Micro Wedding Ideas in St. Louis: Intimate Venues for 50 Guests or Less
There's something incredibly special about intimate weddings. When you pare down your guest list to your closest family and friends, something magical happens; the day feels more personal, more meaningful, and honestly, more like you.
As a St. Louis wedding photographer who's captured 100+ weddings, I've seen how these smaller gatherings allow couples to truly be present. You get to talk to everyone. You can linger over dinner. You have time for the moments that matter instead of rushing through a receiving line of 200 people.
If you're planning a micro wedding in St. Louis for 50 guests or less, you're in the right place!
What Is a Micro Wedding?
A micro wedding typically includes 50 guests or fewer. It's different from an elopement (which is usually just the couple, possibly with a few witnesses) but much smaller than a traditional wedding.
The beauty of a micro wedding is that you get the intimacy of an elopement with the celebration aspect of a traditional wedding. You're not sacrificing the party or the meaning; you're just being more intentional about who's there to share it with you.
Beautiful, Intimate Wedding Venues in St. Louis
The Jewel Box in Forest Park
The Jewel Box is absolutely perfect for micro weddings. This art deco greenhouse accommodates up to 150 guests, but it shines with smaller groups where everyone can appreciate the intimate, garden-like atmosphere.
Capacity: 50 guests or less works beautifully here What Makes It Special: The glass walls and tropical plants create a romantic, enclosed garden feel. In winter, it's especially magical when it's the only lush, green space around. Photography Notes: The natural light is incredible, and with a smaller group, we have more time to capture creative portraits throughout Forest Park.
Laumeier Sculpture Park
For couples who want an outdoor micro wedding with an artistic twist, Laumeier offers a unique backdrop. You can reserve spaces within the park for intimate ceremonies and small receptions.
Capacity: Perfect for groups of 50 or less What Makes It Special: The combination of nature and contemporary sculpture creates a one-of-a-kind setting. It's beautiful, unexpected, and very St. Louis. Photography Notes: The sculptures and natural landscape provide stunning, artistic backdrops. Golden hour here is particularly gorgeous.
The Coronado Ballroom
While The Coronado can accommodate larger weddings, it scales down beautifully for intimate celebrations. The vintage details and elegant atmosphere work wonderfully for smaller groups.
Capacity: Comfortable for 50 guests with room to move and mingle What Makes It Special: Historic charm, downtown location, and the art deco details create timeless elegance without feeling stuffy. Photography Notes: The architectural details and lighting are stunning, and with fewer people, we can be more creative with the space.
Tower Grove House
This historic mansion in Tower Grove Park offers elegant indoor spaces and beautiful outdoor gardens, perfect for an intimate celebration with a touch of grandeur.
Capacity: Ideal for 30-50 guests What Makes It Special: Victorian elegance in a park setting. The mansion's rooms are beautifully preserved, and the surrounding gardens are lovely for outdoor ceremonies. Photography Notes: The historic architecture and manicured gardens photograph beautifully in every season.
The Focal Point
This contemporary art gallery and event space in the Maplewood/Richmond Heights area offers a blank canvas for creative couples who want something modern and unique.
Capacity: Comfortable for up to 50 guests What Makes It Special: Clean, modern aesthetic with natural light and flexible layout. You can truly make it your own. Photography Notes: The gallery lighting and minimalist backdrop let your personal style and the people shine through.
Boathouse at Forest Park
For a lakeside micro wedding, the Boathouse offers a scenic waterfront setting right in Forest Park with both indoor and outdoor options.
Capacity: Perfect for intimate gatherings of 50 or less What Makes It Special: Waterfront views, park setting, and the relaxed atmosphere of being by the lake. Photography Notes: The lake, trees, and natural surroundings create romantic, timeless photos.
Private Homes and Airbnbs
Don't overlook the possibility of hosting your micro wedding at a beautiful private home or Airbnb rental. The St. Louis area has some stunning historic homes and unique properties available for events.
Capacity: Depends on the property, but many can accommodate 30-50 guests comfortably What Makes It Special: Ultimate intimacy and personalization. It feels like hosting your closest people in a beautiful home. Photography Notes: The authentic, personal feeling creates warm, genuine photos. Plus, we often have more time and flexibility for creative shots.
