Updated! RH Help - CLM vs The Riviera?

Hey girls! I'm in need of some advice bc I am stressing. Here is my dilemma (This might be long but I will try to keep it short - sorry!)

FH and I narrowed it down right away between Chateau La Mer and The Riviera of Massapequa. I thought this would make the decision easier but it has not.

We went to the Riviera for a wedding last year. The food was AMAZING IMO. We liked the location on the water and the service. I went to talk to them but got called back to work so I had to rush but they gave me a great price off the bat and I am confident that they will throw in all the extras I want because everyone I spoke to said they got what I wanted thrown in. Their price so far is $5 less than CLM and they do one wedding at a time. However, its not that I don't like the look of Riviera its okay but its wood and rustic and dark which isn't really my thing, I'm not crazy about the look even outside bc I felt it is not as well upkept. I'm also afraid 150-175 people will be too tight. Also I really want uplighting does anyone have pics of Riviera with uplighting?

Then there's CLM, I've had my heart set on CLM because I love the look. Mostly white and pics I've seen of weddings there are gorgeous. I have not ben to a unction there. I love the palm trees and yacht arrival. So we went to a food tasting Wednesday but honestly we weren't that impressed. Not that it was bad but we remember Riviera's food being amazing but I've heard many people say CLM's food was amazing. Maybe it was because we ate the fish and we aren't really fish people? Idk but its a bit more expensive, they do 2 functions at a time, and I'm not sure if they will give me all my throw ins that I want.. But I love CLM I just feel like there are so many factors in Riviera's favor.

What should I do?


Update - My sister and I went to Riviera today and found that the price was actually a little higher than CLM and althoug riniera is so nice and there are many perks she made me realize that CLM is what I really want and its what I should pick but FH likes looking at halls so we are gonna see a few more places.... and prob book CLM! Yay!

Honestly, if the Riviera isn't 'your' type of place, then don't have it there. Go for something you REALLY love! I personally was going for the rustic look and it worked for me, but if its not your taste then don't settle!

And my mom went to a wedding at CLM last year and loved the food! I've heard really great things about them! I always say go with your gut and if you really really love CLM, then it may be worth the extra $5 a head. JMO though

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Posted by Chanwich

Honestly, if the Riviera isn't 'your' type of place, then don't have it there. Go for something you REALLY love! I personally was going for the rustic look and it worked for me, but if its not your taste then don't settle!

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agreed. The main reason FH and I chose the Riviera was because we loved that rustic look and the fact that is was more toned down than your average wedding hall, as far as the decor. If this is not the look you are going for, that definitely go CLM.

I do feel like you get a lot for your money at the Riviera though and they threw in so many extras for us without a fight - FH and I have been nothing but satisfied with them since day one. And the food is delish!

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Posted by FutureJOC

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Posted by Chanwich

Honestly, if the Riviera isn't 'your' type of place, then don't have it there. Go for something you REALLY love! I personally was going for the rustic look and it worked for me, but if its not your taste then don't settle!

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agreed. The main reason FH and I chose the Riviera was because we loved that rustic look and the fact that is was more toned down than your average wedding hall, as far as the decor. If this is not the look you are going for, that definitely go CLM.

I do feel like you get a lot for your money at the Riviera though and they threw in so many extras for us without a fight - FH and I have been nothing but satisfied with them since day one. And the food is delish!

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ITA, thats what DH and I choose the riviera. if thats not what you are looking for then dont have there, you will always secind guess what you guys choose.

as for the size at the riviera we 165 and that was perfect! i wouldnt go any bigger than that. they also through in a bunch of stuff for us. i dont know how CLM is, but i persoanlly think that should be your choice.

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Posted by CaseyCase

FH and I narrowed it down right away between Chateau La Mer and The Riviera of Massapequa.

What should I do?

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it seems like you'll be sacrificing *something* with whichever place you decide on (or to put it in the positive - both places will offer you something that you really want... whether it's the value, the decor, the food, or the one-wedding-at-a-time).

what would you say is top on your list for what you want in a venue? if it's the style/decor - then it sounds like CLM is the way to go. if it's value and food - then maybe you'd want the riviera. then again, maybe you can negotiate more with CLM... for all you know, they may work with you more than you think.

for me - i felt strongly about wanting one wedding at a time while also not breaking the bank. so i ended up going with the riviera, even though i cannot stand the sight of those chairs in the cocktail room. totally not my taste. but for me, it's worth having chairs that i personally don't like, so that i could have the whole place to myself at a reasonably affordable price. i think it's all about prioritizing what you want, and making sure that you get the thing(s) that are most important to you.

keep us posted on how you make out! btw, once you select your venue, you'll likely find that you focus on what you love about the place, and not what you don't like (if that makes sense??)

You have to figure out what is most important to you. You are going to have to sacrifice something whichever one you pick. They are both great places, so I dont think you can wrong with either.

I am bias and prefer CLM. I like that look better. Remember, it might rain on your day and you wont have the outside CH, so pick the place with the inside decor that you like best and food. CLM's food is amazing. Everyone raved about it and a lot of people got second entrees. I thought the food was fabulous,. and better than the food tasting.

You're going to second guess yourself no matter what you pick. We all do it. Go with your gut though. Make a list of what is MOST important to you. Talk to Nick at CLM about making pp less or adding some things. They work with you.

And about the one wedding at a time, we had no clue there was a nother wedding going upstairs. Never saw a guest or bride or groom

Good luck!

I agree with everyone here.

We picked the Riviera because we liked the rustic/homey feel. If you like more of the white moulding, crystal look, then CLM is your place. I've never eaten there myself, but have heard nothing but good things.

Figure out how much more $$$ it really is. I don't know your budget, but ours is pretty tight and based on mine, if it was up to $4k more to have it where I LOVED, I'd make it happen.

On the other hand, if you love the Rivieras food (by the way YUMMM) and price, maybe you can add a little something to change the decor. Some drapery? w/up lighting? Chair covers?

We are getting chair covers in the main room and up lighting in a candle light color for the entire wall opposite the window wall.

You have to go with your heart - where do you see yourself being announced and walking into as Mr & Mrs? - that's your place

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Posted by FutureJOC

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Posted by Chanwich

Honestly, if the Riviera isn't 'your' type of place, then don't have it there. Go for something you REALLY love! I personally was going for the rustic look and it worked for me, but if its not your taste then don't settle!

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agreed. The main reason FH and I chose the Riviera was because we loved that rustic look and the fact that is was more toned down than your average wedding hall, as far as the decor. If this is not the look you are going for, that definitely go CLM.

I do feel like you get a lot for your money at the Riviera though and they threw in so many extras for us without a fight - FH and I have been nothing but satisfied with them since day one. And the food is delish!

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ITA.... FH and I wanted the Riviera for its rustic feel and the fireplaces... we felt it was like inviting people into a home, not a hall...

But while I'd recommend this place hands down, if its not your style, you wont be happy with it...