Pros/Cons Chateau La Mer vs. Riviera

Girls that had their weddings at these places or even looked at them, can you do a pro/con list for me for each/either?

Also can someone either post or FM me prices pp at both places for a Sat. afternoon or Sat. evening (July 2006).

Thanks so much!

We looked at both....

Riviera...
CONS
IMO the room was very dark and I didn't like the layout.

PROS-

Robert Jay seemed awesome and he would be there every step of the way.
Patio was really nice! Nice grounds. Nice view, on the water

Chateau La Mer...

CONS-

For us it was just too out of the way (not sure where you live) we are in Nassau. No grounds to walk around. Dance floor seemed small...maybe it was my perception because the ceiling was high (lower room)
PROS-

Beautiful view..on the water, Yacht Arrival, I could tell the service and food would have been good!

CLM was a very close second to the Swan Club.

Can't remember the prices...but we were looking for a Sunday...CLM seems like it was about 89 for a Saturday night???

I hope none of the CLM or Riviera Brides took offense to any of this these are just my opinions....They were both nice places

We just looked at Chateau La Mer...

PROS
very reasonably priced
under major renovation (all new for 06)
decent menu offering

CONS
The pier that it is on can get rowdy from boat goers and the neighborhood. May potentially interrupt outdoor festivities.

A friend of ours is getting married there, and they were a bit misleading on where they would be with renovations. She was under the impression most of it would be complete by her wedding next month. She asked me how the place looked, and I unfortunately had to tell her that they weren't done yet.

I only looked at Riviera

PROS:
Beautiful outdoor ceremony, CH site
Really homey feel to the room
Pretty fireplaes for winter.

CONS:
If the weather is bad, the indoor ceremony is in the main room on the dance floor
If the weather is bad, the CH room is really small and dark and really poorly laoid out, and it's also basically in the same room as the main dinner
The layout leaves people off in corners, isolated, or crowds the dance floor if you have a lot of people
one waiter per 2 tables

I went to see CLM and here are the prices I got for July 06'
Fri: 80 pp
Sat:100 pp
Sun: 70 pp

There are additional fees for Viennese: 20 pp!
Ice Sculpture: 300
Good Humore Ice cream wagon: 300
Candy Cart: 300
Chocolate Fountain: 1000
etc....

I originally wanted to have my reception here, but I to thought the dance floor a little tiny for the amount of people I was having. Although the yacht arrival is pretty cool:) The menu is the usual at most of catering halls...The staff is extremely polite and helpful. Talk to Nick, he's great.

My mom had her second wedding at the Riviera, and it was amazing. Recently we went back for a neighbors wedding, and it is even better than I remembered. I think sometimes it doesn't get a fair rep as a standout catering hall. I know their prices are reasonable, and for what you get it's worth it. Riviera= 1 affair at a time!

I looked at both and booked the Riviera
Riviera Pros--
It is beautiful
The people are great and accomodating
Food is good
You get a lot for your money
They may be expanding the cocktail hour room, so that is a plus
(keep in mind I am biased!)

Chateau La Mer--Cons
I thought the dance floor was way too small
If you are planning a summer wedding, the pier gets so crowded with fishermen and rowdy teenagers
Base price is low, but add- ons make it high (20 pp for viennese hour! )

All in all, it depends on what you like and what your taste is. CLM is more glitzy and modern, while the Riviera is more rustic and old fashioned. Personally, I prefer the latter, so that is why I picked it. Both are great deals and nice places, so good luck with your choice!

Chateau La mer


Pros

Beautiful main ballroom
Loved the Chairs
Nice Menu
Terrific price

Cons

No outside ground, primarily surrounded by parking lots

Blue Cocktail hour room, kinda Miami Vice...said they were updating it by 2006

Sorry did not look at the Riveria

We looked at both, liked both alot but in the end booked Chateau La Mer.

CLM Pros:
food- Tasting was great and I liked the number of choices that they give you- 4 entrees, appetizer and pasta course and guest's choice of salad.
Price- Friday night in May the base price was only $80.
Yacht Arrival-
Inside Cocktail Hour with option to use deck- I liked this because even if it rains you will still be outside.
Cons are smallish dance floor in the ballroom downstairs where we will be and the blue Cocktail hour room.

I've been to the Riviera for a couple of weddings and really like the room. It is actually more my taste than CLM but if it rains your CH is in a small room in the back of the main room so it isn't really separate and for both weddings I was at there were two tables on the dance floor. My FH loved CLM so in the end that is what we went with.

Either one is a great choice so Good Luck!

Ladies - don't mean to butt in on your post - but I just wanted to clarify some things about CLM since I got married there.
I was very concerned about people on the docks being rowdy during our ceremony. Nick told me that they are very quite when they see a wedding is taking place. I was skeptical, but it was true!! There were people LINED up on the docks watching our ceremony and standing out on the street behind the gazebo looking at us - they were so respectful - and since I got married on a summer sunday - it prob doesn't get much busier than that!

I didn't notice any pricing for the Rivera. We checked into it for May and June.

May Fri - $90
May Sat - $98
June Fri - $95
June Sat - $110

I really liked the Rivera. My parents got married there 30 yrs ago. I thought it would have been really special. However, we just had to many people. We are looking at 180. It would have been bad if it had rained - cause of the tiny indoor cocktail room and no real place to get married inside.

We ended up going with the Crescent Beach Club. A little more pricey. But we settled for a Friday in Ma. I think it offers more.

Hope this helps.

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Posted by mrswask

Ladies - don't mean to butt in on your post - but I just wanted to clarify some things about CLM since I got married there.
I was very concerned about people on the docks being rowdy during our ceremony. Nick told me that they are very quite when they see a wedding is taking place. I was skeptical, but it was true!! There were people LINED up on the docks watching our ceremony and standing out on the street behind the gazebo looking at us - they were so respectful - and since I got married on a summer Sunday - it prob doesn't get much busier than that!

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Thanks Micha! I was originally concerned about this and FH didn't want to book here because of that. But in the end, we wanted a wedding on the water and you run that risk anywhere. I am getting married on a Sunday morning so I'm hoping that any fishers will already be out on their boats and that people are in Church and not hanging on the docks. As long as they are quiet though, I don't mind them watching. Thanks for the reassurance.

my cons were the bridal suit was very small and they hold 2 events at a time although they scatter them by 2 hours

pros: FOOD, choices, yacht, inside/outdoor room, price, decor (I kinda like the blue lights lol) and the ballrooms are gorgeous, windows, water, staff