Riviera Brides

For those of you having the ceremony on-site, has anybody asked what is allowed in terms of 'post-ceremony throwables' (rice, rose petals, confetti, etc.)?

Past Riviera brides, what did you do?

We're trying to decide what we want to do and don't want to fall in love with an idea that we won't be allowed to execute.

Riviera Brides

I'm a Riviera bride but I'm not that far in the process yet :( are you working with Michelle? I feel like they would be easy going with your options! Do you mind if I FM you some questions? FH and I just booked Riviera on sunday!

Riviera Brides

YAY---Hall Twin!!

We are working with Michelle. And FM away! I'll be happy to answer anything I can. And if I can't answer a question, we're actually planning on a visit this weekend to make another payment, so I can ask for both of us then!

Riviera Brides

Hall Triplets - we booked with Riviera too. Are you thinking of having your ceremony inside or outside? I too think they would be pretty easy going. Feel free to FM me too - congrats, ladies!!!

Re: Riviera Brides

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Posted by ricciardi2013

Hall Triplets - we booked with Riviera too. Are you thinking of having your ceremony inside or outside? I too think they would be pretty easy going. Feel free to FM me too - congrats, ladies!!!

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You're exactly one week after me!! Funny that we're ALL August brides (just two different years).

Outside, weather permitting. Fingers are crossed!!

Riviera Brides

we are outside weather permitting because I really wanted the whole thing outside originally but in NY you can never be too sure of the weather! are either of you booked on a sunday? my contract says we can't arrive more than 30 minutes before the ceremony on the back but that cannot happen I'm hoping that's an old term!!!! also did you get any extras thrown in? I have no negotiating skills and they didn't add anything and I'm not sure if it's too late!

Re: Riviera Brides

We are on a Sunday. The BM told us the same thing about 30 minutes before, however, if there's no event scheduled before yours, you should be allowed to come earlier. That's what we were told, anyway. We're keeping our fingers crossed that nothing books in the AM...

We got them to throw in a mashed potato station and a chocolate fountain AND got them to bring down the per person price by a few dollars. She also would have lowered our minimum, but wouldn't do that AND lower the price, so we had to choose.

However, we did all this when we signed the contract. Not sure if they'll re-negotiate after the fact.

Good luck!

Riviera Brides

We are in the morning at 11:30am, so we can get in by 10am to Riviera.

They did lower the price per person for us, because we guaranteed 130 people. We'll be a lot more than that!

They threw in the champagne cart and chocolate fountain for us. The champagne cart starts 30 minutes prior to the ceremony and I indicated that on my invitation so that we could guarantee that our guests arrive for the ceremony and we start on time.

We're doing our ceremony inside, only because we have musical instruments that we are hooking up and need outlets.

FYI - for the rehearsal at the venue - they will guarantee that you can do it the Wednesday before the wedding, which seems really early to me. I asked them to put me down for Thursday and in the event that they book something that night, they will call me. I have a lot of out of town people in my bridal party and having it Wednesday is too early.

They are a family run business, so just be really nice and they will work with you. We are actually working with Mary there and she has been wonderful.

They also allowed us to do a tasting before we booked the contract. They will give you a little private room in which you can do the tasting, but it has to coincide with an event and you can only taste items that they have chosen for their menu.

Cheers!

Riviera Brides

Love to see other Riviera brides!!

My mom and FMIL really got The Riviera to give us a ton of stuff AND lower the pp price! We got filet mignon included, mashed potato bar, extra pasta station at CH and the chocolate fountain!

We are getting married at a church so I can't help with the ceremony, but good luck guys!! Looks like I will be the first one!

Riviera Brides

Yeah, I'm concerned with the rehearsal dinner, as well. A lot of my bridal party is from out of town and I just don't know if they'll be able to get here as early as Wednesday (or even Thursday). Plus, I'm working that whole week and likely can't get a single day off... UGH!!

I LOVE the idea of the champagne cart. Hopefully nothing books in the morning on our date and I can get them to throw that in for us...

We did the tasting, too! They even let us bring my folks and FH's kids!

Riviera Brides

How do they work out the tax & service charges at the Riviera? I saw something on their website that said the Matire D and wait staff gets a $4-$7pp gratuity. Is that on top of tax and the service charge?

Re: Riviera Brides

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Posted by saxtrevNmeg

Yeah, I'm concerned with the rehearsal dinner, as well. A lot of my bridal party is from out of town and I just don't know if they'll be able to get here as early as Wednesday (or even Thursday). Plus, I'm working that whole week and likely can't get a single day off... UGH!!

I LOVE the idea of the champagne cart. Hopefully nothing books in the morning on our date and I can get them to throw that in for us...

We did the tasting, too! They even let us bring my folks and FH's kids!

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i thought riviera always does champagne cart? that's where i first saw it and what made me add it to my MUST HAVE list when we were looking at venues!

Riviera Brides

Also does anyone know if they still offer flowers in their package? I heard they give you centerpieces..maybe for the cocktail hour or something? Not sure if they still do this.

Re: Riviera Brides

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Posted by xoxlilqtexox1

How do they work out the tax & service charges at the Riviera? I saw something on their website that said the Matire D and wait staff gets a $4-$7pp gratuity. Is that on top of tax and the service charge?

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The gratuity is on top of the service charge but is at your discretion. That is the way it goes at all venues.

They do offer centerpieces still. I think it is 7 (?) roses in a vase but you can definitely upgrade. We are opting to get petals instead because we are using candelabras as our centerpieces.

Re: Riviera Brides

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Posted by lauren1802

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Posted by saxtrevNmeg

Yeah, I'm concerned with the rehearsal dinner, as well. A lot of my bridal party is from out of town and I just don't know if they'll be able to get here as early as Wednesday (or even Thursday). Plus, I'm working that whole week and likely can't get a single day off... UGH!!

I LOVE the idea of the champagne cart. Hopefully nothing books in the morning on our date and I can get them to throw that in for us...

We did the tasting, too! They even let us bring my folks and FH's kids!

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i thought riviera always does champagne cart? that's where i first saw it and what made me add it to my MUST HAVE list when we were looking at venues!

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I don't think it is standard because if wasn't included with our deal but it may be an extra that they offer.

Riviera Brides

Good to know! Thank you! :)

Riviera Brides

I think the champagne cart is an 'add on'/extra service, but they will throw it in if you ask. Tim's Florist does their flowers. They provide 7 roses in the center of the table if you want. We are using them as our florist and she added those into my centerpieces at no charge - they are wonderful and easy to work with. It's like having your Aunt do your flowers - they're wonderful and caring. She also threw in some extra items as we were discussing flowers.

Riviera Brides

We go to pick out the menu next Thurs! Was there anything that really stuck out? I went for a tasting 5 months ago and am drawing blanks!

Riviera Brides

Thanks for the info!

Riviera Brides

Thanks for the info!