How to Compare Wedding Venues in St. Louis
12 things to consider before booking your wedding venue
Choosing a wedding venue is about more than finding a space you love. Pricing, rain plans, catering, access hours, décor, vendor requirements and other details can all affect the final experience and cost.
If you’re comparing wedding venues in the St. Louis area, here are 12 things worth looking at before you book.
What to Compare:
01. Compare What’s Included, Not Just the Rental Price
A venue with a lower starting price isn’t necessarily the less expensive option.
When comparing wedding venue pricing, look at what is actually included with the rental. Tables, chairs, ceremony spaces, getting-ready suites, décor and other inclusions can significantly change the total cost of your wedding.
Questions to Ask
- Are tables and chairs included?
- Is there an additional ceremony fee?
- Are getting-ready spaces included?
- Is décor included or rented separately?
- Are there setup, cleanup or staffing fees?
- Are there service charges or other required fees?
How Haue Valley Handles It
At Haue Valley, farmhouse tables, cross-back chairs, three ceremony options, two get-ready suites and access to 3,000+ décor pieces are included with your venue rental. Couples can choose between our Venue Only rental or an All-Inclusive Wedding Package with additional wedding-day services included.
02. Understand the Catering Requirements
Catering policies can vary significantly from one wedding venue to another.
Some venues require couples to use one caterer, while others offer a list of options. You may also encounter food minimums, required service fees or minimum guest counts.
Before comparing catering prices, find out what choices you'll have and what requirements come with them.
Questions to Ask
- Can we choose from multiple caterers?
- Is there a food minimum?
- Is there a guest minimum?
- What is the typical price per person?
- Are appetizers, desserts and late-night snacks available?
- Are linens or china required?
How Haue Valley Handles It
Haue Valley couples choose from our exclusive catering options, with no food minimum and no guest minimum. Catering is selected separately for Venue Only weddings and included as part of our All-Inclusive Wedding Package.
03. Look Beyond the Bar Package Price
Don't assume every wedding venue handles bar service the same way.
When comparing venues, find out who provides the alcohol and bartenders, what's included in the package, how long bar service lasts and what upgrades or specialty drinks are available.
Questions to Ask
- Is bar service provided by the venue?
- Are bartenders included?
- What types of alcohol are included?
- Can the package be upgraded?
- What time does bar service end?
- Are there additional bar fees?
How Haue Valley Handles It
Haue Valley provides in-house bar service with multiple package and upgrade options, so couples know exactly how bar service will work before the wedding day. Bar service is selected separately for Venue Only weddings and included with our All-Inclusive Wedding Package.
04. Ask Exactly What Happens If It Rains
If you're considering an outdoor ceremony, don't stop at asking whether the venue has an indoor backup.
Find out where your ceremony would move, whether the space comfortably accommodates your guest count and, most importantly, when you have to make the final decision.
Some venues require couples to make that call well before the wedding day, when the forecast can still change.
Questions to Ask
- Where does the ceremony move if it rains?
- Does the indoor space accommodate our guest count?
- Is there an additional fee?
- When do we have to make the final decision?
- Who handles moving and setting up the ceremony?
How Haue Valley Handles It
At Haue Valley, couples can make their final indoor or outdoor ceremony decision as late as 60 minutes before the ceremony, allowing the decision to be based on the most current weather conditions.
05. Compare How Much Time You Actually Get at the Venue
"Wedding day access" can mean very different things depending on the venue.
Find out when your wedding party can arrive, when vendors can begin setup and when everything needs to be cleaned up at the end of the night.
This becomes especially important if you're planning an early hair and makeup schedule or bringing in a lot of your own décor.
Questions to Ask
- What time can the wedding party arrive?
- When can vendors enter?
- When can decorating begin?
- What time does the reception have to end?
- Who is responsible for cleanup?
How Haue Valley Handles It
Haue Valley rental hours vary by day, with access beginning as early as 12 PM for weekend rentals. Our Bridal Suite is available as early as 7 AM, giving you plenty of time for hair, makeup and getting ready before the rest of the wedding day begins.
