Price for Pre-Cana

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Posted by stinenandy2010

If we do it with the parish on a weeknight its $65 I believe. HOWEVER, since we live in Connecticut, I wanted to do one of those weekend ones where its over in two days. They want $495!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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OMG!!!!! At times like this I am happy we are different religions and having an interfaith marriage.... not that its cheap either... but jeez! $495 for PreCana!!! Is everything a business these days???

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Posted by MikeandJess

that's bizarre, I didn't realize this was something you can shop around for and get the best price? Maybe because we did interfaith we had no choice, it was $175 for us

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Wait.. You have to get a Pre-Cana for interfaith marriages???? I thought it was just catholic... I am catholic but FH is jewish....

We are planning on having his relative, an interfaith minister do the ceremony. We though it would be nice. We don't have to do pre cana then do we??? I am soo confused!

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Posted by mls282

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Posted by MikeandJess

that's bizarre, I didn't realize this was something you can shop around for and get the best price? Maybe because we did interfaith we had no choice, it was $175 for us

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Wait.. You have to get a Pre-Cana for interfaith marriages???? I thought it was just catholic... I am catholic but FH is jewish....

We are planning on having his relative, an interfaith minister do the ceremony. We though it would be nice. We don't have to do pre cana then do we??? I am soo confused!

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i did interfaith pre-cana. If you are getting married in a catholic church then yes you do pre-cana regardless. If you are not getting married in a church then no you dont have to do pre-cana period.

I am christian orthodox, Dh is catholic and since we got married in a catholic church we were required to do pre-cana. Since we are of different religions then we had to do interfaith pre-cana

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Posted by Espo22

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Posted by mls282

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Posted by MikeandJess

that's bizarre, I didn't realize this was something you can shop around for and get the best price? Maybe because we did interfaith we had no choice, it was $175 for us

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Wait.. You have to get a Pre-Cana for interfaith marriages???? I thought it was just catholic... I am catholic but FH is jewish....

We are planning on having his relative, an interfaith minister do the ceremony. We though it would be nice. We don't have to do pre cana then do we??? I am soo confused!

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i did interfaith pre-cana. If you are getting married in a catholic church then yes you do pre-cana regardless. If you are not getting married in a church then no you dont have to do pre-cana period.

I am christian orthodox, Dh is catholic and since we got married in a catholic church we were required to do pre-cana. Since we are of different religions then we had to do interfaith pre-cana

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Oh I understand. Thanks!!! Since its a Catholic - Jewish wedding neither religion will let us get married through them... so we are doing completely interfaith. Pretty much spirtual but devoid of religion.LOL! Planning on doing ring ceremony, vows, unity ceremony, rose ceremony and like 2 readings (poems). Short and sweet.

Fortunately I dont have to pay for a precana. I got worried there for a minute.

Thanks for the info!

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Posted by mls282


Wait.. You have to get a Pre-Cana for interfaith marriages???? I thought it was just catholic... I am catholic but FH is jewish....

We are planning on having his relative, an interfaith minister do the ceremony. We though it would be nice. We don't have to do pre cana then do we??? I am soo confused!

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you MUST do pre-cana, if you, as the Catholic, want the marriage to be recognized by the Catholic Church... in other words, for it to be considered a Sacrament for you.

if you do not want it recgonized by the Church, then no, you do not need Pre-Cana.

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Posted by mls282

OMG!!!!! At times like this I am happy we are different religions and having an interfaith marriage.... not that its cheap either... but jeez! $495 for PreCana!!! Is everything a business these days???

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no, it's NOT a business. the church is only asking couples to cover the cost for food, lodging, materials and perhaps to pay something to the staff that leads the retreat.

people need to realize that.... it kills me that people on these boards wont' blink an eye for the $250 centerpiece on the table, but complain about giving money to the churh. disgusting.

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Posted by donegal419

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Posted by mls282

OMG!!!!! At times like this I am happy we are different religions and having an interfaith marriage.... not that its cheap either... but jeez! $495 for PreCana!!! Is everything a business these days???

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no, it's NOT a business. the church is only asking couples to cover the cost for food, lodging, materials and perhaps to pay something to the staff that leads the retreat.

people need to realize that.... it kills me that people on these boards wont' blink an eye for the $250 centerpiece on the table, but complain about giving money to the churh. disgusting.

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its true, so many things wedding related cost so much money and you wont hear as many complaints but church fees, which honestly is such a small percentage of the total wedding cost, you hear alot of complaints about.

