Free (inexpensive) venues in Kansas City, MO

How about a courthouse or public recreation area?

Oh, my! WAY out of my budget!

Well Kevin, what is your budget? And how many guests?

"Free" isn't going to get you much, if anything.

Okay. Thanks for your suggestions.

Well, we really didn't have a "budget" because it was just going to be the two of us. We had planned a Disney vacation & we're just going to have a friend of mine officiate...and be done. Now family want to share & we've only got a month to plan a small ceremony in KC while we are there on business. There will only be like 10 ppl present...and we don't need a huge ceremony...but just need to accommodate approx. 10 ppl. We are blessed, not complaining, and I'm sure it will work itself out. I just know last minute stuff typically requires $$ to be thrown at it...and I don't have $$. Thanks for your concern.

I don't know the area at all, but any state parks? Do you have facebook? Maybe you can join a KC,MO facebook group and ask the locals there, they may know of some hidden gems.

How about courthouse ceremony and brunch/lunch/dinner at a restaurant?

Be careful of how much "free" will cost you

@Kevin, just please realize that even though it's only going to be 10 people, you do still need to feed them if you're asking them to come watch your ceremony.

I think courthouse followed by dinner at a restaurant is your best bet.

Agree with others that a courthouse ceremony & brunch/lunch (that you pay for) for all of your guests after seems like your best bet. 10 is a small number & a restaurant should be able to easily accommodate that.

I got nothing when people start asking for free. You still need an officiant (oh, I forgot, you have your friend. That'll be great)

You need to feed these people. And that's not free.

Thanks all.

Plenty of delicious restaurants in KC! I'm in Omaha, been there a few times for weekend trips. I think @FutureMrsE's suggestion to get on a Facebook group with KC brides and grooms is a great idea!

I also REALLY think you should get a pro officiant, and I know most people here will agree. They are literally your most essential vendor, and often, the least expensive. I will never understand why people try to cut costs in this area. The ceremony is often my favorite part of the wedding, if it's done right. I want to feel moved, I want to tear up, and I want to feel like I know the couple a little better after the ceremony is over. I don't want to be tapping my feet waiting for it to be over. The ceremony is what your wedding is all about!

My favorite ceremonies are always done by pros, who likely have only known the couple for six-ish months, yet still deliver a ceremony that is intimate and meaningful, as if they have been the couple's best friend for years. Your beloved guests will enjoy the ceremony a lot more with a pro. And your friend can relax, and not worry about working!

Besides, don't you want to make sure your marriage is legal? I'd be terrified to roll the dice on that one.

Search the forums on the topic of using a pro officiant versus having a friend or family member get ordained. I'm barely scratching the surface on why you should go pro.

It may not cost much to get married at the courthouse. In Florida, it is only $30, but, of course, it has to be during business hours. That is an advantage, because you can take your guests to lunch instead of dinner and should cost less.

Thanks all...we're new to all of this so calling it a "wedding" and not an "elopement" was the issue. We will be able to do this at an area park for $0...as long as it stays about 30 minutes...so we will only be out about $150 for the officiant and the cost of dinner. Again, thanks. Not a cheapskate...as many of the post kind of took a "judging" air about them. I think we got it now.

Kevin, you got a lot of good advice. No one was passing judgement.

When people say things like, "we'll only be out x dollars and the cost of dinner"

Guess how it sounds??

@celiamilton So, yeah, you made a judgement comment BEFORE I made that comment....so, FAIL. You were being judgmental...most comments were constructive...yours was not!

Celia's comment stated facts. I didnt detect any rudeness. You will need to pay your officiant. You will need to feed your guests. And, hiring a friend to officiate your ceremony can go wrong in many ways.