Best Small Wedding Venues in St. Louis, MO (Intimate & Micro Weddings)
Are you planning a micro or intimate wedding in St. Louis, Missouri? If so, you’re in the right place! Today I’m sharing my favorite small wedding venues in St. Louis from the perspective of a wedding photographer.
Are you planning a micro or intimate wedding in St. Louis, Missouri? If so, you’re in the right place! Today I’m sharing my favorite small wedding venues in St. Louis from the perspective of a wedding photographer.
Intimate Weddings & Elopements Are In
No matter what you call it - an elopement, a micro wedding, or an intimate wedding - it’s undeniable that these smaller celebrations have become so much more popular since 2020. Whether you’re trimming down the guest list to reduce budget or stress, or you’re looking to increase the impact of those special moments, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with having a wedding that isn’t packed with people. Just because you’re having a smaller event doesn’t mean you have to miss out on booking an iconic St. Louis wedding venue. From restaurants to greenhouses to private outdoor spaces, St. Louis has plenty of incredible options for elopements and intimate or micro weddings.
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Top St. Louis Small Wedding Venues
Not sure where to start in your venue search? In no particular order, here is a guide to some of the top small wedding venues in and around St. Louis. Not all of these venues are explicitly "tiny,” but these are all spaces that work very well for small weddings or elopements!
Verde on Cherokee
This one is a bit of a guilty pleasure, just because I’m so partial to greenhouses and impeccably decorated spaces! Verde on Cherokee has 4 main sections to the venue, with both indoor and outdoor options, so there’s tons of flexibility for any weddings of up to 100 guests.
LOCATION: 2118 Cherokee St., St. Louis, MO 63118
MAX GUEST COUNT: 100
Check out my full write up of Verde on Cherokee HERE!
Marry Me Cottage
Just about half an hour outside the city in O’Fallon, MO, Marry Me Cottage is a venue that specializes in small wedding days. As if the name didn’t say enough, Marry Me Cottage is an exceedingly cozy, excessively sweet, and overwhelmingly cute place for micro weddings and elopements. The venue has 4 distinct spaces that have a wide range of guest capacities - from 10 to 50 total headcount. As far as pricing and packages go, Marry Me Cottage’s collections start at 20 minutes and go all the way up to 4 hours, and include a variety of options including an officiant in every package. Day-of investment starts at $175. I recommend getting a more extended rental time so you can take advantage of the many awesome photo locations around the property!
LOCATION: 9036 Veterans Memorial Parkway O'Fallon, MO 63366
MAX GUEST COUNT: 50
Learn more at: https://www.marrymecottage.com/
Contemporary Art Museum
In the most literal sense, no two weddings are ever the same at the Contemporary Art Museum of St. Louis. Being an active art gallery first and an event venue second, the ever-changing exhibitions that line the walls and floorplan of the space mean that CAM is ever-evolving and always exciting, which is one of my favorite things about shooting here. CAM has 3 distinct spaces that work for ceremonies, cocktail hours, or receptions - the Performance Space, Cafe & Courtyard Terrace, and the Lobby. Rental times are maxed out at 5 hours, so couples have a good amount of flexibility in how they want to use their time.
LOCATION: 3750 Washington Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63108
MAX GUEST COUNT: 300
Learn more at: https://camstl.org/event-rentals/
The Thaxton
If you’re looking for something a bit more stylized, The Thaxton just might be for you. The Thaxton is an art-deco wedding venue in downtown St. Louis. With a max seated capacity of 120, a smaller event or micro wedding won’t get swallowed up in a massive room. This multi-level venue offers distinctive spaces like the Grand Hall, Speakeasy, and an additional 2nd Floor event space, each oozing with their own specific vintage charm. Essential amenities including day-of coordination, a wedding party lounge, tables, chairs, lounge seating, and a full sound system, ensure a seamless and elegant celebration all wrapped in the stunning historic setting of The Thaxton. When hiring a photographer for your wedding here, make sure they’re very comfortable photographing in low light!
LOCATION: 1009 Olive St, St. Louis, MO 63101
MAX GUEST COUNT: 120
Learn more at: https://www.thethaxton.com/thethaxton-weddings
SqWires Restaurant & Market
Nestled in the always gorgeous Lafayette Square, SqWires Restaurant & Market is most commonly known for its delicious, seasonal, and expertly curated menu of American Cuisine. Just off the main restaurant, however, is SqWires’ Annex & Front Room - two spaces that are perfect for small to medium-sized wedding ceremonies and receptions. The Front Room has warm brick and plenty of natural light and can host up to 40 guests, while the Annex is laden with industrial touches, tall ceilings, and an inviting mezzanine. The Annex can host a guest count of up to 150. If your itinerary allows, I highly recommend using the mezzanine and staircase for a few creative night photos!
