Historic Southeast Missouri Wedding Venue with Packages That Don’t Suck

Chrystal Battaglia
Sep 1
6 min read

bride and groom at arcadia academy grotto spring historic pond

Hi friends, it’s Chrystal here, your friendly neighborhood wedding coordinator, owner/operator of Arcadia Academy, former detective (yes, really), and professional wedding wrangler. I’m here to talk about the thing most couples dread more than writing vows: wedding pricing.

At Arcadia Academy, I build packages that are honest, straightforward, and actually save you money (wild concept, right?).

But don’t panic. Grab a snack, kick back, and let me break it down for you in a way that doesn’t feel like reading a tax form. And honestly? You deserve to know exactly what you’re getting without needing a calculator, an accountant, and three margaritas.

Let’s dive into the packages that’ll make you say “shut up and take my money.”

🏰 What’s Always Included in Every Arcadia Academy Rental

No matter which package you choose. From our sweet and simple Bloom Package to the all-out Evermore Experience, every rental at Arcadia Academy comes with these essentials baked right in (because who wants to nickel-and-dime love?):

Exclusive use of our historic spaces — chapel, courtyards, reception areas, and grounds. Basically, it’s your castle for the day.
Private Bridal Suite — a cozy, camera-ready spot for you and your crew to get dolled up with mimosas in hand.
Groom’s Quarters — so the guys have a place to “get ready” (read: shoot pool and pretend they’re not nervous).
Tables & Chairs — for both ceremony and reception. Sitting on the floor isn’t romantic.
Linens (tablecloths & napkins) — Because why settle for Ivory?
Dinnerware — plates, flatware, all included. You can cross “rent dishes” off your to-do list.
Access to our Décor Room — a curated stash of stylish extras you can use to dress up your day.
Mirror Photo Booth — because your guests deserve more than just iPhone selfies.
Audio Guestbook — save the voices, the laughs, and maybe even grandma’s advice about “never going to bed angry.”
Yard Games — cornhole, giant Jenga, Axe throwing, and other fun to keep guests entertained while you’re off taking photos.
Day-of venue coordination — me (hi 👋) and my team making sure everything runs on schedule and vendors behave.
Setup & Teardown of venue items — tables, chairs, linens are placed, then whisked away after the party. You just show up and look fabulous.
On-site Parking — no guessing where to park, no shuttle nightmares.
Restrooms & climate-controlled indoor spaces — because comfort matters, even on the dance floor.
Cleanup — you head off to the honeymoon suite, we handle the mess.

✨ Translation: you don’t just rent a space, you rent peace of mind. And trust me, that’s priceless on wedding day.

Note: Specialty installs or full-service décor setup/teardown beyond the standard venue items can be handled by our Setup/Takedown Crew add-on (included automatically in the Evermore tier).

🌸 Tier 1 — The Bloom Package

Food + Beer/Wine Bar + Rental: $84 to $109 per guest

bride and groom first dance in historic arcadia academy gymnasium

This one is short, sweet, and to the point. Think of it as the starter pack for celebrating in style. It covers all the essentials:

A delicious dinner (no dry chicken here)
Beer and wine for your guests (liquid courage for the dance floor)
Your venue rental

💡 For 140 guests, this would run $11,760 as a package. If you pieced it together à la carte, it’d be $11,575.40. Basically the same — but where this shines is for smaller weddings, where the package saves you on the flat rental cost.

🍹 Tier 2 — The Wedding Weekend

Food + Beer/Wine Cocktail Hour + Wells Bar Reception + Rental + Lodging $99 to $139 per guest

This one levels you up big time. You’re not just having a wedding — you’re having a weekend experience.

Cocktail hour with beer & wine (because appetizers need drinks, duh)
Wells bar for the reception (your guests will thank you later)
Two nights of lodging on-site (no hotel shuffle — everyone stays close by)
Venue rental and food included

💡 For 140 guests, à la carte would cost $19,865.60. The package? Just $13,860. That’s over $6,000 saved. Yes, I triple-checked the math because even I didn’t believe it at first.

🕯️ Tier 3 — The Signature Celebration

Everything in Tier 2 + Rehearsal Dinner + Lantern Tour + Champagne Toast: $119 to $159 per guest

This is where things start to get really good.

bride and groom walking in the courtyard of arcadia academy next to the historic priest house and chapel

A full hosted rehearsal dinner (so everyone knows when to walk and where not to trip)
Our famous historic Lantern Tour the night before (spooky, romantic, and 100% Instagram-worthy)
A champagne toast (clink clink, baby)

💡 For 140 guests, à la carte would be $28,361. Package price? $16,660. You’re saving over $11,000. That’s basically a honeymoon fund right there.

🎶 Tier 4 — The Grand Celebration

Everything in Tier 3 + Premium Bar + Late-Night Snacks: $129 to $169 per guest

Because you know what every wedding really needs? More booze and more food.

Upgrade to a premium bar (top-shelf spirits = happy guests)
Late-night snacks (so nobody leaves hangry or raids Casey's in formalwear)

💡 For 140 guests, à la carte would run $30,367.60. The package? $18,060. You just saved $12,300. Boom.

✨ Tier 5 — The Evermore Experience

Everything in Tier 4 + Farewell Brunch + Golf Cart Attendant + Setup Crew: $145 to $185 per guest

This is the chef’s kiss of wedding weekends. The “go big or go home” package. The Beyoncé of weddings.

Farewell brunch (because mimosas are mandatory the morning after)
A golf cart chauffeur (yes, really — Aunt Linda isn’t walking in heels across the lawn)
Setup and takedown crew (aka you don’t lift a finger, not even a pinky)

💡 For 140 guests, à la carte = $33,167.60. Package price = $20,300. That’s nearly $13,000 in savings.

So… Which Package Do Couples Choose?

Here’s the deal: Tier 1 looks fine on paper, but most couples upgrade once they see how much they save with Tiers 3–5. The Signature Celebration, Grand Celebration, and Evermore Experience offer massive value... like, “why wouldn’t you” levels of value.

And hey, weddings are supposed to feel special. You deserve more than just the basics. (Plus, your guests will talk about that late-night snack bar and brunch forever.)

a bride entering a horse drawn carriage in front of arcadia academy historic gymnasium

Why Couples Love Arcadia Academy

Besides the fact that we’re one of the most unique historic wedding venues in Southeast Missouri (hello, 150-year-old chapel and dreamy courtyards), here’s the real deal: We're in this with you.

I don’t price packages with a “profit margin” like some corporate venue. Nope. I build them so that couples get exactly what they pay for with no shady add-ons, no last-minute “oops, forgot the napkin fee.” Just real numbers, good food, and a family that actually cares about your day.

Ready to Book Your Wedding in Southeast Missouri?

If you’re looking for a St. Louis wedding alternative that doesn’t break the bank, has character, history, and a whole lot of charm, you just found it.

Click here to schedule a tour (because once you step inside, you’ll get it).

Until then, remember: planning a wedding should be fun. And if you book with me, it will be. Pinky promise.

Ready to Tour?

Book a visit and let me walk you through the chapel, courtyards, and all the dreamy spaces. Once you see it in person, you’ll understand why couples choose Arcadia Academy again and again.

Oh, and fair warning: once you try our food, you’ll basically be ready to sign on the spot.

✨ Affordable Southeast Missouri wedding venue. All-inclusive St. Louis wedding alternative. Historic venue charm. Packages that actually save you money.

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