- Blog
- Bios
- Boards
- Classifieds
- DIY
- Gallery
- Vendor Reviews
- Shop Weddingbee
Weddingbee boards
Our preacher came right out and said that he usually gets/requests $300 (which seems like a lot to me, but I wanted a good preacher, so it was fine) I'd always heard ~ $150 before, and alot of preachers will just request that you make a donation to the church.
We plan on giving the church 100-200 dollars as well as a gift for the priest to use: alcohol or cigars that he might really like. It really depends though on how much you can afford. The priest doesnt get to keep the money it goes to the church, so you might want to think of another gift to give as well. There is no set amount that you should give though, but I wish there was!
I like the idea of giving the priest a gift. I know the money I give him really goes to the church. Now I have to think up a gift!!!
At our catholic church, the donation to the priest and to the church are seperate, implying that our priest does get to keep the money. (I believe Protestant churches are structured very differently, so the amounts may not be comparable.) At our church, we were told $100 is customary, but it is really up to us. We are giving $150 each to the priest and to the church, maybe a little more if we can afford it.
I would think anywhere from $100 - 200 would be appropriate. I'm not sure if there is any type of customs for Catholic priests, but most honorariums start at $100. I would say that that is sufficient.
Ask the parish secretary. They'll help you out. They'll know how much to give and what the priest likes. My former boss (a priest) charged around $200. But a gift is always nice. He LOVED car wash gift certificates because he hated washing his car.
I would go with about $100, if you can afford it.
And just and FYI since many people seem to be confused about this fact.... Most priests CAN actually keep the money for themselves, unless they have taken a vow of poverty.
Normally only priests in specific religious orders take a poverty vow, and then they are supported by their order. Diocesean/parish preists do not have to take a vow of poverty and they do get their own money.
Parish preists are actually paid a salary (though it's very low on average) and usually get a benefits package too. Most parishes will also provide a living quarters and vehicle to the priest, but not always if it's a smaller church or something.
HTH :)
~ Mrs. Radish
Our officiant (a retired pastor) normally charges $150; we just asked his wife, and she told us. She also told us that while people sometimes give more, it screws up their taxes if they make too much money(!) since they are collecting social security. He is also doing all our premarital counseling, so we will probably get them a nice gift as well. We were thinking about maybe a gift certificate for a nice restaurant, as they are on a fixed income and maybe don't get out as much as they would like.
Most clergy I know (Anglicans, if that matters) get $150-200. I know of one who refuses money for weddings, etc (he just turns it over to the church) and a few in very rural areas who probably get more like $100-150.
Wow, thank you Bees. You have been very helpful.
Mrs. Radish, now that I think about it I guess you are right. The nuns that I used to know did take of vow of poverty, so I was thinking it was standard for Parish Priests as well. Although I'm sure he gives at least the standard 30% tithing to the church.
I was planning on asking the secetary about the gift for the priest, but I will also ask her how much cash to give too.
Thank you !!! (Even my sister who seems to know all the "proper" customs had no answer for this one!)
Wow, you all are very lucky not be getting married in Philadelphia. I did not find one catholic church that did not have a required amount to use the church. The range is from $800 to $1200 and some even ask you ask the priest from your home parrish to come and perform the ceremony.
This does not include flower arrangements that most of the churches also ask you to leave for that weekends services.
ynichole,
It depends if you are a member of the parish or not. Parish members generally do not pay to use their own Catholic church under the assumption they are tithing to the church regularly. However, even members are expected to the compensate the priest performing the ceremony for their time and efforts. At our church non-members have to pay to rent the church, just as you would a hotel or other venue.
The fee is the same for members and non-members at most of the churches here in Philadelphia. Usually memebers get first choice of date and time and there is sometimes a slightly lower fee, but I've only seen it to be 10 or 20% less.
ynichole, I believe the question is about how much to give the priest and not how much the church charges. I'm getting married in a church, and they only request a donation (of about $200) based on use of the space, candles, clean-up afterwards, rehearsal, etc. The organist is an additional $225, and the honorarium to the priest is about $200. It just depends how it is structured. My church where I live charges $1000 (it is significantly larger) but that covers the organist, etc.
The letter from our church specifically says that additional gifts for the priest are not necessary. Our "donation" of $1200 is for the use of the church and services of the priest. The organist and cantor are separate, additional fees. We are at about $1600 right now.
While we may not be giving an additional gift to the priest, we will invite him to the reception.
img134.jpg (38.2 KB, 86 downloads) 2 years old img135.jpg (49 KB, 89 downloads) 2 years old
I didn't think I had to pay for use of church which is why I didn't ask about it. I don't think as a member I have to pay. My sister was married in a church and didn't pay for the "space" I suppose I should ask.
Candi1024 -- no problem! My FIL went to seminary for a few years and almost became a Catholic priest... but then decided he wanted to marry my MIL instead. So, yeah, he's told me all about this kind of stuff.
I would imagine that if you are a member of the church you don't have to pay a fee. You may have to pay an organist/musician fee.
We were married in a church that we were not members of, so we did have to pay a small fee/donation in addition to an organist fee. My in-laws gave an extra donation to the church too since they LOVE church, and we gave the priest $100.
I am going to say that you should NOT assume there is no fee for the church. Definately ask. When my sister got married, every Catholic church we talked to had a fee. She ended up having her wedding somewhere else, and her Catholic ceremony in the crying room with just immediate family and the priest one Sunday after mass. Because we did it that way there was no fee. But if we had used the entire church (brought in flowers, candles, programs and 200 people for an entire mass) we would have been charged a fee - which only makes sense, as they will have to clean up after you at the very least. We were also charged a fee for my grandmother's funeral mass - at a church where she had attended mass daily for decades.
WHere in NEPA are you getting married? We are getting married at St. Mary's in Dunmore but having my fiances prist from CLarks Summit do the mass. I was told about 250 is good, which I know seems like a lot but it is considered a donation and a tax deduction.
Hope this helps!
OHHHH, forgot about it being tax deductable!!!
Jenelleann: We are getting married at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Lake Silkworth - near Hunlock Creek, if you have any idea of whete that is!
You must log in to post.
| Visit our sister sites | eHarmony Online Dating |
eHarmony Advice Dating Advice |
Project Wedding Wedding Songs |
JustMommies Pregnancy Calendar |
Create the honeymoon of your dreams.
| User | Posts Today |
|---|---|
| ellisrobertson | 22 |
| MsPanda | 14 |
| aduarte3201 | 14 |
| pengoala | 11 |
| ShellVee | 10 |
| ladyartichoke | 9 |
| londonchick | 9 |
| londonpeach84 | 8 |
 KimKimmieKim |
8 |
| ndreighton | 7 |
| User | Posts Today |
|---|---|
| ellisrobertson | 9 |
| KimKimmieKim |
7 |
| londonchick | 4 |
| pengoala | 3 |
| londonpeach84 | 3 |
| BearcatBetch |
3 |
| julies1949 | 2 |
| zippylef | 2 |
| Leahhh | 2 |
| MsPanda | 2 |
I need to know how much money I should give the priest for our wedding in a Roman Catholic Church. Please take note that I do not live in NY or CA!!! But then again I dont live in Iowa either. (I live in Northeast PA). This is the type of stuff i didn't budget for, so although I know I need to give something, I'm scared of how much I should give!!
Anyone have a clue?