If you just got engaged, one of the first questions on your mind is probably the biggest one: how much is this going to cost? It is a fair question, and it is one a lot of St. Louis couples have a hard time getting a straight answer to. Many venues and vendors around town ask you to fill out a form before they share a single number.
This guide does the opposite. Below you will find national averages, a clear breakdown of where wedding money usually goes, real venue pricing from Romaine Valley in Fenton, and practical ways to make your budget go further without giving up the things that matter most to you.
The short answer: what couples are spending
According to The Knot 2025 Real Weddings Study, which looked at weddings held in 2024, the average wedding in the United States cost about $33,000, and the average guest count was about 116 people. The same study found that couples spent about $8,000 on the venue alone, and about $22,000 when the venue came bundled with catering, alcohol and rentals.
Costs swing a lot by region. The study listed Illinois, right across the river, at an average of about $39,000, while states like Iowa came in closer to $19,000. The St. Louis area tends to land somewhere in the middle: more affordable than big coastal cities, with a wide range depending on the venue you choose, the day of the week and how many people you invite.
The most useful takeaway is not the average itself. It is that your wedding does not have to look like the average at all. Two couples in St. Louis can plan beautiful weddings with very different budgets, and the biggest difference usually comes down to three decisions: the venue, the date and the guest count.
Where the money goes
The Knot study found that couples hire about 14 vendors on average. Every wedding is different, but most budgets are built from the same pieces:
- Venue. Usually the largest single line item, and the one that shapes almost everything else.
- Catering. Food is typically priced per guest, so it grows with your guest list.
- Bar. Beer, wine, liquor or soda only, usually priced per guest and by the hour.
- Photography and video. Many couples rank this near the top because the photos are what you keep.
- Flowers and decor. Centerpieces, bouquets, ceremony florals and any rentals that set the look.
- Music and entertainment. A DJ or band for the reception and sometimes music for the ceremony.
- Attire, hair and makeup. The dress, the suits and getting the wedding party ready.
- Cake and desserts. A cake, a dessert table or something more creative.
- Officiant, stationery, favors and transportation. Smaller items that add up quickly.
Because catering, the bar and some rentals are priced per guest, your guest count quietly drives a big share of the total. We cover that in detail in our guide to planning your guest count and budget together.
What affects the cost of a St. Louis wedding venue
Venue pricing around St. Louis can be confusing because no two venues package things the same way. When you compare, these are the factors that move the number the most:
1. The day of the week
Saturdays are the most requested day, so they are almost always the most expensive. Fridays and Sundays usually cost less for the exact same space.
2. The season
Spring, summer and especially fall are peak wedding seasons. The Knot study found October was the most popular month to get married. Winter dates, especially January, February and December, are usually the most affordable.
3. What is included
One venue might include tables, chairs, getting-ready rooms and parking, while another charges for each of those separately. A lower rental price is not always a better deal once you add up the extras.
4. Whether the ceremony is on site
If you hold your ceremony in one place and your reception in another, you may be paying two rental fees, plus transportation and extra photography time to get everyone between them.
5. Catering and bar rules
Some venues require you to use their in-house caterer or bar, often at a set per-guest price. Others let you bring your own caterer, which can give you more control over the budget.
Real venue pricing: Romaine Valley in Fenton
We believe couples should know the price before they tour, so here is exactly what a wedding at Romaine Valley costs. Venue rental depends on the day and the season:
| Day | Season | Venue rental |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday | Peak: March to November | $8,900 |
| Saturday | Off-peak: January, February, December | $7,000 |
| Friday or Sunday | Peak: March to November | $7,000 |
| Friday or Sunday | Off-peak: January, February, December | $5,900 |
| Chapel ceremony | Any date, added to the venue rate | +$1,000 |
To put that in perspective, a peak Saturday with 150 guests works out to about $59 a guest for the venue. Add the chapel ceremony and it is about $66 a guest. A Friday or Sunday in January, February or December works out to about $39 a guest.
For more on how off-peak dates work, read how Friday, Sunday and winter weddings save up to $3,000.
Why “what is included” matters so much
When you compare venue quotes, line them up by what you actually get, not just the rental price. At Romaine Valley, every booking includes tables and chairs for up to 350 guests, a full kitchen for your caterer, the bridal suite, the groom’s quarters, a covered outdoor patio, restrooms, parking on site and the whole property for photos. There is also a bar on site, with bar packages available.
That list can save you thousands compared with a venue where tables, chairs, getting-ready space or parking are extra. We walk through each item, and the questions to ask any venue, in what is included in a venue rental at Romaine Valley.
Ceremony and reception in one place
Holding your ceremony and reception at the same venue is one of the simplest ways to protect your budget and your timeline. You skip a second rental fee, you do not need transportation between locations, and your photographer is not burning paid hours in the car.
Romaine Valley has a 150+ seat chapel and a Grand Hall that seats up to 350, on the same property, so guests walk from one to the other. Read more about why having your ceremony and reception at the same venue saves time and money.
