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.
alicia721
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Re: Church Late Fee? Am I getting ripped off???
The church having a late fee i've never heard of that before. I think thats just a way to make sure the ceremony starts on time.
Just make sure you are an early bride.
fallinlove91407
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Re: Church Late Fee? Am I getting ripped off???
same here I never heard of that before....but we are paying about the same all together everything for the church will be $600
SoulMates422
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Re: Church Late Fee? Am I getting ripped off???
No you are not getting ripped off. I have heard of a late fee. The thing is some churches have multiple weddings and they are trying to protect the next bride. If there is someone getting married after you and you are late 30 mins then that delays the next persons ceremony or event. To be honest I agree with a REFUNDABLE late fee because if I was the bride that was postponed due to another bride then I would be upset because once the ceremony is late then the limo goes into overtime, then maybe photographer then the reception and anything else can be thrown off. If you try to plan and give yourself ample time then you shouldn't have anything to worry about. I would always try to plan to be there before this way if you are running late, you have enough extra time scheduled in to make it to the church on time.
divabride
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Re: Church Late Fee? Am I getting ripped off???
The late fee sounds a little odd. Not making any jokes here, but what if the church runs late? Do they pay you? My ceremony started a half hour late because of a multiple christening beforehand..... Just something to ask, ya know?
SoulMates422
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Re: Church Late Fee? Am I getting ripped off???
Posted by divabride
The late fee sounds a little odd. Not making any jokes here, but what if the church runs late? Do they pay you? My ceremony started a half hour late because of a multiple christening beforehand..... Just something to ask, ya know?
Thats exactly why they have the late fee because that could have thrown off your other vendors and cost you unexpected costs for something you had not done. You should have been compensated, 30 mins seems like a long time for something that you did not cause.
RGV07
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Re: Church Late Fee? Am I getting ripped off???
that seems strange to charge you a late fee if you start late!!@@!$@
divabride
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Re: Church Late Fee? Am I getting ripped off???
Posted by SoulMates422 Thats exactly why they have the late fee because that could have thrown off your other vendors and cost you unexpected costs for something you had not done. You should have been compensated, 30 mins seems like a long time for something that you did not cause.
As long as its clearly stated that the money will go to her to pay for any inconveniences this caused, than just going to the church funds.
beautyq115
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Re: Church Late Fee? Am I getting ripped off???
I have heard of this....soooo freakin rediculous..What church is it?
SoulMates422
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Re: Church Late Fee? Am I getting ripped off???
Posted by divabride
As long as its clearly stated that the money will go to her to pay for any inconveniences this caused, than just going to the church funds.
I agree with you on this.
MrsD06
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Re: Church Late Fee? Am I getting ripped off???
ok, we didn't get married in a church so maybe someone can help me out...why on earth would you have to pay for musicians at the church if you're not using them?!
Kris10546
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Re: Church Late Fee? Am I getting ripped off???
Posted by beautyq115
I have heard of this....soooo freakin rediculous..What church is it?
It's Our Holy Redeemer RC Church in Freeport. It's a beautiful church!
donegal419
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Re: Church Late Fee? Am I getting ripped off???
Posted by MrsD06
ok, we didn't get married in a church so maybe someone can help me out...why on earth would you have to pay for musicians at the church if you're not using them?!
Okay, re: the late fee--- that's weird and I've never heard of that before. I've also never heard of paying the priest specifically... performing weddings are part of their duty as a priest, but maybe they always got a cut of the overall donation anyway??? they also may have asked you to the pay the priest so you don't feel like you have to tip or agive a gift (some do that).
RE: the Musicians......
You have to pay them even if you are not using them. It might suck, but as a cantor and knowign people that are church musicians...their salary is really LOW... they rely and count on the extra money that they make from weddings... so you have to pay them anyways because your wedding if you use other musicians is taking away from their income if that makes sense. also, often the director of music needs to be present at your wedding (even if he/she is not playing or singing) to prep. the organ, set up the sound system, and do all the acoustical things that a stranger in the church would not know how to do...
HTH....
sarahthegreat
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Re: Church Late Fee? Am I getting ripped off???
we had that written in contract too. mainly in case there was another wedding that day (there wasn't) so i didn't show up an hour late (i didnt) imo, its a scare tatic.
Toots123
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Re: Church Late Fee? Am I getting ripped off???
My church is charging us around the same but no mention of a late fee yet. I have heard of it before though so I don't think you're getting ripped off. However, I have only heard of $100 late fee not $300 which seems a little steep. In any event, I will feel awkward going back to the church to get my $100 deposit back, even if I wasn't late. But, honestly, I would have NO Problem going back if it was a $300 deposit. Seems really high and punitive. I would be like 'Fork it Back Over' Padre!
Kris10546
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Re: Church Late Fee? Am I getting ripped off???
Posted by Toots123
My church is charging us around the same but no mention of a late fee yet. I have heard of it before though so I don't think you're getting ripped off. However, I have only heard of $100 late fee not $300 which seems a little steep. In any event, I will feel awkward going back to the church to get my $100 deposit back, even if I wasn't late. But, honestly, I would have NO Problem going back if it was a $300 deposit. Seems really high and punitive. I would be like 'Fork it Back Over' Padre!
Haha Thanks for the advise
PegaLega
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Re: Church Late Fee? Am I getting ripped off???
Posted by donegal419
Posted by MrsD06
RE: the Musicians......
You have to pay them even if you are not using them. It might suck, but as a cantor and knowign people that are church musicians...their salary is really LOW... they rely and count on the extra money that they make from weddings... so you have to pay them anyways because your wedding if you use other musicians is taking away from their income if that makes sense. also, often the director of music needs to be present at your wedding (even if he/she is not playing or singing) to prep. the organ, set up the sound system, and do all the acoustical things that a stranger in the church would not know how to do...
HTH....
Im not complaining about paying the musicians (im using them regardless) but FH asked what if there was no wedding that day they wouldnt be getting paid. Just asking
MrsD06
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Re: Church Late Fee? Am I getting ripped off???
Posted by donegal419
Posted by MrsD06
ok, we didn't get married in a church so maybe someone can help me out...why on earth would you have to pay for musicians at the church if you're not using them?!
Okay, re: the late fee--- that's weird and I've never heard of that before. I've also never heard of paying the priest specifically... performing weddings are part of their duty as a priest, but maybe they always got a cut of the overall donation anyway??? they also may have asked you to the pay the priest so you don't feel like you have to tip or agive a gift (some do that).
RE: the Musicians......
You have to pay them even if you are not using them. It might suck, but as a cantor and knowign people that are church musicians...their salary is really LOW... they rely and count on the extra money that they make from weddings... so you have to pay them anyways because your wedding if you use other musicians is taking away from their income if that makes sense. also, often the director of music needs to be present at your wedding (even if he/she is not playing or singing) to prep. the organ, set up the sound system, and do all the acoustical things that a stranger in the church would not know how to do...
HTH....
thank you..I understand the music director thing..but I still think you shouldn't have to pay for the musicians no matter what...but I digress
philsdeezy
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Re: Church Late Fee? Am I getting ripped off???
There are a few church's that do that. I guess it stops people from being very late. My daughter was almost a hour late.
