Can you negotiate with a church?

daivid

suejb2 wrote: »

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

For Church of England (similar prices for Church in Wales, and I suspect Scottish) as far as I know all other churches can set fees as they see fit. I couldn't see any specification of which church the OP intends to marry in, maybe some non-denominational churches charge 'market rate' for their unique wedding venues.

Lavendyr

£1000 as the "base" fee does sound a lot to me, as does £300 for each of the extras. We got married in a very large church and it was about £500 as the base fee in 2011 if I remember correctly.

We then had to pay an extra £140 for bells, £100 ish for organist and I think a further £150-£200 or so for the choir. Remember that in most cases the individuals involved need to be paid - and it really is just a token (I sing in a church choir and for weddings we each get about £5).

Still though, I think that what your church is charging is quite high!

inkie

The breakdown list above does not include the ministers fee and so that will need adding on.
You will find that charge for a ceremony in a non-church of England church will be cheaper, and some ask for a donation.
If it's the c of e, get the prices off the web and then ask them to explain why theirs differ.

lb364

Thank you for all the replies.

Here's a quick update: I contacted the C of E wedding website asking that they amend their site to explain fees might be a lot higher and they were very interested to hear what happened. They will be 'having a quiet word' apparently...

I, on the other hand, have decided to go elsewhere as the tone they were taking with me when they were actually doing something wrong made me realise I didn't want to spend my wedding day with them :eek: and I have found a lovely alternative church that's open to us as it's in my in-laws parish. At least it will hopefully help other unsuspecting couples.

Now to plan everything else :j