Nicole Penning Civil Celebrant
Nicole Penning is a knowledgeable, experienced, generous and undeniably passionate Authorised Marriage Celebrant. Described by her peers as “The best in the business” and "Unarguably the best Celebrant", by fellow Wedding Suppliers as “A new breed of Celebrant”, introduced as “Geelong Wedding Royalty” and given the title by her couples as “The Queen of Weddings” and “My Wedding’s Fairy God Mother”.
She specialises in performing Weddings, Renewal of Vows, Commitment Ceremonies, Funerals, Naming Days, Wedding Day Personal Assistant and Celebrant Coach in Geelong and surrounding areas.
Nicole's popularity with all genres of couples has seen her perform over 500 ceremonies since 2009, so you can be confident you're in experienced and professional hands.
Nicole is considered a leader and mentor within the Geelong Wedding Industry, advising new Celebrants on their practices on how to be the best they can be whilst taking newly registered Celebrants under her wing to help them out when they first start!
Nicole trains fellow Celebrants through The Celebrants Training College in Australia and New Zealand and prides herself on helping other Celebrants marry their couples at a gold standard - even advising Celebrants from the USA on their practices.
Friendly, upbeat, humorous, Nicole will engage your guests and fit naturally with your wedding party, allowing you and your partner to just relax and enjoy as she seamlessly runs the most important day of your life. Your friends will think she is part of your family by how connected Nicole is to all of her couples.
Nicole has studied a Bachelor of Applied Science in Hospitality Studies at R.M.I.T, and worked in Restaurant, Hotel, Resort & Event Management, Sales & Recruitment. Her background means she knows how to run an event - and all the challenging situations and diverse personalities they entail!
With over 25 years' public speaking experience, Nicole can adapt her style from a gentle tone for an intimate gathering to confidently voicing a ceremony in front of hundreds of guests.
Nicole fiercely supported the Marriage Equality Campaign, by starting Facebook groups in support for Wedding Industry Professionals in Geelong and attended many meetings, workshops and rallies fighting for equal Marriage rights for all Australians.
Nicole joined forces with her colleague and ally, fellow Celebrant Anita Jenkins by co-creating "Geelong Celebrants for Marriage Equality" in the fight for Marriage Equality for all Australians.
Along with fellow Celebrant and friend, Chloe Elliot, Nicole co-founded Geelong Celebrant Collective and is a proud advocate for community over competition, while uniting celebrants together to be better than what they could ever be apart.
Nicole had a passion for performing from a young age, playing leading roles and narrators in school plays. Nicole choreographed Rock Eisteddfods which saw her travel the world in High School before studying a Bachelor of Applied Science in Hospitality Studies at R.M.I.T in Melbourne.
After living on a tropical island for 12 months, Nicole started a career in Hospitality Management. Managing restaurants, gaming rooms & hotels in Geelong & Ballarat until it was at The Grovedale Hotel where she met her now Husband.
Nicole then moved into sales & marketing & finally recruitment. All very stressful & demanding roles that have helped her develop her professional & business sense, however still did not make her as happy as she knew a career could do. Nicole believed she could find a job that would make her feel like she was never working a day in her life!
Nicole had always wanted to have her own business. She had met some great celebrants over the years & aspired to be like them, knowing she could master the skills and enjoy being a part of a couples most special day. The day she enrolled into her celebrant course she cried! She was so happy as she had finally found something that she just knew she would love, she would be good at & more importantly that she would be happy doing!
Nicole thought if she could marry maybe 6 couples, that would be a good start, and now after over a decade being a Celebrant, Nicole has proudly married more than 500 couples!
May the love in your life create a life to love.
