Thread views: 10,173
Hey all!
I figured that I’d share my impressions of Chateau La Mer and North Ritz Club with you since it might come in handy to the ‘09ers who are searching.
**Warning** Though I started writing this with the intention of keeping it simple, I got a bit carried away so it’s kinda long! I couldn’t help it
![]()
… but I hope it’ll be helpful to someone!
I was SO excited to get a break from school to take a look at some halls with Mom and Dad (while FH is away). We had a great time!
So the plan, originally, was to visit NRC, CLM, WM and JT, but by the time we got to WM and drove into their lot (loved the peacocks), it was super crowded. So we decided to head home… assuming that we wouldn’t have been able to see the rooms since their evening weddings were starting and it’d be awkward touring amidst the affairs anyway.
North Ritz Club I LOVED this place! Amazing!
![]()
We met with Ida and she was the sweetest! She took her time giving us the tour and though there was a wedding going on, she handled everything incredibly well and we got to see all of the rooms (except the indoor ceremony area-which I don’t think I’ll need).
I must say, I was impressed.
Here are some things that stood out: -1 wedding at a time and the place has such a warm and welcoming feel!
-Elegance
-Renovations- everything looked new! The chairs definitely don’t need covers.
-Great outdoor area with pond, waterfall, and gazebo.
My Godson making silly faces!
The pond next to the ceremony area.
-Lots of photo ops.
-Incredible options! Variety of choices for everything from the food to the linens. They have everything!
-Great cocktail hour options. Outdoor with outside bar and nice room indoors. Also, they have electricity outside so frozen drinks, etc. can be prepared there as well
![]()
Part of the indoor cocktail hour room
-Super clean and large bathrooms (according to my parents).
-Bridal suite- It was a suite indeed! It was spacey, clean, and I think I even saw trays of food in there from the CH.
-Food- We passed through the indoor cocktail hour room after the guests all headed to the reception and there was food EVERYWHERE! They had a Mediterranean station set up as well and my mouth was watering! Ida even offered my Godson (he came along too) a seafood crepe! Too bad he didn’t know what it was so he ate a breadstick instead!
![]()
-No cake cutting fee if outside baker is used.
-4 bartenders and 1 waiter per table.
-Perfect dance floor (800 sq ft granite)
-Loved the vaulted ceiling above the dance floor!
-Lastly, great prices for what they offer:
Friday evening (summer of ‘09): $105pp;
Sat evening (summer of ‘09): $140pp
Summer afternoon: $85pp
Off season: Sat evening ’09 $95pp
Kids and vendors are ½ price.
House vendors eat free.
Full Viennese: $10pp; Touch of Viennese: $5pp
Chocolate Fountain ($600 for 2)
-Again, Ida. She really took her time, went through ALL of the details and made us feel so at home! When we went outside, she even offered to take pics of us! Such a nice lady and that made such an impression. We were there for about an hour ?
More NRC pictures:
Place card Table
Stairway
Dais
What didn’t I love? -Tasting is after booking- but I have no doubt that the food is superb. It looked and smelled SO good and I’ve read great reviews.
-Maitre’D fee: $3-5pp! That’d be $675-1125 for us… but I guess it’s no huge deal.
Chateau La Mer I’d been dreaming about this place since I was first engaged and fell in love with it even more when FH and I drove up there to the dock this summer and sat outside by the water! SO of course I was super excited to FINALLY get a tour!
When we got there it was so cool to see the bride and groom getting on the yacht for their arrival! The guests were all outside (braving the chilly October winds) cheering and waving when they arrived and it looked like so much fun!
We met with Lou. I was hoping we’d get Nick since I’d heard so many raves about him but anyway… Lou was cool. Cool but definitely not as warm and hospitable as Ida. We got turned around and were a few minutes late so I guess we might have messed up his schedule. We spoke for about 25-30 minutes and most of my questions were answered.
Here are some things that I loved: -Amazing view of the water! Lovely!
-Yacht arrival (weather permitting)- no extra charge.
-Food smelled and looked great!
-Large room on the main level with a wall of windows!
-Outdoor cocktail area with spacey indoor room to accommodate up to 200 seated.
-Great photo ops.
-Brand sparkling new indoor chapel (below lobby but has windows)
-In house vendors are free. Outside vendors 1/2 price.
-Kids 6-10 half price and free under 6 (Limited to 10 kids free)
-Good prices:
Friday evening (summer of ’09): $95pp
Saturday evening (summer of ’09): $120pp
Friday evening off peak: $85pp
Saturday evening off peak: $100pp
Saturday afternoon, off peak: $77.50pp
Maitre’D fee: only $300
Lastly, chocolate fountain ($750 for 3)
…and they offer tastings before booking.
Dais
Some things that I didn’t love: -The dance floor in the larger room was small (26x27) and a bit worn (wooden).
-The chairs might need covers... but hopefully they’d have new ones by ’09! I didn’t get a chance to ask about renovations.
-The bridal suite is rather small. Nice bathroom in there though.
-They only offer one color for the linens. The white looked good though.
-Only 2 bartenders! I guess we’d have to pay extra for more.
-Full Viennese hour is $15pp! But I’ve heard that it’s worth it!
-Mom, Dad and I agreed that we didn’t feel as welcomed and comfortable at CLM. I just didn’t get that “feeling”
![]()
I’m hoping that I’ll get a better impression when I return with FH.
Okay again, I hope the quotes and info will be helpful to those of you who are still searching. I went with a list of about 50 questions so feel free to FM me if you want MORE info?.
Good luck ladies! ![]()
