So, I had my church pencil me in today before I can make it in there to put down a deposit but I was just wondering if some of these charges seemed normal or if they were ripping us off... $375 church fee (i expected this) $150 each fee for priest, organist and vocalist even if you DON'T use them - they have to be paid?!?!? We are planning on using the priest but I wanted options with the music, now we will just use theirs if we have to pay for it anyway.
AND.... a $300 'late fee'....basically to explain this, its a refundable deposit basically. You write them a check and if your procession starts 10 minutes or more late they cash it, if you start within 10 minutes of your designated time, you get it back.
Is that normal?? I really have no choice but to do it and to be honest, its not about the money at all, but I think its weird that they have this late fee thing (especially since they will not be doing any other weddings after mine) and the fee for the musicians even if we dont use them.
dbleplay17
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Re: Church Late Fee? Am I getting ripped off???
my church was 600 for the church, organist, singer and priest. You had to pay it even if you arent using them.
The 'Late' payment I never heard of but I guess they have had a problem with late weddings in the past!??!
PegaLega
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Re: Church Late Fee? Am I getting ripped off???
Ive never heard of the late payment. they didnt tell us about it at our church. We also have to pay for the organist and singer no matter whether we use them or not-stinks but we intend on using them anyway
iffy
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Re: Church Late Fee? Am I getting ripped off???
Jennie0898
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Re: Church Late Fee? Am I getting ripped off???
Yeah, that late fee is alittle sketchy. But can you really fight it?
portjeffbride
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Re: Church Late Fee? Am I getting ripped off???
They obviously are trying to keep a schedule. I forget the exact figure, but after everything, I believe we're paying close to $800... and like others, we have to pay the musicians whether or not we use them.....
We're fine with the expenses... All in all, it remains the most important, yet one of the least expensive portions of the day....
Kris10546
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Re: Church Late Fee? Am I getting ripped off???
Posted by portjeffbride
They obviously are trying to keep a schedule. I forget the exact figure, but after everything, I believe we're paying close to $800... and like others, we have to pay the musicians whether or not we use them.....
We're fine with the expenses... All in all, it remains the most important, yet one of the least expensive portions of the day....
Oh I totally agree. I'm not complaining about the costs being too much, I was just wondering if this was typical. We really dont have much choice then to use them anyway...and it is a beautiful church where I made all of my sacraments and I have always wanted to be married there. I just wanted to get some opinions on these fees.
MichLiz213
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Re: Church Late Fee? Am I getting ripped off???
That sounds strange to me, but I would get in writing that if it's the church's fault that your ceremony is delayed (for whatever reason-the priest isn't ready, another ceremony ran over, etc.), then you are not liable for that.
Mikeysgirl
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Re: Church Late Fee? Am I getting ripped off???
I have heard of a late fee. My friend had to pay this before getting married. She did get it back in the end because her wedding started on time.
billandme
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Re: Church Late Fee? Am I getting ripped off???
I have never heard of that before
carlsbride
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Re: Church Late Fee? Am I getting ripped off???
I have heard of this. My friends Parish in NJ requires it. It's too bad that the actions of brides in the past have made churches resort to this.
tdebe
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Re: Church Late Fee? Am I getting ripped off???
My church is charging $350 and that includes the priest and organist. I don't see why you're paying for everything seperately.
MattandTricia07
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Re: Church Late Fee? Am I getting ripped off???
Never heard of a late fee, but I guess they do that to deter brides from getting there late
Our church is charging us $500.
AeroJenn
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Re: Church Late Fee? Am I getting ripped off???
I almost booked a church that did something similar -- if you started the REHEARSAL more than 10 minutes late, they charged you $300. I thought it was rediculous and didnt book them because of it.
As far as the other charges...i think they're on track. We're paying like $950 in total.
Pinkiegirll07
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Re: Church Late Fee? Am I getting ripped off???
A late fee??!?! I've never heard of such a thing!!!!
happygirl07
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Re: Church Late Fee? Am I getting ripped off???
$500 for church $200 refundable late fee
sunflower13
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Re: Church Late Fee? Am I getting ripped off???
I am paying 700 for the church,priest and organist. The late fee thing I have never heard of, it might be a little too constricting for me..JMO
MayBride08
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Re: Church Late Fee? Am I getting ripped off???
We are paying $500.00 total, no late fees, but my aunt works in a church and she said her church does this, but it is a $100.00 fee. I think that is a little bit more reasonable then what they are charging you. I think churches that do a lot of weddings do this because if one bride is late it interferes with the whole day of weddings and then can interfere with their regular scheduled masses.
DandS
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Re: Church Late Fee? Am I getting ripped off???
Posted by dbleplay17
The 'Late' payment I never heard of but I guess they have had a problem with late weddings in the past!??!
I have never heard of the late fee either, however they must have their reason for this.
My 'donation' was $500 for the Church, Priest, Organist, and Singer. We also had to pay $60 for Pre-Cana.
ant n tilde
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Re: Church Late Fee? Am I getting ripped off???
there is a very popular ( and beautiful0 church near my house that charges a late fee - i think its a great idea ( although i am never late so that may be why, lol)