LOCATION: 1415 S. 18th St, St. Louis, MO 63104
MAX GUEST COUNT: Front Room - 40 | Annex - 150
Learn more at: https://sqwires.com/sqwires-annex-front-room/
Your Boutique Hotel
If you’re open to taking a short trip to the other side of the river, Your Boutique Hotel (formerly WOW on Broadway) in Alton, IL could be the perfect option for a micro wedding! From a visual standpoint, Your Boutique Hotel stands out due to its iconic spiral staircase, beautiful exposed brick, and gorgeous yet functional getting-ready spaces. This venue is perfect if you have out-of-town guests because the venue still functions as an active hotel. Accommodating family or friends who are traveling for your wedding is extremely simple at Your Boutique Hotel.
LOCATION: 515 E 3rd St, Alton, IL 62002
MAX GUEST COUNT: 100
See our full venue review on Your Boutique Hotel!
Magic Chef Mansion
The Magic Chef Mansion was built in 1907 and, after being sold and purchased by the current owners, has been a restoration project and labor of love over the past 20 years. Now, having been restored to its former beauty, Magic Chef Mansion is host to so many gorgeous small events including, of course, weddings! The vintage furniture, deep wood accents, and turn-of-the-century styling make it the ideal place for couples seeking a timeless, classic look to their wedding day. While the size can be expanded if you rent tents for the property, the mansion by itself can comfortably entertain 75 individuals.
LOCATION: 3400 Russell Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63104
MAX GUEST COUNT: 75, up to 150 with an outdoor tent
Learn more at: http://magicchefmansion.com/events/
Piper Palm House
Oh, I didn’t add enough greenhouse inspiration to this list? My bad! Here’s Piper Palm House! While not a greenhouse in a literal sense, the stately windows, high ceiling, ample natural light, and impeccable greenery that lines the walls just ooze a natural, historic, yet distinctively contemporary aesthetic. No matter the wedding size, beauty just comes naturally to Piper Palm House.
LOCATION: 4271 Northeast Dr, St. Louis, MO 63110
MAX GUEST COUNT: 200
Learn more at: https://www.towergrovepark.org/piper-palm-house-1
Lafayette Square Park
Lafayette Square Park is one of the most popular parks in St. Louis, and for good reason! Not only is it perfect for a beautiful casual weeknight stroll, but it’s immaculately maintained and is host to 3 of the best park-style wedding venues in the area! The Park House, The Kern Lakeside Pavilion, and the Betsy Cook Pavilion are all stunning settings for smaller sized weddings. The Park house is a legendary historic building, constructed in 1867, that can now be rented for indoor gatherings. The Kern Pavilion is the park’s most recent restoration project, completed in 2014, and the window-lined walls and spacious interior are perfect for receptions. Finally, the Betsy Cook Pavilion is an open-air pavilion that overlooks the lush grotto and wrought-iron bridge that the park is known for. This pavilion is perfect for small ceremonies that want a bit of protection from the elements.
LOCATION: 2023 Lafayette Ave, St. Louis, MO 63104
MAX GUEST COUNT: 50
Check out this Lafayette Park Micro Wedding!
Boo Cat Club
One of my all-time favorites, Boo Cat Club is just outside of Forest Park and is a vintage-styled gem. While it has plenty of space for larger weddings, it’s still perfect for micro-weddings, elopements, and small weddings. The venue’s three distinct spaces - the Catacombs, the Theatre, and the Ballroom - offer unique settings for every key part of the day. Top amenities like a bridal room, onsite tables and chairs, and an event manager help to ensure a seamless experience. Boo Cat Club is truly not one to miss!
LOCATION: 812 UNION BLVD., ST. LOUIS 63108
MAX GUEST COUNT: 200
Learn More At: https://boocatclub.com/weddings/
Third Degree Glass Factory
Third Degree Glass Factory in merges industrial chic with an art gallery ambiance, offering a unique wedding venue for up to 280 guests. Established in 2002, it boasts two adaptable spaces that work nicely for weddings - the La Soffietta Room and the Glass Gallery. Personally, the Glass Gallery works exceptionally well for small ceremonies or cocktail hours. The space itself doesn’t need any work to look great, and it won’t overshadow a smaller group of people.
LOCATION: 5200 DELMAR BOULEVARD, ST. LOUIS, MO 63108
MAX GUEST COUNT: 280
Learn more at: https://thirddegreeglassfactory.com/events/
Olive + Oak
Olive + Oak's new event space at 216 W. Lockwood offers an intimate venue that mirrors the restaurant's warm atmosphere, ideal for small weddings and elopements (if you’ve never visited Olive + Oak for a meal, make sure to make your way there). "The Hall," the main venue, accommodates various gatherings with exclusive access to the atrium and mezzanine. Alongside this, the private dining rooms are perfect for smaller, close-knit celebrations. I’ve documented some amazing events here, including wedding receptions! Pro Tip: There’s no better way to celebrate your wedding at this beautiful venue than with one of Olive + Oak’s signature cocktails.
