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Mrs. Argyle, St. Louis Age and Occupation: 24, Project Coordinator Fiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Pilot Engagement Date: February 15, 2009 Wedding Date: September 2010 Venue: Jewel Box in Forest Park and Windows on Washington About Me: I'm a true Midwestern girl (born and raised), lover of red wine, reality TV and the entire J.Crew catalog. I love to dance regardless of who is watching, and enjoy a good laugh with my girls. I have a soft spot in my heart for planet Earth, my two dogs and my fiance. Fall is my favorite season (which is why we are marrying in September), but I love a warm summer day and the Colorado mountains in the winter. We are planning a modern soiree downtown, with lots of bold colors, and fun, eco-friendly elements.
About Mrs. Argyle

Picking a Spot for Our Reception

February 10th, 2010 @ 11:25 am by Mrs. Argyle

Our reception venue was the second thing we tackled on our list of wedding to-dos.

Right after the engagement, we had both talked about having the reception at the Missouri History Museum. It just seemed like the right choice. It has beautiful architecture and it appealed to Mr. Argyle because it is the History Museum, and because there is a replica of the Spirit of St. Louis airplane in the atrium. It was perfect… except that it was not large enough to hold all of our guests. This was heartbreak #1 of our wedding planning.

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So, after knowing that the Missouri History Museum would not work, we started our search over again. This time, we stumbled upon the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark. They have a new ballroom that overlooks the St. Louis Arch and Old Courthouse, AND it has floor-to-ceiling windows. Perfect, right? It was a modern twist on the old-fashioned ballroom. I loved it, Mom Argyle loved it and Mr. Argyle loved it. The only problem we were concerned about was what we got for the money. Trust me, I would give my left arm for this room (and that view). Did I mention it is right next to Busch Stadium, too?

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And, so began the search… again. This time, we knew we needed to stay downtown, but our choices were limited with what was available. I wanted something unique that wasn’t your traditional ballroom or reception hall. That lead us to our last option: Windows on Washington. After researching and asking friends who had their reception there, Mr. Argyle and I finally agreed this would be it. It has character, windows, a view of the city, it’s modern and contemporary, and for what we were paying, it was well worth every penny. We loved that it was on the top floor, the bar was unique and there were windows galore! Take a look for yourself:

Picking a Spot for Our Reception :  wedding venues 33 Photobucket

Picking a Spot for Our Reception :  wedding venues 42 Photobucket

Picking a Spot for Our Reception :  wedding venues 52 Photobucket

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The pictures really don’t do it justice – it’s a great open space with tall ceilings and that “loft” feel. We could not have been happier with our choice.

Did you have to sacrifice your dream venue due to guest list constraints? Would you rather tailor your guest list to fit your venue, or vice versa?

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26 Responses to “Picking a Spot for Our Reception”

1 2 

1.
Lindsay12.31.2010
Member
Lindsay12.31.2010 (message)  5,474 posts, Bee Keeper

They are both gorgeous! FI is from St. Louis, so I have seen them both in person (having visited Busch Stadium MANY times :)

 
2.
cabanagrl9
Member
cabanagrl9 (message)  466 posts, Helper bee

Its so funny that you just posted this bc I am in the middle or venue discussions with my FI and our wedding planner right this minute! I fell in love with the first place we saw and I can not get over it. They raised their prices after we saw it and its now out of our budget about $2000. I WANT IT! hahahaha. I havent seen any other place that even compares and it makes me sad!

I love the bar and the windows at your venue! They are great!!!!

 
3.
Miss Pug
Bee
Miss Pug (message)  3,753 posts, Honey bee

i had several dream locations that i had to give up on because of cost. bummer. windows on washington looks really, really lovely–great choice! the long bar with the hanging mirrors is very cool.

 
4.
Bee Icon
Bee
Miss Parfait (message)  1,755 posts, Buzzing bee

I had to say goodbye to a few favorite venues, too. But the one you picked looks fabulous!

 
5.
Bee Icon
Bee
Miss Ribbons (message)  2,018 posts, Buzzing bee

Even the venue you ’settled’ for is amazing.

We couldn’t get the venue I wanted because we didn’t have enough people, but that’s not something you can really change :)

 
6.
Member Icon
Member
marcam882 (message)  296 posts, Helper bee

Your venue is gorgeous! It feels like Manhattan Penthouse in nyc (I’ve never been to St. Louis so that’s all I have to compare it to =) Congrats!

