It doesn’t matter where you are in the world, if you’re having a wedding back in Australia you want every detail to be perfect. And that’s the strength of Pillingers Hiring Service. They can consult with you whether you are overseas or interstate and present detailed diagrams showing how the event will look, so that nothing will be left to chance. With over 30 years of experience in the hospitality and event industry, Nathalie and the Pillingers team take ‘great pride in organizing the perfect wedding or event and seeing the collation of ideas coming together along with the expertise and creativity of the final masterpiece.’ Just add your personal touches with amazing food, flowers and of course guests and oh, you – the bride and groom!
How did Pillingers Hiring Service start?
After having Action Party Hire which is where it all began, the business grew and took on new dynamics which led my father John to decide to make the business grow and expand in every field and area.
How long has the business been in existence?
Action Party Hire – since 1992. Pillingers has been operational since 1972 and was taken over by my father in 1995. We then merged the two together in about 2002.
Is it family owned?
It is a family owned business. John Lamberty (my father) started from his own home with a few tables and chairs and incorporated his 4 children; Nathalie, Fabien, Christian and Pascal into the business, each one taking on a different role.
Where are you based and what areas of Australia do you cover?
Pillingers is based in Prestons, Western Sydney. Based in NSW we service all of the Sydney Metropolitan area plus outer regional areas such as the Blue Mountains, Hunter Valley, Bathurst and Orange.
Please give us a brief overview of the items you hire out?
We specialise in events and festivals, corporate parties, weddings and home socials. We carry an extensive range for weddings including marquee structures, furniture items, catering equipment, bar equipment, dance floors and table appointments such as cutlery, crockery, glassware, kitchen equipment and table centrepieces. We also carry a range of equipment for conferences, exhibition displays, fundraising, staging, catwalks, carpet, matting and lighting.
You have links to other service providers – what extra services can you help with?
Yes we work closely with a few other providers so that clients need not worry about engaging multiple suppliers. We can provide a full service that includes caterers, portable toilets, generators and event security.
What is your role in the company?
I have been a wedding coordinator for over 10 years at Pillingers. Recently, due to expansion within the business, I have been working in the accounts and marketing section for the best part of the past 10 years. I love the wedding side of things, so I still use my expertise to oversee our wedding events and offer advice.
Do you have a team of wedding planners who work with you?
All our staff are qualified to coordinate and style your wedding. We specialize in outdoor weddings with our marquees, flooring and furniture. (We don’t arrange flowers or cars however.)
What are the steps you take when planning a wedding with the bridal couple?
We generally like to meet the bride and groom and have a feel for what it is they want to create or a theme they wish to achieve then have a look at the site and assess the area. We create a quote that we feel is suited to them, working towards their budget and requirements. We like to draw up a CAD drawing showing our clients where the marquee structure will be situated and give an idea of the set up inside. This helps the couple to visualize the end product.
What sorts of wedding décor items can you provide?
The ideas are endless, as long as they have the ideas, we have the imagination to bring it to life. We bring a space to life with ceiling and wall linings, chandeliers, fairy lights, pre-reception areas, carpet runners, bollards, illuminated bars, fancy chairs, tables, tablecloths, caterer’s quarters and catering equipment, flooring and table centrepieces. The list goes on. We make sure it is a fully functional reception venue under the stars.
The other items you can provide include hard flooring for your marquees, a commercial grade kitchen and more. What else can you provide?
We supply fully functional catering quarters, pre-dinner cocktail areas, powder rooms, bars of all styles, sound systems, air conditioning, cool rooms, portable toilet blocks and generators. We really do make sure you have a fully-decked out wedding venue no matter where it is you want it!
What are some of the more unusual locations where you have provided your hire service for a wedding?
We specialize in parks and gardens, and we are a preferred supplier to many of Sydney’s beautiful garden venues, so we’ve seen some pretty special places. We’ve also created reception venues in Bowral and the Blue Mountains and of course many beautiful private properties.
Are you able to advise on, and organize permits if needed for public spaces such as parks and gardens?
Yes, some parks and gardens require permits and we need to converse with them to make sure your day goes to plan. Our contacts help to make this a smooth event by meeting with clients and going through all the necessary requirements with both the bride and groom and the event planner.
Are you able to provide marquees for backyard weddings as well as on country estates?
Yes, we love doing weddings on private properties. Even if you have a smaller outdoor area with a swimming pool taking up space, we specialise in pool coverings. We have a qualified team who transform your pool into a dance floor or reception area, increasing your marquee space. People won’t even know they’re standing on top of a pool!
How long does set up take?
Set up varies considerably, depending on the detail required on the event. We like to begin setup early in the week to allow ample time for an unforseen circumstances and extra requirements that may pop up. And of course to leave sufficient time to decorate and bring the interior to life.
Are you able to work with a couple to organize their wedding if they live overseas or interstate? How many days before the wedding should they (ideally) arrive to finalise details with you?
Emails are an amazing thing these days, it allows information and photos to be exchanged from no matter where you are. As long as the couple are comfortable arranging it, it can be done and is entirely up to them as to when they return provided we have all contacts of necessary requirements to allow us to set up the event.
Are you able to provide recommendations for flowers, cake, entertainment, food etc?
We unfortunately don’t supply flowers, entertainment or food, however we do have some excellent caterers we can recommend in your area.
What is a favourite part of your job and day?
Lunch, when we can get together and have a chat about the day or jobs coming up etc.
It’s the end of the working week – what does the team do to relax?
LOL WE DON’T ! We are constantly on the go throwing ideas around and getting jobs done. But we do like to try and have a company BBQ once a month and have been asked many a time to attend our functions, which is a lovely tip of the hat from our clients.
Thank you Nathalie for sharing your story. To find out more about Pillingers Hiring Service visit the website.
All images are courtesy of Pillingers Hiring Service.
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