So, you’ve decided to tie the knot in St. Louis, MO? Congrats! Now comes the fun part – finding that dreamy wedding venue where your love story gets its perfect setting. But with so many options in this city, it’s easy to feel a bit lost. Don’t fret – we’re here to help. In this article, we highlight things to consider when looking at a venue in St. Louis, MO so your wedding photos turn out picture-perfect.
How to Choose a Wedding Venue in St. Louis, MO for the Best Photos
1. Set your budget and guest count first
Decide how much of your total wedding budget you want to spend on the venue and estimate your guest count before you start touring. This will help you quickly rule out locations that are too small, too large, or outside your price range, and keep your search focused on realistic options.
2. Decide on your wedding style and location vibe
Think about whether you picture a downtown St. Louis ballroom, a rustic farm, a winery, a golf course, or an all‑inclusive banquet space. Clarifying your preferred vibe,
What Is an All‑Inclusive Wedding?
An all‑inclusive St. Louis wedding typically means the venue bundles major elements—such as catering, bar service, basic décor, linens, tables, chairs, and on‑site coordination, into one package and one contract. This style of venue can simplify planning, reduce the number of vendors you manage, and make your total costs easier to understand up front.
historic, modern, industrial, or countryside, will make it easier to narrow down a shortlist of wedding venues in St. Louis that match your vision.
3. Prioritize natural light and photo backdrops
Because your venue will be the backdrop for most of your wedding portraits, pay close attention to lighting and scenery. Look for spaces with large windows, neutral or light‑colored walls, and clean, uncluttered outdoor areas so your photographer can create bright, flattering images throughout the day.
4. Review what’s included with the venue
Ask each venue what is included in their packages: catering, bar, linens, chairs, tables, décor, AV, and coordination. Some St. Louis wedding venues are all‑inclusive, while others are more DIY, and knowing what’s covered (and what isn’t) will help you compare true costs across options.
5. Confirm logistics, accessibility, and backup plans
Consider things like parking, hotel proximity, travel time between ceremony and reception sites, and accessibility for guests who may need extra support. Be sure to ask about weather backup plans for outdoor ceremonies or photos so you’re prepared no matter what the forecast brings.
6. Tour at least a few venues and take photos
Plan to tour several wedding venues in St. Louis, often three or four, before making a decision. Take photos and notes at each stop so you can compare layout, lighting, and overall feel once you’re home and the details start to blur together.
7. Evaluate flexibility, communication, and fit
Beyond the look of the space, pay attention to how responsive and helpful the team is. You’ll be working closely with your venue for months, so clear communication, flexibility, and a willingness to answer questions are just as important as the décor and floor plan.
Andre’s Wedding Venues in St. Louis, Missouri and Surrounding Areas
We have several beautiful wedding venues in St. Louis, MO that provide beautiful scenery for wedding portraits here at Andre’s Banquet and Catering.
Fox Run Carriage House
Fox Run Carriage House in Eureka, Missouri sits on a private golf club on an estate reminiscent of an English countryside manor. 300 acres of pristine rolling land with an outdoor patio. The indoor area of the Carriage House offers the open elegance of a 35-foot vaulted ceiling with two-story windows on both sides of the building, a balcony overlooking the entire main ballroom with rosewood hardwood floors, with a seating capacity of up to 235 guests.
Andre’s at Sunset Hills
Andre’s Banquet in Sunset Hills, Missouri nests in a gently rolling landscape of Saint Louis County. The beautiful 120-acre setting has scenic views of the surrounding countryside and is hallmarked by westward-facing panoramic windows, with the magical glow of the iconic Midwestern sunset. Inside the venues, feel the warmth of the outdoor light as it falls upon the wood floor, and is echoed on the white linen tablecloths.
Oak Valley
Oak Valley is set on a golf course in Pevely Missouri overlooking the famous Mississippi River and bluffs reaching Waterloo Illinois. The property boasts a beautiful outdoor pavilion and two-story walls of windows with as much natural beautiful outdoor lighting for portraits.
Andre’s Banquet & Catering | St. Louis, MO
At Andre’s, we are a full-service catering company in St. Louis, MO. We provide the meal, 4-hour open bar, china dinnerware, linen tablecloths, chair covers, the personnel, as well as an onsite coordinator. We are a one-stop-shop facility that can offer guidance in planning and organizing your day. Andre’s coordinates with several different vendors to make your planning process painless!
Contact us today for any questions or reservations.