Catholic Church Fee - NYC

I'm in the suburbs of NYC. Including the pre-cana registration fee, it was $1,000 for our church. Unfortunately, I don't think you are going to find too many cheap places.

Thanks for your reply Megan. I guess I wasn't expecting these kind of prices considering we just want to exchange vows in the catholic church as that's what our religion wishes of us to have a "recognized" union. We are doing our wedding on the cheap (hence the elopement) but we never expected a church was going to be one of our highest costs after flights and accommodation. I will keep searching and hope for the best. Thanks again.

I feel your pain. I was floored by the prices as well. Good luck!

Everything in NYC is expensive. Just keep looking and hopefully you'll find one!

I was forewarned everything in NYC is expensive but naive me didn't think a church would be on the list. Lol. My search continues...

What about maybe moving out more into the suburbs where it's less "business"?

My fee to get married in my Lutheran church in a suburb of Denver, Colorado is $1,325. I found that to be high, but I love my church and could never imagine getting married elsewhere.

What is your budget for the church? Or what were you expecting to pay? For NYC, I would think that the lowest it would possibly go would be $1,500. It is, after all, the *most* important aspect of the day.

So I've been doing some more research in the Brooklyn area as we're staying in Crown Heights and have come across St Finbars which states a $US500 fee which sounds a lot better. Although I will keep searching as $US500 is still a lot of money considering we're converting it from NZ dollars which approximately equates to $NZ685. And I guess I never thought of having a church budget as I was naive to think the catholic churches in NYC would operate like the ones here in NZ, on donation i.e - couple of hundred dollars. Silly me. At the end of the day, the cheapest catholic church will get my donation/stipend cause we just want to get married without that feeling of being ripped off for a 30min ceremony. And that's just my opinion so hope no one takes offence. Peace!

Here we go with the 30 minute ceremony again. I agree that thousands of dollars is a lot but could we please stop with that concept? Everyone knows it's the tip of the iceberg. Added to that is the cost of running a church building in NYC; I worked in a UCC church in NY, and the cost of heating/cooling/what is that water running down the stained glass windows? would give you hives.

Why don't you come to NYC and do a secular ceremony in Central Park or the Cloisters and have your wedding blessed when you go back home?

Bump

Hi Fiaola, are you open to adding the rite of marriage into an existing Mass on their schedule or were you hoping to schedule an actual nuptial Mass? It's rare, but I've seen churches allow couples to simply say their vows after the homily during a daily Mass.

I'm curious, do you have everything worked out with your marriage prep and pastor at home to get married elsewhere? Certain areas have different rules so the church in NYC will have to be able to verify that you've completed the necessary prep.

That all being said, congratulations, fellow Catholic bride! Please don't get married in a secular ceremony and then try to have it convalidated, as that can lead to more issues.

We're getting married in a small church in the Lower East Side of Manhattan called St Teresa (141 Henry Street). They are charging us $500 for the ceremony with the musician.

The priest who is marrying us us amazing and named Father Baker, Hes actually leaving the church but the other priests are wonderful as well.

I was shocked with the price for my church too, Fiaola! I understand needing money to run things, but you would think they would be happy you're choosing to get married in the Church at all! The parish that I'm getting married at in FL is charging $1500.

Why would a church's fee seem high when a lot of venues charge about the same?

I agree 110% with Celia, with the "30 minute" business regarding all ceremonies.

The business churches operate differently than the parishes that are supported by the parishioners.

Best of luck, Fiaola!

@Fiaola, its a matter of space. Manhattan and the rest of the tri-state area is lacking it. Its already built up. Its also prime real estate. Therefore, the rent or mortgage is high on these buildings. If not the rent or mortgage, the taxes are high. Even with the cuts they probably get, its high.

These are some old buildings as well so maintenance is high! Electricity? Also high. In other words, NYC is one of the most expensive places to live and everything around here is expensive!

Thats not even including the work that goes into creating a service. Did you want a musician? They get paid living wage. The priest? He has to live as well.

Also, they usually charge non parishioners a bit more to use churches.

Its supply and demand, and weddings in NYC are in in demand. People come in all the time for weddings.

I live in the area. Be prepared to spend decent money on good food and a nice hotel room.

WWKatie, now thats insane! Around here everything is expensive and the church is just charging the cost to keep it running. That to me sounds high for Florida. Take it with a grain of salt since I live in the suburbs of NYC!

$500 for a Catholic Church in NYC?? That is a bargain! Seriously, snap that up! You would pay more for literally anything else aside from going to the courthouse.

Tina is right; many of your venues will charge up to 1200.00 to have your ceremony there.

Every time I read these threads, I'm so horrified.

You know what it would cost us to get married in Colorado? $30. We don't need a judge or church or officiant, or "required donation" ( my least favorite phrase ).

Ahh religion, making things prohibitive for people who actually want to participate. Classic.

It's not religion, per se, it's the need of worshipping people to have a church, an organ, heat, lights, snow shoveled, coffee afterwards....

You can be just as religious in your own bathroom, but once you require a building, well...someone has to pay for it.

@M, Its not even religion, but the fact that NYC is an island. The tri-state area is full. In other words, space is at a premium. It causes everything in NYC and the surrounding areas to be expensive. The further away from NYC you get, the cheaper it gets. If I remember right, you are out in Colorado. While expensive, you aren't short on land. So things are cheaper. We also tend to get paid a higher cost of living around here than the midwest to make up for the fact that we live near NYC.

ETA, if I rented a catering hall and got married it would be just as expensive.