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Posted by Espo22

its true, so many things wedding related cost so much money and you wont hear as many complaints but church fees, which honestly is such a small percentage of the total wedding cost, you hear alot of complaints about.

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ITA! and i feel like if you're going to begrudge the Church for the money they ask of you, get married somewhere else!

If the Sacrament of Marriage (meaning what it is to have a CATHOLIC ceremony or Mass) meant anything to you, you wouldnt' mind paying. i was on an extremely tight budget, but did not mind at all when it came to Church fees. In fact, i even gave more for my donation than they asked for AND I didn't even use their musicians!

to me, it's all about priorities, and yes, for me having my Nuptial Mass was THE priority... yes, my husband and I are very active in the Church, so my opinion is stronger than most on the boards, but i really just dont' get it. if people are going to get so upset over the donation or Pre-Cana fees, than maybe they either don't understand where the money is going and don't understand why the Church asks for a tithe OR a Catholic ceremony is not that important to them.

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Posted by donegal419

i paid $50.00 through my parish.

and it GOES TO THE CHURCH!!! they need money from their parishoners to keep the parish and its programs running.

I am probably in the minority here, but i get so angry when isee these posts... people will pay upwards of $100.00 per person at their hall, but complain when they're asked to contribute to the church???? i think that's so wrong...

yes, we're all budget conscious, but this is THE msot important part of the wedding planning and the day, it's not a big deal.

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thank you for posting this. it is how i feel. i do get a little when I see the price for things for the wedding but at least I know that money i am contributing to the Church is going to help the community and the congregation grow.

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Posted by Kristy1226

I have no problem giving money to the church. But i think it is asking a bit much of a 'donation' of 800-1000. Usually a donation value was just something that you can afford. Which is why they pass the basket at mass. Not all of us are having our wedding at a RH that is cost 100pp. I was just simply stating my opinion and as are many other ladies on this board. Every one of us was brought up a different way, different religions values ect.......

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i agree with you. i certainly did not have an expensive wedding either, but i still don't think it's a lot of them to ask for a donation of about 500-800, or what have you. you are receiving the Sacrmaent of Marriage and i firmyl believe that that should be a gift given in gratitude for that. also, it helps pay for the musicians that paly for your Mass. also, let's be honest. 90% of couples that get married in the Catholic Church do not go to Mass regularly or tithe regularly. if you want to use their facilities, their priest, etc. but never contribute to the church community, it is only right that they ask you to contribute on this one occassion.

also, let's be honest, most of on these boards can afford it. do you think the church doesn't see the Hummer limo pulling up in front of the Church, the $1000 flowers, and the photographer and videographer that show up... all that costs a lot of money, and then people complain about the donation... doesnt' make sense.

ANY church will work with you if money was a true issue. but for msot of us, doing all the other extras, that's a hard argument to make and it's only fair that money is given to the Church in gratitude for the Sacrmanet. JMO

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Posted by Tori9299

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Posted by Maria31

We didn't pay anything for Pre-Cana... we did it through our parish. How much are they charging you??

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$175

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That's exactly how much ours was, but it was 2 days and included meals and snacks for 2 people (and the food was REALLY good!!), as well as the pre-cana book and supplies....so honestly, it's not a bad deal. And it was totally worth it, we got a lot out of it!

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Posted by jaep129

$200 + 800 to get married in our church! This is why I hate religion!

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wow..... 'save money' and get married at your reception hall then. They'll charge you even more for the site fee.. Good luck

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Posted by Future_Farrell

Why cant people just get married for free, this is ridiculous.

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Nothing in life is ever free, unfortunately.. you know those lovely songs that everyone wants to walk up the 'isle' to? Someone has to sing & play those songs. Your 'beautiful' church, someone has to clean it before & after your wedding. Let's also think about the lighting and basic heating/cooling elements.. Those need to paid as well.


I think people forget that churches do not run for free for us to use. They are trying to keep their programs available for their parishoners. If they didn't collect money somehow they wouldnt be able to have precana, bible schools, religion classes, al anon meetings, and the like..


Just food for thought

also, I paid almost 2k to my church for precana & the donation

You can always explain to the priest that you cannot afford to pay the fee and if they feel that you can't afford it then they will still marry you.

But be prepared to explain how you can afford your reception then.

I personally feel that after each mass my priests should ask for change at stoplights like those little league teams. Why should I be forced to pay for their meals. And do they really need heat in the rectory? I am sure their faith can keep them warm.

And maybe instead of paying for air conditioning for a summer wedding. . . the Church can just very nicely ask the electric company for some free electricity.