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Ceremony Fees?

MarellaKMarellaK
10 Comments
in Michigan-Grand Rapids
Hi Everyone! We are not picky on where we are wed - whether that be a church, beach, outdoors or otherwise. Our reception is planned for South Haven and I have found that the town offers limited options for ceremony sites for 100-150 people. I have heard back from a church that seems like a good match for us BUT the totally fees come to $725. I am curious to know what other people have spent on their ceremony location? Does $725 seems to high? It is more than double what I planned for the location fees. Thanks!
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Re: Ceremony Fees?

  • heather_rae90heather_rae90 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    That seems a little high to me..our church is charging us about $300 total..$150 for the deacon and $150 for the music director.
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  • AmoroAgainAmoroAgain member
    5000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    It all depends on the church honestly.  This is one of the many reasons we decided to skip getting married in a church- they were charging what amounted (in my mind) to extortion.  I was really disappointed in how much they wanted.  Anyway, if you aren't a member of a church, and you are just going there because you think that's how weddings are supposed to be, I would recommend that you just skip the church all together.  We're having our ceremony at St. Cecilia's Music Center.
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  • MarellaKMarellaK
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We didn't decide to get married in a church because we're 'suppose to', it just seemed to make the most sense. Our reception is at Foundry Hall (www.FoundryHall.com) in South Haven and the logistics of having the ceremony in the same building just really wouldn't work. I've looked into different beaches(too small), renting a cottage(too expensive), the local Masonic Lodge(no one contacts me back), vacant lot that a family friend owns(too expensive for chairs and tent, worried about what the weather would be, the property could sell before then). I just feel like I am at a loss and was totally disappointed at the price of the church. And really, completely disappointed with wedding vendors in general. I have only found three vendors out of dozens to be awesome - Andru at Foundry Hall, Jennifer(?) at Adeliene Leigh and Theresa at TAK Photography. I would even be open to a ceremony in someones backyard if I knew they weren't going to sell the property. Any other suggestions?
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  • heather_rae90heather_rae90 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Have you checked out this place? Not sure how much they charge, though:http://www.lakebluffinnandsuites.com/gatherings.asp
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  • mlp041010mlp041010
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I think it all depends on what you want and what you are going for.  We are not getting married in a church b/c I am not a churchgoer and feel it wouldn't be right to be married in a church when I don't feel it.Anyway...I have looked high and low for places to hold our ceremony and have found that places charge a lot of money period...church or not.  I looked at a few churches b/c I was open to the location if we could bring in our own pastor.  I have been looking in GR and one of the churces I looked at charges $1800 for non-members!!!!Now I am getting married April 10, 2010 and just do not trust that outside would be pleasant for a ceremony that time of year...plus the cost of chairs, etc, etc really adds up.We decided to go with Frederik Meijer Gardens which is rather pricey ($1100)...but will offer a beautiful setting and great places to take pictures.  Plus the butterfly exhibit is there at that time and gives guests something to do plus a nice backdrop for unique pictures for us.  This is not even close to what I planned on spending but decided the splurge was worth it after some of the other places I looked at (would cost more for just a room).My thought is that they charge a lot for ceremony sites b/c they can so you just have to decide what you are comfortable with spending and go with that.
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  • michigangirl2009michigangirl2009
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    The one that is $1800...FOUNTAIN??? I love the historical attributes of that church, but yea...expensive. If we can figure out how to pay for that, I would definitely love to have my wedding there. We have been debating on that place for a few months now.
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  • mlp041010mlp041010
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Yeah....the one that is $1800 is Fountain Street Church.  That is the price for non-members for the Sanctuary.  The chapel is $1400, which isn't much better.  If you are a member or child of a member it is only $400.  They say they welcome both members and non-members, but I find that the price is not very welcoming for a non-member!
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  • michigangirl2009michigangirl2009
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Completely agree:-) Yikes! I emailed them yesterday and they were almost booked up for October already.:-( Than after you pay for that, we also have to pay for music. It's outrageous! I hope I find something quick and good luck to you also.
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