The Real Cost of a Wedding Venue: Why Transparent Pricing Matters for Couples in Missouri

Chrystal Battaglia
5 days ago
4 min read

arcadia academy reception with linens and dinnerware included in the price — We include linens & napkins (in over 50 colors) PLUS dinnerware in our venue pricing!

Let’s be real, wedding planning can feel a lot like online dating. The venue looks amazing in photos, says all the right things, and tells you it’s totally affordable. Then you get serious, you decide to make the first move and message them… and suddenly it’s ghosting you, gaslighting your budget, and showing you a completely different personality once you commit to date in person.

The red flag? Hidden fees.

At Arcadia Academy Weddings in Arcadia Valley, Missouri, we don’t play those games. We’re the honest, dependable type. The kind of date you'll bring home to the parents. We believe in transparent pricing, real value, and no nasty surprises lurking in your final invoice.

Let’s break down the actual cost of a wedding and why you should swipe left on vague venues and swipe right on honesty (aka: us LOL).

💸 So, What Does a Wedding Really Cost?

If you've ever typed “how much does a wedding cost” into Google and immediately regretted it, you’re not alone. National averages throw out numbers like $30,000+, but here's the truth: it depends. Not just on your guest list, but on how your venue structures pricing.

Many wedding venues use the dreaded “starting at” language, which is code for: “This price gets you a room, some chairs, and good luck figuring out the rest.”

Here’s what usually isn’t included in most of those starting prices:

Chairs that aren’t plastic folding ones from a 1990s potluck
Tables, linens, silverware, water (no, really)
Setup and cleanup (hope Aunt Brenda brought gloves!)
Cake-cutting, bartender labor, garbage removal, breathing air

a bride going over her wedding budget and looking tired

🛑 Why Hidden Fees Are the Ultimate Wedding Buzzkill

Imagine buying a car and then finding out the tires, steering wheel, and seatbelts are extra. That’s what it’s like booking a venue that only gives you a shell and then charges à la carte for the stuff you thought was included.

Here’s what that “affordable” $5,000 venue might turn into:

$1,500 for tables/chairs/linens
$2,500 for outside catering fees + minimums
$1,200 for bar setup + bartender
$800 cleanup fee (?!)
$300 to turn on the lights (they also call this "uplighting" to make it sound ✨expensive✨)

Suddenly you’re $12,000 deep, and you haven’t even bought the dress. We don’t do that to you at Arcadia Academy.

🎯 Enter: Transparent Pricing (aka: Wedding Planning Without the Drama)

At Arcadia Academy, everything is upfront. You can see our prices right on our website. No awkward “schedule a call to find out what you’re signing up for” vibes. What you see is what you get.

Here’s how we keep it simple:

No hidden fees. Period.
All-inclusive options available (food, bar, suites, the works)
Saturday & Sunday packages with clear service breakdowns
No “gotcha” charges for cake cutting, breathing, or existing
You don’t need a PhD in Excel to understand our pricing

📊 Let’s Compare… Just for Fun

Here's a sample cost breakdown of a 125-guest wedding:

Service	“That One Venue”	Arcadia Academy
Venue Rental	$5,000	$4400 on a good day
Tables/Chairs/Linens	$1,000+	Included
Catering (per person)	$65–$90	$19-$25
Bartender + Bar Setup	$1,500+	Included (if selected)
Bridal Suite	$400	Included
Ceremony	$1500	Included
Setup/Cleanup	$600–$1,000	Included
Admin Fees (just because)	$200–$500	Nope

✨ With us, you actually get what you pay for. Imagine that.

🤷‍♀️ So Why Don’t More Venues Do This?

Because hidden fees make money. But we don’t want to nickel and dime you—we want to help you have the best day of your life without the regret hangover that comes from “extra charges” you didn’t see coming.

We believe you should know:

Exactly what you’re getting
Exactly what it’s going to cost
Exactly who to text when your maid of honor asks if mimosa delivery is an option (That's me!)

💍 Real Couples, Real Relief

“Every venue we looked at had pricing that felt like a trick question. Arcadia Academy told us the price up front—and they stuck to it. We LOVED that.” – Lacey & Ben, St. Louis

“Chrystal was so helpful and transparent the whole way through. No guessing, no surprise charges, and the wedding was perfect.” – Haley & Josh, Cape Girardeau

🎉 And In 2026… Even Easier

Starting in 2026, we’re rolling out fully all-inclusive packages that include:

Venue
Lodging
Catering
Bar
DJ
Florals
Cake
Full coordination
Décor setup and takedown

Yes—you’ll literally just have to show up. No spreadsheets. No vendor juggling. No “what else do we need to pay for?” conversations.

bride and groom and their dog in st josephs chapel in arcadia academy southeast missouri — Andrea and Brennan got married in less than 6 weeks!

✨ Let’s Keep It Real (And Fun)

If you're ready to ditch the vague pricing and wedding math anxiety, come tour Arcadia Academy. We’ll show you the space, walk through your options, and give you the exact price—no fluff, no pressure, no spreadsheet-induced migraines.

📍 90 miles south of St. Louis in beautiful Arcadia Valley💒 Historic charm + modern amenities💰 Transparent pricing (so refreshing)🛏️ Lodging, catering, bar, bridal suites, and more🎉 Saturday & Sunday wedding dates available

🗓️ Book Your Tour Today

Let’s make your wedding amazing—and budget-friendly.👉 www.arcadiaacademy.com/weddings 📞 Call us at (573) 271-3646

Cheers!

Chrystal

P.S. We partner with other locally owned wedding venues and we need your help! It's an easy as leaving a thoughtful Google review, following them on social media, or recommending them to family and friends!