Do Church's charge standard fees for holding wedding ceremonies or are you asked to make a contribution?

Question

If it's a contribution, what is acceptable? I don't wish to offend.

Answer 1

In The Church of England a standard fee set by The Church Commissioners is payable. The lowest it will work out as is £259 which will include the publication of banns of marraige if you both live in the same parish. This site http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AkvILQzUaZTEigM51ZfEZ8gsLxV.?qid=20070126055200AAJVPZB gives you a table of the statutory fees for all services.

However, churches will also probably charge extra to pay for Organist, Heating, Bells and other "incidentals". This is because some churches are larger and more expensive to run than others and the fees don't cover people they have to "sub contract" jobs to - like choir and bell ringers and organists. That said they will probably not charge you for any preparation they will give you. I should imagine if you went for a very grand church with plenty of extras you might pay in the region of £450 - a smaller church would not be as expensive as that. Talk with the local cleric - they will tell you exactly how much it will cost for the current year.

If people are really poor, a cleryperson can waive some of the fees at his or her discretion - but they are usually not fooled by attempts just tog et something on the cheap and will only usually do it with genuine cases they are very familiar with. Clergy are keen to make sure no one can't afford to get married.

Other churches may run different policies - some may not even charge a formal fixed fee. You will probably find that in comparison to other desired elements of your wedding - the most important part - the church service - is probably almost the cheapest overall and possibly the best value for money.

Hope it goes well for you. :)

Oh clergy don't get to keep the fees - they get paid a flat rate in the C of E.

Answer 2

Different churches charge different fees. Sometimes the fee includes the minister's fee; sometimes not.
Some churches will rent out their facilities and allow you to bring in your own officiant.
And some churches charge even if you're a member of the congregation. One bride I knew thought that because she was a member she could use the church for free. She ended up being invoiced for $1500.00; which was QUITE the shock.

Make sure you understand before signing anything.

Call several churches. You'll get a 'feel' for what the average church is renting. And if you are turnd down, don't take it personal. Some churches have strict policy and do not rent. And remember that whatever church you do rent, they expect you to follow their rules i.e. choice of music, decorations, alcohol & dancing if the recreation hall is used.

If you can't find a church there are other places you can hold a wedding. Park, lodge, garden, museum, winery, Art Gallery, farm, yacht, even the venue where you have your reception, which is gaining popularity.

Also to find an officiant, type in Yahoo your city, state & wedding officiant (no 's' on the end) You will find a few to chose from that will fit your needs. You can go to the bridal sites, too, but those sites make vendors & officiants pay for your contact info so if you see someone you might like, visite their site. Otherwise you may not hear back from someone you'd hoped.

Answer 3

Roman Catholic churches in Scotland don't charge but think everyone would expect to give the priest officiating at the ceremony a donation. Difficult one as you can't exactly ask people what they gave. Personally I would prefer a fee and you know what you are doing. Think £100 would be least I would give and honestly think a good bit more. They say the church belongs to the people but it is a big venue to open up, heat if winter, clean etc. However, if no donation was given I can't imagine any of the clergy asking. The hotel where my daughter's wedding reception is being held informs on their brochure that if an additional room is required for the weding ceremony it costs £500, then you have the fee for the registrar. So if £500 for a room enough said!!!

Answer 4

I am a member of a predominately African American baptist church. Over the years I have been involved in many weddings held at various African American baptist churches where neither a fee or donation was requested. A few churches did charge a fee for non-members, but it wasn't that common. The only cost involved regarded an honorarium for the officiant and musician (which do not always have to be members of the church where you are holding your wedding). However, I have heard of several members of Catholic churches were there was either a standard fee or request for a contribution to the church in order to use the facilities. Your best bet is to contact each church you are considering to determine what their policy is regarding weddings. Every church is different, so you will just have to call around and see. If there is not a fee and they prefer a contribution, there is no harm and asking for an average range of contributions they have received in the past.

Answer 5

I'm a little confused here -- what is a "wedding breakfast"? Are you having a special breakfast on your wedding day? Customarily, the ceremony ends, there is a gap of time to allow for the guests to get to the reception, then the reception begins. If the reception is 7pm, allow 1hr travel time so your ceremony should end no later than 6pm. Most church ceremonies only last about 20-30mins unless you are having a full-blown catholic wedding mass, so you'll need to consult your pastor/priest to understand how long the ceremony will be, but if it is a 20-30min ceremony then you could start at 5pm and thus give yourself a little extra photo time and your guests a little extra travel time to get to the reception. I'm sorry, but I just don't see how a "wedding breakfast" would fit in here, unless you are having something the next day. For my wedding, the ceremony was at 3pm, done by 3:30, we did a receiving line and guests went immediately to the cocktail hour at the reception which ran until 5pm, the dinner part of the reception with introductions, first dance & speeches began at 5pm with dinner being served at 5:30, cake was cut a little later. Everything wrapped up at 10pm.

Answer 6

I'm in the middle of the heartland (midwest) and the average price for a church here is $500. Most place require a payment. The most expensive one I've heard was $1500 and the cheapest was $250. Don't forget that you are asked to make a contribution to the clergy member as well, this is usually upwards of $100. Some place include the clergy member in the price of the church be sure to ask so as not to offend anyone.

Answer 7

Standard Fees

Answer 8

The church that I used has a standard fee: $150 for members and $200 for non-members. If u need to use the organist, its extra. These fees includes the counselling classes and their are rules to follow regarding music and so on.

Hope this helps.

Answer 9

What church?

In the Anglican church it is about £19 to have the banns read out, £12 for a certificate, and £240 for the wedding

£123.00 is paid to the diocese and £117 to the minister performing.

add another £100.00 for an organist, £40 if you want a verger to crowd control, and £50 for a choir. Flowers will ost you about £70 on top.

So its $500 for the full monty...

Answer 10

It's a "donation." However, you're told how much the "donation" is supposed to be. Some of them do charge actual "rental fees" that cover the costs for the janitor, sound tech, etc. Those are for using the building. On top of that there is a "donation" to the clergy you want to perform the ceremony.