06. Tour the Getting-Ready Spaces
Getting-ready suites aren't just somewhere to leave your belongings.
Your wedding party may spend several hours there before the ceremony, and these spaces often become part of your wedding photos.
Look for natural light, enough seating, hair and makeup stations, private bathrooms, mirrors, outlets and enough room for everyone to comfortably get ready.
Questions to Ask
- How early can we access the getting-ready spaces?
- Are there separate spaces for both sides of the wedding party?
- Is there enough room for hair and makeup?
- Are there private bathrooms?
- Is there good natural light for photos?
- Can we leave our belongings there during the wedding?
How Haue Valley Handles It
Haue Valley has two separate get-ready spaces, including our 1,000-square-foot Bridal Suite with five hair and makeup stations, lounge seating, natural light and a private balcony.
07. Find Out What Décor Is Already Available
Before purchasing or renting centerpieces, candles, arches and other wedding décor, find out what your venue already has available.
An included décor collection can save money, reduce the amount you need to transport and make setup easier.
Questions to Ask
- Does the venue have décor available?
- Is it included or rented individually?
- Can we see the inventory before the wedding?
- Are there restrictions on candles or hanging décor?
- Who sets everything up and puts it away?
How Haue Valley Handles It
Haue Valley couples have access to 3,000+ décor pieces at no additional rental cost, including centerpieces, lanterns, candlesticks, plate chargers, table numbers, faux greenery and florals, dessert display pieces and larger ceremony décor. Our All-Inclusive Package also includes additional décor and floral services.
08. Think About Guest Flow
When touring a venue, imagine the wedding day from your guests' perspective.
Where will they park? Where do they go when they arrive? How far is the ceremony from cocktail hour and the reception? Are the restrooms convenient? Is the property accessible for guests who may have mobility concerns?
A beautiful venue can still create logistical challenges if guests have to travel between several locations throughout the day.
Questions to Ask
- Is parking onsite?
- How far is the ceremony from the reception?
- Where does cocktail hour take place?
- Are ceremony and reception spaces accessible?
- Where are the restrooms?
- Will guests need transportation between spaces?
How Haue Valley Handles It
At Haue Valley, your ceremony, cocktail hour and reception all take place on one property. Guests can park in our well-lit onsite parking lot, walk between wedding spaces and enjoy cocktail hour on the upper patio before heading inside for the reception.
Our ceremony and reception spaces are also wheelchair accessible, and there are multiple lodging options within one mile of the venue.
09. Look at the Photo Opportunities
Wedding photos don't only happen at the ceremony site.
When touring venues, look for locations for wedding party photos, couple portraits, sunset photos and indoor options in case of rain.
Having multiple photo locations close together can also mean less time traveling and more time actually enjoying your wedding day.
Questions to Ask
- Are there multiple photo locations onsite?
- How far apart are the photo locations?
- Are there both sunny and shaded options?
- Are there indoor photo locations if it rains?
- Are there good locations for wedding party and family photos?
- Will someone guide us to the best photo locations on the property?
How Haue Valley Handles It
Haue Valley sits on 246 acres with a variety of photo locations within walking distance of the venue, giving couples plenty of options without having to leave the property.
10. Understand the Vendor Requirements
Before booking, find out which vendors you can choose yourself and which are required by the venue.
Some venues require specific caterers, bartenders, coordinators or other vendors. Others allow couples more flexibility.
Neither approach is automatically better. What matters is knowing the requirements upfront so you can make an accurate comparison before signing a contract.
Questions to Ask
- Which vendors are required?
- Can we bring our own photographer, DJ or florist?
- Is a wedding coordinator required?
- Are there additional fees for outside vendors?
- Are vendors required to carry insurance?
How Haue Valley Handles It
At Haue Valley, couples choose from our exclusive catering options and bar service is provided in-house. With our Venue Only rental, you have the flexibility to choose your own photographer, videographer, DJ, florist and other wedding professionals.
Couples who prefer to have more handled for them can choose our All-Inclusive Wedding Package, which includes additional services such as catering, bar, coordination, DJ, florals and décor, and a photo booth.
