Alpine Park & Gardens
14341 N. Proctor Road, Columbia, MO; (573) 443-7106; AlpineParkAndGardens.com
Calling all warm-weather couples: This turn-of-the-century farm is an idyllic spot for an outdoor wedding. Set on 42 acres among old white oak trees, there's an on-site amphitheater made for outdoor ceremonies. Afterwards, hold your reception in the partially enclosed Timber Frame Pavilion. You can have it draped to create more of an elegant look, or leave it as-is for that rustic look and feel.
Castle Tea Room
1307 Massachusetts Street, Lawrence, KS; (785) 843-1151; CastleTeaRoom.com
Even Lawrencites may have driven past this Mass. Street mansion for years and not realized it's a wedding-worthy location. But take a closer look and you'll find out that you can rent a tent for a back courtyard ceremony and reception with the stone castle as your backdrop. For the cooler months, you could even host a cozy dinner reception in one of its fabulous historic dining rooms right under the crystal chandelier.
The Crescent Hotel & Spa
75 Prospect Ave., Eureka Springs, AR; (877) 342-9766; Crescent-Hotel.com
This Victorian-era resort hotel was built for grandeur in 1886 and has stood up to its reputation throughout the years. Get married on the East Lawn with the hotel behind you and then for dinner, choose from the Crystal Dining Room or the Crescent Conservatory surrounded by lush gardens. Menu options are vast too -- they offer everything from chef-manned grill stations to a laid-back barbecue buffet.
The Gillioz Theatre
325 Park Central East, Springfield, MO; (417) 863-7843; Gillioz.org
Having been restored to its original state, this famed downtown Springfield theater (once home to movie premieres in the 1920s) is now an incredible spot for a wedding. There are a number of places to host your guests on-site. You could exchange vows on an ornate balcony or you can even choose to have your ceremony center-stage (literally on the theater stage!). Then have your guests join you for cocktails and dinner in the front, inner and upper lobby areas. Our favorite part: They'll let you customize the outdoor marquee with your names on the wedding day.
Hotel at Old Town
830 East First, Wichita, KS; (316) 267-4800; HotelAtOldTown.com
This Victorian-era piano bar and hotel hasn't lost any bit of its charm since it was built in 1906. Encourage your guests to get the full Old Town experience during your wedding weekend, have your reception in the conference center of the hotel and then invite everyone to the piano bar to finish off the evening. If you have a lot of out-of-towners, the hotel itself is more than accommodating spot -- rooms come with full kitchens, great for families.
The Lemp Mansion
3322 DeMenil Place, St. Louis, MO; (314) 664-8024; LempMansion.com
A serious benefit to booking your wedding at this circa-1860s St. Louis mansion are all the possible places on property to exchange vows and set up your reception. There's the formal dining room with period furniture. Then there's the Grand Hall in what used to be the horse stables but has since been converted into a stunning event space for large weddings. Beyond the indoor options, there's also a large garden with a wooden gazebo perfect for your ceremony and an upper deck, just right for the cocktail hour.
Longview Mansion
1200 SW Longview Park Drive, Lee's Summit, MO; (816) 761-6669; LongviewMansion.com
This 48-room mansion was once the country estate of Kansas City philanthropist R.A. Long, and let's just say the place still maintains its beauty. Green acres, tall trees and a sunken fountain and garden (where you could have a summertime ceremony) provide an impressive front entrance. Inside, there's a grand staircase, French doors and fireplaces in all of the gathering rooms, perfect for a fall or wintertime wedding. If your wedding is during the warmer months, pitch an elegant tent on the lawn and use the mansion as your backdrop.
Soulard Preservation Hall
1921 South 9th Street, St. Louis, MO; (314) 241-8181; SoulardPreservationHall.comFrom the stone cellar to the quaint front porch and wood,
Mad Men-esque bar top, booking Soulard Preservation Hall means hosting a sophisticated wedding in the heart of Soulard. The auditorium (which will fit up to 250 guests) is fitted with a large stage with built-in lighting and sound -- the perfect spot for your DJ entertainment or a live band. Bonus: They let you choose any caterer you want.
The Thaxton Bulding
1009 Olive St., St. Louis, MO; (314) 323-3146; TheThaxton.com
There's nothing cookie-cutter about this Art Deco wedding space. From the ornate crown molding, colorful Deco artwork and marble floors, it would be hard to re-create the look elsewhere. From the moment you see the entrance -- with its black-and-gold Deco-esque signage, to the walls covered with colorful period artwork, the marble floor and the moody blue built-in lighting -- you know you've found something different. During the reception the whole building is yours, including the speakeasy downstairs.
Webster House
1644 Wyandotte, Kansas City, MO; (816) 221-4713; WebsterHouseKC.com
You'd be hard-pressed to find something more cozy and intimate than Webster House, a restored schoolhouse from 1885. Exchange vows upstairs on the second floor with windows overlooking the downtown Crossroads, have cocktails in the historic Library Bar, an intimate space with dark wood paneling, and host dinner and dancing in the other second-floor rooms. Guests will feel like they've been invited to an upscale English country dinner party.
-- Anja Winikka