LOCATION: 216 W Lockwood Ave, St. Louis, MO 63119
MAX GUEST COUNT: 200
Learn more at: https://oliveandoak.oohosp.com/events/
Laumeier Sculpture Park
I’m lucky - one of my favorite places for sessions is also the location of an amazing wedding venue! Laumeier Sculpture Park, nestled in a 105-acre park with over 70 large-scale sculptures, offers a totally unique setting for small weddings and elopements. With a capacity ranging from 50 to 500 guests, the park provides diverse indoor and outdoor venues, including the romantic Leaf Pavilion, Heartland Garden, and the historic 1917 Estate House. If quirky, creative, and non-traditional is your vibe, then the photo opportunities at this location are virtually endless. Even though the park covers a lot of land, smaller weddings will still find plenty of options here that are well-suited for their guest count!
LOCATION: 12580 Rott Road, Saint Louis, Missouri 63127
MAX GUEST COUNT: 500
Learn more at: https://www.laumeiersculpturepark.org/event-rentals
Having a Small Wedding? Compromise on the guest list, NOT your photographer. Let’s chat!
Meg + Mark - Greenville, Illinois Wedding Photography
I had the honor of photographing Meg and Mark’s beautiful southern Illinois wedding. The whole event, from ceremony to reception, all took place on their gorgeous property in Greenville, Illinois, which made it extra special!
I had the honor of photographing Meg and Mark’s beautiful southern Illinois wedding. The whole event, from ceremony to reception, all took place on their gorgeous property in Greenville, Illinois, which made it extra special!
Some highlights of this wedding include:
Old friends that made for some hilarious moments
Massive smiles
A jaw-dropping watermelon cake made with actual watermelon
A sparkler send-off where the sparklers were so big we decided to do it twice
A little bit of good-old-fashioned light painting
Obviously, I’m a big fan of this day and these folks. Check out some of my favorite moments below!
Derek and Linsey - St. Louis, Missouri Wedding Photography
Derek and Linsey’s lovely small wedding at Haue Valley.
‘Twas a sunny, warm day in June when this wedding took place! It’s an honor to have been able to document this wedding at Haue Valley in Pacific, MO. Derek and Linsey are two really wonderful people, and it really shows in their relationship. Around the venue, they had photos of their travels across the world, they brought their dogs (which I’m a huge fan of), and they’re both really talented creators. Needless to say…. these are my people!
Weddings are always special, but their importance in our lives is becoming more and more apparent. Sure, maybe 2020 has forced us to pare down the guest lists and stock a few buckets of hand sanitizer, but the reality is all the more impactful. Two people choosing one another is always something worth capturing.
So hey! Check out a few of my favorites from the day, if you’d like.
Need some photos of your own?
Andrew + Kristen - St. Louis, Missouri Engagement Session
Kristen and Andrew’s St. Louis engagement session in Downtown and Lafayette park!
Just another gorgeous evening spent with gorgeous people. I had so much fun hanging out with Kristen and Andrew during their session as we took advantage of the fantastic light and quoted movies that Rotten Tomatoes definitely rated too low. Check out some of my favorites below!
Michalah + Zach - Peoria, Illinois Wedding Photography
The best of the best from Michalah and Zach’s Peoria, IL wedding photos!
Weddings from my hometown are consistently just straight-up magic, so it was fitting that Michalah and Zach’s wedding day was, well, magical! We started the day off getting ready at Cornerstone Baptist Church, hopped on over to Luthy Botanical Gardens in Peoria for some chilly photos, and went back to Cornerstone where the ceremony took place. Then, we scooted on over to Tremont High School for the reception. It was surreal shooting in the building where we all attended Jr. High and High school, but such a blast and the photos turned out great!
I’m honored to have been a small part of Michalah and Zach’s big day, and honored to share some of my favorite moments of their wedding with you. Take a look!
Interested in getting some cool photos made of you and your fiancé?
Rachel + Holden - Taylorville, Illinois Wedding
Holden and Rachel’s Taylorville, Illinois wedding photography!
Joined my good friends Rachel and Holden in Taylorville, Illinois at The Landing Barn to photograph their wedding a few months ago. The rain gave way to sunshine later on in the day and it was just so much fun!
Video by: Jesse James Ayers
Jesse is a cool, cool guy. Here’s a fun vlog he did from the wedding day!
Thanks for tagging along! If you need photos of your own, hit me up!
Mary + Austin - Collinsville, Illinois Wedding
See some of my favorite moments from Mary and Austin’s Collinsville, Illinois barn wedding!
This fun little Collinsville wedding could not have been a more perfect day! The weather was perfect and uncharacteristically cool, which was a welcome change from what we've been getting lately here in the midwest. Hanging out with Mary and Austin, and getting a front-row seat to their hilarious family and friends was an absolute joy.
Thanks so much to Willoughby Farm for having such a fantastic venue for a June wedding. See some of my favorites below!
Are you getting married soon, and need some photos taken of said marriage?