Post # 1
Member
69 posts
Worker bee
Hey so it’s my fiancé and I’s first wedding. I am 21 and he is 22 years old. So today we met with the priest at our local parish and he interviewed us and we set our date, he also mentioned premarital classes. My fiancé and I have no problem doing premarital classes but when we went to sign up for the class it was $220 per person. Is that a normal thing in the Catholic Church? I’ve never helped plan a wedding and my mom just eloped so she’s not really knowledgeable.
Post # 2
Member
2176 posts
Buzzing bee
We are also doing a premarital counseling course with our pastor and while we are not Catholic we are compensating him for his time and for an online portion of the course. It is not nearly as expensive as you mentioned though. Good luck and congratulations on your engagement bee!
Post # 3
Member
194 posts
Blushing bee
- Wedding: October 2019 - City, State
I don’t have personal experience, but in addition to gathering insight from fellow Bees, I also suggest doing a bit of online research (or even asking around your social circle). Here’s a short article that gives some information: https://www.angieslist.com/articles/how-much-does-premarital-counseling-cost.htm
Post # 4
Member
1579 posts
Bumble bee
Yes, we had to do something similar since we are getting married in the Catholic Church.
Post # 5
Member
3820 posts
Honey bee
It’s definitely normal for a Catholic Church to require you to do counseling first, they’re usually run by the church and I don’t think they generally charge you. There’s nothing to say they can’t charge you though I suppose. It does seem steep but perhaps worth it when you think that celebrants would normally cost $400 anyway.
Post # 6
Member
891 posts
Busy bee
I hope samael and a few others would see this thread. We’re in UK and attended the one organized by the Catholic chaplaincy. It was a free session. There are some paid ones out there too. I know that the US system is more complicated.. saw some bees mentioning about pre-cana and engaged couple encounter etc. Maybe that’s why it’s expensive? Since they need to provide meals and all… Usually if one can’t afford something, there’s room for discussion with the Church. But I know as universal as the Catholic church is, the parishes can vary quite a bit..x
Post # 7
Member
343 posts
Helper bee
We did premarital counseling at our local church for around $50 (per couple). Yours sound expensive and it seems unfair if it is mandated? It would depend what’s included though. Friends of ours did a 10 week couples therapy course for around $800, so it really varies.
FWIW, we really benefited from our course, it was both a group course and individual counseling and we loved it and learned a lot. Hope you’ll have a good experience!
Post # 8
Member
82 posts
Worker bee
Yes this is normal. I am also going through marriage prep at my Catholic Church as well. We have a weekend marriage prep workshop to attend which costs $200 per couple. I’m not sure if the local diocese sets the price but it sounds like it varies since your Cost is double ours. I’m not sure your priest will marry you without taking the class.
Post # 9
Member
1890 posts
Buzzing bee
- Wedding: September 2017 - Pearson Convention Centre
We did our premarital counselling before we got married ours cost us $500 per couple. It was a ten week course and it included a weekend retreat. It was very informative and it truly helped us. If you can’t afford it talk to your priest I’m sure he will help you out.
Post # 10
Member
296 posts
Helper bee
Our Pre Cana retreat is only $80 for the couple.
Post # 11
Member
828 posts
Busy bee
Our Pre Cana cost money but I am not sure how much we paid, but I think it was more like $240 and it covered two days and continental breakfast/lunch and the workbook we had to use during the course.
Post # 12
Member
2414 posts
Buzzing bee
Decades later, the Engaged Encounter retreat was one of the most amazing parts of our Engagement experience.
I can’t remember what we paid, but it was worth every single cent.
Post # 13
Member
29 posts
Newbee
victorialew : HI! So my Fiance and I are getting married in the catholic church and we have 2 premarital classes we have to take. We did the Catholic Engaged Encounters this last weekend. It was $275 per couple. Honesty it was totally worth the money, we even made an additional donation, we had our retreat at the St.Anthony Retreat Center in CA and not only was it beautiful, the food was great, and we learned so much that we plan on applying to our marriage. I couldn’t imagine not doing this retreat and am anxious for us to be married for a while and attend the Marriage Encountered Retreat!
Engaged Encountered also gives out scholarships for couples who may not be able to afford it. You could always look into this.
Post # 14
Member
508 posts
Busy bee
I’m from Connecticut, and we are going to our retreat this weekend. As far as I know, it doesn’t cost anything. I am hoping that it goes well.
Post # 15
Member
1255 posts
Bumble bee
Yep, totally normal for the Catholic Church. The fee covers the workbooks that we used as well as the pay for the two ladies who ran the sessions. Since we weren’t getting married at that church it was $100 for us, those actually having their wedding in that church had it included in their overall wedding fee.