Let’s face it: wedding add-ons can get overwhelming, and with everything going on these days, you may be thinking, “How on earth can I pull off a stylish, unforgettable wedding within my budget?” My favorite method: if you’re willing to make your guest list smaller, your vision for a chic, local celebration can get even bigger. Let’s talk about what kind of bang for your buck you can get!
The goal: a wedding that feels luxurious, personal, and completely you.
The secret: It's about creating an experience that leaves both you and your guests feeling like they've been part of something truly special. Here’s how to make that happen (with examples):
STEP 1: Focus on What Matters to You
Start by narrowing down what part of your wedding matters most to you as a couple.
Is it the food & drinks, the atmosphere/vibe, or the memories you create?
Defining this gives you the freedom to make choices that feel intentional and personal—without feeling pressured to follow every traditional norm. Build your experience from there.
Was your answer Food? Start Here:
If your focus is on food, you'll want to make it stand out. You'll need to make sure your venue is friendly to outside catering so you can fully customize to your food preferences. What are some options?
Food Stations: Set up interactive stations like taco bars, sushi rolling stations, wood fire pizza ovens, or DIY sliders where guests can customize their food.
Grazing Tables: An elegant spread of cheeses, meats, fruits, and crackers. It’s informal but sophisticated and allows guests to mingle while grabbing a bite. My personal favorite charcuterie for catering in St. Louis is Seed Sprout Spoon.
Family-Style Serving: Serve large platters for guests to share, creating a communal dining experience. Russo's knocked it out of the park with their family style meal at Stone House of St. Charles.
Picnic-Style: Serve food picnic-style with blankets, baskets, and finger foods like sandwiches, charcuterie, and salads. A laid-back, fun vibe perfect for casual, outdoor venues. Someone please invite me to an Alpaca Picnic wedding...
Food Trucks: Hire a couple of food trucks for variety—gourmet burgers, tacos, or even ice cream. It adds a fun and unique element. Session Taco knows how to throw a party.
Miniature Desserts: Bite-sized desserts like mini cupcakes, mini pies, parfaits, cake pops, tarts, cheesecakes, chocolate covered strawberries, donuts... Let guests enjoy sweet treats without the formalities of plated desserts. If it’s a handheld dessert, it’s fair game!
Global Flavors: Incorporate international cuisine for a twist—think Mediterranean mezze, Indian street food, or sushi bento boxes.
Brunch Style: If your wedding is in the morning or afternoon, serve breakfast or brunch dishes like waffles, eggs benedict, and mimosas!
Pop-up Restaurant Experience: Collaborate with a local chef or pop-up restaurant for a curated dining experience that feels upscale yet unique. One of my favorite wedding meals of all time came from a private chef experience from Mosiac Cafe.
Was Atmosphere & Vibe your #1? Start Here:
Your focus will be on the décor, colors, lighting, atmosphere, setting, and venue. St. Louis has so many beautiful, hidden gems that make for stunning wedding venues, especially for smaller gatherings. Venues like these naturally offer a sophisticated feel without the need for excessive decoration. The architecture and/or setting speaks for themselves—so you’re saving on décor, but still creating an atmosphere that wows your guests.
Indoor Design Ideas to get your Ideas Flowing:
Chandeliers & Candlelight: Create a romantic, timeless feel with soft lighting. A sea of candles and fairy lights can make the space feel intimate and elegant.
Moody, Dark Romance: Bold, deep tones like burgundy and navy paired with velvet linens, antique furniture, and dim lighting set a dramatic yet romantic mood.
Whimsical Forest-Inspired: Turn an indoor venue into an enchanted forest with greenery, moss, hanging vines, and softly lit trees—luxurious but magical.
Cozy Art Gallery: Use the clean lines of an industrial or art gallery space, paired with original framed vintage art as table centerpieces and candles for a minimalist vibe.
A few Smaller Indoor Venues in St. Louis That Feel Luxurious:
The Dogwood offers a charming luxe atmosphere with a venue fee that actually drops substantially in their off-season, saving you thousands!
Third Degree Glass Factory, where guests can even experience a live glassblowing demonstration, adding an interactive and unforgettable element to your celebration.
SqWires is set in a beautifully restored historic building, offers a cozy yet refined atmosphere with exposed brick and warm lighting, ideal for an intimate reception with a relaxed, upscale feel.
See more unique St. Louis Venue options here.
Outdoor Design Ideas with Natural Beauty (even in your own backyard!):
Garden Party Elegance: Set up in a lush garden with ivy-covered walls and blossoming flowers. Use wooden tables, simple floral arrangements, and garden chairs for a fresh, natural ambiance. A touch of fairy lights overhead or lanterns in the trees can add a warm glow as the evening falls.
