Everyone who works at the Riviera is devoted to helping our couples realize their wedding dreams come true.

“Everyone who works at the Riviera is devoted to helping our couples realize their wedding dreams come true.”

That’s exactly the dedication a passion you can expect from the Riviera and all who work there.

1.Tell us about some of the wedding packages you offer?

Our wedding package includes five hours of time; open bar; cocktail hour with eight hot dishes, two carved meats, passed hot hors d'oeuvres, and cold displays; appetizer; salad; sit-down or buffet dinner; viennese tables; four layer wedding cake; and floral centerpieces. Our prices range from 50-115$ per person (prices are based on day of the week and time of the year), and our minimum number of guests ranges from 100-150 people. We can also hold ceremonies on our premises, either outside in our scenic gazebo overlooking the Great South Bay, or inside in front of our cozy fireplace.

2. What makes your location unique and special?

Our location provides panoramic views of the Great South Bay, and contains luscious landscaping that will make photographs unforgettable. Our best attribute is by far the fact that we only offer one event at a time, so we really take the time to customize our package and our menu to the needs of our brides and grooms. The Rivera was originally built in the 1920s; the current owners are third generation owners of the Riviera--their grandparents purchased the establishment in the 1940s. Similar to the owners, the staff has worked here at the Riviera for many years, which adds to the family environment cultivated at the hall. Once booked, our brides and grooms are welcomed into the Riviera family.

3. Tell us why you decided to go into the wedding industry.

I actually grew up down the block from the Riviera- my friends and I used to go on walks in the neighborhood, and look at the Riviera- imagining what our weddings would one day be like- I always imagined that my own wedding would be held at the Riviera (and it was, in November 2007)! It was natural for me to begin working at the Riviera when I was in high school, and I slowly made my way from waitress to bridal attendant to batender, and after college, to maitre 'd and finally to banquet manager, so you can say that I am really familiar with all aspects of the hall and of the planning process, from both the bride's and the employee's perspective.This is an amazing career to have- there is nothing like helping brides and grooms prepare for one of the most important days of their lives.

4. Tell us about some of the most unique events you’ve hosted?

We have had the privilege of hosting many unique events here at the Riviera. Our most popular theme is certainly a beach theme, and some of our brides and grooms have really gone above and beyond: centerpieces with live fish in them, small lighthouses decorating our hall, palm trees (both live and plastic with lights) have graced our outdoor cocktail area. We had a bride do a Disney theme- all of the table numbers had different pictures of the bride and groom at different locations in the famous theme park; we had a fantastic Phantom of the Opera style introduction, with dry ice and red roses being tossed; another couple (who were big hockey fans) had their entire bridal party (including the bride and groom) enter wearing hockey jerseys supporting opposing teams. One Halloween, a bride and groom encouraged all of their guests to dress up in costume, and asked our staff to come in costume as well. We've also had Medieval themed events with bridal parties dressed in period clothing, we recently had a German wedding-the bridesmaids wore traditional German dresses, and ice sculptures crafted to look like beer steins decorated the cocktail hour. The great thing about the Riviera is that our hall is decorated with white lights above the dance floor and windows, and we have soft-colored floral displays played sporadically around the hall, so the bride and groom with more simple tastes will not have to add any decorations to our hall, yet the couple who would like to add more details can do so without worrying about their additions conflicting with the decorations already in place.

5. How would your describe your wedding day mission.

From the moment brides and grooms arrive at the Riviera to even after their party has ended, our staff is 100% focused on the event. Because there is only one party, our staff can see that every detail, from the set up of the tables to the placement of the slipper basket, is exactly as the bride and groom request it to be. Our brides and grooms can relax and enjoy their wedding day, and know that any and all details they specify will be taken care of..

6. How far in advance should a couple start looking for and book their catering hall?

It is difficult to give a specific formula for how far in advance a couple should book their hall. Generally, we find that brides and grooms book about a year or so in advance; if a couple has a very specific date in mind, the sooner they book, the better, as we can only have one event at a time, but if a couple is flexible with their date, a year to a year and a half is plenty of time to secure a date. We have booked and planned events in as little as two months!

7. How can you help couples 'customize' their special event?

After a couple books with us, we ask them what they imagine their wedding to look like- many brides and grooms are not sure yet about color schemes or themes- we encourage them to return to our hall as often as they'd like to see what the hall looks like set up with different decorations and colors. Once they know generally what they are looking for, our banquet managers can assist brides and grooms by passing along ideas from previous brides with similar themes/colors, as well as our own breadth of knowledge of weddings. We also have photo albums that show details that past couples have included in their wedding, from table linen combinations to creative place cards and centerpieces. We meet with brides and grooms about two months before their wedding to discuss the details that they are planning to incorporate in their reception, and to discuss floral arrangements, menu, and wedding cake. Our experienced banquet staff (who have been working at the Riviera for at least seven years, and three of whom have had their own weddings here) are happy to be as involved in the wedding planning process as our couples would like-we are all here to help make their day perfect!