Church venues for rent for non-members

MGT&KIM8293

Hi all....
My fiance and I are planning to be married in March 2012. I am not from the Georgia area and I have been looking at venues which seem to be kind of pricey for my budget of about $5000 because most venues require a licensed caterer. My friends and family will be cooking for me and I have another friend who will decorate. I was hoping to get married in a church. I have a church home however we are in the process of getting a new church built and our transitional building will not hold the 150 people we are inviting. I am hoping to spend no more than $1000 on the venue so I can have enough money to feed everyone. If anyone knows a church in the Decatur-Atlanta area that would be willing to rent out their facilities please let me know.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

HYDROPHILE

If you are a specific religion, perhaps you can contact a church in that area, explain your dilemma, and ask if you can use their church and for what fee?

ymw6110

I did a lot of reserach on this - ceremony churches for non-members in Atlanta.  See my findings with prices below. We went with First Presbyterian.

Peachtree Christian Church - chapel is1990, St. Paul's Presbyterian - 1700, Glen Memorial United Methodist Church - 1200, Peachtree Road United Methodist Church - chapel is 1500, Inman Park United Methodist - 1550, Rock Spring Presbyterian - 1800, First Presbyterian - 2350 We are getting married here!!!, St Marks United Methodist - 1900, Atlanta First United Methodist - 1650.

em01092

Holy moly. Those are pricey! I had no idea they were that much. 

OP, I would recommend looking outside ATL, like in the suburban areas rather than right down town. I have a feeling they would be less expensive, but don't quote me on that. Look up some churches of your faith in Gwinnett, Hall, Dekalb, Cobb, Paulding, Rockdale, and Clayton counties. They are still all close enough to the highways that if you have family in, near, or flying into ATL it wouldn't be too bad of a drive. Maybe even look into Athens.

Also, if you seriously cannot find something in budget, I would suggest just looking for a religious officiant and consider having your wedding at a local park or somewhere else not a church that would be cheaper. He or she may charge less than if you were to use the premises as well, but I understand if getting married in the church is important to you. 

mari0225

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_georgia-atlanta_church-venues-rent-non-members?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:58Discussion:2368bc13-e5b7-419b-89ac-784fd56926d1Post:e97c3888-1629-46b9-8bcc-0b07fe32a931">Re: Church venues for rent for non-members</a>:
[QUOTE]Holy moly. Those are pricey! I had no idea they were that much.  OP, I would recommend looking outside ATL, like in the suburban areas rather than right down town. I have a feeling they would be less expensive, but don't quote me on that. Look up some churches of your faith in Gwinnett, Hall, Dekalb, Cobb, Paulding, Rockdale, and Clayton counties. They are still all close enough to the highways that if you have family in, near, or flying into ATL it wouldn't be too bad of a drive. Maybe even look into Athens. Also, if you seriously cannot find something in budget, I would suggest just looking for a religious officiant and consider having your wedding at a local park or somewhere else not a church that would be cheaper. He or she may charge less than if you were to use the premises as well, but I understand if getting married in the church is important to you. 
Posted by em01092[/QUOTE]

WOW cannot believe how expensive they are! I agree, I would look outside of Atlanta.

[Deleted User]

Churches cost as much as the event venues.  I guess I will be paying the little extra to have my ceremony and reception in the same place!!!

HYDROPHILE

My brother and his (now)ex wife got married at the Catholic Shrine of Immaculate Conception in downtown Atlanta across from Underground Atlanta. They were not members.

<a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.catholicshrineatlanta.org/">http://www.catholicshrineatlanta.org/</a>

P.S.  It was $2000.

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_georgia-atlanta_church-venues-rent-non-members?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:58Discussion:2368bc13-e5b7-419b-89ac-784fd56926d1Post:b8078009-8574-4c5b-9b4b-fa89f0375951">Re: Church venues for rent for non-members</a>:
[QUOTE]Churches cost as much as the event venues.  I guess I will be paying the little extra to have my ceremony and reception in the same place!!!
Posted by cassy1294[/QUOTE]

I believe the 2011 venue rental fee for where I got married (<a href="http://www.bsvw.com" rel='nofollow'>http://www.bsvw.com</a> in Dahlonega) is $1750.  We had our ceremony and reception there.

[Deleted User]

First Christian Church in Decatur $999

http://www.decaturdisciples.org/?page_id=350

aliciadunn01

Okay, you all have given me tremendous hope! I like the comment about trying outside of "Atlanta." That is an excellent idea! So is it safe to say that we will be spending at least $1000.00? Geesh, I was hoping for $700. I guess you have to pay if you want to play. Maybe I should start going to church? ; )