Okay so you have your ceremony and reception venues picked. Check. You might even have your photographer and videographer. Check. Now you can take a minute to breathe and relax for a few days. Go ahead, you deserve it! But don't get too settled in. There's a number of things left to do, one of which is decide where the guys and girls are going to get ready in the morning. You have a lot of options to consider. Should we get ready at our home or get a hotel? What about the basement of the church or a boardroom at our venue? Should it be close to the church or reception? There are 4 focus points you should look for in your morning prep location: enough space for those getting ready and your vendors, convenience of location, how well the space is naturally lit, and whether or not you will feel comfortable in that space.
Hotel Ignacio
This super awesome boutique hotel located near SLU and the Fox has this retro art deco vibe that's hard not to love. Their suite is perfect for mid-sized wedding parties 3-6 bridesmaids/groomsmen. It's location is convenient for any wedding between the river and Forest Park, especially the nearby venues including Plush, Xavier, Fox, and Coronado. We love that since it's a smaller hotel, the bridesmaids and groomsmen can all be close to each other.
Hilton St Louis at the Ballpark
We've filmed a number of weddings at the Hilton Ballpark and they always turn out incredible. Great location for downtown weddings. Their rooms are super bright in the morning, particularly if you have an archview room. The suite can handle large wedding parties comfortably and all the rooms are surprisingly affordable. With a significant walk between the two towers, aim to have all rooms booked in the same one.
Four Seasons
If you're familiar with St Louis you were probably expecting this one. It's the definition of luxury. While the suites are perfect for large groups, if you have a smaller or mid-sized wedding party their standard and corner rooms are perfectly fine. After the suit and dress is on, many photographers will knock out some of the wedding party photos near their ultra-modern lobby staircase or out on the rooftop balcony. Both offer views of St Louis that no other space can provide.
Airbnb
Even if things are running on schedule the morning of the wedding, nerves tend to run higher than normal. It's important that the space you're in makes you feel relaxed and at home. With the Airbnb option reach out to your booked creatives for a second opinion since lighting and comfort can vary greatly from one home to another. I would advise you to look up a couple different homes/apartments and send them to your photographer or videographer. In the St Louis area, our best luck with great Airbnb spots have been in the Soulard/Tower Grove area.
Doubletree Hilton - Collinsville
This one is mainly for my Illinois couples. People are always surprised that we bring this one up. hidden just off 55/70 near the convention center, it's competitively priced and the furnishings and lighting are on par with many of the higher end hotels downtown. Be sure to check out their largest suite. Parking and interstate access is a breeze. If your wedding is in Fairview or Edwardsville, this is the spot we would recommend.
The Westin St Louis
The Westin is another one of our favorite downtown options. The suite is spacious and bright, the standard rooms are great as well, and access to downtown venues is easy. The biggest reason I bring this spot up though is the service. As a vendor working at weddings, hotels have sometimes treated us with hesitation. Not here. The front desk was incredibly helpful and everyone had a smile. So simple but it goes such a long way!
Union Station
We love Union Station for countless reasons. When you step into the lobby, it feels like you've turned back time. It has this surreal vide inside and out. Union Station has two sides to the hotel. The side we want you to look at faces Market St. The rooms here are much brighter and warmer with all this really cool vintage railroad art. I also love that the layout of the rooms isn't your standard rectangle box. The cut-up design gives your photographer and videographer more to play with during your morning prep.
captured in frames - St. Louis Wedding Videography