Micro Wedding Planning Tips and Considerations
Your Budget Goes Further
Here's one of the best parts about micro weddings: your budget stretches so much further. With 50 guests instead of 150, you can afford higher quality food, a better photographer, that amazing florist you've been eyeing, or a stunning venue that might have been out of reach for a larger wedding.
You're not compromising. You're redirecting your resources toward quality over quantity. Many couples find they can have the wedding of their dreams by keeping the guest list intimate.
You Don’t Feel Hurried
I can't stress this enough: at a micro wedding, you'll actually get to eat your dinner. You'll have real conversations with your guests. You won't spend the entire reception taking photos with people you barely see anymore.
The pace of the day feels more relaxed, which means you're more present, less stressed, and able to truly soak in the experience.
Consider a Longer Reception
With fewer guests, you might not need the typical 5-hour reception timeline after the ceremony. Some couples opt for a longer, leisurely dinner experience—think a 2-3 hour meal with multiple courses, time for toasts, and meaningful conversation. It feels more like an elegant dinner party than a traditional wedding reception.
Alternatively, you could add special experiences like a private tour, a group activity, or extended cocktail hour.
Personalization Becomes Easier
With 50 guests or less, you can personalize things in ways that would be impossible with a larger wedding (such as handwritten notes at each place setting).
You can also have more flexibility with your seating arrangement. Perhaps one long table instead of traditional rounds, or a few intimate groupings that encourage conversation.
Don't Skip the Details That Matter to You
Just because your wedding is smaller doesn't mean you should skip the elements that are important to you. If you've always dreamed of a stunning floral arch, get it. If live music matters to you, hire that string quartet. If you want a gorgeous wedding cake, order one that serves 50.
Micro weddings aren't about doing less; they're about being intentional with what you include.
What About Guest List Decisions?
This is often the hardest part of planning a micro wedding. How do you decide who makes the cut?
Here's my advice: start with your absolute must-haves. Who are the people you cannot imagine getting married without? Usually, this is immediate family and your very closest friends. If you're worried about hurt feelings, consider these approaches:
Be honest: "We're having a very small, intimate wedding with just immediate family and closest friends."
Host a larger celebration later: Some couples throw a casual backyard party or restaurant gathering after the wedding for extended family and other friends.
Share your day virtually: Live-streaming your ceremony lets people feel included even if they can't be there in person.
Remember, people are generally more understanding than you think, especially if you're kind and clear in your communication.
Photography for Micro Weddings
Here's something I always tell couples planning intimate weddings: you don't need less photography coverage just because you have fewer guests. In fact, you might want more.
With a smaller wedding, we have the luxury of time. We can take our time with portraits without worrying about cocktail hour running too long. We can capture those quiet, in-between moments—your mom adjusting your veil, your partner tearing up during toasts, the way your best friend laughs at dinner.
The photos from micro weddings often feel more intimate and genuine because there's less chaos, less rushing, and more presence. You're not performing for a crowd; you're simply being yourselves with the people who matter most.
I recommend full-day coverage even for micro weddings. This allows us to capture getting ready, any first look or pre-ceremony moments, the ceremony itself, family and wedding party photos, couples portraits (without rushing), and the entire reception. With fewer people, we can also get creative and try shots that wouldn't be possible at a larger wedding.
Is a Micro Wedding Right for You?
Micro weddings aren't for everyone, and that's okay. They're perfect if:
You genuinely prefer intimate gatherings over large parties
You want to prioritize quality over quantity
You have budget constraints but don't want to compromise on what matters most to you
You feel overwhelmed by traditional wedding planning and guest list politics
You want a day that feels personal and authentic rather than performative
They might not be the right choice if:
You genuinely love hosting large gatherings and want everyone there
Family dynamics make a small guest list unrealistic or too stressful
You've always dreamed of a big celebration and would feel like you're missing out
There's no right or wrong answer—only what feels right for you and your partner.
Tell Me About Your Wedding!
Fill out the form below to see if I have your wedding date available. I’m based in Missouri but frequently traveling out of state for weddings in Oklahoma and New England.
On average, Missouri couples spend $4,500 for their wedding photography. Sessions begin at $500.