Frequently Asked Questions
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Planning
How can I organise a time to look around the venue?
Our Wedding planner is available for pre-arranged, private appointments on Wednesdays and Saturdays only. Saturday appointments are preferable as our function rooms are more likely to be set for an upcoming wedding. We also hold Wedding Open Days 3 times a year. These days are a great opportunity to view all our available spaces styled by our preferred suppliers. To find out when the next Open Day will be held, click here . Please note no personal appointments can be made during Wedding Open Days.
I have a date in mind can I put the venue on hold?
Congratulations, you are ready to book! In order to hold a particular date we will draft a contract that will have to be returned with a $1000 deposit within 10 business days. If not received, the room is available to be booked by another enquiring guest.
Can I hold just my ceremony at Novotel Wollongong Northbeach?
Unfortunately ceremonies are exclusive to guests holding their reception at our venue.
Are we able to use the venue to rehearse our ceremony prior to the big day?
We are happy to assist where possible depending on availability and other factors. If you wish to lock in a rehearsal time, hire fees may be applicable.
We have returned our signed contract and deposit. What is next?
It’s official and time for you to start the exciting planning stage! The next time you will hear from us is 3 months prior to your wedding when the Wedding Planner will send you a semi-final letter. This letter will include some questions for you to start to think about prior to your semi-final meeting that will need to be booked in within the following 6 weeks of receiving the letter.
What should we have prepared before our semi-final meeting?
By the time your semi-final meeting comes around, you will be right in the thick of your exciting preparations. It will greatly assist both yourselves and your wedding planner if you come fully prepared to this meeting. By now hopefully you have confirmed your cake, flowers and decorations directly with your suppliers. Hopefully you have also started to think about timings, food, beverage, floorplan and styling so this can be discussed in detail. During this meeting we will also organise your complimentary menu tasting. (only if you are having the 3 course menu. No menu tasting for buffet or cocktail menus)
When is final payment due?
We require full payment on the Monday in the week of your wedding. You will be provided with your final invoice 2 weeks prior to your wedding date.
When do we need to provide you with final guest numbers?
Your wedding planner will ask you to confirm your final guest numbers 2 weeks prior to the wedding.
Can I make changes to the package?
Yes, but only a maximum of 2 changes
Do you offer a menu tasting?
Yes, we offer a complimentary menu tasting for the couple 2 months prior to your big day if you have booked the platinum and diamond package. You will need to ensure your preferred menu choices are provided to your wedding planner when you contact her to book in the tasting.
*Buffet and Cocktail weddings are not offered a menu tasting.
Will our wedding planner be available on our wedding day and night?
Your wedding planner will be on site on your wedding day, making themselves available to you prior to your reception. You will be introduced to the operations team and supervisor that will be running the wedding and available to you throughout.
*The wedding planner is not on site for weddings held on a Sunday or Monday.
You have chosen your own DJ/Band/Photo booth for your wedding day, what do we need to do next?
No problem, we would just need you to get insurance paperwork from the company and submit it to us, then they are right to help you dance the night away. They will need to sign an induction form provided by the hotel.
Can you recommend a company to assist in styling our wedding?
We recommend Splash Occasions & Encore Events. Each of these companies works closely with us at the hotel and has extensive experience styling the venue.
Do you provide menus and seating plans?
Yes, we provide you with 2 x black and white menus per table and 1 x black and white seating plan (size differs depending on wedding size A3 – A0). These menus have a generic design, if you have a particular stationary theme you wish to continue you can organise your own menus and seating plan. Please ensure you supply these to your wedding planner in your final meeting (held the week of your wedding).
Still can't find your question?
Ask our wedding planner and they will get in touch with you with an answer as soon as they can.
Packages
Are a microphone, PA system and music included in my ceremony and Reception package?
These items are not included in our packages. Often your celebrant/DJ/Band will provide this equipment, this is something to confirm with them at the time of booking. Alternatively we have an onsite AV team, Encore Events, who will be happy to organise all your AV requirements at an additional cost.
What centrepiece is included in the Novotel wedding packages?
Our packages include a complimentary 5 arm black candelabra with white pillar candles as a standard centrepiece for the Gold and Platinum package. You are able to provide your own centrepieces or organise these through a supplier.
We have children attending our wedding, are they charged at different rates?
Yes, we provide a children’s menu and they are charged from $30 for 0-5 year olds and from $44 for 6-12 year olds. 13 years and above are classified as adults.
