this is the code for the render ad
Community› Cultural Wedding Boards› Jewish Weddings
Jewish Weddings
New Discussion

Rabbi fees

m_lovemanm_loveman
First Comment
in Jewish Weddings
My fiance and I are having a destination wedding in March.  We met with a rabbi last night who we both absolutely loved.  Because she works for a non-profit, they take care of her scheduling and billing.  We are definitely willing to pay travel and expenses - which will be about $1500 when all is said and done - but the organization will charge us $2250 for the rabbi for the weekend.  Never having planned a wedding before, we don't know if this is a normal price to charge - it sounds really high to us . . . especially with the expenses and travel on top of it.
Report Reply to Post

Re: Rabbi fees

  • RachiemooRachiemoo member
    Tenth Anniversary 500 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    that sounds pretty high, I usually don't hear above $1200 for a Rabbi to perform a wedding ceremony, however considering you're having the Rabbi for the whole weekend, that may be why the Rabbi/Organization is charging more. IMO, it does sound excessive but I'm not sure what is normal for destination weddings.
    image BabyFruit Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    Report Reply
  • m_lovemanm_loveman
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I should add, she charges $1800 for a local wedding (NYC). 
    Report Reply
  • RachiemooRachiemoo member
    Tenth Anniversary 500 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    $1,800 sounds excessive to me, I personally would not pay that much.
    image BabyFruit Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    Report Reply
  • MoFreeMoFree member
    Seventh Anniversary 10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    That does seem like an excessive amount of money. Frankly, you can join a synagogue, have all the benefits of membership and have a rabbi officiate at your wedidng for less than that.
    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
    Report Reply
  • penaltyshotpenaltyshot
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    That sure sounds like a lot to hire out a rabbi for a ceremony. I guess it depends on how much you liked her and whether that's worth it to you.
    Report Reply
  • BenandDinaBenandDina
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Ditto on pp's.  That sounds quite excessive.  Is that fee negotiable?
    Report Reply
  • silversparkssilversparks member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Wow, that does seem high. I don't think I've heard of anything over $1500 (even in NYC), and since you're paying her travel and expenses as well - presumably to a nice place and she's not responsible for anything other than the wedding ceremony itself? - I'm very surprised the organization is charging so much on top of those costs.I agree with PP - you could join congregation (for a couple of years!) with the kind of money this rabbi would cost. BUT I think it's amazing that you found a rabbi you both loved. Is her organization meaningful to you? Is there a way you could continue to develop a relationship with both your rabbi and the organization before and after the wedding?
    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
    Report Reply
  • The Little OneThe Little One
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I agree that does sound very high.  Where are you getting married?  Could you find a local rabbi and travel to meet with him/her beforehand?
    Image and video hosting by TinyPic
    Boxers Payton and Lucy
    THE BLONDINI SHOW updated 4/6
    Payton the Boxer--aka Mr. Peoples
    International Nestie!
    Report Reply
  • lynniearudnerlynniearudner
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I agree with PPs. This does seem a bit high. We, too, are having a "desitnation" wedding, and aside from the travel and lodging our Rabbi is charging $1500. We thought that was quite a lot, actually, but in addition to the service it also is entitling us to be "members" of his congregation for a year (although we don't leave close enough to attend, really....ever) depending on where your "destination" is, maybe you might consider a rabbi who is local to that place (if there is a person there) or something like that?
    http://www.mywedding.com/lynnieandandy
    october '10 siggy: Early Pic of me and FI (not the first.....)
    imageVisit The Knot! Wedding Countdown Ticker
    Report Reply
  • YHFoxtrotYHFoxtrot
    2500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    That's really high! Ours charges a "donation" of $500 and he is affiliated with a local temple.
    Report Reply
  • slbriz34slbriz34
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Ditto all.  My fmil didn't pay nearly that much for her rabbi and when I was originally looking around and folks were quoting me fees (even though we have our own), nothing approached $1k. If you really like her and can afford it, then go for it - but it seems like you could use that money for other things.  I would definitely look into using a local rabbi and using the remainder money for other wedding expenses or a nice, charitable purpose.  Unless you plan on seeing this rabbi again, I'm sure you can find someone that can achieve your wedding goals without costing so much. GL.
    Report Reply
  • fitnessgirl630fitnessgirl630 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Holy Moly!  I've heard of 700-800 and I was charged $500.00
    Image and video hosting by TinyPic Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards