Catholic Ceremony - Additional Donation?

StephieBow

Hi Ladies,

Not too sure how many of you out there are having Catholic ceremonies but I've recently heard that not only do you pay for the priests time at the church, it is "recommended" that an additional amount is given to the church as a "donation."  (Not to mention having to pay a couple hundred for the manditory marriage course!)

Anyone know how much on average this additional donation is or if it is even really necessary?

Help!

ring_pop

Yes, it is necessary. Weddings are one of their sources of income, which, along with regular weekly donations from parishioners, they use to keep the lights on and pay their staff. Some churches consider this a mandatory fee, not just a "recommended donation".

Ask the church what couples typically donate. It can vary quite widely. At my (small) church, the minimum is somewhere around $400. At larger cathedrals it could be in the $1,000 range or more.

Not sure if you actually pay for the priest's time though. I think in many churches, this is considered to be part of the donation, though it is a nice gesture to give them an additional tip or a gift.

Don't forget that you'll also need to tip the altar servers, if you have any.

StephieBow

Thanks for the info!

I know at my church (small church) the fee for the wedding is $300 or $400 as a requirement (covers the priest and the church for the hour etc.) I just heard that I should donate more than what they ask for.

I didn't even think of the altar servers! On average, what type of tip do we give them? At our church, Altar servers are generally pre-teens/ teenagers.....

I'm not a regular church goer, mainly doing this for my finance because it's important to him so I'm trying to figure it all out so I account for enough money in my budget.

ring_pop

Oh that clarifies things. I thought you were talking about one of the churches that didn't specify any fee but asked for it in the form of donation.

In your case, it's probably not really mandatory but I'd still ask around to find out what other couples normally do. I guess maybe $100-$200 as an additional donation?

I think at our church, altar servers get about $40 tip. You'll probably only need one... at most two.

Littlin

We got married at St. Patrick, and our fee was $300 to use the church and all the other stuff that goes along with it - it wasn't a donation - it went right to the archdiocese.  We wanted to give our priest something, however, so we got him some gift cards instead of cash for The Keg and Starbucks.  We didn't have alter servers or an organist, so that was all our costs!

StephieBow

Thanks again, the info is very helpful

naomikb

Although it is not "required" at our church, there is no flat church fee and I do know that the church uses these donations to keep running and keep providing services to the community.  Our fees are:
organist $150
altar guild $50
verger $50
pastor $200
donation to the church - no set fee but we are thinking ~$500.

CaylaSummer

Here is what I'm paying for the church

350 suggested as a minimum donation

150 each for organist and cantor

20 each alter server

I suppose if u want a choir that is extra as well.

StephieBow

Thanks again ladies, so helpful!!!