Ceremony Fees

jilliannoel88

Hello, Would you be willing to share what you are paying for the ceremony if you are having it at a church?  I spoke to the music director today and in addition to what we pay the church (which is think is about $500) we have to pay for the organist and the vocalist - $150 each.  The same goes for if we want strings or a trumpet or flute - $150 each.
Just curious if this is about right.  It seems a bit high.

TIA!

MeaghanandMichael

This actually seems very reasonable to me.
Especially the music portion, to hire people to play your ceremony if often higher than that.

CCBelle

We payed $500 for our church fee, and the music was additional.  I think we payed about $375 for our string duet (which included travel to the Cape), and I thought that was a pretty good deal.

baystateapple

We're paying $1000 for the church, and $150 each for the organist and singer.  The church I work for (in CT) costs $500 ($350 for parishioners) and I think around $500 for the organist.  The organist sets his own fee, though, not through the church, and I know from researching other organists that that is extremely high.

BostonBride919

Our church fee was $3300 but included the organist. We brough in vocalists & a pianist and had to pay them all separately (much higher fees than what you listed). So I think you are getting a great deal!!

chubbybunny

I think that actually sounds about right. Our church fee is $400 for parishoners (us), $800 for non. That doesn't include the music...I think for the organist we'll be paying around $150. None of that factors in the gift for the priest, either.

jilliannoel88

Thank you very much - I just wanted to make sure )

Krolik1519

This is a pretty reasonable. My father is a church organist he charges a little more than $150 especially if he sings too.

KateCoop

our church is $500 as well and the organist and singer are $175 each. does anyone know if anything else should be given to the priest or is the offering of $500 to include him as well?

Krolik1519

My father told me that the money goes to the church not to the priest, So the priest doesn't make anything from the wedding itself. I am not sure if people normally give something to the priest as well since I have never seen it.  Worse comes to worse, he could decline the offer.

 I will say if you are having a mass which usually has to come with alter servers remember to pay them something. ($10 each is fine.) It's why I alter served weddings when I was a kid.

blondie82784

were paying the church a fee of $300 and a separate fee for the singers and others