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J
Devoted April 2020

Inexpensive St. Louis Area Venues

J, on November 27, 2018 at 3:44 PM Posted in Missouri Planning 0 12

Hello fellow brides & grooms! I'm looking for advice on an inexpensive St. Louis area venue. It feels like I have searched and contacted every single option only to find out that for the venue, food, alcohol, and other basic venue-related-items, everything is about $13,000 - $16,000 minimum...which is my entire budget. Our guest list is about 150 (give or take), we are looking for late March-early May 2020 (and will try to stick with off seasons). My issues are the following:

- All of my relatives are from CA and NJ and all need to travel so there can't be a risk of snow and a venue has to be no less than an hour from the St. Louis airport.

- We are not religious so we will not be getting married in a church and would like to find a place where we can host the reception and ceremony

- I really don't like banquet halls or hotels. I love the industrial/simple look and I would be okay with a barn wedding (but not my first choice). We really wanted to get married at a brewery but Anheuser-Busch was way too expensive and the other breweries we've found are too small.

- We are open to a winery but he hates wine and I don't want to get married somewhere that isn't "us" for lack of a better term.

- I'd prefer an indoor reception & ceremony. I wouldn't be against an outdoor ceremony but Midwest weather is way too unpredictable for me.


Some of the ones we've already contacted that don't work are The Venue at Maison du Lac, The Willow & The Slate, The McPherson, Schlafly Taproom, Moulin Events, Windows on Washington, The Caramel Room, WOW Events, and a couple more that I can't remember the name at the moment.


Thank you to everyone who answers! Smiley heart


Also, it doesn't have to be in St. Louis - just the greater St. Louis area (even on the IL side is great), I just need it in a decent proximity to the airport.

12 Comments

Latest activity by Laura, on September 21, 2021 at 10:13 PM
  • Anne
    Master April 2017
    Anne ·
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    Hmmm it's gonna be hard to find a venue that comes to under $100 per person for everything, so I would try to cut the guest list a bit. That's the most effective way to reduce cost.

    Otherwise, you may have to compromise on your vision in order to find a venue that meets your budget. Banquet halls and hotels are usually more all inclusive and can be more economical because of that.

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  • Nisa
    Super March 2019
    Nisa ·
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    Hey, fellow STL bride!

    So it is doable to have it come in at under $100 per person for everything in the STL area. But it depends on what you're willing to give up on. It looks like you've looked at a lot of venues in the City, which is great, but they are really expensive. I kind of had the same vision as you originally but I compromised because we are on such a tight budget.

    My venue is at Quail Ridge Lodge. It's a county owned property, so it was about $800 for us (I think it's up to $1000 now) and they have a gazebo outside and a huge lodge for an indoor reception. I have seen people get married indoors, because the windows are MASSIVE so this might be an option for you. But you seem to have more of an industrial kind of vibe, so maybe keep this one in the back of your mind. The great thing about my venue is that you can do it all yourself. You're paying for the space, tables, and chairs. How you want to decorate and what vendors you want to use are completely up to you.

    The first place I thought of was Foundry Art Centre in St. Charles. It's $3500, and they do have preferred caterers, so that's maybe one downside, but there aren't any food and beverage minimums which can help keep costs down. It's an art gallery, so not quite as industrial, but still something very different that I think you would like. Also, I've eaten food from all their preferred caterers and it's delicious.

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  • C
    Savvy June 2020
    Claire ·
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    Two other places that might be worth looking into if you like the loft/industrial feel are Lumen and Neo on Locust. I'm not positive if they'd fit with your budget, but the vibe is definitely similar to what you're describing and I know you can do both ceremony and reception there! I've been to weddings at both and they are beautiful. I know that Neo also lets you choose from a list of caterers, so you may be able to find a more reasonably priced option there. Other venues I've heard awesome things about and that seem to match your vibe are Third Degree Glass Factory and the Boo Cat Club.

    Since you were interested in AB, another place that you might look into (again, not positive about the budget!) is Das Bevo, the windmill/biergarten in South City. It looks like it has space for 115 guests, so maybe that wouldn't work for you... but just wanted to throw out another option!

