A wedding day is the most important day in any couple’s life. While many couples are marrying expecting to have a large wedding, others are planning to have an intimate ceremony. The number of guests and the type of ceremony can greatly affect the cost, but weddings can be expensive no matter what you opt for.
The type of ceremony (religious or secular)
The number of guests attending
The time of year when you plan to get married
A church wedding can cost anywhere from $500 to $50,000 or more.
Most of the cost of a church wedding depends on where it takes place, how many people are invited, and whether or not you have a reception or other events after the ceremony.
If you’re like most people, you always want to get the best value for your money. That’s exactly why many couples want to know how much does a church wedding cost? For some Christians, their wedding day can be an important step in honoring God. It may or may not be for everyone.
How Much Does a Church Wedding Cost
We’ve established that it’s between $500 to $50,000 or more..but we can plan a $1000 average figure here.
This accounts for the total amount of ceremony hours, including setup time. Likewise, any practice sessions held there. However, there are several extras that the price does not include. Below are them.
- Organists/musicians: In some churches, this is included in the whole price. However, there are specific circumstances where you have to pay the musicians to perform at your wedding. Depending on how many there are and how much experience they have, they will charge anywhere from $300 to $900.
- Steeple Bells: Most couples wish to have the steeple bells rung at their wedding. Most churches don’t have that done for free. Couples will party with about $100 or more.
- Covering: Lots of churches like Anglican, Catholic, some Pentecostal and other denominations in some regions don’t allow baring. This includes the opening of the hair, baring of the arms, shoulder or chests for either the brides or bridal party. So couples will spend between $30 to $70 to buy shawls, caplets, hair scarves or caps, and shawls.
- Ceremony supplies: Couples who want to incorporate any rituals into their ceremony will spend more. Unity candles or sand ceremony will attract $20 to $100 for the materials. A basic or ornate chuppah or canopy for the Jewish ceremony will cost $100 to $500 or more.
- Music for ceremonies is frequently more upbeat than that for receptions.
- Decor: While some churches come much decorated, you’ll have to buy your decorations for others. They include flowers for the pews and altar, ribbons, bows, candles, signage, tulle or burlap for the couple tent, etc. This will cost $391 on the average, says The Bridal Association of America.
- Deposit: Few churches ask for a deposit that’s refundable in the event that you don’t damage anything. This costs about $200 or more.
How Much Does a Church Wedding Cost UK
The cost of a church wedding in the UK depends on many factors, including the location, the time of year and the number of guests.
The average cost of a church wedding in the UK is £5000. The most expensive church weddings are usually held during the summer months, when there are more people available to attend them and they often take place at more prestigious venues.
The average cost of a church wedding in London is £7000. This is because there are fewer churches in London than other parts of England, which means that those churches tend to be more expensive.
Compulsory costs
There is a required legal fee for marrying in a church. In 2022* it costs £560 if you marry away from where you live and £512 if you marry in your home parish.
This is set by the Church of England nationally and is the same for every church.
This basic legal fee includes the cost of the vicar, the church, calling your banns, a banns certificate, lighting and all administration. (After your wedding, when it has been registered at the relevant register office, you will also pay the register office £11 for your marriage certificate – the certificate is no longer issued by churches).
This required fee has ancient origins and ensures your church can maintain essential services like weddings, christenings, funerals and all kinds of other ministries for you and your community.
Optional extras
The statutory wedding fee doesn’t include extras you may choose or decline, such as:-
- The support of a verger, who ensures the church is warm, clean and tidy for your wedding and can help with handing out Orders of Service and hymn books etc. They can assist with disability access if needed by your guests and guide people to find their seats, toilets or crèche if there is one. They can be indispensable in larger churches, freeing up the vicar to give their full attention to you and the wedding service.
- Additional heating in the church. The vicar will let you know if this applies to your wedding.
- Having an organist, choir or bell-ringers – these extra staff will all need to be booked in advance. Sometimes, the church may ask for a deposit to secure these bookings.
- Bear in mind that if your wedding is filmed, musicians like the organist can request an increase in their fee to take into account professional performing rights (read more). Check with the church what the local arrangements are.
- Church flowers – some churches have a local flower arranger who can help you with the flower displays in church.
- Extra copies of the marriage certificate.
You do not have to have any of these extras, but many couples are keen to have at least some. If you choose them, they will cost extra. The costs for each will be at your church’s local rate.
How much does it cost to get married in church? – YouTube
Church wedding requirements
In order to be married within the Catholic Church, there are a number of important requirements that must be fulfilled before you are even able to be considered.
- Baptized Christian
One of the partners need to be Catholic and if the other is not Catholic, he or she need to be a baptized Christian. If you were not baptized as a child, you may go through the process of becoming a Catholic as an adult. - Not closely related
Both partners cannot be closely related and this includes being cousins. - Free to marry
In order to be married in the Catholic Church, both spouses may not be currently married. If they were previously married, the previous spouse must either be deceased, or there must have been a declaration of nullity from the Church. In order to get this declaration, there needs to have been contractual defects in the marriage. - Be of the opposite sex
The Catholic Church only recognizes marriages between a man and a woman, so partners need to be of the opposite sex in order to be married in the Church. - In good standing of the Church
The definition of “in good standing” will differ from Church to Church. Basically, you do need to have regular attendance at your Church and have no scandals or immoral behavior. If you are currently living unwed with your partner, you will need to discuss this with the priest. - Free consent
Both parties must freely consent to the marriage and have already worked out any issues that might cause one party not to freely consent.
2. Contact your Parish
Once you believe that you meet the requirements as stated above (or if you need to discuss them), you should contact your Parish to discuss your wedding. You will need to obtain permission to be married in the Church, whether it is at your current Parish or elsewhere.
While it is not required that you be a registered member, it is definitely helpful in the process. You will meet with the clergy and get to know them and they’ll get to know you and you can discuss any issues you may have with getting married in the Catholic Church. If they have any requisite fees, you will pay them at this point or give a monetary gift.
3. Take a marriage preparation program
In order to recognize if you are ready for marriage and to prepare you for issues that you’ll inevitably face in your marriage, taking a marriage preparation course is mandatory for most marriages that occur within the Catholic Church.
During the course, you’ll learn about balancing values, money, the role of family, healthy sexuality and intimacy, planning a family and parenting, communication skills and the theology of marriage.
Fortunately, there are online courses that you can take that will suit your busy schedule and allow you learn about marriage, fulfilling the Catholic Church’s requirements.
4. Provide your certificates to the Church
There are a number of documents that the Church will want to see before granting you permission to marry. These include:
- Baptismal certificates
- Certification of Holy Communion and Confirmation
- Affidavit of Freedom to Marry
- Civil marriage license
- Marriage Preparation Course Completion Certificate
5. Get married!
Once you’ve fulfilled all of the important steps to getting married in the Catholic Church, you can now choose your date and get married.