 
7.
Bee Icon
Bee
Miss Guinea Pig (message)  1,377 posts, Bumble bee

Wow, that does look light and lofty - all those windows are great!

 
8.
redherring
Member
redherring (message)  1,969 posts, Buzzing bee

Oh, the venue that wasn’t … After we decided on our guest list, my fiance and I toured a place that I absolutely loved. It was perfect in every single way … except for it requiring that we basically cut our list by a third. I couldn’t imagine not inviting that many people, so we found a Plan B that my fiance adores and that’s good enough for me. But every time I pass Venue A, I stare at it wistfully. Someday, maybe we’ll throw a rockin’ party there with a smaller guest list. Dare to dream.

 
9.
Miss French Fries
Bee
Miss French Fries (message)  2,217 posts, Buzzing bee

That looks like a great space! We had to nix a few places from our list, too — it’s hard finding the right place!

 
10.
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Member
KMSull (message)  6,442 posts, Bee Keeper

Ooooh I love love love your venue! Those mirror boxes are amazing… can you steal one for me? It would look awesome on my wall!

 
11.
Guest Icon
Guest
Robin

we got our dream reception by taking a sunday wedding date.

 
12.
Miss Pretzel
Bee
Miss Pretzel (message)  1,893 posts, Buzzing bee

Loft Love! :-) It looks amazing- can’t see what you do with it!

 
13.
HereComesTheSun
Member
HereComesTheSun (message)  363 posts, Helper bee

Oh we looked at WOW for a possible venue before deciding to have ours in Texas (where we live now)!

I don’t think photos do it justice. It’s really stunning in person.

And yes, we wanted another venue but it was too small for our guest list… even though our guest list is smaller than average!

 
14.
edoherty24
Member
edoherty24 (message)  83 posts, Worker bee

I almost picked Windows on Washington for my wedding! It’s beautiful! My friend just got married there last November that the wedding was wonderful! I am so excited to see a St. Louis bee! Congrats and I lookforward to your posting! When is your wedding?

 
15.
Adele83stl
Member
Adele83stl (message)  36 posts, Newbee

I’m at the Window On Washington too. We’re taking the 6th floor with all the candles.

 
16.
Bee Icon
Bee
Miss Cheeseburger (message)  1,020 posts, Bumble bee

yes! but it means more to have everyone together, right! :)

 
17.
Miss Cardigan
Bee
Miss Cardigan (message)  8,645 posts, Bee Keeper

Your venue is so gorgeous!!!

 
18.
Member Icon
Member
AliKitty (message)  12 posts, Newbee

My FI and I wanted to get married at the Old Courthouse and then have the reception at the Schlafly Tap Room but it only holds 150 and our guest is about 100 more than that! We ended up going with the Larimore Plantation House. It’s beautiful!! We are having the rehearsal dinner at Schlafly :)

 
19.
Miss Argyle
Bee
Miss Argyle (message)  2,516 posts, Sugar bee

@KMSull: I’ll see if I can grab them - might be hard for me to sneak out with them, hah!

@Robin: That’s a good idea. Were you able to get a good rate, too?

@edoherty24: Thanks! Glad there are a lot of STL girls around!

@Miss Cheeseburger: Absolutely! I wasn’t about to cut the guest list!

@AliKitty: Larimore is gorgeous!

 
20.
ggsb
Member
ggsb (message)  1,245 posts, Bumble bee

I’m not sure if it’s the same folks I worked with 3 years ago, but the folks I worked with at Windows on Washington were such a pleasure to deal with!

 
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Mrs. Argyle
Mrs. Argyle

Mrs. Argyle, St. Louis Age and Occupation: 24, Project Coordinator Fiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Pilot Engagement Date: February 15, 2009 Wedding Date: September 2010 Venue: Jewel Box in Forest Park and Windows on Washington About Me: I'm a true Midwestern girl (born and raised), lover of red wine, reality TV and the entire J.Crew catalog. I love to dance regardless of who is watching, and enjoy a good laugh with my girls. I have a soft spot in my heart for planet Earth, my two dogs and my fiance. Fall is my favorite season (which is why we are marrying in September), but I love a warm summer day and the Colorado mountains in the winter. We are planning a modern soiree downtown, with lots of bold colors, and fun, eco-friendly elements.

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