11. Calculate the Actual Wedding Cost
Before booking a venue, you should have a clear idea of what your wedding is actually expected to cost.
The venue rental price is only one part of that number. Catering, bar service, rentals, staffing, service fees, taxes and other required expenses can all affect your final budget.
When comparing venues, look for clear pricing information and ask about anything that isn't included. The easier it is to understand the costs upfront, the easier it is to compare your options and build a realistic wedding budget.
Questions to Ask
- Can we see pricing before scheduling a tour?
- What is included in the listed venue price?
- What additional fees are required?
- Are there food or beverage minimums?
- Are service charges and taxes included in the estimate?
How Haue Valley Handles It
We believe you should be able to understand pricing before you schedule a tour or send an inquiry.
That’s why Haue Valley publishes our pricing, package options and available wedding dates directly on our website. There’s no need to submit your information or request a pricing brochure.
Want a better idea of what your wedding could cost? Use our Venue Only Budget Calculator or All-Inclusive Budget Calculator to create an estimate based on your guest count and selections.
12. Read Recent Reviews From Real Couples
Read recent reviews and pay attention to what couples repeatedly mention about communication, transparency, staff, planning support, bar service, décor and their overall wedding-day experience.
One individual review can reflect one person's experience. When the same themes appear again and again, they can tell you much more about what working with a venue is actually like.
Wedding Venue Tour Checklist
Before leaving a wedding venue tour, make sure you know:
☐ What’s included in the rental price?
☐ What isn’t included?
☐ Are tables and chairs included?
☐ Does the venue offer different packages or an all-inclusive option?
☐ If all-inclusive is offered, exactly what services are included?
☐ How does catering work?
☐ How does bar service work?
☐ Are there food or beverage minimums?
☐ What happens if it rains?
☐ When is the indoor/outdoor decision made?
☐ What time can we arrive?
☐ What time does the event need to end?
☐ What vendors are required?
☐ Which vendors can we choose ourselves?
☐ Is décor available?
☐ Are there additional required fees?
☐ Where do guests park?
☐ Is the venue accessible?
☐ Are hotels nearby?
How Haue Valley Compares
When you're comparing wedding venues around St. Louis, don't be afraid to ask detailed questions and look beyond the photos. The right venue should fit your priorities, guest count, budget and the type of wedding experience you want.
At Haue Valley, we try to make that comparison easier by putting as much information as possible online before you ever schedule a tour.
Tables + Chairs
Included
Food Minimum
None
Wedding Packages
Venue Only + All-Inclusive
Pricing
Available Online
Available Dates
Available Online
Real Reviews
Years worth of Haue Valley Couple reviews
Up to 200 Guests
Guest Capacity
3 Ceremony Options
Indoor + Outdoor
60 Minutes
Final Ceremony Weather Decision
3,000+ Pieces
Included Décor
2 Spaces
Get-Ready Suites
246 Acres
Scenery + Photo Locations
Still Comparing Wedding Venues?
Take your time, ask questions and choose the venue that fits the kind of wedding you want to have.
If Haue Valley is on your list, you can explore our pricing and available wedding dates before scheduling a tour.
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Compare more than the rental price. Look at what's included, catering and bar requirements, venue access hours, indoor backup options, guest capacity, vendor requirements, décor, getting-ready spaces, additional fees and recent reviews.
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Compare the total estimated cost of having approximately the same wedding at each venue. Include the venue rental, catering, bar, tables and chairs, décor, required rentals, staffing, service charges, taxes and other required expenses.
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Ask what's included, what additional fees to expect, how catering and bar service work, what happens if it rains, when you'll have access to the venue, which vendors are required and what responsibilities you'll have before and after the wedding.
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Ask where the ceremony will move if it rains, whether the backup space fits your guest count, when the indoor/outdoor decision must be made and who is responsible for moving and setting up the ceremony.
Photos above by: Lentini Productions, Ivory Grove, Pure Sonic, Irish Eyes Photogaphy, Brooke Vermillion, Abigail Derrick Photography, & Kyra Long Photography.