So, you’re planning a wedding in St. Louis and are on a tight budget? First of all, congratulations on your engagement! Now comes the fun part, which is planning a wedding that isn’t going to break the bank.
There are several ways to save money on a wedding, including bringing in your own caterer, alcohol, decorations, and party favors.
According to the Wedding Report, in 2021 the average cost of a wedding in the greater St. Louis metropolitan area was $25,164. But don’t let that statistic scare you from planning the wedding of your dreams.
There are a ton of affordable wedding venues in St. Louis that are awesome. Here is our list of the top 10 affordable wedding venues in the St. Louis area!
Lost Hill Lake Events
Looking for an affordable weekend destination wedding complete with glamping? If so, check out Lost Lake Hill Events.
Located in St. Clair, Missouri on 3.5 acres beside the Meramec River in a 50-year-old walnut tree grove, this venue is fantastic! There are breathtaking views of Lost Hill Lake and lush gardens.
The spot for your ceremony at Lost Hill Lake Events is their private Walnut Grove with black walnut trees providing lots of shade for you and your guests.
There are 2 pavilions that have views of the river and Walnut Grove. The big one is perfect for dinner and dancing, and the smaller one is a space for a bar, buffet, and dessert table. You can also choose to have part or all of your wedding in The Chapel tented area. There are so many choices to choose from at this romantic property.
Starting cost: $2,000
Capacity: Up to 250 seated guests
Bonus: Lost Hill Lake Events is a family-owned business and understands how to help couples save money on their wedding without cutting any major corners to ensure your big weekend is memorable.
Find Lost Hill Lake Events at Lost Hill Lake Events or check out Facebook or Instagram.
St. Louis Carousel
Do you and your fiance love to play and have the heart of a child? The historic St. Louis Carousel is available to rent for wedding parties!
Built-in 1921 and located in Faust Park, the St. Louis Carousel is 100 years old and exudes fun!
The St. Louis Carousel offers both indoor and outdoor spaces for your wedding. An outdoor patio with an arbor and chairs is in a park-like setting and can hold up to 350 guests.
If you are wanting an indoor/outdoor space, the Gallery Room is 2,400 square feet and has a large wrap-around patio. When you rent the venue at the St. Louis Carousel, you choose an allotted time where you and your guests get the famous carousel all to yourself!
Starting cost: $1,400
Capacity: Up to 3500 seated guests
Bonus: Think of the unique photos your wedding photographer can capture of you and your guests as they play on the carousel! How fun!
Find The St. Louis Carousel at The St. Louis Carousel or check out Facebook.
Atelier 1879
With the rise in popularity of micro weddings, we have to include Atelier 1879 on our list. Located in historic Benton Park, Atelier 1879 is one of the most unique wedding venues in all of St. Louis.
There are both indoor and outdoor spaces filled with antiques, and the overall vibe is eclectic and industrial, yet classy.
The total venue is 3,200 square feet and has a large open space with a bar and 3 other smaller spaces. Outside there is a small patio with a fire pit.
Atelier 1879 also provides photo props that include: 1976 Porsche 911, 1969 BMW 2002, and 1979 BMW R75 Café racer for one-of-a-kind photo opportunities.
Starting cost: $1,000
Capacity: Up to 25 seated guests
Bonus: Atelier 1879 has a baby grand piano that can be played for your ceremony and/or reception.
Find Atelier 1879 at Atelier 1879 or check out Facebook or Instagram.
The Magic House
Another venue that is sure to bring out your inner child is The Magic House. Part of the St. Louis Children’s Museum, there are over 50,000 square feet to choose from with both indoor and outdoor spaces. Guests will love all the interactive museum exhibits and imagine all the fun photo opportunities!
If you are wanting an outside venue, there is a Victorian Pavilion with a nature play exhibit and a sculpture garden. You can also choose the Whitaker Theater and Children’s Village to dine, dance, and enjoy an evening of fun.
Mary’s Garden can be added to any of the indoor venues for an outdoor space with lush gardens, 3 patios, and a wrap-around porch. The Grand Hall and the North and South Wings are available for indoor spots.
Starting cost: $1,600
Capacity: Up to 200 seated guests
Bonus: The Magic House can help customize your wedding to fit your size and budget as most of the spaces can be rented separately or mix-and-matched.
Find The Magic House at The Magic House or check out Facebook or Instagram.
The Schlafly Tap Room
Looking for a smaller venue in the heart of St. Louis that is super charming yet affordable? The Schlafly Tap Room is located in a historic building in downtown St. Louis and has large windows offering amazing views of the city. The overall vibe is industrial with original exposed brick.
The Club Room at the Schlafly Tap Room is 3,400 square feet. Guests can sample the tap beer while socializing in this laid-back space.
Some of the other perks of the venue include dimmers for the lights, a wireless microphone, a screen and projector, and a sound system, as well as an outdoor balcony overlooking the beer garden.
Starting cost: $2,500
Capacity: Up to 156 seated guests
Bonus: When you contact the Schlafly Tap Room, be sure to ask what movie was filmed in front of the building!
