as well as other places - your HONEST opinion of what you liked and did not like about CLM and why you chose it or chose another RH? FH and I went there today and are a little torn.... pros and cons, trying to weigh them out and need some help!! Thanks!!
eternitybride
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Re: Ladies that have looked at Chateau la mer...
Honest opinions
Pros I have been there for a wedding, and the food was fantastic. The VH was amazing. The reception was in the big room downstairs, and the view was beautiful. The cocktail hour had some of the best lamb chops I think I have ever had (LIWeddings WOTY 2007 is when I went, so you would be able to see the review on here)
Cons for me, a con was that there are no elevators, and they couldn't guarantee they would be in by my wedding date. My mom has had knee replacement, and can't climb stairs. additionally, because we would be a smaller party, we would have had the room upstairs, and the restrooms are on the lower level from what I could see, so people would have had to climb the stairs each time.
We chose another hall because they gave us more food for a better price, there are elevators, the hall includes cocktail hour centerpieces and has hotels right nearby.
One thing to think about, for your wedding date, you may be able to do the arrival by yacht, which is really cool. Look up Camacho's review, her wedding was at CLM, and it looked absolutely beautiful, and also look up The Wedding of the Year 2007 review
alli3131
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Re: Ladies that have looked at Chateau la mer...
We looked at a bunch of places.
Pros: the view is amazing, the amount of food you get for the price, ( i looked at other places for the same $$ and we would only have half the food) There are bathrooms upstairs if that is part of the decision (they say they will have an elevator but you never know)
Cons: for me the con was that it had that typical LI reception hall feel. (But the view won me over)
Brat143
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Re: Ladies that have looked at Chateau la mer...
We had looked at CLM but it just did'nt WOW me... Also becasue we were having a smaller wedding (130-140 pl) we would have to use the up-stairs room & I just did'nt feel warm there, we went with larkfield & we did'nt have to compromise on anything & they gave us more & at a cheaper price.
SummerBride10
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Re: Ladies that have looked at Chateau la mer...
After looking at it, I felt it was a great RH. I loved the room with the view- the huge windows overlooking the ocean was gorgous. The yacht arrival is very unique.
However, it just wasn't for me. I didnt like the outdoor CH. In the summer months it would be way too hot and buggy outside and in any other month it would be freezing by the water. The indoor CH room didnt impress me either. I felt for the price, $85-90 for a sat. afternoon Oct-Nov, we were not getting alot. I had visited other RHs that were giving us so much more for the same price or less.
CLM is a beautiful RH. When I first walked in, I was very impressed. The feel just wasnt right for me.
sophisticat13
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Re: Ladies that have looked at Chateau la mer...
I went to CLM and it was definitely one of the halls we considered because the view is beautiful, the food was good, and they give you a lot for your $$, especially if you are looking to book on a Sunday afternoon. Also I loved the fact that you come in for the reception on a boat-no other RH offers that and FH is a boater so he loved that! We chose not to go with them because of several reasons. One was the restrooms' location. Another was the bridal suite. I had seen several RHs before this one and I thought the one at CLM was pretty small and very ugly (I know, not the most important reason, but it is your day, and I was turned off...). Another was that they were about to begin renovations, but I wasn't sure what the upstairs room would look like and I didn't want to book a RH without knowing for sure what it would look like (there were no pictures or colors, so we had to visualize). The last reason was that I had been to Land's End and to a wedding at Land's End, and I lovvvvvvved it, and I thought the food was delicious. FH and I are very picky about food and it was one of the most important considerations for us when we started looking at RHs. I think you will 'know' when you have picked the right RH. It's just a feeling you will have (JMO!!) Good luck!!
ArmyOfBabies
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Re: Ladies that have looked at Chateau la mer...
Posted by eternitybride
additionally, because we would be a smaller party, we would have had the room upstairs, and the restrooms are on the lower level from what I could see, so people would have had to climb the stairs each time.
The bathrooms are in the hallway between the room and the bridal suite upstairs.
