Affordable Wedding Venues Near St. Louis: Why Arcadia Academy in Southeast Missouri is a Hidden Gem

Beautiful Bride and Groom in front of the original entrance to Arcadia Academy

Woohoo! You got the ring and now its time to plan the party.....oh wait, it's gonna cost HOW MUCH?!?! Yeah planning your dream wedding can be one of the most exciting seasons of your life, but let's face it, it can also be one of the most expensive seasons of your life. If you're searching for affordable wedding venues near St. Louis without sacrificing charm, elegance, or convenience, there's a hidden gem nestled just 90 miles south: Arcadia Academy in Arcadia Valley, Missouri.

More and more couples from the St. Louis area and beyond are discovering the beauty and value of hosting their weddings at Arcadia Academy, a stunning and all-inclusive wedding venue that makes dream weddings both affordable and stress-free.

Why Couples Are Looking Outside St. Louis for Wedding Venues

St. Louis has no shortage of wedding venues, but many couples quickly realize that prices for downtown venues can skyrocket—especially once you add in extras like catering, rentals, bar services, and lodging. What may look affordable at first glance can balloon into tens of thousands in hidden fees and à la carte add-ons.

That’s why so many brides and grooms are expanding their search radius and heading south to Arcadia Valley, where wedding venues like Arcadia Academy offer affordable elegance, transparent pricing, and everything in one place.

What Makes Arcadia Academy Stand Out?

✅ 1. Affordable Packages with No Hidden Fees

Let’s start with the biggest question couples have: “What’s it really going to cost?”

At Arcadia Academy, all pricing is clearly listed on our website, so you know exactly what you’re getting—no surprises, no hidden fees. Whether you’re booking our venue space only or choosing one of our all-inclusive wedding packages, we believe you deserve complete transparency.

This makes it easy to budget, plan, and feel confident about what’s included.

✅ 2. All-Inclusive Convenience

When we say all-inclusive, we mean it. Our packages are designed to simplify your wedding planning process while giving you everything you need for an unforgettable day. We offer:

Onsite catering through our in-house kitchen, The Abbey Kitchen Catering
Full bar services with licensed bartenders
Linens, Chairs, Tables, Dinnerware ALL included!
Lodging for your entire wedding party or guests
Bridal suites for getting ready in style and comfort
Setup and cleanup included
Day-of-Coordination by Chrystal
Optional add-ons like DJ, floral, cake, and photography coming in 2026? (We have some convincing to do with the fam).

Why juggle 10 different vendors when you can work with one experienced team that has your back every step of the way?

A Destination Feel Without the Destination Price

Arcadia Valley is one of Southeast Missouri’s best-kept secrets. Surrounded by the beautiful Ozark Mountains, our location feels like a peaceful escape—without asking your guests to book a plane ticket. Many of our couples tell us it feels like a destination wedding, even though it’s just a short 90-minute drive from St. Louis.

Our grounds include historic buildings, an elegant chapel, outdoor ceremony spaces, homemade ice cream and cinnamon rolls, and picturesque photo backdrops that rival any luxury resort. Whether you’re dreaming of a romantic indoor wedding or a scenic outdoor celebration, Arcadia Academy offers options to suit every style and season.

Need to get your Great Aunt Sally away from you for the day? Arcadia Academy is a short drive from gorgeous free state parks like Elephant Rocks, Johnson Shut-Ins, Taum Sauk, and Black River (just don't leave her floating down the river although that would be a funny story to tell).

More Than a Venue – It’s a Full Experience

Catering at the Arcadia Academy by award winning Thee Abbey Kitchen

Your wedding isn’t just one day—it’s a full experience. At Arcadia Academy, couples and their guests can spend the entire weekend onsite, enjoying:

Comfortable lodging in our guest rooms and suites
A cozy onsite ice cream shop and restaurant
Access to local attractions like Elephant Rocks, Johnson’s Shut-Ins, and Caledonia
A stress-free atmosphere where everything is handled in-house

From rehearsal dinner to Sunday brunch, your entire wedding weekend can happen in one beautiful location.

Real Couples, Real Stories

We’re honored to have hosted hundreds of beautiful weddings over the years. Here’s what just a few of our couples have shared:

“Arcadia Academy was everything we dreamed of and more. The pricing was so reasonable compared to what we found in St. Louis, and the venue is absolutely breathtaking. Our guests couldn’t stop raving about how beautiful and relaxed the whole weekend felt.” – Sarah & Josh, St. Louis, MO

“We loved that we didn’t have to worry about a thing. The catering was amazing, the staff was so organized, and the bridal suite was a dream. We recommend it to everyone looking for a stress-free, affordable wedding.” – Danielle & Marcus, Farmington, MO

Perfect for Local & Out-of-Town Guests

Whether you're from St. Louis, Cape Girardeau, or even out of state, Arcadia Academy is easily accessible yet feels like a true getaway. Our lodging options make it easy to host guests on-site, which is especially helpful for destination weddings or couples with family traveling in.

Need help with planning? We’ve got you covered. Our day-of-coordination team works with you to build a seamless timeline, manage vendors, and handle all the details—so you can focus on enjoying your big day.

Coming in 2026: The Ultimate All-Inclusive Wedding Package

We’re always growing, and starting in 2026, we’re taking our all-inclusive offerings to the next level. (I mean....we haven't totally convinced the family members to join in but one can manifest right? Let's see if they even read my blog LOL) Imagine a package that includes:

Venue + Catering + Lodging
Bar Service
DJ & Entertainment
Floral Arrangements and centerpieces
Cake & Desserts
Full Wedding Coordination
Décor & Setup
Stunning Photography and Video

All you have to do is show up—and we take care of the rest. Stay tuned as we roll out these exciting updates! EEEK!

Why Wait? Come Tour Arcadia Academy

If you’re looking for an affordable wedding venue near St. Louis that offers both beauty and value, schedule a tour of Arcadia Academy today. We’d love to show you around, answer all your questions, and help you picture your perfect wedding day here in Arcadia Valley.

📍 Located just 90 miles south of St. Louis💍 Transparent pricing and all-inclusive packages🏡 Lodging, catering, bar, and bridal suites on site🌿 Scenic charm and historic elegance without the high price tag

Book Your Tour Today

Let’s make your dream wedding a reality—without the stress and without breaking the bank. Visit our website to explore our packages, check availability, and schedule your private tour of Arcadia Academy.

👉 events@arcadiaacademy.com📞 Or call us at (573) 271-3646

P.S. Let's keep weddings affordable! When searching for a venue, look out for locally owned and operated wedding venues. Your locally owned wedding venues are small business owners who not only create hundreds of jobs for the local wedding industry every year, we actively support our local economy. Please consider a locally owned venue, you can find locally owned wedding venues featured on this wedding venue map.