Outdoor Ceremony Sites

wyahbird

Hey y'all. My fiance and I are very very newly engaged, but as we're planning to get married about a year from now (we're flexible-ish with the date, depending on what dates are available at sites we love), we need to book our ceremony and reception sites ASAP. 

We're on a little bit of a tight budget: he's still in school and we're both working a part-time job or two, but our families are willing to lend a hand.

He is completely set on an outdoor wedding, and I am more than happy with the idea. The problem is finding a place to have a ceremony for ~100 people that will not break the bank. 

So if you're from or were married in or around St. Louis, I'd love some advice on beautiful places to get hitched outside. 

It might help you to know that we're going for a pretty casual vibe. We're also both quirky kids, and would like our wedding to reflect that. We've been considering using spaces in city parks, but we're not entirely sold. 

It'd also be great if anyone could recommend a reception venue (doesn't necessarily have to be attached to the ceremony site--although that would be a bonus) that doesn't require us to work with their list of caterers. (We're thinking we want Imo's pizza. :P) 

Thanks so much!

holls130

We're getting married outside at Quail Ridge Lodge in Wentzville, MO. Then we're taking the party inside for the reception. It's one of the cheapest locations around - $650 for the whole day! http://parks.sccmo.org/parks/index.php

option=com_content&task=view&id=138&Itemid=178

Good luck with your search

jlk0219

We got married in Lafayette Park and were very happy with our outdoor ceremony.  It ended up being a little pricier than we planned- mainly because we had to rent chairs and the "after hours" delivery charges can be insane!  But it ended up being beautiful yet more casual than a typical "garden" wedding, which is what we wanted. I would also recommend The Music Stand in Tower Grove Park- it's only a couple hundred to rent and they have permanent benches so you wouldn't have to rent chairs. There's also electricity available at that site (we didn't have electric so we had to make sure to get a bettery-operated PA system).  You didn't give an exact number on what you want to spend so I'll also throw this out there- Mad Art Gallery is Soulard is a really funky space.  They have a courtyard where you could have your outdoor ceremony and then the venue is a renovated 1930's police station. Complete with jail cells and everything-very cool!

As far as the reception venue, most of the places that typically host weddings are going to require you to use a preferred caterer. You should try to look at community center-type places since they will be more likely to let you bring whatever type of food you want.  Or, if there's a local restaurant you really like, consider asking if they have banquet facilities. We ended up having our reception at Morgan Street Brewery- I didn't even know they had a banquet room, I only knew then as a restaurant and bar, but came across their banquet facilities by accident.

ncm1026

We are getting married at the Butterfly House at Faust Park in Chesterfield.  It is a little pricey--$1200 for 2 hours--but they set up, take care of music, and it includes the rehearsal.  Plus, there is a backup if it rains, so it is all totally worth it for us. The ceremony will be in the outdoor garden and it is BEAUTIFUL.  Can't wait. 

As far as reception venues... look for community centers, Elks, Lions or VA halls... you just rent the space and you can use any vendors you want.  Our venue is $200 for  the whole day--can't beat that.  We are saving a lot of money doing it this way.