Church Expensive!! Why?!

Giulianamd

Here is my dilemma-

I had a meeting with my Church last night. I am Catholic (non practicing) I go at least twice a month, but my parents usually don't miss a Sunday. I really like the Church especially since it's my families Church and highly considered getting married there.
We are trying to save money, I mean, who isn't on budget these days? Well, during the meeting the numbers $500 came up, is this normal? Does it really cost $500 to get married at a Church? Rental - $200 / Fee- $50 /Classes- $200. This doesn't even include decorations, piano player, music, use of electricity - Nothing. We are looking at a $800 ceremony.

Does anyone else think this is a little insane or is this expected?
My brother got married in NJ and he only had to pay $100 for classes and had to make a donation which was $100. It was a beautiful Church and was our old family parish..


heeelppp

sakana1840

it's going to cost us that much to do it in a synagogue

i have no idea why it's so expensive out here!

between the space rental, kitchen rental and a whole bunch of other nonsense it takes to get married in a "more religious" (if you will) place will cost us about $1000

and that's just the space...

oy! i'm sorry!

Jackie5711

Ours is going to be $800 for the church in Colorado (we are both Catholic, however don't belong to the church we're having it in). And that doesn't include the classes....

jj_5150

we have talked to a few different churches and yes it seems really high priced to use them. We got the idea for the church cuz we were told it would be alot cheeper than doing it else where

wifeandmommy0609

we are also getting married in a catholic church ( I will be converting in Sept so our cost is a little higher for church)


We have to pay $350 to rent it. $335 in marriage prep classes plus my RCIA Classes and Fl's classes ( he needs to complete his conformation..)

I am sure there is more like paying for the organist and others people to pay at the chuch.. We just haven't gotten that far yet..

chelbell326

It seems expensive, however if you thought about it the alternative would breakdown to very similiar cost breakdown.  Outside of a church you would likely pay $100+ for ceremony site rental, $200-300 for officiant time, and then $200-300 for couples counseling/marriage prep.  It still sucks that getting married in your home church is so expensive! (make me very thankful that we got married outside & our pastor was willing to perform our ceremony as our "wedding gift"

SP19

ive been seeing similar pricing. I looked at one church that was 900. Also, at most venues Ive looked at, they either charge an additional 400-500 for the ceremony or subtract that from the price if you dont get married there. So, I would say its pretty in line

MrsMarston2B

We booked a Christian church in Lakewood.  Because we're not members we got pinged for more.  Total cost is $800 and only includes rehersal time, church, pre-marital counseling and a coordinator.  The pastor did a family members wedding last summer which is why we booked him.  Didn't bother pricing other churches.  I thought it was kind of expensive but it appears to be pretty normal for the area.

Good luck to you!

Giulianamd

Thanks ladies!

We are getting married at the Omni Resort in Broomfield and my wedding coordinator told me that the cost of having the ceremony on the location is also $500 but, that doesn't include an officiant.

Also- I know this is "sinning" but for all of you that aren't members of the Church they are getting married at just register! It's free and all you have to do is sign a little index card and I believe just go to Church once every 3 months to pass out the money baskets (sorry, I forgot exactly what they are called). It saves you money!

FI isn't a member of my Church but we just registered him last night! Looks like we are going to be getting our priest a new IPhone 4! That's what he told us he really wanted?! I was like... well with the 500 you could get it!! :) Un-Believe-Able

amandakingry

As a former Youth Pastor for 11 years I think I can give a little insite into why the high price. Here is what some of the cost associated with allowing people to get married at our church-

1. Coordinating the faciity- Someone has to take extra time to make sure that nothing else can happen on your day. This might seem silly, but this is added work for the secritary or facility manager. Putting a price tag on facilty rental ensures that his or her time isn't spent on coordinating 1,000 of weddings for anyone who asks.

2. General facility up keep- Turning on lights etc...it cost money, especially if its a large place and people are there for hours.

3. Staff to be in the building. Someone has to "baby sit" the event- time=money.

4. Equipment usage- Usually there is some sort of equipment provided- again it doesn't seem right to charge $500 to push play on a CD player, but it all adds up and they have to maintain it.

5. Custodial issues- We had to make sure we had a custodial team come in before the wedding and after the wedding. Depending on the space this can be costly.

6. Moving the Piano- In my old church moving the piano was a big deal because after so many Pushes it was out of tune and we had to have someone come tune it. You might not use the piano but it might have to be moved out of your way.

7. The Pastor's time. It isn't just the time spent at your ceremony its the prep before hand. Again, I think their is a price for non members to discourage 1,000 of people getting married there so the pastor isn't spending all his time marring people and can focus on other things.

Most churches feel like members are contributing to their church either financially or with their time and they are preforming a service for them. 

Hope this answers some of your thoughts and frustrations

capickett

My church cost 1450 so that 800 doesn't seem bad at all

mcrochet

That's actually pretty close.  One of the churches in our town (Bakersfield, CA) wanted $1200. Decorations not included and they frowned on bringing our own pastor (we don't have a church building yet).  Good luck and congratulations!
Marie

[Deleted User]

Boy, this is an old thread.  We're not getting married in a church, but to add some perspective, our casual outdoor ceremony in Wash Park is costing us about $1500

Application fee and permit fee:  $285
Port-o-potty rental (yes, seriously):  $145
Park insurance (also required by City):  $77
Chair Rental (including delivery and set-up):  About $600 for 70
Officiant:  $400