How much $ do you give a church that you get married at?

Question

Is there a set amount youre supposed to give... especially if youre a non-member?

Answer 1

Some churches have fees and deposits, and will collect them before you use the church. Others have fees for non-members, but don't charge members.

Call and ask, and while you are at it, ask about the rules of the church, things like can we blow bubbles on the the church steps after the ceremony are good questions, and at my church, the answer is no. There might be rules about candles, real flower petals, what you can and can't hang on the pews, even the height of flowers on the Alter.

Also ask what the officient charges, it is usually called an honorarium or a gratuity. This fee goes into his pocket, he does not share it with the church. If you wish to give him more than he asks, feel free to do so. Clergy typically do not make a lot, and usually do give the bride and groom a gift, it is usually a Bible. Some do not accept invitations to receptions or rehearsal parties, some do.

If your church charges nothing for the use of the sanctuary for the ceremony, take into consideration how much it costs to clean it before and after a wedding. $50 bucks would more than cover it, give more if your budget allows and you would like to.

Answer 2

Most churches are regulated by a church board and they have a fee they charge for renting the church & cleanup.

If the one you're using doesn't have a set-fee, the fair thing to do would be to call around to some churches in your area to see what the average rate is.

Answer 3

If you are not a member then between 5% and 10% is recommended. If there is a specific fee for using the church then that simplifies things. Otherwise, you will have to decide how much of that you are going to give for use of the church and how much as an honourarium to the officiant. I would recommend that the lion's share go to the church, since all the time that the officiant put towards your wedding was charged against his/her salary which comes from the church, not from his/her pocket.

Answer 4

you will have to ask

perhaps ask the person who u r going through to book the occassion at the church

there may be certain expected fees

for the church , some of the people ,

and ....I am not sure of all of the fees that are expected as there may be more than 1 ,  just ask them- they do this all the time

Answer 5

I would say none. Those donations don't actually go to the church the go right into the pocket of the minister. My sister stopped going to hers when the minister was asking for donations to go on a personal vacation over seas. We were all like HA and what if WE want to go on vacation do WE get to ask the church for donations to. HA HA I HIGHLY doubt it.

Why don't you get married in your backyard or a family member's backyard? Or out in nature someplace.

Answer 6

i dont think so, i believe that they would like a donation of any amount.

Answer 7

We are giving $100 to the church and $200 to the minister. Call the church and ask if they have a fee, if not, give what you feel comfortable with.

Answer 8

Call the church, and the secretary should be able to provide all the information for wedding prices. Most aren't too expensive.

Most churches will have a specific list of fees. Things like electricity, janitorial, heat,airconditioning etc.

Some churches also have wedding coordinators that will walk you through the church and give you ideas and let you know which rooms to use etc.

Answer 9

Most ask for a donation of about $200.