Full review of TWO Riverview weddings (super long but informative)

ZoeTheDog · May 2010

Yes that’s right, I went to two weddings at the Riverview this weekend! Ok partially true…we were only invited to one, but ironically my friend-from-Ohio’s cousin was holding his reception next to my best friend’s! FI & I snuck over a few times to say hi, but don’t worry, we didn’t eat or drink anything haha. Here it goes…

Make sure that your guests using GPS know that this is technically not in Simsbury - it’s in Weatogue!!!

The building itself is beautiful. The lobby is spacious and has great granite floors. One reception room is to the right and the other is directly to the left. The receptionist was cheery. The outdoor patios were well-manicured and spacious, even with four big tables and 6 chairs around each. Didn’t hurt that the weather was great!!

Two bars/bartenders going constantly, and the wait staff was pleasant and seemed happy to be there.

The cocktail food was FABULOUS. Baked brie, mac & cheese, spinach & artichoke dip, pitas, thai chicken, scallops & bacon, Chinese food station (orange chicken, fried rice, noodles, spring rolls, dumplings), hummus, and your standard cold veggies, cheese/crackers & fruit platters. There is no separate space though – the main dining section and dance floor were blocked off only by hanging drapes which the staff took down when the time came.

Appetizer courses were crab cakes and a strawberry/spinach salad. Those were both excellent. Unfortunately, the main course seemed like a step down. I had the salmon, which was over-cooked and too dry to finish. FI had the prime rib, which was good, but not great. The mashed potatoes and veggies were good though. The wine on the tables was some random Australian brand, but damn it was good! And I’m a wine snob!!

In both rooms, the dance floors are located in the corner. Not super convenient or conducive to encouraging people to dance but we had a good group and it was packed the whole night. The bride and groom sat at a sweetheart table placed toward the end of the dance floor.

The band at my buddy’s wedding was Heartbeat Dance Band. Apparently they have been rated on “Best of the Knot” a few times now. I remember the day he booked them – him and his then-FI came over our place for a bbq and we took FI’s laptop outside and listened to their stuff online. Frankly, I was expecting much more in person. I think they are a, “go big or go home” kind of situation and you really need the ENTIRE band there. They opted for the smaller six-piece group and it did not uphold what they have posted on their website.

The band at my friend’s cousin’s wedding next door was Hank Lane Music and Productions. They were FABULOUS!! I got a card from the leader at the end of the night (so I could review them for you ladies!) and they are based out of NYC and LI. Really, whatever they paid to get them all the way up to the middle-of-nowhere was worth it. We got to spend about 30 minutes straight listening to them at the end of that wedding and they were GREAT.

I have to say something about the photographer…because when my buddy booked them, I thought he was nuts. The name alone turned me off – Happy Haha Studios. The website isn’t great either. He told me he got them because they were really cheap, and my first thought was, “Well you’re going to get what you pay for.” Open mouth, insert foot. They were so attentive and very nice. They did table shots (I despise making guests do table shots!!) but they did it so quickly and efficiently, I almost forgot we did them at all! It was two gentleman, one photog with an assistant. He ended up taking so many shots that he had to set up his laptop in a far corner and start downloading pictures to get them off his camera! And he actually allowed guests to sit down and look at the shots so far!! One of the most impressive things was the technology – the camera he uses takes 16 shots every time he hits the button, so he can get the absolute PERFECT picture. A real value/diamond in the rough of photography vendors. www.www.happyhaha.com/">www.happyhaha.com/

Major Riverview sticking point – make sure you are the LAST party to leave. My buddy’s reception ended 30 minutes before the other wedding and the staff was literally taking half-full drinks away from us. Having worked at a catering hall for years, I know the drill, but for pete’s sake you have another party going on in the same building, so I know the staff isn’t leaving anytime soon! People were very put off by that. If you are having a wedding there, please address this because it was very obvious that we were getting kicked out. And on the flip side, when we went over to the other wedding to say good-bye to our friends, everyone’s drink was on the table, un-eaten cake was still down, and the staff was patiently waiting for the band to finish.

Other observations - We did pass Tower Ridge (someone was asking about this the other day). I paid special attention as we drove by and made FI slow down. My first impression was, “Oh nice!” But then, pulling up to the Riverview right after that made Tower Ridge seem run-down from the outside.

Simsbury Inn was providing shuttle service back and forth for any and all guests from either wedding. No one who was waiting had to wait long and the driver did not stay for the van to fill up, he just kept making trips. I thought that was a nice touch on their part. However, I do know that BOTH weddings had issues talking the Inn down to the eventual $150-a-night room rate. I guess it can get up as high as $250 there depending on the room?? Crazy. And you have to put down deposits per each room, which they will get back since the building sold out, but that’s not something you’re going to have to deal with at a normal hotel. It seemed like they take advantage of the fact that they are the closest (only) game in town.

Also spent some time at the Marriott in Farmington. We hung out at the bar there in between the ceremony and reception. Food was excellent! Too bad the bartender was a biiiitch and slow as anything (we were the ONLY people there…like 8 of us!!) but once she got some help it was better. Bottom line from those who stayed - the hotel itself was crazy-nice for a Marriott and they were all very happy, even though it was about 20 minutes from the Riverview. That rate was $79 a night.

If anyone has specific questions, feel free to PM me!

KellyJayD · May 2010

Sounds good pretty much the feel I got for it when we booked and went back to choose meals. Thanks for the tip on not being pushed out I will mention that lol. They gave us direction cards that luckily state on the top in bold use weatogue not simsbury so hopefuly people read that.
Sounds like you had a gret time. Thanks for the info!

Full review of TWO Riverview weddings (super long but informative)

Re: Full review of TWO Riverview weddings (super long but informative)

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