Church Vent

HardyLove222

I'm seriously thinking about finding another church to have our ceremony. For the ceremony at my church, the fee is $1,125 (includes counseling, minister of music and audio tech). I think this is kind of steep. They said the ceremony takes about an hour.

Since I don't have experience or prior knowledge of this, I wanted to bring it to you ladies...What do you think?

MrsSmith2Be02

My goodness! That is steep! Do you get any portion back?

My church used to charge $700, but now its a $300 deposit and as long as you don't run over on time for the ceremony, rehearsal, and leave everything cleaned the way you found it....then you get it back.

The church we are having our ceremony in, doesn't charge. (my mom's church and nobody is getting married there.....they are all old.)

HardyLove222

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_african-american-weddings_church-vent?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:400Discussion:b9592ed8-e564-4311-9d43-ba171fbea202Post:591b70f3-94ec-4781-8618-3bcd567c2e85">Re: Church Vent</a>:
[QUOTE]<strong>My goodness! That is steep! Do you get any portion back?</strong> My church used to charge $700, but now its a $300 deposit and as long as you don't run over on time for the ceremony, rehearsal, and leave everything cleaned the way you found it....then you get it back. The church we are having our ceremony in, doesn't charge. (my mom's church and nobody is getting married there.....they are all old.)
Posted by MrsSmith2Be02[/QUOTE]

Nope, you don't get any back. There is also a $200 fee for every hour the ceremony runs over.

M1ssJ

That seems really steep unless you're not a member and its a popular wedding space

MissusD1116

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_african-american-weddings_church-vent?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:400Discussion:b9592ed8-e564-4311-9d43-ba171fbea202Post:661ba4fc-8167-4257-b0ae-cb53ca162282">Re: Church Vent</a>:
[QUOTE]That seems really steep unless you're not a member and its a popular wedding space
Posted by M1ssJ[/QUOTE]



This! My sentiments exactly!

Toiizloved

Yea That's a bit much.. Normal fee should be between 500-700.

keyaira04

Wow! That is alot of money. While that  includes counseling, minister of music and audio tech, IMO I really do not think you should be over $800 with all that included. I would look into other churches. 

[Deleted User]

I never thought a Church Charge for A wedding I never considered doing it in a church and I guess I won't Be LOL! I thought that would be the one place u get a break out of this whole wedding process SheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeSH!

kcc76

In Response to Re:Church Vent:[QUOTE]I never thought a Church Charge for A wedding I never considered doing it in a church and I guess I won't Be LOL! I thought that would be the one place u get a break out of this whole wedding process SheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeSH! Posted by essienakya33[/QUOTE]

I know right! Thank goodness I am not having mine at a church!

20pearls16

In Response to Re: Church Vent:
[QUOTE]I never thought a Church Charge for A wedding I never considered doing it in a church and I guess I won't Be LOL! I thought that would be the one place u get a break out of this whole wedding process SheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeSH!
Posted by essienakya33[/QUOTE]

I belong to a mega church and the don't charge a thing!

RealHappyGal

Mine was Free-99.  Just whatever donation you want to make. 

zantster

I think it depends on the church.  Mine is quite steep as well in the same ballpark as the OP's actually.  And it is quite a long counseling process that me and FI have to go through to be married there because it's a catholic church.  And I am a member of the church.  But I absolutely love my church.  It's gorgeous.  I was baptised there so for me it's worth it.  I don't mind them taking advantage of the beauty of their sanctuary to make money in a way that's different from just passing the collection plate.  But that's me and for someone else it may not be worth it.  I just think you should look at your budget, talk to your FI and then go with your gut.  If you can take it or leave it then leave it.  But if that is 100% the only place you can imagine getting married then go for it.

TL25

Oh no girl keep looking that is expensive.

[Deleted User]

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_african-american-weddings_church-vent?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:400Discussion:b9592ed8-e564-4311-9d43-ba171fbea202Post:17d16d6a-8a06-46f2-a19a-edaccd2ff970">Re: Church Vent</a>:
[QUOTE]I think it depends on the church.  Mine is quite steep as well in the same ballpark as the OP's actually.  And it is quite a long counseling process that me and FI have to go through to be married there because it's a catholic church.  And I am a member of the church.  But I absolutely love my church.  It's gorgeous.  I was baptised there so for me it's worth it.  I don't mind them taking advantage of the beauty of their sanctuary to make money in a way that's different from just passing the collection plate.  But that's me and for someone else it may not be worth it.  I just think you should look at your budget, talk to your FI and then go with your gut.  If you can take it or leave it then leave it.  But if that is 100% the only place you can imagine getting married then go for it.
Posted by zantster[/QUOTE]

