1400 Market St,
St. Louis, MO 63103
314-499-7600
View their website
Average Base Cost: $17,000
Our average base cost for a Peabody Opera House wedding is calculated by figuring a 125-person guest list for a 5-hour Saturday evening ceremony and reception on a non-holiday using the Ballroom Ceremony and Reception Package with a $15,000 food and beverage minimum. Entertainment, flowers, furniture, additional decorations and rentals, transportation, and photography are not included. Price is rounded up to the nearest thousand. Gratuity and sales tax is included.
*Prices subject to change
How it breaks down:
Facility Rental Fee: There are several spaces available to rent at the Peabody Opera House. The most common options for weddings are below:
Ballroom Reception
- With a $5,000 food and beverage minimum (pre-tax and service) the use of one ballroom costs $1,250 for four hours ($1,575 for five)
- With a $10,000 food and beverage minimum (pre-tax and service) the facility fee drops to $800 for four hours ($1,050 for five)
Ballroom Ceremony and Reception Package
(one for ceremony use and/or cocktail reception and one for dinner and dancing)
- With a $5,000 food and beverage minimum (pre-tax and service) the venue fee is $2,500 for four hours ($3,000 for five)
- With a $12,000 food and beverage minimum (pre-tax and service) the facility fee drops to $1,250 for four hours ($1,750 for five)
Grand Lobby Ceremony and Reception Package
(includes use of the ticket lobby for the ceremony, the Budweiser Kiel Club for the cocktail reception and the Grand Lobby for dinner and dancing. There is also an outdoor portico off this area that can be opened, weather permitting)
- With a $15,000 food and beverage minimum (pre-tax and service) the facility fee is $5,250 for four hours ($5,650 for five hours)
Main Theater Reception
- With a $18,000 food and beverage minimum (pre-tax and service) the venue fee is $6,500 for four hours ($7,200 for five hours)
What’s Included: All facility fees include an in-house sound system, dance floor, tables, chairs, tableware, flatware, and glassware for up to a certain number of guests (depending on your chosen package). A Day-Of Wedding Planning service is also included with each package, and includes a representative from the venue to:
- Coordinate all linen rentals
- Provide floor plan of the event space
- Attend and coordinate the rehearsal (along with the officiant) to ensure that everyone knows when and where they need to be at all times (for onsite ceremony only)
- Distribute all favors programs, and escort cards
- Place reserved seating signs
- Pin flowers on attendants and distribute boquets (if bride is not using a full service florist) (for onsite cermony only)
- Orchestrate wedding party line-ups for the professional recessional, (for onsite ceremony only) and for introductions at the reception
- Coordinate timing with the ceremony musicians if needed (for onsite ceremony only)
- Coordinate with band/DJ for all the reception events and maintain timeline
- Assist with any guest requests
- Act as a personal assistant to the wedding couple
- Ensure responsible gift handling – all gifts and envelopes will be carefully collected by our security staff and brought out to designated family member to take home
- Gather all reception items for family to bring home (guest book, cake knife, etc.)
- Organize and assist with breakdown and cleanup
Extras: Additional hours can be purchased for $500 per hour for the ballrooms and $700 per hour for the Grand Lobby. There is a $260 charge to run music during ceremony if needed. You may also opt for additional wedding planning packages which range in price from $250-$2,000 for design as well.
Food/Beverage: You must use their in-house caterer, but other outside vendors are allowed (even for the cake). Catering packages start at $58 and include a salad, entree and four hours of beer and wine service. Clients can upgrade to a full open bar for an additional $3 per person for four hours. Bartenders will cost you $100 per bartender for four hours, and are an additional $25 per bartender per extra hour (expect 1 bartender per 75 guests). The venue charges $6 per person/per hour for additional hours of bar service past the 4 or 5 hours purchased.
More Stats:
Space Type: Indoor, except Grand Lobby package which includes use of the Portico.
Size: The space can accommodate the following number of guests:
- The Ballroom can hold 200 for a buffet-style meal and 250 for a plated dinner
- The Grand Lobby can hold up to 250 on one level or 350 using both the main level and lower level overlook
- The 2-story theater has seating capability for 3,100 guests
Bridal Suite: Yes, the Green Room. It is guaranteed with the Grand Lobby package and subject to availability with the other packages.
Parking: They offer 10 spots for the Ballroom packages, and 15 spots for the Grand Lobby and Theater packages. Parking is located on 15th Street across from their dock. All other parking around is owned by the city but can be pre-purchased in the Abrams Garage for $15 per spot for self-park or $25 for valet. The garage fits 135 cars and is on a first-come, first-served basis.
How Will Grandma Get There? The Peabody Opera House is located downtown and close to a ton of nice/affordable hotels, such as The Westin St. Louis.
Party On! Events can go until 4:00 am except for holidays, during which an overtime fee is charged if the event goes past midnight.
The Report:
The Peabody Opera House and Theater were completed in 1934 as part of the Municipal Auditorium complex. The Opera House (inspired architecturally by the City Beautiful movement that was popular in the early 1900’s) has a rich history of performances, with one of the most famous shows being a benefit concert with Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. for the Dismas House. The Rolling Stones also performed there in 1978 to a sold-out crowd. The Opera House was closed in 1991, and in 2011 finally opened it’s doors after a massive renovation.
Woman Getting Married Says:
If you’re a St. Louis bride I would run–not walk–to check out the Peabody Opera House as a potential wedding venue. Maybe I’ve just been in cities like NYC and LA too long, but the pricing (especially for the Ballroom) is amazing for budget-conscious brides. If you have a little more flexibility in terms of cost, I would highly consider choosing the Grand Lobby package…I love those tiled floors!
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