    Hope this helps a little! I definitely know the struggle... I'm planning a wedding in STL and went through the venue search earlier this year!

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  • Maren
    Champion October 2021
    Maren ·
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    Hi Jordynn! You received some great feedback and recommendations here in this thread! Many sound like they are worth checking out or giving a call, for sure! Like Anissa mentioned, it's possible but budgeting will be key. Smiley heart

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  • Tylar
    Savvy February 2022
    Tylar ·
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    Hi Jordynn!

    I'm in Colorado now but grew up in St. Louis, so I'm excited to be able to throw my 2 cents in about some venues!

    I think Four Hands Brewery might be the vibe you're going for and the pricing I'm seeing is based on a 150 person minimum, so they should be able to accommodate your numbers. Plus, the venue pricing is awesome and the catering options are top notch.

    I'd also check out Casa Loma Ballroom, 612North, Mad Art Gallery, and Third Degree Glass Factory. All have that sort of exposed beams, brick wall kind of feel and do weddings. Third Degree is particularly affordable and they offer some really unique add-ons (like glass blowing and fire spinning) if you're into that.

    Good luck!


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  • Autumn
    Dedicated September 2019
    Autumn ·
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    Hi! I am getting married at the Wyman Center in eureka mo. It’s aboht 40 mins from the airport depending on the route you take. But it’s not quite the look you wanted. It’s definitely a rustic look. The reasons I suggested it is because it’s not the usual venue and so is cheaper. I know someone mentioned the quail lodge which I thought about as well but they were pretty booked up for the times I wanted. So the Wyman Center has a 3200 min, and that’s it. It’s $35 a head, and you can bring your own home baked desserts and alcohol. It might be a little tight for 150 guests but doable. There are no taxes or hidden fees. Also there are cabins you can rent with tons of bunks for only $60 a cabin. I am renting one for people who drink too much and can’t drive but they would be good for out of town guests who don’t mind the camp feel.

    Inexpensive St. Louis Area Venues 1
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  • Dachelle
    Dedicated June 2022
    Dachelle ·
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    Our wedding budget is 10K, we decided on the Magic House and we're renting one wing and having the ceremony outside. They have a list of approved vendors and seat 150, we'll be able to come in at budget or under. We had the same problem, my FH did not want to spend any money and wanted to get married at the court house. I wanted a big princess wedding but we've compromised to do a simple ceremony in a really fun place. I really hope you find a place that you love!

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  • Lori
    Savvy January 2020
    Lori ·
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    Nisa is spot on with Quail Ridge lodge in Wentzville. We went to a wedding there in September and it was absolutely beautiful. They had both the ceremony and reception there.

    We personally decided with Tapawingo National Golf Club in Sunset Hills. Their staff is amazing and they are priced reasonably - especially if you pick off season.

    Another idea is WOW furnishings and events center in Alton, IL. We didn’t go look at them but they are a beautiful venue.
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  • Carol
    Dedicated June 2020
    Carol ·
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    Quail Ridge is an Amazing Venue. It was my first choice for us. However, FH wanted something that didnt require so much work and organization. So we went with Waters Edge in St Peters. It is a brand new Venue and would be worth taking a look at. Our Budget is 15000.00

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  • M
    Just Said Yes October 2020
    Marissa ·
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    Fox Run Golf club in Eureka is fairly cheap! They are catered through Andre’s and they do both ceremony and reception.
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  • Dierdra
    Super August 2021
    Dierdra ·
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    We are having ours at Innsbrook Resort! Love the vibe and great price!
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  • Laura
    Super September 2020
    Laura ·
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    I loved the look and vibe of 3rd Degree Glass factory - but be sure to visit that part of the city before thinking you've found the one. As we all know, just a block or 2 can make a big difference in the area and I haven't driven it recently. Hotels with rooftop spaces would work too - perhaps. In IL, I would try Old Bakery Beer in Alton, IL - if that's close enough and holds enough people (this could be too rustic). But, they are ideas. Smiley smile

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