Do you have to be a member of the church to have a wedding ceremony there?

Question

We are members of a church, but its way too big to have a small wedding there... and frankly its just not very pretty. There are plenty of other smaller churches around, but I don't know if they allow you to have a wedding/reception there if you are not a member. Does anyone know the answer???

Answer 1

My Fiancee is Catholic and I am Christian we are getting married in a Catholic Church close to my home. Neither of us are members of that church. We have to pay more to be married there but it is allowed to be married at a different church.

Answer 2

Some do, you will have to ask, you will probably have to pay more, considering they don't know you....

Answer 3

You have to ask the individual church as they all have different rules. Be prepared to pay a much higher fee. The pastor may also charge a higher fee. We got married at our church, and the pastor did the ceremony for free as our gift (she usually charges $250). Renting the church was $180 because we are not "book" members, but that is the cheaper price as non-attenders pay $350 to rent the space.

Our congregation curtains off part of the chapel during the summer because the hours are different and there is less attendance, so the size was not an issue.

However, if you can't curtain off part, it really doesn't matter. I have seen weddings in huge chapels, but only the first couple of pews were filled. Just make sure there is someone there to point people to sit in the first couple of rows and you will be fine to have it at your larger home church. You can usually decorate and make it pretty if you want.

Answer 4

Depends which one you're going to. A lot of churches around here just charge you for not being a member, so I reckon that it's the same around other places.

Just call around the local churches and ask them about it.

Answer 5

Most places will rent the facilites to you at a slightly higher price if you are not a member, but they will prob. insist that a church faculity member be there at all times.

Answer 6

It depends on the church. Call.

Answer 7

Perhaps they will....perhaps not.

I can tell you that the pastor will probably want to know why you are not wanting to get married at your own church.  Do NOT say....because it is too big and not pretty.  You must ask yourself if these are valid reasons for wanting another church.  If so, perhaps the pastor is open to it.  I don't know.  I am sure you will have to pay.

I work at a Lutheran Church as a parish secretary.  Sometimes we do have people call, as we have a beautiful, small church.  We have never let someone "use" the church for a wedding for the reasons you mentioned.  I am sorry, I am not trying to be mean.  Again, you must ask yourself the same question.  And what about your pastor?  Are you not that close to him?  Do you want a strange pastor performing your wedding ceremony?  

The only way you will get your question answered is to call the churches you have in mind and see what they say.  The answer to your question can only be answered by the church/pastor of those churches that you are thinking about.

Answer 8

Different denominations have different rules.  Catholics must be a member of that Church for the wedding ceremony to be performed.