We want to continue beverage service after the included beverage package concludes. What are our options?
We have a few of options for you to choose should you wish to continue beverage service. You may commence a bar tab, which will be charged back to your accommodation room and need to be settled the following day. You can pre-pay to extend your beverage package (prices vary) or your guests can purchase their own beverages once the package has finished.
Do you charge room hire fees for the function rooms?
We charge a room hire fee for use of our premium spaces only; The Deck and the Admirals Room. All other function rooms are based on a per-head package cost and have no associated room hire fee.
I want the deck but I don't meet the 120 adult minimum, can I still book the Deck?
If your guest numbers do not reach the minimum requirement then we are happy to work with you and offer a minimum spend for the function space you are after. Minimum spend is to be made up of the wedding package and additional food & beverage options.
(Hire fees, Accommodation and styling not included)
Still can't find your question?
Ask our wedding planner and they will get in touch with you with an answer as soon as they can.
Venue
The big day has arrived! What time am I able to check-in to my hotel room?
We have a guaranteed check-in time of 2pm. Where available we will do our best to allow early check-in, however this is strictly subject to availability on the day. Should you wish to guarantee early check-in on your wedding day, you will need to book your accommodation room the previous evening.
We offer the couple (only) a complimentary late checkout of 1pm the following day.
I have hired in different tables and chairs. Who sets this up and when can this be delivered and picked up?
All items need to be delivered on the day. The Wedding planner will advise times in the week of your wedding. Setup is to be done by the supplier. If we have to do this for you, then there will be labour fees involved. Pick up of these items have to be at the end of the wedding, as we do not do overnight holds
We have guests that will need to stay on site, how can they book a room at Novotel Wollongong Northbeach and do they receive any discount?
Once your deposit has been paid, your wedding planner will provide you with an accommodation email that has details that you can distribute to your guests in order to place bookings. Wedding guests are entitled to a 10% discount (off the best available rate on the day. Must be booked 30 days prior to wedding day). Guests can book accommodation direct by email or phone.
h1654@accor.com | 02 4224 3111
What are the parking facilities for us and our guests?
We have paid on-site undercover car parking available for your wedding guests, please note these facilities are public and therefore subject to availability. Charges start from $5.
Off street parking and the car park at Stuart Park.
Are we able to bring in our own decorations and set them up ourselves?
Yes, you are more than welcome to provide and set up your own decorations, please ensure you discuss this with your wedding planner in your semi-final meeting to work out all associated details. Please note if you intend to hang things from the ceiling etc, insurance paperwork will be required.
When can we gain access to the room to setup our decorations?
We can guarantee access 1 hour prior to start time. When we are closer to the wedding our wedding planner will be able to advise if you can gain earlier access.
If you want guaranteed early access, fees will apply
Are we able to bring in our own decorations and have Novotel staff set them up for us?
Yes, we are able to provide this service for you with an associated fee charged.
Do you set our place cards & bonbonniere for us and when can we drop these items off at the hotel?
Yes, our staff are happy to set these for you at no additional charge. Please ensure place cards are bundled in table and seating order and bonbonniere is assembled and removed from any packaging. We ask that you bring these items with you in your final meeting (to be held the week of your wedding).
What happens with all of our personal decorations after the wedding?
Our staff will pack down the function room after your wedding and place all your decorations/items etc in storage for the evening. Pleas ensure you collect these items from our reception staff the following morning.
We were interested in having fireworks, do you allow this?
Fireworks make a great statement on your special day. We allow fireworks to be let off on your wedding day. We will require insurance paperwork from the fireworks company and we will need to be notified by the couple at least 60 business days prior to the wedding.
What happens if it rains on our wedding day?
Never fear, we will always have a wet weather backup plan for you. If your ceremony is already booked at Novotel Wollongong Northbeach, this is provided at no additional cost.
If you are holding your reception with us but have planned an offsite wedding ceremony, we can provide a wet weather backup plan for you, setup fees will apply and the wet weather back up fee will be charged to your accommodation room.
Where will my ceremony be held if we need to take advantage of the wet weather backup?
If you have booked your ceremony on Admirals Terrace, there is an undercover section that can be utilised. If you have booked your ceremony on The Deck, we will still try to keep it on the deck but at worse case, it will go in the Illawarra Gallery
Still can't find your question?
Ask our wedding planner and they will get in touch with you with an answer as soon as they can.