a new birth certificate from Births Deaths and Marriages. The small fee involved also includes postage. If one or both parties were born overseas, they would need to seek the documentation from that country. If for some reason those records were unavailable, a Commonwealth Statutory Declaration would be required stating full details of their birth.

We don’t know where to start to prepare our ceremony? Are you able to help with some samples or suggestions?

Absolutely! My role as a celebrant is to guide you through the process with samples and suggestions and of course incorporate your own ideas on how you envisage your wedding ceremony to be. My aim is to provide a ceremony that reflects a couples own individuality.

3 reviews 5 Write a Review

March 2021

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Noelene is a wonderful celebrant and we would highly recommend her to other couples. In the lead up to the wedding, Noelene was very organised and professional and provided all the requisite information to us as well as explaining the process very clearly. We had to conduct a few consultations via Zoom but that wasn't an obstacle. Noelene wrote a beautiful ceremony which really captured our relationship perfectly. On the day, Noelene delivered a beautiful and thoughtful ceremony which resonated so strongly with us and our guests. Special mention also to Doug for managing the music perfectly!

Y M.

Noelene Smith Marriage Celebrant

Hi there Grainne and Chris! Oh wow, thank you so much for this beautiful review! As part of your extended family was it not only my great privilege and honour to present your ceremony, but to have been able to spend time with you both in the lead up to your stunning wedding and to share in your happiness at the amazing celebrations afterwards. Thank you for your special mention of my "Roadie" Doug - he certainly manages to keep the "flow" of the wedding with the music at the right moment and I appreciate his presence very much.

September 2020

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Noelene is an absolutely fantastic celebrant and all round wonderful person, it was such a pleasure to have her as part of our special day. From the moment we met her we knew we had made the right decision, she was professional, friendly, organised and made the process all so easy for us. I would highly recommend her to anyone who is looking for a person who will help make your big day relaxed and memorable :)

Tina R.

Noelene Smith Marriage Celebrant

Hi Tina & Rich, thank you so much for taking the time to write this beautiful review! I certainly enjoyed meeting you both and to be so warmly embraced by your family and friends. It was indeed my privilege to have shared in your beautiful wedding day particularly due to your original plans being totally disrupted by COVID-19 not once but twice (!!) making the occasion even more special and memorable.

May 2020

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Even as a family friend Noelene made Rachel and myself comfortable throughout the entire wedding process. Noelene was able to connect with both of us ensuring that our ceremony was well thought and presented our personalities in the best possible manner. We thank Noelene for her professionalism and making our day extra special! We couldn’t recommend her highly enough.

Dylan C.

Noelene Smith Marriage Celebrant

Hi Dylan & Rachel, thank you so much for your lovely review and much appreciated. It is gratifying to know that your wedding ceremony was all you had hoped it to be and I was indeed very honoured to have been asked to share such a special day with you both, your families and friends. With best wishes always. xxx

Expert Advice

As a wedding professional, Noelene Smith Marriage Celebrant offers expert advice to help couples plan their perfect day. Ask a question or read their expert advice.

Get Expert Advice

Do couples usually use vow books?

Noelene Smith Marriage Celebrant

I like to chat with my couple and try to understand to the type of people they are and what vows may be appropriate for them. If they don't have any vows they have seen on the internet or have not composed their own vows, I then provide a book of suggested vows that I have used which they can change in anyway they wish once the legal lines of "I call upon the persons here present" has been said. Most ocuples I have married prefer to repeat after me when saying their vows which they do by holding hands and looking at each other, but some have requested to read from their own cards which I print and provide opn the day of the wedding. The vows are incorporated into their draft of the ceremony and therefore can be changed and approved well before their big day. The ceremony is also given in a keepsake folder at the conclusion of the wedding.

When should I start to think about hiring a Celebrant?

Noelene Smith Marriage Celebrant

Hi Carli, I agree with the responses you have received below in that it is best to book your celebrant once you have locked in your wedding with the venue you choose. From a celebrant's point of view, this gives time to provide birth certificates or other documentation required to complete the Notice of Intended Marriage and to prepare a ceremony without any pressure or haste. All the best with your wedding plans!

Carli B

what time is your favourite for a wedding ceremony

Noelene Smith Marriage Celebrant

I have presented ceremonies at different times but mostly mid to late afternoons seems to be the most common possibly because the morning gives time for the bride, her party and family to gather and prepare for the big day ahead. The time can also depend on the time of year/season and possible weather conditions for an outdoor venue photos following the ceremony. If the ceremony is to be indoors these considerations would not be necessary unless it also involves some outdoor photos as well. Your wedding day is a special and memorable one for you both, and therefore whatever feels right for you and your fiance is best.