All this.  mine was $1200 including precana, counselling, music & ceremony and I'm a baptised member.  It's a cathedral though so the building would've been worth me saving $400 somewhere that I wasn't a member.      

it's awesome when you can save the money, but (if you're okay looking for a new church that's home to neither of you) start by considering the non member fees and requirements + music ministry requirements, convenience of locale and make sure you like the look of it those pictures are forever ;)

HardyLove222

Yes, to all of the above! I am reconsidering having the ceremony there...that's just the ceremoy and it will cost more than my darn dress!

My mom and step-dad said that their fee for the church was "by donation". You would think that a church would want to promote having weddings by being price-friendly. Most of the members are working-class/working poor...I mean really...

I'm trying to be very budget-wise so I am looking to have my ceremony and reception at the same location. Hopefully they still have my date *fingers crossed*...now I'll see what my Pastor's fee will be to come to us...if it is WAY out there...I WILL be seeking an officiant *sigh*

Thanks ladies..I thought it was too much...I just wanted to see if I was being unreasonable and cheap lol

RealHappyGal

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_african-american-weddings_church-vent?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:400Discussion:b9592ed8-e564-4311-9d43-ba171fbea202Post:4afcdc32-4055-4a70-b137-eb8a095ac825">Re: Church Vent</a>:
[QUOTE]Yes, to all of the above! I am reconsidering having the ceremony there...that's just the ceremoy and it will cost more than my darn dress! My mom and step-dad said that their fee for the church was "by donation". <strong>You would think that a church would want to promote having weddings by being price-friendly. Most of the members are working-class/working poor...I mean really.</strong>.. I'm trying to be very budget-wise so I am looking to have my ceremony and reception at the same location. Hopefully they still have my date *fingers crossed*...now I'll see what my Pastor's fee will be to come to us...if it is WAY out there...I WILL be seeking an officiant *sigh* Thanks ladies..I thought it was too much...I just wanted to see if I was being unreasonable and cheap lol
Posted by HardyLove222[/QUOTE]


I totally agree with this.

I dont think anything done in a church should cost money.  Everything should be by donation IMO

zantster

It sounds like the OP feels comfortable with moving it so that's good.  Do whatever you and your FI think is best.  But although in a perfect world all churches would use only donations I have to say that I understand why some need to find creative ways to raise revenue to keep the lights, gas and water running since the utility companies don't take donations.  There are quite a few churches in Detroit that are economically stressed because membership has slipped and they cannot afford the upkeep of the building like roofing, plumbing, siding, etc.  Furniture wears out, etc.  So, while I don't think churches should ever charge admission just to come in and be a part of the service, I do think they should be able to make up for where they fall short on events like weddings.  Perhaps pricing could be better depending on the incomes of the people they're expecting to use the place.  But times are hard and people can't donate as much.  So I understand that they gotta do something for themselves and not just hope for a big enough handout to make it work.  That's why one of my favorite scriptures is Faith without works is dead. 

RealHappyGal

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_african-american-weddings_church-vent?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:400Discussion:b9592ed8-e564-4311-9d43-ba171fbea202Post:3b369211-2e71-49da-9023-03320f7fe8d2">Re: Church Vent</a>:
[QUOTE]It sounds like the OP feels comfortable with moving it so that's good.  Do whatever you and your FI think is best.  But although in a perfect world all churches would use only donations I have to say that I understand why some need to find creative ways to raise revenue to keep the lights, gas and water running since the utility companies don't take donations.  There are quite a few churches in Detroit that are economically stressed because membership has slipped and they cannot afford the upkeep of the building like roofing, plumbing, siding, etc.  Furniture wears out, etc.  So, while I don't think churches should ever charge admission just to come in and be a part of the service, I do think they should be able to make up for where they fall short on events like weddings.  Perhaps pricing could be better depending on the incomes of the people they're expecting to use the place.  But times are hard and people can't donate as much.  So I understand that they gotta do something for themselves and not just hope for a big enough handout to make it work.  That's why one of my favorite scriptures is Faith without works is dead. 
Posted by zantster[/QUOTE]

But, when the price gets like that, you see what happens..... they get zero and some other church is getting the $$.  At days end, a donation of $100 or $500 or $1000, whatever the couple felt comfortable with beats what they got... a "Thanks but, we are going to look into other places and I may just get married at the venue then"