So, right now my church is Blessed Sacrament in VS. On top of the $400 donation I need to pay the musical director $200. Fine. I really REALLY want a string quartet at my church and I know someone who will charge me about $450 for the hour. BUT The deacon said that I need to pay the musical director regardless since he sings all of the hymns and he would need to practice with the quartet before the day of, which is an additional $50. But in order to do this I'd obv. also need to pay the quartet another $450 for the extra 'performance'.
So I don't know what to do. I really want to get married at the church but I also REALLY want a string quartet. It looks like i'm going to have to give one of them up .
Thoughts?
If I change my church FH wants to have it at Our Lady of Victory in Floral Park but I'm not a fan of the church. It's small. So any recommendations on churches in Nassau County?
CappyGirl
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Re: I don't know what to do
I love OLV in FP - that is my current church, though I am getting married at Holy Name of Mary, also in Valley Stream.
I'm grappling with the string quartet as well - actually, would you think about cutting it down to a trio or duo instead? That might save. What about just having them for your cocktail hour?
halfbaked
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Re: I don't know what to do
Before you change the church, make sure with the new church that the same thing doesn't apply. I know my church has the same policy. It's a $500 donation and then you have to pay $200 for the church organist regardless of whether or not you use them.
AdriandSteve
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Re: I don't know what to do
Posted by CappyGirl
I love OLV in FP - that is my current church, though I am getting married at Holy Name of Mary, also in Valley Stream.
I'm grappling with the string quartet as well - actually, would you think about cutting it down to a trio or duo instead? That might save. What about just having them for your cocktail hour?
Yea, OLV is FH's church too. I could have either gone to Blessed Sacrament (Communion) or St. Boniface (Baptism) but FH hates that St. Boniface is on a major road.
I can't do them for cocktail since my mom is planning on hiring a Mariachi Band.
MarjorieFrank
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Re: I don't know what to do
I thnik it's common practice in every church that you must pay the musicians even if you don't use them... which stinks.
I don't get why the church musician MUST practice with the string quartet? That seems so silly, and cutting that out will make your decision a lot easier maybe.
Jenna_and_John
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Re: I don't know what to do
I agree about OLV, do you need the person to sing during the mass? What if you just had the string quartet as the music and no words?
DWKSwed
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Re: I don't know what to do
I'm getting married at Holy Name of Mary, I am also getting a string quartet. I think the fee is like $425 which includes the musical director. I think its a very pretty church and for me it has a lot of sentimental value... Maybe feel out whichever of those two churches lets you have more freedom to do what you want, OR before you do that I would talk to the church and say that you really want to have a string quartet and can't afford to pay the string quartet extra, can they forgo some of these requirements. Maybe they will just give in and give you a break.
MarjorieFrank
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Re: I don't know what to do
PS. Saint Raymond's is a grgeous church, it's in East Rockaway. There is also Our Lady of Peace in Lynbrook which is in the area. I don't know what it looks like though, and it's front doors are located on a busy road so that may not be too good.
AdriandSteve
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Re: I don't know what to do
Posted by MarjorieFrank
I thnik it's common practice in every church that you must pay the musicians even if you don't use them... which stinks.
I don't get why the church musician MUST practice with the string quartet? That seems so silly, and cutting that out will make your decision a lot easier maybe.
I know! If they didn't need the rehersal then I'd suck it put and pay the extra $200 since it's still less then every other quartet I checked out. I went to HS with one of the musicians so he's giving me a good price.
