2 Churches - How much to donate to which?

Aside from paying our church venue and the officient- One of the things we will do is donate all our table cloths to the church when we are done. We know the church is in need of some new ones and churches aren’t always just looking for money. Maybe see if there is an item or some items the Church is in need of- sometimes it’s books for he kids or toys or something you could donate without handing a check over for?

Both catholic churches that my girls are getting married in have a set fee for the wedding ceremony. I would see if the church you are marrying in has the same. I don't think you would need to donate anything on top of that unless you are using their organist and altar servers, in which case you should tip those people directly. For reference our old parish charges a $300 fee for registered members and $500 for non-registered members. Even though we attended this church for 20 years, our daughter now lives out of state (as do we) and we are no longer members there so the fee is $500. As for your traveling priest, I would gift $250-$500 on top of his travel expenses, but that just my opinion.

We are also getting married in a church (that is not our own) and bringing our priest from our parish. We are donating $500 to the church and $250 to the priest (also paying for his hotel, and he will be attending the rehearsal dinner and reception). He won't have much for travel expenses because it's only an hour away.

View Quoted Comment Hi Heather,

Thanks for your help. Just want to confirm I understand - you donated the $500 to the church you don’t belong to (where you are getting married), and personally gifting $250 to the priest?

View Quoted Comment

Correct! We will also be paying the organist, the cantor and a violinist; and tipping the alter servers and the church coordinator.

View Quoted Comment Hi Heather,

Thanks for your help. Based on what I’m reading, it seems that the church we’re getting wed at would be the one to receive the church donation, while the priest of our local parish would receive a gift. Just want to confirm you’re inferring that the parish I belong to (I.e. where the priest is traveling from) does not typically receive a donation.

Thanks,
Jon

View Quoted Comment I think that is a very thoughtful idea and I will look into this. Thank you!

View Quoted Comment Thanks for your help. I believe the suggested donation for the church we’re getting married in is $200-$250 based on discussions with the receptionist, but perhaps we’ll go beyond this ad well as tip musicians and gift to priest. Just want to ensure I understand your comment above - you’re thinking no donation to local church (parish we belong to) is necessary? That’s what I’m gathering from other comments on this topic. Thanks so much.