Catholic Church in Center City

MessiJessi

Hey Philly Brides/Brides-2-Be,

Anyone getting hitched in a Catholic church located in Center City?  My FH and I want to get married in a Catholic church in center city but there isn't much information online...

I'm probably going to get slack for asking, but also, ~ how much are you paying to use the church?

We're going to try to check out St. Patrick's in Rittenhouse on Sunday.

Thanks gals!

MK&T

It's pretty rough to get a church if you aren't a parishioner in cc—especially at St. Patrick's it's definitely one of the stricter ones. 

Some of the easier ones to deal with are Old St. Joe's , St. Mary's, the Basilica, and St. John the Evangelist.

I'm a parishioner at St. John's so we're getting married there. It's only $500 since I am a parishioner, but I believe churches charge around $2,000 if you aren't (I think the Basilica is cheaper since it's not only a neighborhoon parish.)

Good luck!

bridetobe71412

We're getting married at St. John the Evangelist too! It's GORGEOUS. 

But we're non-parishioners. Here's how much it costs for a Saturday in July:

Church Donation		$1,500.00
Church Caretaker		$75.00

Then for the musicians:

Cantor		$225.00
Church Organist		$300.00

There are other options for the musicians, but I wasn't interested in those. All in, it'll be a bit over $2000 it looks like. Also, doesn't include an officiant so you have to provide your own (we're getting our priest from my home parish, which is outside the city.)

lauren123455

I'm getting married at Old St. Marys in Old City.  We had absolutely no issues with being non-parishioners.  It's $1100 for the church and $250 for the organist (who you have to pay regardless of whether you use him or not).  We also really liked St. Augustines on 4th between Race and Vine and I think that was comparably priced.

broodc2

We just finished up our church search for downtown.  We ended up going with Old Saint Mary's for a couple reasons.  First, it's one of the two that are really close to our venue at the downtown club, and second, the cost of the "donation."  I actually like it more than others but that's because my favorite color is blue.  We are also non-parishioners and didn't have a problem. 

Lauren123455, if you don't mind me asking, is the $1100 inclusive of any taxes or other surcharges?  We were quoted a donation of $800, not including organist, etc.  It can't be a seasonal thing considering the fact that we're getting married on almost the same day as you in 2013.  Maybe it's just that it's a year in the future? 

OP, I think I remember the bascillica as being upwards of $2000 just for the site.  St. Joe's and St. John's were around $1250 to close to $1600 I think. 

That reminds, we still need to sign up for Pre Cana...yay

lauren123455

Broodc2 - I'll have to go back and look at the papers Fr. Paul gave us.  I doubt they lowered the donation, and we also booked a year in advance, so maybe $1100 is sticking in my mind as the total including the organist?  That would make my day!  We had our "final" meeting w/ Fr. Paul last month, and he didn't mention any other fees, so it looks like you'll be good to go planning for suggested donation + organist.  If our requested donation really is $1100, I guess we'll just have to suck it up....it'd feel too weird to ask a priest to lower the cost of the church!

lauren123455

FI confirmed - church is $800 and organist must be $250-300, which is why $1100 was sticking out in my mind. 

bluebfalo

I thought for old st mary a cantor and the organist was required.

angelstar975

I'm so glad this question was asked and answered! We are going to likely need a church in the city since we feel it would be rude to have guests drive from my or FI's home parish to the city. His mom isn't thrilled about that because she's really involved in their church, but we've explained that it's bad etiquette to make people drive 40 minutes from one spot to the next. We'll definitely have to look into some of these churches!

broodc2

Just got our paper work for old Saint Mary's. It's $800 for the "donation" and $250 for the organist. We will be having our own Cantor who is a family friend and sings weddings in Philly all the time (lucked out on that one). We're also having our own priest. Other things that caught my eye in the paperwork that I should mention. If you're doing a Saturday full mass you have to do it at 2:30 PM or 6:00 PM. Not sure if that messes with your other plans. There is no parking onsite but I'm guessing that's typical of most of the downtown churches (except St Augustine)? There is street side and paid parking a couple blocks away. no handicap access or parking. I think there is only one step but it's something to consider I suppose. And this goes for almost all catholic churches and services but they reiterate it in bold. NO deviation from the mass ( saying own vows, etc) and no petals in the aisle. And if you're hoping to do it on Saturday, April 13, 2013 at 2:30, sorry that time is taken!

lauren123455

Bluebfalo - old st Mary's requires you to pay their organist, but you don't have to actually use his services. We probably will, but we could just cut him a $250 check and then bring in our own harpist or violinist or something. Going off of Broods info - The paperwork that OSM gives you says that rehearsal must be on Thursday night, but they'll actually let you come in on Friday at 2, 3, or 4pm if the space is open. Also for parking, the closest lot is at the Ritz at the Bourse, on 4th at Ranstead (between Chestnut and Market. Also, the Society HillTowers are right at 2nd and Locust, and they have a small surface parking lot. Not big enough to tell guests about, but definitely something to keep in mind for some VIPs. I agree that parking will be difficult at any of the center city churches, including St. Augustine's. A friend used to live right there, and it was always a bit challenging to find parking. One last note - if any of you are interested in the Bascillica or Old St Joes, definitely reach out to them soon....they both book fairly quickly, OSJ was booked on our date well over a year in advance, and weve been told that they do over 700 weddings a year. Any other questions, just ask! We looked at, and into, most of this churches. I have links somewhere to photos from weddings at OSM, St Johns and St Auggies (the three available on our date), and I can post those links if that would be helpful.

MessiJessi

wow, thank you so much for the great information!

ysl1983

I highly recommend St. Rita of Cascia where we are getting married.  They have been really amazing in helping us plan the ceremony even though we are non parishoners.  The best part is that they have a parking lot.  Their donation fee for non-parishoners is $1000 and weddings cannot be later than 2pm.  The church is also gorgeous inside.  Def check it out