There is something magical about your wedding day. Many women spend years dreaming about the dress, color scheme and décor. However, an out-of-the-ordinary venue can take the cake. You want to leave a lasting impression and have the perfect backdrop for photos that will forever capture your special moment, plus offer a little something extra for your guests. Luckily, Missouri attractions have you covered.
Outdoor Wedding Venues
Missouri State Parks
Echo Bluff State Park
Missouri State Parks are known for their outdoor recreational opportunities and beauty, so it comes as no surprise that Echo Bluff State Park in Eminence is an “in-tents” location. Between the Betty Lea Lodge, cabins, on-site restaurant and campground, you have all the offerings for a one-stop wedding. If the local roaming wild horses end up in the photos, all the better. Have your guests extend their stay to take advantage of the floating opportunities nearby.
Bridal Cave and Thunder Mountain Park
No one wants a rocky marriage, unless it’s the kind of rock that comes with a wedding at Bridal Cave and Thunder Mountain Park. The drapery of stalactites in the Bridal Chapel provides an unforgettable backdrop, and guests can take advantage of a discounted tour before the big ceremony. Did I mention the bride and groom get free passes for life to the cave?
Forest Park
With so many attractions in St. Louis’ Forest Park, the difficulty becomes choosing only one to host your wedding. Green thumbs will appreciate the flora at the Jewel Box. The greenhouse’s Art Deco design alone is beautiful, but add a couple hundred plants and you’ve hit pay dirt. There’s also the World’s Fair Pavilion, which can seat around 500 people in a picturesque setting built with the proceeds from the famed 1904 World’s Fair.
Top Of the Rock Ozarks Heritage Preserve
Top of the Rock Ozarks Heritage Preserve is a storybook venue. Expansive rolling hills, a vista of endless lake shoreline and a quaint chapel overlooking the bluffs are just a few of the highlights. As striking as the views at Top of the Rock are, it also has a large selection of things to do and explore – which makes it perfect for your out-of-town guests! Have them arrive early to enjoy the Lost Canyon Cave and Nature Trail, Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum or even a round of golf.
Celebrate With Art and Architecture
St. Louis Art Museum
If you appreciate art, the Saint Louis Art Museum is a great selection. Not only are you surrounded by priceless paintings, you can also add a docent-led gallery tour to your contract.
The Fabulous Fox Theatre
Already a venue for some of the greatest love stories ever put to the stage, The Fabulous Fox Theatre in St. Louis is an iconic place to say “I do.” The theatre’s Siamese-Byzantine style offers limitless glamor, and towering faux-marble columns, gold trim and a sweeping ceiling mural will have you feeling center stage at the altar. The theatre allows couples to celebrate in the lobby and even on the iconic stage, ensuring your wedding day leaves you feeling like a star.
Firestone Baars Chapel
Architecture enthusiasts – and anyone seeking a unique venue — may find the perfect place to celebrate their wedding at Firestone Baars Chapel in Columbia. Designed by the same architect who created the Gateway Arch, the chapel’s square design lets in optimum natural light through stained glass windows and doors. The nearby Lela Raney Wood Hall houses the Historic Costume Gallery, which guests could tour during exhibit hours.
Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Home to nearly 40,000 works of from all places and eras, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City is a picture-perfect venue. Whether your wedding takes place by the world’s largest shuttlecocks or in the Italian-styled Rozzelle Court, guests can take advantage of this free admission, world-class museum before (or after) the big event – hours permitting.
Venues for History Buffs
Missouri History Museum
History lovers can step back in time at the Missouri History Museum in St. Louis. Their rotating selection of exhibits makes for a new experience even for returning guests, and its location in Forest Park and free entry are sure to bring first-timers back. And who can say they’ve been married underneath a plane – the Spirit of St. Louis, that is?
Garth Woodside Mansion Bed & Breakfast
There are many Victorian mansions in the state, but what makes Garth Woodside Mansion Bed & Breakfast in Hannibal unique is its history … and the roaming llamas and alpacas. But back to the history! The original owner of the mansion was a close friend of Samuel Clemens (better known as Mark Twain) and corresponded with him regularly. It’s also said that the home was the model for Disneyland Paris’s Haunted Mansion.
National Churchill Museum
A wedding at the National Churchill Museum is like getting married in London … sort of. The Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury, was moved piece by piece from London and reassembled in Fulton. The church’s foundation survived the Great Fire of London and the Blitz of World War II. What better symbolism for your future marriage? The tracker organ, “Breakthrough” Berlin Wall sculpture and museum are great additions to this unforgettable venue.
More One-of-a-Kind Experiences
Saint Louis Zoo
Wildlife lovers can invite the birds, reptiles or hippos when having their ceremony at the Saint Louis Zoo. Pair it with a behind-the-scenes tour, animal meet-and-greet and ride on the Zooline Railroad, and guests will be talking about your wedding for years to come. Spots include a 65-foot rotunda or a backdrop of waterfalls and wildflowers, or intimate outdoor ceremonies among the zoo’s animal collection.
Tom’s Town Distilling Company
Craft distilleries are thriving, especially Tom’s Town Distilling Company. Located in Kansas City’s Crossroads district, the distillery is named after Tom Pendergast, whose illegal dealings got “the thirsty people” through Prohibition. Named the Best Craft Vodka Distillery in the country by USA Today in 2017, Tom’s Town will make sure your guests will not leave parched. The exposed brick walls, beams and wood floors will have you feeling like you’re in a speakeasy. And the view – looking out on the Kauffman Center, Power & Light Building and Bartle Hall – is pretty great, too.