How much do church weddings cost?

Yes, church weddings cost money.  It used to be (many years ago) that you could get in your local church for free.  Nowadays, however, you have to pay.

Anglican (Church in Wales / Church of England)

First off there is a difference between the Church of England and the Church in Wales! They have different governing bodies though follow the same religious tenants.  So when I talk about church weddings they are pretty much interchangeable.  The VAST majority of Welsh vicars will use the Church of England as the base for costs

There is a required legal fee for marrying in a church. In 2022  it costs £560 if you marry away from where you live and £512 if you marry in your home parish. The difference is to include the bans being read in your other parish.

This is set by the Church of England nationally and is the same for every church so if you are quoted higher than this please ask for a detailed breakdown of costs.

This basic legal fee includes the cost of the vicar, the church, calling your banns, a banns certificate, lighting and all administration.  You no longer get a certificate of marriage at the church, instead you sign what is known as a "schedule" and that is sent off for your wedding certificate. Each wedding certificate costs £11

This is set by the Church of England nationally and is the same for every church.

How much do church weddings cost - The Breakdown 2023

The figure for marrying in 2023 breaks down as follows for couples marrying in their own parish:

• the fee set by law payable to the church: £528
• having your banns read at the home church: £36

Total for marrying in your home parish (providing you both live there) in 2023: £564

If a couple marries in 2023 away from where they live, the cost breaks down like this:-

• the fee set by law payable to the marrying church: £528
• having your banns read in the marrying church £36
• having your banns read at your home church: £36
• the banns certificate from your home church: £18

Total for marrying outside your parish in 2022: £618

 

How much do church weddings cost - What does the money go on? 

As much as you ay think that "The Church" has loads of money, that money is held in property.  So it's cash poor and asset rich.  A typical local village church may take around £15,000 a year just to keep the doors open.

Weddings take hours and hours of prep time as well as the service itself. There is the checking of the legalities of a couple getting married, meeting the couple (often many times), helping and approving and proof reading order of service, checking the organist is available, checking the verger is available, helping out with all the people like florists who will need access to church, speaking to photographers, a rehearsal, reading the banns, writing the banns book, writing the banns certificate, writing the registers (that takes 45mins), being there to welcome people well before the bride gets there etc. Paraphrased from Rachel, a Vicar in the North East of England.

How much do church weddings cost - The Extras!

Extra costs include thing like paying for a videographer.  Well, not precisely the videographer but the license for the videographer to video the church service.  You may find that some churches include these costs anyway, even if you don't have a videographer whilst others have it as a separate item.

You do not need a license or contract or to pay any extra money to take still photographs.  (The vicar may not allow you or your guests or your professional photographer to take any photographs, but that is another story.)

• Other things include Organist (expect to pay £30-£50)
• Bell Ringing (expect to pay around £100)
• Verger (expect to pay £20-£30)
• Extra heating (expect to pay £50-£70)
• Voluntary costs - general church running costs; you can expect to pay £300, although this is voluntary.

Churches take a lot of money to keep in good order; usually, more than the general congregation gives in each Sunday service so every chance for the church to get a little bit extra. So, generally, for the bells and whistles, you can expect to pay around £750 for a Church of Wales / Church of England Wedding. More information on the cost of church weddings in the Church of England can be found here.  Church in Wales tends to follow the same guidelines. How much do church weddings cos

Roman Catholic

The Roman Catholic (RC) churches don't charge you.  Getting married in an RC Church is a sacrament, and the RC don't feel that people should pay for the sacrament.  They do ask for a donation to the running costs of the church though, usually around £150.

As one RC church website puts it "There is, however, a long-standing custom of free will offerings made by the faithful on the occasion of certain sacraments. These offerings reflect both gratitude to God and appreciation of the ministry of priests".

 

The Collection Plate

Whatever the cost of your wedding to the Church itself, the church you are getting married in still needs to be kept clean, tidy, updated etc.  It's no small cost, especially to the smaller and much quainter village churches.  What the vicar will do is leave a plate at the back for anyone who wishes to donate to the upkeep of the church.  It is optional, but I'd suggest it's nice for your guests to give whatever you can.  (The church in the picture at the top costs approximately £9k+ a year to keep open and run.