Can you negotiate with a church? 10 February 2016 at 6:00PM in Weddings & anniversaries 14 replies 3.7K views

lb364

I know this is a terrible question to ask but from asking around church services seem to cost between £500-800 with approx. £100 extra for both bells and a choir so imagine my shock when the church I was about to book quoted over £1000 just for the ceremony with extras costing over £300 each! There is also an extra £250 deposit which you lose if you're late :eek:

I do have connections to the church but I feel like something's not quite right. Has anyone else had a wedding ceremony as/more expensive?

The Church Wedding website lists the basic wedding fee as under £500 so I don't know how they can charge so much more. Should I try to negotiate (which kind of seems wrong) or just walk away?

Stevie_Palimo

Perhaps they see you as loaded or simply claim they need a new roof hence the inflation of costs involved, Seriously though why not say hang on a minute your website states x and you asking for y please explain ?

If not answered and or looked at with something that suits you then go to another church.

DigForVictory

There's nothing to stop you asking them to break the figures down for you so you can make a more like-for-like comparison. If that triggers a discussion as to which elements could be reduced or managed without, splendid. If not, at least you have the clear figures.

My guess would be that the choir & bell-ringers do not come at the same rate as other churches, and that it may be worth investigating, or revisiting, your planned hymns.

All the best & remember, the wedding is one (amazing) day but the marriage is for a lifetime!

lb364

Stevie_Palimo wrote: »

Seriously though why not say hang on a minute your website states x and you asking for y please explain ?

I did but somehow they managed to dodge the question! I hate discussing money, they could probably tell

lb364

DigForVictory wrote: »

All the best & remember, the wedding is one (amazing) day but the marriage is for a lifetime!

Thank you - this is what I'm trying to keep in mind.

...it's kind of hard when you start getting swept up in everything though!

McKneff

Ask them again and dont let them dodge it. Seems very iffy to me.

firebird082

Seems a bit odd that they won't clarify. Our church gave us the standard charge (£480 ish), and then you negotiate with the organist and bellringers separately. They don't have a choir. I'd be horrified if it was £1k!

suejb2

I just asked my friend Mr Google and he says

The fee set by law £415

Marriage certificate £4

Reading banns in church £27

Banns certificate £13 though if married in home church free

So just over £450 so not sure how your church is charging £1000

Kaye1

My SiL had to pay extra for the bellringers for 2 reasons- we live in a very rural area and so there were travel costs and it was on a Friday, which was a work day for some of them. However, I think this was negotiated separately.
Does it include the flowers in the church? That can be costly.

In addition, for my wedding, we were told very firmly not to be late as there were three weddings booked that day and if I was late, it would have a negative impact on the rest of the weddings. I guess the 'fine' is to discourage that? (I was 3 mintues late by the way!)

Mojisola

lb364 wrote: »

I did but somehow they managed to dodge the question! I hate discussing money, they could probably tell

Ask them in writing. Easier for you than face-to-face and harder for them not to answer clearly.

cashewnut

I would be finding a different church - tell them you're on a budget and what they're offering doesn't fit.