Ceremony Venues

nrriordan

Hi! My fiance and just got engaged and are completely clueless when it comes to planning our big event. We decided our first decision should be where to hold the wedding and reception. I'm all googled out and still have no clue where we should get married.

I am Catholic and my fiance is Baptist.  Neither of us are practicing our faith and have decided not to have our ceremony at either of our parents' churches. With that in mind, we would still like our marriage to take place in the eyes of God. We are not sure if that means in a different, non-denomentational church, in a chapel, or [inset idea we haven't thought of here].

Neither of us are big on the outdoor ceremony because we are planning our wedding in the summer and don't like the idea of a 100 degree wedding.

Another important detail is that we currently have a list of 250 people who will be invited to the wedding.

Given all of that, does anyone have any ideas for a cemeony location for us?? Price is not really a concern. Ideally, we would like a venue that could also serve as a reception venue.  

Thank you St. Louisans for your help!

maryandkirk0909

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_missouri-st-louis_ceremony-venues?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:87Discussion:f1470296-b5b6-463d-b597-d8ec77646b22Post:e43168f3-f505-47f6-8896-42872a819e13">Ceremony Venues</a>:
[QUOTE]Hi! My fiance and just got engaged and are completely clueless when it comes to planning our big event. We decided our first decision should be where to hold the wedding and reception. I'm all googled out and still have no clue where we should get married. I am <strong>Catholic and my fiance is Baptist.  Neither of us are practicing our faith and have decided not to have our ceremony at either of our parents' churches. With that in mind, we would still like our marriage to take place in the eyes of God.</strong> We are not sure if that means in a different, non-denomentational church, in a chapel, or [inset idea we haven't thought of here]. Neither of us are big on the outdoor ceremony because we are planning our wedding in the summer and don't like the idea of a 100 degree wedding. Another important detail is that we currently have a list of 250 people who will be invited to the wedding. Given all of that, does anyone have any ideas for a cemeony location for us?? Price is not really a concern. Ideally, we would like a venue that could also serve as a reception venue.   Thank you St. Louisans for your help!
Posted by nrriordan[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>This was exactly us.  He's Baptist, I'm Catholic, we ended up using Rev. Doug Robinson who is a minister and he customized a Christian ceremony for us.  So, that should at least maybe serve as a starting point for an officiant.  I'd recommend booking early- he is very very popular.</div><div>
</div><div><a href="http://www.withthisring-stl.com/index.html">http://www.withthisring-stl.com/index.html</a></div><div>
</div><div>We got married at the Orpheum Theater downtown.  It was fun, unique and really cool.  Our wedding was smaller than yours- 175ish, and we had more than enough room.  We got married on stage with guests in the mezzanine and balconies, and then their staff closed the curtain and turned the stage into a dance floor while we ate on the tiered floor levels.  </div><div>
If I didn't have a significant concern for budget, I would have gotten married at the Chase Park Plaza- they have a couple of ballrooms and an outdoor space that can all be used for ceremonies, receptions, etc., so you could do everything there.  </div><div>
</div>

knottiecf0ef50555358e75

Hermann Hill is beautiful and can accomodate up to 250 people. Have you checked it out?

http://www.hermannmoweddings.com/

shopgrl3177

We're having our ceremony and reception at Villa Marie Winery in Maryville, IL (about 20 minutes from downtown).  You can either get married inside or outside and the room is beautiful!  http://www.thevillamariewinery.com/wedding.htm
We are inviting 300 people.  Good luck and have fun!

nrriordan

Thank you so much for all of your help everyone! These are all great ideas...I will definitely be looking all of them over with my fiance!

We also heard that UMSL has a pretty big, nice chapel. Has anyone heard anything about weddings in this venue?

maryandkirk0909

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_missouri-st-louis_ceremony-venues?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:87Discussion:f1470296-b5b6-463d-b597-d8ec77646b22Post:672faa2e-7d5d-44bc-9874-c30d09c587d5">Re: Ceremony Venues</a>:
[QUOTE]We also heard that UMSL has a pretty big, nice chapel. Has anyone heard anything about weddings in this venue?
Posted by nrriordan[/QUOTE]

<div>They do, and it is near the airport, but there aren't many reception venues I'd want to use nearby!</div>

Loadtoadang

We are in the process of booking our wedding/reception at the Double Tree Hotel in Chesterfield.  They have a tented pavillion in the back, but even though it's a tent it is heated and air conditioned.

we are having both our reception and ceremony in that room.  The coordinator has agreed to change the room over from ceremony to reception while we are out taking pictures around St. Louis

SLUmagpie

My bestie had her reception at that Doubletree in 2004 and it was fantastic!  It even has a hard floor (wooden?) as I recall, so it's not like you're dancing on grass.  It still gives you that outdoorsy feel with the comfort of central air.  Score!

MCCRARYSCOTT

The Chapel at UMSL is beautiful. I'm Catholic and my FI is Lutheran. We had the same situation at first and went back and forth from different churches. We finally decided to get married in my church, but I almost booked the Provencial chapel at UMSL. (It reminds me a lot of the Old Cathedral and some historic churches)  Another place is the Chapel in New Town.