Find The Schlafly Tap Room at The Schlafly Tap Room or check out Facebook or Instagram.
The Little Bevo
The Little Bevo is another historic space in the heart of St. Louis. Built-in 1924 for the Busch Family, the building exudes character and has a rich history.
Completely renovated, The Little Bevo is still a blank slate where the wedding staff can make any wedding vision into a reality.
The Little Bevo has a total of 6,900 square feet with terrazzo floors, stained glass windows, exposed wood ceilings, and a grand staircase.
The main level has 2 rooms and there is a ballroom on the lower level. The Haus Halle can hold up to 200 guests and the Bevy Bar can hold 50 guests for a smaller, more intimate wedding.
Starting cost: $1,500
Capacity: Up to 200 seated guests
Bonus: The Laugerhaus Speakeasy can be used as a wedding party suite and there is also a loft apartment that you and your new hubby or wife can stay in for your honeymoon.
Find The Little Bevo at The Little Bevo or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Little Piney
If you’ve always dreamed of a rustic yet luxurious outdoor wedding spot in St. Louis, then definitely check out Little Piney.
Located outside of St. Louis in Hermann wine country, this private estate can be yours for the entire weekend with onsite lodging. Set on a wooded lake, Little Piney is the ultimate venue for your country weekend destination wedding.
Little Piney has multiple outdoor and indoor spaces to choose from for your ceremony and reception. There is a beautiful gazebo right on the lake and an outdoor pavilion.
If you prefer indoors, the Fest Room can be customized to create your dream wedding vision into a reality. Little Piney offers affordable weekend packages that give you and your guests access to the property all weekend, including lodging for up to 12 people.
Starting cost: $3,800
Capacity: Up to 200 seated guests
Bonus: Little Piney allows you to bring your own alcohol to help you save money and stay on budget while making a memorable celebration.
Find Little Piney at Little Piney or check out Facebook or Instagram.
The Lemp Mansion
Are you and your fiance fans of paranormal reality shows such as Ghost Hunters? If so, The Lemp Mansion may be your perfect venue.
With plenty of antiques and stained glass windows, the Lemp Mansion is believed to be haunted and was selected as one of CNNTravel’s “10 Spookiest Buildings in the World”.
The Lemp Mansion offers several different venue options for your big day. The Patio and Gazebo is a gorgeous garden setting and the gazebo itself is the largest private gazebo in all of St. Louis.
The Grand Hall is indoors with a large bar, original hardwood floors, and an attached deck. The Lemp Loft was once the hayloft for the Lemp Breweries’ horses and is available for a smaller, more intimate wedding.
In addition, you can spend the night in one of the 4 historic suites that were once occupied by the Lemp family.
Starting cost: $1,000
Capacity: Up to 275 seated guests
Bonus: You and your guests can schedule a private Haunted History Tour or hunt for paranormal activity with the Lemp Experience Tour. Definitely a unique wedding experience that your guests will remember for years to come!
Find The Lemp Mansion at The Lemp Mansion or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Villa Antonio Winery
Dreaming of an Italian wedding at a winery, but can’t afford the plane tickets? Villa Antonio Winery is located 30 miles south of St. Louis in a small town called Hillsboro. With views of a lake and the surrounding vineyards, this venue is absolutely stunning.
Villa Antonio Winery has four different spaces where you can choose to have your ceremony and reception. For an outdoor wedding, there is a 300-person cathedral-style tent overlooking the lake.
There is also the Four Seasons Room with an attached deck with a grape arbor and a stone patio with a vibe of old Italy. Of course, you have to try the Italian-inspired wines from the on-site vineyard!
Starting cost: $1,500
Capacity: Up to 325 seated guests
Bonus: The wedding experts at the Villa Antonio Winery are there to help you stay within your budget and offer several all-inclusive packages which include catering, china, event coordination and staff, and more.
Find The Villa Antonio Winery at The Villa Antonio Winery or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Magnolia Hotel St. Louis
Dreaming of a chic and sophisticated venue with an urban vibe? If so, The Magnolia Hotel may be your dream come true!
Originally built in 1925 and named the Mayfair Hotel, the Magnolia Hotel has a rich and fascinating history. Some of the famous guests at the original hotel include Cary Grant, John Barrymore, and President Truman.
Completely renovated in 2014, this boutique hotel exudes charm and character with chandeliers and hardwood floors.
The Magnolia Hotel St. Louis offers more than 8,000 square feet of event space. The Magnolia Ballroom can seat up to 200 guests and there are smaller spaces for a more intimate affair.
The hotel itself has 182 guest rooms so out-of-town guests can spend the weekend. And the best part? The price! The Magnolia Hotel has several affordable wedding packages for your big day!
Starting cost: $1,500
Capacity: Up to 200 seated guests
Bonus: When you rent the venue at the Magnolia Hotel for your wedding, you and your new spouse are treated to a complimentary honeymoon suite at the hotel!
Find The Magnolia Hotel St. Louis at The Magnolia Hotel St. Louis or check out Facebook or Instagram.