I got married there in the upstairs room. The view up there is amazing. My Maitre'd was THE BEST! His name is Matt. I love their food, the staff, the view.
The elevator is a big issue. Luckily, I didn't have an issue with anyone getting up the stairs, but if my uncle would have come to the wedding (he was in the hospital) then there would have been.
It really stinks since everything else there is so nice that the elevator is making couples opt to book elsewhere. They are all ready for it, but the town has not approved their permits yet.
The one secretary they have is so sweet and I talked to her so much that I invited her to my coctail hour and she came to see me and DH.
BeLissa
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Re: Ladies that have looked at Chateau la mer...
Thanks for the input!! FH likes its on the water aspect, and so do i. We are looking at next May so we would have the yacht arrival and hopefully be able to have an outside ceremony, because even though they redid the chapel it still feels like you are in someones basement and I am not a fan of the entrance to it at all (my opinion). The elevator aspect really isnt an issue for us since we will be using the downstairs room. What I do like about clm is its neutral color scheme (and they are getting new carpets fairly soon - they NEED them - and we saw the sample, its nice) and that it is on the water. Those are our 2 major criteria - so I guess my ? is, if I want something on the water with a neutral color scheme, what RH can I look at as a comparison?
amandamh23
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Re: Ladies that have looked at Chateau la mer...
we booked with them after a long battle with fh about it i wanted to be on the water and the view there is amazing. our concerns were the elevator factor and with the size of our wedding it was questionable on which room we would have but we decided to have a slightly bigger so we wouldnt have to worry about the elevator issue. my other concern is the ceremony room with coming in the side but our bm said that by this summer they should have the room set up so you come into the room from the back. other places that we looked at on the water were the rivera in massapequa and bridgeview yauht club. good luck on finding your hall
Jayla127
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Re: Ladies that have looked at Chateau la mer...
The CLM is a beautiful place. FH and I had went there when searching for a venue.
Pros:
Amazing Food! Love the yacht arrival
Cons:
Too far! Most of our guest are from Bklyn and we felt that it was too long of a ride for them
Jayla127
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Re: Ladies that have looked at Chateau la mer...
Posted by amandamh23
we booked with them after a long battle with fh about it i wanted to be on the water and the view there is amazing. our concerns were the elevator factor and with the size of our wedding it was questionable on which room we would have but we decided to have a slightly bigger so we wouldnt have to worry about the elevator issue. my other concern is the ceremony room with coming in the side but our bm said that by this summer they should have the room set up so you come into the room from the back. other places that we looked at on the water were the rivera in massapequa and bridgeview yauht club. good luck on finding your hall
Congrats!! on choosing your venue!! Great choice
BeLissa
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Re: Ladies that have looked at Chateau la mer...
see, when we were there today and saw the chapel and saw the 2 white doors in the back we asked if thats where the entrance would be from, but he said well, we are working on it, and hopefully it will work out etc.... it did not sound hopefull, and I really dont like the side/hang a left to walk down your aisle entrance. So, we are hoping for outside....
Also, after reading many CLM posts from past brides, it really bothers me that they have been telling people that they will be replacing the carpet since 2007. I work in property management and thats something that if one were to do takes less than a day - so whats the hold up?? It seems everyone has seen the sample, but so far its just been a lot of talk. I know it seems like in a year from now that should be all done, but I am sure the 07 brides felt the same way.... anyone have any solid info on that?
ace730
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Re: Ladies that have looked at Chateau la mer...
Here is my honest opinion:
FH and I went there and we liked the views and the interior but when we spoke to the manager, Nick, about customizing the menu or doing things a little differently, he was like 'No, this is how we do it here.' Other places that we spoke to were more than willing to work with us in that regards.
FH said that he felt like he was dealing with a car salesman.
One florist that I visited also said that she had a similiar experiences with them where the bride gave her picture of how she wanted the cake decorated and the manager at CLM argued with with the florist and said No, that isn't how we do things here.
Sorry if this makes anyone upset, but this was our experience.
