is it more expensive to get married in a church?

Question

Than having your ceremony at maybe a park, beach, country club or someone's yard.

I just got engaged and i want to start planning my wedding.
Any idea's on how to have a Great wedding at a Small price.

thanks in advance!

Answer 1

It probably depends on what the other choices are in your area as well as the wedding use rules for the particular church. Many churches have free or low-cost use privileges for its members, but if you are requesting to use a church you don't belong to, a fee will probably be required.
You may also want to consider the rental, decoration, and catering requirements needed for each location--a church would already have seating, so no chair rental would be required, so you would save that amount over having the wedding outside.

You probably need to make appointment to see and price all the possible locations in your community and also see what dates they are available. Take a checklist with you to see what additional items would need to be rented or bought to make the location work as a wedding site. Try to take along a friend who has done this recently to help you think out details if you can't afford a professional wedding planner. If your parents are helping pay for it, you should probably include your mom and/or dad in plans to make sure it is in line with what they will support.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Depending on where you live if a church is cheaper or not. I just moved to a larger city and I called about 10 churches around here and they all wanted $1500 to $2000 and then I called my old church (the one I went to as a child and haven't been back in about 15 years) said they wouldn't charge me anything (of course I would make a donation to the church). The cheapest place to have a wedding would be a park or someones back yard(if you know someone with a large back yard). I'm getting married 8-8-08 and I'm having a hard time finding a place. Everyone wants to much and I really don't want everyone to have to drive 45 extra mins to go to my old home town. Everyone is already driving 2 hours to get here. I wish you the best of luck and I hope you two have a wonderful life together.

Answer 3

Each situation is different. Some churches charge a fee, others don't. (And that fee could be high !!) If you get married at a park, you will need to reserve the space and pay a rental amount.
You can get married ANYWHERE, honey.... you just need to decide WHERE and for how much.
I was married next to a clubhouse pool, 7 PM on a moonlit evening. We made a row of lights to go along the pool and the glare from the moon reflected off the pool and lights perfectly. My wife's friend offered to cook and we invited close friends and family. It was not expensive and both of us loved the arrangement.
Too often people spend thousands of dollars to get married and end up spending just as much getting divorced. You can have a simple ceremony that is memorable for time and eternity if you see beauty in simplicity and are committed to the vows both of you speak.
Best Wishes!!!

Answer 4

Most churches charge for using the facility and the cost can be significantly more than renting some other sites. You will also be paying for the organist etc.The most expensive part of a wedding is the reception not the ceremony.
A wedding can be beautiful held outdoors but you are the mercy of the weather. Decide what most appeals to you and your partner and then you can start looking into how to have what you want at a modest price.

Answer 5

Price each and see. Typically if you are a member of said church, you may not have to pay anything other than a donation. Nonmembers have to pay a fee. However some churches charge a huge fee for the use even for members. It all depends. If you don't belong to a church, then getting married at your reception venue (park, beach, etc) may be cheaper. Some reception venues charge extra for having the ceremony there.

Answer 6

Most churches have a cheaper rate if you're a member. Otherwise, their prices can be a little steep, but not as bad as a resort or hotel. As for the beach or park idea, you should take into account the weather. You may need to rent tents to provide shelter in the case of poor weather. These can easily cost $10,000. You should look at a park that has a shelter available for rental, in case the wedding has to be moved inside. These are generally pretty cheap to reserve.

Answer 7

I'd say its about equal. If you have it at a park or anywhere else, you still have to pay for the officiant, usually about $200+. Our chapel was free but our officiatiant cost $225. When my sister got married at our parent's church is cost about the same with the price of the church plus the minister's fee. It was about the same when my SIL got married in her church.

Answer 8

Churches these days aren't cheap to get married in, even if you are a member! My church cost $750.00 to get married in, and that was cheaper than a few others I found. I'm assuming a park would not cost, however you'd need to rent a few things probably? Country Club or even a reception hall sometimes have packages.

Answer 9

Decide whether you want to marry in a park or outside.
No matter where you get married, it can be really expensive depending on certain things.

Answer 10

My church is costing $500, but that includes a cordinator, a pastor, the reception hall, decorations, sound, lighting, a sound man...... go with the church, if possible. It will usually save you money.