Cost for wedding venue

We are getting married at a resort and its $300.00... 200.00 for the revered

Getting married at our local Zoo. FH and I grew up going there. $2500. Plus $200 to upgrade the chairs.

That's expensive. But it is not for profit. And we live in florida. I really didn't want to do the typical beach wedding.

Maybe it's partially because you're bringing in an outside priest? I have several friends and family members married in a church, and it's ranged from free-$400. I know one wouldn't have had to pay for church if they used pastor there... so maybe that is part of it.

My church requires that you are a member, which the annual stewardship pledge is $1000.

Ours was $500 as parishioners but if you're a non parishioner it's over $1000. I found this to be typical in the area. I agree, I was pretty shocked as well!

Lol not for profit. Churches are all about profit. Sorry not sorry.

That sucks. Idk what denomination yours is, but my Catholic Church doesn't charge for anything. It's customary to give the priest a "tip" but it's free to use the space and priest.

Our church cost us $1000 which included the use of the building, the priest, basic flowers, organist and also the license - in Australia the officiant deals with all the paperwork.

My church charges about $1000 for ceremony rental

The mega-church I attend on occasion charges about $1200 total, officiant included, for a full 24 hours, and the reception area is free. The church my family is technically a member of (membership has like a $25 a year requirement) was free, but officiant expect a stipend or something like a tip for the services.

There are men on this site, too.

Even religion is all about money.

Idk. Our ceremony is in our place of worship and there are no fees whatsoever. Music will be provided, and no officiant fee either. Definitely not trying to brag or anything just saying I do think it's odd and unfair for a religious ceremony to be so expensive.

Getting married at a resort and it's $2,000 plus taxes and resort fees. I guess every church is different. Would they charge less if you were an active person in the church?

Light house rental on the vineyard is $400 per hour , min time 3 hours to account for chair set up removal . Plus chair cost and delivery

Thanks folks (ladies and fellas! Sorry for previous gender-cluelessness)!

I'm Catholic, and was formerly active in this church community OP'ed about, but moved away and then back two weeks ago. I just registered at the parish as a regular member and they say since the wedding is 5 months out instead of 6 I have to pay the non-parishioner fee of the $1750, if I was parishomer, it would be $750, which I still think is crazy high!! Especially because Catholics are required to get married in a church, not any outside or non-religious setting. I'd just do it at a park if I could because for me it's all about the marriage more than the money and spectacle of it all. (I'm probably just saying that bc those details of proper wedding stuff freak me out lol!!!)

I love my faith but right now I am feeling like it's a catch22 exploitation. Thanks for sharing your numbers bc it sounds like this isn't totally uncommon, but is still really high.

This is all happening in Pensacola FL BTW.

I live right outside of New Orleans and came across the same issue. We decided, despite how the FIL's felt, that it was best for my fiance and I to have a ceremony at our reception venue. Thanks to a few suggestions from my fellow WW brides/grooms, we found an officiant who was able to incorporate catholic ties and readings into our ceremony. I am extremely happy with our decision and even more excited that we saved almost 3000. Good Luck!

That seems like a lot to me just for the ceremony.

A church is like getting married at anywhere else. They are a venue! I don't know how your church works but with my price I'm getting a slide show, candles, staff etc! I really don't understand what's so shocking about this. Is a church supposed to be low priced because it's a church ? If you don't like it I suggest looking around and seeing what else fits in your budget.

Since you aren't currently an active member, that doesn't seem ridiculous. Think about the expenses the church incurs for you to use the building: heat or A/C (which needs to be turned on 10-12 hours in advance if it's not used daily), cleaning staff before and after, insurance, stewards other staff to be there for both your rehearsal and wedding, sacramental elements, plus the cost of a priest or any deacons. If it's an ornate or historic church, there's also the risk someone may break/stain/ruin something. Additionally, you're supporting the parish and their ministries. We're very active in my church and are choosing to donate almost as much as your requirement, not because I have a spare $1500 lying around, but because if I can pay 10x that for booze, food, and flowers, I should be able to support my church and their ministry too.

Churches aren't props, so if you want to get married there like you're a part of the church family, sometimes you have to pay to support their ministries. It's not exploitation.