Since when did churches get so expensive!!!

Original post by divabride

Jun 14, 2004 10:04 AM

On top of the astronomical fee of $400 for the church ceremony, I just found out I have to pay and extra $220 for the music. This is just ridiculous!! Sorry....had to vent!!

samsbride Posted: Jun 14, 2004 12:32 PM

Re: Since when did churches get so expensive!!!

$120 clean up fee? The people either work for free or get paid $6 an hour. How much clean up will the church need?

WeddingsRock Posted: Jun 14, 2004 12:44 PM

Re: Since when did churches get so expensive!!!

Many churches feel that it is the ceremony that should be the most important part of a marriage, not the reception. Many times, couples were 'stiffing' the church and having these elaborate wedding receptions. If getting married in a church is that important to you, then you will pay the fee. Remember, you really wanted to get married at place XXXX, you found a way to make it work. The church feels the same way. A good friend of mine is a Priest, and two years ago he preformed a baptism, and the couple put $2.00 in the card as a tip. I was embarrased for them. That is just wrong. Also, consider the cost it would have been if you rented a site or rented chairs for a park. The fee is all relative to everything else. Where I got married, the church was 800 and music.singer was an additional 400. I wanted it, I found a way to pay for it!

Nora101004 Posted: Jun 14, 2004 01:07 PM

Re: Since when did churches get so expensive!!!

Try getting a Rabbi- mine is $700, others were $1500. I thought they were crazy- its a 1/2 hour ceremony.

gmnst15 Posted: Jun 14, 2004 01:07 PM

Re: Since when did churches get so expensive!!!

Our 'donation' is $650 which includes the organist. They told us $150 goes right to her so they are really only getting $500

VickiC Posted: Jun 14, 2004 01:10 PM

Re: Since when did churches get so expensive!!!

The going rates for musicians is at least $100 per hour. You will pay this and probably closer to $200 an hour for a EACH musician in a string quartet.

Funny - no one complains about paying $800 for the string quartet though.

steph4777 Posted: Jun 14, 2004 01:17 PM

Re: Since when did churches get so expensive!!!

The Cathedral of the Incarnation in Garden City wanted $1500 for use of the church and for their priest to perform the ceremony. Plus we had to use their organist and order the flowers through their alter guild. In the end it would have cost $2000.

Although I always pictured myself getting married there, I couldn't justify paying that much.

jw11897 Posted: Jun 14, 2004 01:35 PM

Re: Since when did churches get so expensive!!!

My church 'donation' is $500 that includes the music

GoingNutty Posted: Jun 14, 2004 04:45 PM

Re: Since when did churches get so expensive!!!

Our Church fee is $300 and it is $90 for the organist and $90 for the cantor.

BriBri529 Posted: Jun 14, 2004 07:30 PM

Re: Since when did churches get so expensive!!!

I Hear YA!!!!!! We HAVE to make a $650 donation . . . It's pretty funny how the DONATION is a REQUIREMENT and a designated COST . . . Donation?????

OXYMORON - a Set Donation?

Sorry, this can bring up a controversial topic and I don't even want to go there . . .

ChristineC68 Posted: Jun 14, 2004 08:15 PM

Re: Since when did churches get so expensive!!!

Posted by BriBri529

I Hear YA!!!!!! We HAVE to make a $650 donation . . . It's pretty funny how the DONATION is a REQUIREMENT and a designated COST . . . Donation?????

OXYMORON - a Set Donation?

Sorry, this can bring up a controversial topic and I don't even want to go there . . .

By calling it a DONATION and not a fee, you can deduct it from your taxes this year

BriBri529 Posted: Jun 14, 2004 08:18 PM

Re: Since when did churches get so expensive!!!

Posted by ChristineC68

Posted by BriBri529

I Hear YA!!!!!! We HAVE to make a $650 donation . . . It's pretty funny how the DONATION is a REQUIREMENT and a designated COST . . . Donation?????

OXYMORON - a Set Donation?

Sorry, this can bring up a controversial topic and I don't even want to go there . . .

By calling it a DONATION and not a fee, you can deduct it from your taxes this year

VERY true, I just think it is insane to request a fee that high (since my church seems to be one of the most expensive) - I guess there is a plus side to everything . . .