Debbie lives in Singapore. Elliot lives in Sydney.
Both of them love fine dining. And the Beach.
So when searching for a fine dining wedding venue in Sydney that had a beach next to it, they couldn’t go past Pilu at Freshwater.
I have very fond memories of Pilu at Freshwater as it was my very first fine dining experience for my 18th birthday. (showing my age here!) I still can taste the briny fresh oysters, the smell of the ocean breeze and having my first taste of Italian fine wine…yum!
Debbie and Elliott decided that smaller is better when it comes to weddings, and they certainly had that in mind when planning to have their summer beach wedding in Sydney.
How’s the view?
The view is just spectacular and you can really see why it’s such a popular wedding venue for smaller more intimate Sydney wedding.
From the beach you can see the white beach house that greets you and gives you a sense of calm before you even set foot inside.
Inside you have a dreamy, light-filled space with the stunning views of Freshwater beach. My clients having a smaller wedding only needed the balcony room which fits up to 18 guests.
How’s the wedding venue space
Pretty great actually! It’s Hamptons inspired space is light filled room andgives you a wonderful view of the seaside, as well as privacy from the adjacent dining room. All is needed is a beautiful floral centrepiece and the room looks really good.
The rooms nicely decorated with beach inspired artworks and feels like a home away from home.
The beautifully landscaped terrace garden, overlooking the beach was the place where the intimate wedding ceremony was held. There’s enough room for a small party here. There’s a nice pergola shade which helps on a warm’s summer day.
The wedding ceremony setup was created by Cecelia from Gardens Creations . Lovely work!
Their ceremony times are 1130am for a lunch reception or 530pm for a dinner reception.
I think having a small wedding ceremony during lunchtime is a great idea as you get to experience the amazing views of the beach when you look outside the garden terrace.
There’s enough room for about 30 guests and tucked away hidden from the main beach so you don’t get any onlookers peeking in.
How’s the Food?
Pretty amazing!! It is simple and elegant. Heavily inspired by Sicily and Sydney, and the beach. It is not your typical wedding fare that’s for sure! Expect to be amazed π
Giovanni Pilu is an absolute genius and pioneer when it comes to Sardinian food. He infuses modern Australian with traditional Italian to make it very unique in the Sydney fine dining scene.
It is heavily inspired by the sea, and supporting local ingredients Giovanni creates modern, contemporary Italian dishes inspired by Italyβs numerous culinary regions β from Lombardy in the north to Campania in the south.
The wine list is super extensive and is well matched with the food. The selection is very international, but with a focus on Italian and Australian wines that pair well with the menu.
The restaurant was awarded two hats by the Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide for the last fifteen years, a pretty amazing feat by anyone’s standards.
How’s the surrounding area for wedding photography?
Being next to Freshwater Beach is quite handy, especially when you are having a Sydney wedding. Just simply walk out the gate and you’ve got access to the beach via a short pathway.
My suggestion is to leave your shoes and go barefoot down the beach!
Just outside the venue there’s a swing set which the bridal party went a little crazy for! A little bit of fun is always a good thing.
The headlands leading up to the Rockpool in Freshwater are a really nice beach location for wedding photography. It was nice to get our feet covered in sand and walk out for our photos. Nothing like sand between the toes, even on your wedding day.
Why would couples chose Pilu at Freshwater for their wedding
If you’re looking for a Sydney small wedding venue that caters for less than 110 guests then Pilu at Freshwater is a worthy contender. You can book out the whole venue, or have a small intimate wedding for 15.
It has plenty of appeal in terms of its beachside location (not many restaurants can say they have a beach next door) and the food is amazingly good.
Pilu at Freshwater is a great alternative to you more “traditional” Sydney wedding venue. It has the appeal of relaxed intimacy, character and homeliness that bigger venues cannot replicate.
The food is the biggest drawcard in my opinion on why you should select Pilu above any other Sydney wedding venue. The service is also really good and attentive.
They even look after us photographers with a lovely meal too (I personally had the Snapper and it was bloody good!)
Even Giovanni himself served the meals and worked the front of house which is quite amazing for a head chef!
So having been there myself and seeing how the guests are very well looked after by Giovanni Pilu and his team, I would hand over heart recommend Pilu at Freshwater for anyone having a wedding in the Northern beaches. It’s just too good to pass over.
If you’re considering Pilu at Freshwater for your small wedding in Sydney, then I highly recommend you contact Angela or Michelle here. They are both really lovely people and super helpful.
If you want to see more of my small Sydney weddings by the beach, click the links below
Rebecca & Sam – Long Reef Golf Club Weddings
Wondering if you should elope in 2020? Here’s some good reasons why
Beautiful work & beautifully written π
We love especially the wedding shots on the beach: Easy going, surfer vibes, ballerinas dancing. Looks like everyone had fun. Amazing Photos Kevin ππ