Things Couples Should Know Before Their Wedding Day
Planning a wedding in St. Louis? You probably have a lot of questions—and you’re not alone.
Below are real questions couples ask while planning their wedding day, answered in a simple, honest way to help you feel more prepared (and less overwhelmed).
Wedding costs in St. Louis vary widely depending on guest count, venue, and priorities. Most couples spend anywhere from $20,000–$40,000+, with larger weddings or premium venues going higher. Smaller weddings or elopements can be significantly less.
From a personal perspective, we wanted to pay off our house quicker and travel more, so we didn’t want to break the bank when on our wedding, but we didn’t want a shabby one either.
For our wedding, we spent right around $10,000 - we found a free venue, cooked the food (Tacos!) ourselves in advance and Lindsey even created her own Flower Cloud from freshly picked greenery from around the neighborhood.
How much does a wedding cost in St. Louis, Missouri?
The biggest budget factors are usually:
Venue rental
Catering and bar
Photography and videography
Guest count
How much does a wedding photographer cost in St. Louis?
In St. Louis, wedding photography typically ranges from $2,500 to $6,000+ depending on experience, coverage time, and what’s included.
At Josh and Lindsey Photo, we focus on full storytelling coverage—capturing everything from the quiet in-between moments to the big, emotional ones so your day feels fully documented, not just posed.
How far in advance should you book a wedding photographer in St. Louis?
Most couples book their wedding photographer 9–18 months in advance, especially for spring and fall weddings (the most popular seasons in Missouri).
If you have a specific date or venue, booking early ensures:
You lock in your date
You get your preferred photographer
Less stress later in planning
Photographers do book up early, but that doesn’t mean no wedding photographers are available. We have had couples reach out to us three months before their wedding and we happened to have that date open for them. So don’t be discouraged if you are getting a late start!
What happens if it rains on my wedding day?
Rain is never ideal, but it’s also not a dealbreaker. Many St. Louis wedding venues have indoor or covered options ready to go.
Some of the most emotional and beautiful wedding photos actually happen in unexpected weather. The key is having a flexible timeline and not letting the forecast control the energy of the day.
What is the best time of year to get married in St. Louis?
Each season has a different feel:
Spring: Green, fresh, soft light
Summer: Bold colors, longer days
Fall: Peak popularity with warm tones and golden light
Winter: Clean, minimal, and intimate vibes
Fall is the most requested season, but the “best” time depends on your style and guest experience.
Do we need an engagement session before our wedding?
You don’t need one—but it’s highly recommended.
Engagement sessions help you:
Get comfortable in front of the camera
Learn how we work together
Feel more relaxed on your wedding day
Get natural photos without pressure
Have photos for your wedding website
Photos for your invitations or save the dates
Most couples say it makes a huge difference in how confident they feel on their wedding day.
Missouri Athletic Club Wedding Venue
If you want a wedding venue that feels a little bit “old-money St. Louis meets movie set where someone is definitely about to dramatically propose on a staircase,” the Missouri Athletic Club delivers in the best way.
The moment you walk in, it’s all rich history, chandeliers, marble, and that quiet “okay wow… this is kind of iconic” energy. It’s elegant without trying too hard, classic without feeling boring, and full of those photo spots where you instantly start standing up straighter without realizing it.
You’ve got dramatic staircases, vintage details, and that downtown St. Louis backdrop just outside when you want a modern contrast.
And if you’re hiring us as your photographers (hi!), just know we fully embrace the vibe of pretending we’re photographing a wedding in 1920 while still making you laugh like you’re at a backyard BBQ.
Marriott St. Louis Grand Wedding Venue
Right in the heart of downtown St. Louis, this venue brings all the classic hotel wedding vibes. It’s the kind of place where your wedding photos instantly look expensive.
You’ve got elegant indoor spaces for clean, timeless portraits, plus quick access to downtown St. Louis for those city shots that make your gallery feel like a magazine spread. And if you’re brave enough to step outside for five minutes? Boom—urban skyline and city lights.
The best part is how versatile it is. Big guest list? Easy. Rainy day? No problem. Want to sneak away for a few quiet portraits while your guests are distracted by cake? Even better.
If you’re planning a Marriott St. Louis Grand wedding in downtown St. Louis, this venue gives you the space, style, and flexibility to make your day feel big, fun, and completely you.
The Magnolia Hotel Wedding Venue
The Magnolia Hotel in downtown St. Louis is what happens when a building decides it’s tired of being “just another venue” and shows up ready to absolutely steal the show.
This place has main-character energy in the best way—historic charm, dramatic lighting, and that downtown backdrop that makes your wedding feel like it has its own soundtrack. It’s the kind of venue where even your candid photos look like they were styled on purpose.
Inside, you get that classic-meets-modern vibe: warm tones, elegant architecture, and spaces that somehow feel fancy without making you feel like you need to know which fork is for salad. It’s polished, but still relaxed enough that your wedding day doesn’t feel like a performance.
And then there’s downtown St. Louis right outside—so your portraits can go from intimate, cozy indoor moments to bold city shots in about 30 seconds. It’s basically a photographer’s playground disguised as a hotel.
From a photography standpoint, The Magnolia is a dream. The light is soft where it needs to be, dramatic where it should be, and forgiving when things get emotional (which, let’s be honest, they will). It’s a venue that makes real moments look even better without trying too hard.
At Josh and Lindsey Photo, we love working at The Magnolia Hotel St. Louis wedding venue because it lets couples actually enjoy their day instead of worrying about how it looks.
If you’re searching for a Magnolia Hotel St. Louis wedding photographer, we’re already mentally packing our cameras.
Wedding venues in St. Louis are kind of like dating apps for buildings—some look absolutely perfect in photos, some are shockingly charming in person, and a few make you wonder, “who approved this lighting?” From downtown industrial lofts and historic hotels to garden spaces that feel straight out of a movie, St. Louis wedding venues come in every personality imaginable.
And honestly? Couples get overwhelmed fast. One minute you’re excited, the next you’ve got 37 tabs open and you’re comparing chandeliers like they’re life decisions.
But here’s your reminder: your venue is the backdrop—not the main character.
At Josh and Lindsey Photo, we’re not just showing up to your St. Louis wedding venue with cameras and calling it a day. We’re stepping into the flow of everything happening around you so you don’t have to think about it. We help guide you through the day so it never feels like you’re being herded through a checklist.
So whether your St. Louis wedding venue is modern, historic, rustic, or somewhere in between, our job stays the same: keep it real, keep it relaxed, and make sure you actually live your day instead of just moving through it.
You bring the people and the energy. We’ll handle the rest—and make it look like it all went exactly how it was supposed to.