Have to wait til Sept

We looked at The Swan Club and The Riviera. Those were my top two that I wanted to bring FH with me to go back for a 2nd look. We are leaning heavily towards Riviera. BUT, we can't get to a tasting until Mid. September (FH has crazy hours). Now everything is on hold Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

I have 1 concern and that's the room for the cocktail hour. It's small. We're looking at a guest list of about 180 and the woman said it holds 100 or can go to 120. If we want to seat everyone comfortable we just have to pray to the weather gods for a nice day so people can use the outside seating. If not, we'll have a lot of standing guests.

Any other Riviera brides for 2011? If so, have you come up with a better seating arrangement for the room? I was thinking of maybe adding just chairs along the walls in some areas. even if I can get the room to seat 140 it wouldn't be too bad. I even figured people could use the benches and small sofas that are spread around in the foyer and by the stairs. I don't know. Even with this little problem, I really loved it. I just need FH to love it too. It was a close race between this and the Swan club for about a month, but I think the Riviera has won. Now I just hope we love the food and we're set!

That's so great you've narrowed it down!! I wouldn't worry too much about having to wait till sept to do the food tasting. I think even if you book it in Sept or Oct of this year you still will get the date you want since it's far enough in advance. As for the cocktail hour, i dont' personally know the room at the Rivera but if that's really the place for you then don't let that stop you. When I was looking at RH my mom was very adamant that they have seating for all at cocktail hour since she's been to many weddings where there isn't and she doesn't like it. I, however, don't think it's a huge problem...as long as most of the older people have seats i wouldn't worry. Younger people can stand and mingle. Plus it's only about an hour.

Good luck with everything!!

I am getting married at the Riviera in May 2011 and had the same concern at first with the cocktail hour room- I delt with Michelle when I went and she said even if there are say 150 people including your parents and BP- they are always off taking pictures with you during the cocktail hour so you are down those people. Plus there is the bar that people can stand at while the drink and eat =)

As for the food- I was lucky and did the tasting the day we booked. There was a wedding going on so i got to taste what that wedding chose for the CH. Myself, FH, mother and father were all very impressed with what we tried. I am Italian and my grandfather was a chef so you only imagine how critical my family can be. We thought it was awesome and booked right on the spot.

Hopefully it will be a beautiful day so you can use outside because the view is amazing too!

hope that helped a bit.

I had concerns about that as well - I'm getting married there May 7, 2011. But like Danielle said, a big chunk of those people are going to off taking pictures somewhere and there is plenty of standing room at the bar.

I too am hoping for the CH to be outside so I will be praying along with you =)

Something you should try and do is go to one of their Bridal Showcases. I went to one earlier in the year and i was able to taste their cocktail hour food and I was sold! Also, it's a good time to meet with their preferred vendors, especially the florist (Tim's Florist) who provide the free centerpieces included in your package. They also hold raffles for each of the vendors where \you can win certain packages or extras (I actually won a free Filet Mignon entree and a Gourmet Pasta station for the CH).

I had called recently and Mary said they don't have an exact date but are planning on doing a showcase later in the year. If I hear anything i will let you girls know.

Good luck!