Countryside Romance: Create a cozy, intimate setting with long farmhouse tables under an overhead tent. Add dimly lit bistro lights, soft blankets, and floral garlands draped across the tables. Think rustic elegance with a touch of luxury.
Starry Night Setting: If you're going for an evening wedding outdoors, create a starry-night theme with hanging stars, soft lighting, and an open, airy feel. Blankets or throws can make the space feel cozy, and you can even set up a telescope station for guests to stargaze.
A few Intimate Outdoor Wedding Venues in St. Louis That Feel Special:
Lafayette Park is perfect for a serene, intimate ceremony. With its lush greenery and scenic views, it requires minimal decoration yet provides a rich, natural backdrop.
Moonrise Hotel and their Rooftop (Indoor/Outdoor) Twilight Room. Enough said!
The Solarium at The Ritz-Carlton gives you an indoor/outdoor venue space in case the weather doesn't cooperate, along with that greenhouse, ivy, elegant vibe we all dream of.
Were the Memories from Your Wedding Day Your Top Priority? Start Here:
Create a wedding experience that’s one-of-a-kind and will leave your guests talking about it long after they’ve left. The key is to blend fun, creativity, and personalization to surprise and delight everyone in attendance.
Create a Memorable Experience Over Extravagance. Try having a 50-Person Staycation Wedding in St. Louis Instead!
Rent a local Airbnb, hire a chef and a bartender, turn on your playlist, and dance barefoot on the back patio with your guests. Imagine a chic backyard elopement with bistro lights, flickering candles, and an elegant pool with glowing orb floaties. Your guests could arrive in "yacht attire" with swimwear underneath for a late-night swim. Imagine how your guests will remember this unexpected, intimate setting. If you're thinking of a staycation-style wedding, check out this blog.
Live Music & Food Truck: Hire a local musician to set the mood while a food truck serves late-night snacks. An event I captured at Verde on Cherokee had a similar vibe and guests were raving about it all night!
Silent Disco: Guests wear wireless headphones and choose from different music channels. A quirky twist on the usual dance floor.
Live Art Creation: Hire an artist to paint or sketch your ceremony or reception in real-time. It’s a lasting keepsake for you and your guests.
Interactive Food Experience: Have a live cooking station like a sushi-rolling setup or wood-fired pizza oven. Go beyond the expected and allow guests to interact with the chefs and have their food personalized in front of them, which adds a fun, hands-on element. (See above for more examples in the Food section.)
Personalized Wedding Favors: Partner with a local vendor to create custom experiences guests can enjoy at the party or take home.
Traveling Coffee Station: Offer a coffee bar with various blends and toppings.
Custom Playlists: Share a playlist of your wedding day songs with guests afterward.
Personalized Coffee or Tea Blends: A custom coffee or tea blend guests can enjoy at home, reminding them of your celebration.
Signature Fragrance Station: Create a fragrance station where guests mix their own signature scent in a perfume bottle or diffuser.
Chocolate Tasting Station: Set up a tasting station for guests to sample luxurious chocolates, or create custom flavors.
Candle-Making Station: Let guests make their own candles to take home as a keepsake.
Tasting Flights: Set up tasting stations for wine, whiskey, or craft beer pairings.
Mini Astrology Readings
Polaroid Stations
Secret Garden Experience: Create a hidden “secret garden” or secluded area guests can stumble upon, adding a whimsical surprise. I once filmed a Surprise Wedding at City Cottage on Chouteau were the guests (who thought they were at an engagement party) were surprised with a secret ceremony setup in a hidden outdoor space!
Midnight Snack Bar: Set up a pop-up midnight snack experience with interactive food stations like a make-your-own taco or sundae bar, or even a ramen station.
STEP 2: Hire Local St. Louis Vendors That Share Your Unique Wedding Vision
St. Louis is full of incredible local vendors who are dedicated to making your wedding unforgettable. Supporting local small business vendors not only helps your community but also offers a level of personal care that larger companies may not provide. If you related to this content, it sounds like you and I might get along and I’d love to document your out-of-the-box wedding celebration in St. Louis!
No mater what, Stay True to Your Style
Ultimately, your wedding day should reflect who you are as a couple. Stay true to your style, and don’t feel pressured to conform to trends or expectations. It’s about crafting a day that celebrates your love and connection in the way that feels most genuine to you. Maybe you skip the matching PJs, don’t do a big bouquet toss and skip greeting each guest at a lengthy receiving line in favor of spending quality time with them at your intimate dinner reception. Whatever you choose, hone in on the core meaning behind your celebration. Create the experience and vibe you dream of by getting creative!
Excited to bring your vision to life? Let’s chat about how to document a wedding that is effortlessly stylish and uniquely yours.