Riviera or Sans Souci...July 4th or April.....

First off can I say how AMAZING this site has been during the planning process. So thank you ladies....I am soooo addicted.

Ok I am still trying to decide on a hall for about 100-125 at $100 per person for a Sat.eve. So here are my options:

Do it July 4th (it is the only "peak" day in the summer where I can play with minimum because it falls on a Sunday). What do you think of doing a wedding on a holiday weekend. Will my guests hate me?

Or do it the end of March April. Since this is still off-peak I can do a Sat. eve and stick to my minimum.

Any thoughts on the 2 places. Since they are both summery waterview places will the feel be totally lost in March or April. Sorry I have lots of questions.

Re: Riviera or Sans Souci...July 4th or April.....

I have never seen San Souci.

Riviera we both loved but it was too small. I agree that the beautiful view will be lost if not in the summer.

As for a holiday weekend I think it is OK. We are having ours Labor day weekend and everyone is happy b/c they have a three day weekend to come to NY. If you give enough notice to people (definately do a save the date) it will be fine

Re: Riviera or Sans Souci...July 4th or April.....

The Riviera does a beautiful job. I've been to at least five weddings there (including my sisters) and everything was fabulous. I don't know the exact price my sister paid, but I do know that it was very reasonable.

Good Luck!

Re: Riviera or Sans Souci...July 4th or April.....

I am a Riviera Bride in December. I love the water view, even thought it isn't the feel I am going for in Dec, but I know it is there if I want pics near gazebo and water background. Riviera is perfect for 100-120 guest. I am having 120 guest myself and know it will be perfect. Any more, it gets tight there. I wouldn't go with July 4th, because it is a holiday and many people take vacation around that time. End of March/April is nice, but chance of snow- just like this year. The Riviera has those two beautiful fireplaces that you could have burning during the March month and it adds a nice touch for that Romantic Feeling. The Riviera is well under $100 pp. I got a quote of $65 pp, so was thrilled. We are on a tight budget, because we are paying for the wedding ourselves and trying to purchase a house. Hope this helped, best of luck. Any other questions on the Riviera, FM me.

Re: Riviera or Sans Souci...July 4th or April.....

My FH and I looked at both. We are getting married on Sunday, 7/6/03...4th of July weekend. Family and friends are making a vacation of it. Plus we will see everyone on Thurs. 7/3 for the rehearsal, a Bar-b-q on the 4th , whatever on the 5th, and then the wedding on the 6th. So it will feel as if the wedding started 4 days earlier. My recommedation is keep it on the 4th.

In regards to the Riveria - we felt, that although the grounds and view are nice, some of our guest would feel left out in that far corner, away from the dance floor. We didn't want anyone to feel insulted or isolated.

In regards to San Souci - another nice place but too small. The bar area wasn't big enough.

I hope this is helpful.

Re: Riviera or Sans Souci...July 4th or April.....

If you're basing the 4th of July to see fireworks, I would ask both sites. I know (because I asked for this year's 4th last year) that at the Riveria you can't see any fireworks. San Souci you stand a better chance with the fireworks on Morgan's Island - - but check. However, I won't top 110 people at either location, I think after that, it gets tight.

Re: Riviera or Sans Souci...July 4th or April.....

I think either way it would be nice but if you want to definitely be able to utilize the grounds, go for July 4th.
I was married at Sans Souci last September and it was spectacular. I cannot say enough great things about them. Amazing food, service, etc. There have been some semi-negative comments here about the fact that there are powerlines outside, etc. If you ask anyone who has been married there, they will tell you the place was just wonderful. I got SO many compliments on it. People loved being able to go outside during the reception. For your size wedding, the room is definitely comfortable. We had almost 150 and were fine.
As for the Riveria, I've never been there but I've heard it is nice.
I'm sure either way, you and your guests will have a great time. Good luck!
If you have any other ?s feel free to FM me -

Re: Riviera or Sans Souci...July 4th or April.....

I believe that given a choice, you should choose the non-holiday weekend. People have their own traditions and plans for holidays, and while they would break their standing plans for you I don't see why they should have to. Plus for the travelers, costs/traffic are likely to be much worse for a holiday.

Re: Riviera or Sans Souci...July 4th or April.....

When I checked out Sans Soucci a few months ago, I was quoted under $100. for a Saturday night in June 2004 (non-holiday, peak season) I don't remember what the minimum was, but remember minimums are negotiable! I've never been to the Riviera so I can't compare.

Re: Riviera or Sans Souci...July 4th or April.....

I'm getting married July 4th this year at Sans Souci. You used to be able to see the Port Washington fireworks at Bar Beach, but they stopped having them there 2 years ago. They said we might be able to see the fireworks from Glen Cove.

We preferred Sans Souci over the Riveria. We thought that the interior was too dark wood for our taste, and we heard better feedback from family and friends on food at Sans Souci than at the Riveria.

As far as people being annoyed, my family tends to travel Memorial Day & Labor Day weekends, but not July 4th. (Maybe we're odd?) Anyway, we haven't gotten any negative feedback regarding the date. We heard a lot of "Thank God it's not Memorial Day weekend." Seems that a really popular weekend for weddings, and would have screwed up trips several of my family members take to kick off and end every summer.

Re: Riviera or Sans Souci...July 4th or April.....

Really one of the main reasons I was considerring the 4th was for the fireworks so I will have to check into further. The Riviera said that you can see the fireworks.....maybe they are just trying to get my business.

As far as Sans Souci I had no idea that Port Jefferson stopped their fireworks I assumed those would be the ones we could see.

So hard to decide........who new just picking a venue and time of year could be this tough.

Re: Riviera or Sans Souci...July 4th or April.....

Port WASHINGTON stopped their local fireworks. You wouldn't be able to see Port Jeff from Sans Souci.

I'm pretty sure that you'd see the Jones Beach fireworks from the Riveria. I grew up in Wantagh and we used to head to Wantagh Park or Cedar Creek Park to watch them rather than go to the beach.

Re: Riviera or Sans Souci...July 4th or April.....

OOPS....I meant Port Washington. Really I just thought seeing the firworks would be a nice touch, especially since I am interrupting people's holidays.....but it certainly is not that important. It is good to know that I might catch a glimpse of some if we go with The Riviera.

Re: Riviera or Sans Souci...July 4th or April.....

I think at the Riveria you can see the fireworks... ask them I am not 100% sure. I am getting married in Nov. at the Riveria and I just fell in love with the place....

Re: Riviera or Sans Souci...July 4th or April.....

I would say Riviera on July 4th. I really feel that the Riviera is best in the summertime. I would suggest that you send out save-the-dates though, since it is a holiday weekend.