Church wedding for free?

Question

I see people posting on here that if you are looking on ways to cut down your budget, join the church b/c members are free.

Mine wasn't and none of my friends have ever been allowed the church for free. My mothers wasn't even free to members back in the 60s. So what I want to know--

who on here has actually used the church they were members of for free AND what church are you a member of?

Guys "many churches" isn't an answer and can't get best answer. Obviously not "many churches" b/c as I said no one I know personally has had members free. Mine (methodist church) charged $150 to preacher, $250 to other mandatory helpers, and $175 for use of church sanctuary. All friends have paid at least $400, mandatory not donations at Catholic and Baptist churches. But yes I do live in a city--so that may be part of it.

Answer 1

well, if i had had my wedding at my church, it would have been free. it was a small Wesleyan church. however, i used this huge church on a navy base and it was free too. :P you did not have to be a member of it nor are they allowed to charge you anything.

** what a RUDE thumbsdown. i actually had a ceremony site in a church that was free, i answered the question!!!!!! what more did you want?! and IFFFFF i had used my own church which i am a member of, it would have been free as well!!!!

Answer 2

My brother married at the Tabernacle of Faith Baptist church in Texas. There was no fee for him using the church. It is assumed that you will place a donation to the church after your ceremony, though. Lots of my family members have been married in this particular church, and it was "free" for them as well.
Also, my new SIL attends the Trinity Vineyard Pentecostal church in Texas, and when her and my brother married, there was no fee for using her church either. (Once again a donation was given...but that was left up to the couple as to how much they wanted to give.)
I've heard of several churches doing this. I guess it depends on the particular church in question.
Regardless, I would not become a member of a certain church only to cut down on wedding expenses. A church is a sacred sanctuary, not a budgeting alternative.

Also, if your church does offer "free" use of the church for wedding ceremonies, be sure to give a reasonable, and generous donation. Also, tip any alter boys, or choir people giving their time for your special day.

Answer 3

Our wedding was in a city, at a Ukrainian Catholic church. We did not pay for the use of the church. Also, my husband's brother and two of our friends were the priests, so we didn't even have to pay the three concelebrants!
Where I live now, in another city not far from where we got married, the use of the church is free for the ceremony, with a $200 honorarium for the priest for the ceremony and the weeks of premarital classes.
I suppose our religion just really takes it seriously that receiving sacraments, and undergoing ceremonies are not things that are done for profit for the church, more for cost-recovery, if that...

Answer 4

Frankly, I would be surprised to find ANY church that would hold a ceremony for free. It costs the church money (pastor's time, wear and tear, electricity for light heat/air conditioning, clean-up etc.) to have an event, and so they should be compensated for it. They're a charity, but they still have to pay their bills.

Our wedding site, while not a church is a non-profit organization, is charging us $500 and all we get is the physical outdoor space roped off from the general public--no chairs, no altar, no flowers, no aisle runner. I don't mind paying that because I know the money goes to fund a good cause. Same with a church.

Answer 5

I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS/Mormon). Our ceremonies are held in sacred temples around the world which are always free. However, only worthy members of our church are allowed in the temple to witness our ceremony where the husband and wife are sealed to each other for time and all eternity. So it's much smaller and not a 'typical wedding.'

Answer 6

The united methodist in bell buckle, tenn. allows free weddings mainly because it is a small church. People all pitch in and decorate, cater, ect for members who they grew up with. And if a couple had financial need they wouldn't charge to let them have a ceremony there if they chose to become active members of the church family.

Answer 7

Churches are not allowed to charge you a fee for using the church. However, they do wish that you make a "donation" to the church for using the facility. There may actually be charges for other services though, like an officient, organist, clean up etc.

Answer 8

You do know that being a member of a church means being baptized by that church, right? Please don't become members of a church to cut down on costs, it's disrespectful.

My fiance and I are using the church we attend, we are members and we're getting a members "donation rate" which is $25 for the church sanctuary. Members shouldn't mind paying to use the church facilities, afterall the money goes straight to the church budget.

Answer 9

Alot of churches do weddings for free per say , they do ask for donation to the church whether you are a member or not . So technically if you are donating money to the church its really not free , hope that made sense..

Answer 10

My wedding was far from traditional, but I attend a Pentecostal (Church of God) church and was able to use it for free. Ours, as far as I know, has always allowed members to use it for free, as long as the facilities were taken care of and cleaned up afterwards.

Answer 11

I know that many churches charge fees to cover a number of costs: electricity, water, having someone on site to unlock and lock the church, janitorial services, help cover their insurance policy, etc. etc. etc.

If there are churches who don't charge, my guess is that they are intimate little places where the pastor lives onsite. But at any rate, why would anyone want to get married in a church if that isn't their belief?