Catering and the bar
Romaine Valley does not have in-house catering, so you are not locked into one menu or one per-plate price. You can choose a caterer from our preferred vendor list, which includes St. Louis area caterers who have already worked on the property, or bring in your own. The Grand Hall has a full kitchen for your caterer.
For drinks, there is a bar on site with bar packages to fit your celebration. Ask about options and pricing when you tour, and remember that bar costs are usually based on guest count and hours, so they grow along with your list.
Costs couples forget to ask about
Surprise charges are what break a wedding budget. Before you sign with any venue or vendor, ask about:
- Overtime fees if the party runs past the end time
- Setup and cleanup, and who is responsible for each
- Deposits, payment schedules and cancellation terms
- Service charges or gratuity added to catering and bar bills
- Meals for vendors who work through dinner, like your photographer and DJ
- Rentals that are not included, such as linens, specialty chairs or lighting
- Transportation between a church and a separate reception site
- Lodging for out-of-town family
On lodging, Romaine Valley has six cottages on the property. Four are one-bedroom at $185 a night and two are two-bedroom at $250 a night, each with a full bathroom, a living room and a kitchenette. Family can stay on site instead of booking a hotel across town.
How to build your wedding budget, step by step
- Set a total you are comfortable with. Decide what you, and anyone helping you, can realistically spend before you fall in love with anything.
- Draft your guest list. Even a rough number tells you which venues fit and how much catering and bar will cost.
- Pick your top three priorities. Maybe it is the photos, the food and the dance floor. Spend more there and keep the rest simple.
- Choose your venue and date first. The venue usually sets the date, the guest limit and many of your vendor options, so lock it in early.
- Get real quotes. Replace guesses with actual prices from your caterer, photographer and other vendors.
- Keep a cushion. Leave room in the budget for small surprises so they do not turn into big stress.
Smart ways to save on a St. Louis wedding
- Choose a Friday, Sunday or winter date. At Romaine Valley, a Friday or Sunday in January, February or December is $3,000 less than a peak Saturday.
- Keep the ceremony and reception together. One venue, one rental, no shuttle.
- Look for a venue that includes the basics. Tables, chairs, suites and parking add up fast when they are extra.
- Trim the guest list a little. Every guest you remove lowers food, drinks and rentals at the same time.
- Use vendors who know the venue. They work faster and plan better because they have done it before.
- Keep family close. On-site cottages can replace hotel rooms for the people you most want nearby.
Planning around St. Louis weather
St. Louis weather can be unpredictable in every season, from humid July afternoons to icy December evenings. Weather can quietly add costs, like renting a tent, heaters or fans for an outdoor ceremony, or paying for a backup space.
A venue with indoor spaces that are heated and air conditioned takes most of that worry off the table. At Romaine Valley, the chapel and the Grand Hall are both heated and air conditioned, and the covered patio gives guests a place to step outside without worrying about rain. That also makes winter dates, which are the most affordable, a lot easier to say yes to.
When to book, and why timing affects price
Research from WeddingPro found that nearly 80 percent of couples start researching venues within two months of getting engaged, and that couples inquire with about five venues and visit about four before they book. Popular Saturdays in spring and fall are often the first dates to go, sometimes more than a year in advance.
Booking early gives you the widest choice of dates, including the best value Fridays, Sundays and winter dates. Waiting can mean your first choice is gone and the remaining options cost more. If you are flexible on the date, tell the venue up front. A flexible couple can often find a beautiful date at a much better price.
Budget questions to ask on every venue tour
Bring this list with you so you can compare venues fairly:
- What is the total rental price for my date, and what changes it?
- What exactly is included, and what costs extra?
- Can we hold the ceremony here, and is there an added fee?
- Do we have to use an in-house caterer or bar, or can we bring our own?
- How many hours are included, and what does extra time cost?
- What are the deposit, payment schedule and cancellation terms?
- Is there lodging on site or nearby for family?
- Which vendors have worked here before and know the space?
Write the answers down for every venue you visit. A side by side comparison almost always makes the right choice clear.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a wedding venue cost in St. Louis?
It varies widely by venue, day, season and what is included. Nationally, couples spent about $8,000 on the venue alone according to The Knot 2025 Real Weddings Study. At Romaine Valley in Fenton, venue rental runs from $5,900 to $8,900, and a chapel ceremony adds $1,000.
What is the cheapest time to get married near St. Louis?
Winter months and non-Saturday dates are usually the most affordable. At Romaine Valley, a Friday or Sunday in January, February or December is the best value at $5,900 for the venue. The chapel ceremony is an add-on.
Does Romaine Valley include catering?
No. Romaine Valley does not have in-house catering, so you can choose from our preferred vendor list or bring your own caterer. The Grand Hall includes a full kitchen.
How many guests can Romaine Valley hold?
The Grand Hall seats up to 350 guests and the chapel seats 150+.
See it for yourself
Numbers only tell part of the story. The best way to know if a venue fits your budget and your vision is to walk it. Schedule a tour of Romaine Valley, check our full pricing page, or call us at 636-748-5683. We answer the same day, and 2027 and 2028 dates are booking now.
