Cost of Marrige preparation

[Kelfa28]

If this is the case and there isn’t more to this story, then a direct call to the Bishop is in order.

I can’t believe $3,000 for a Church wedding, without any wiggle room.

We spent around $700 for everything, including pre-cana classes. We did have to pay separate fees for the organist and the canter.

 

[pianistclare]

If the parish pays its organist & cantor, and wedding fees are regarded as part of their annual salary, you will usually be charged a bench fee even if you don’t use their services and bring in someone else.
forum.musicasacra.com/forum/discussion/869/bench-fee-for-weddings/p1

In all my years as a parish musician, the weddings and funerals were never part of my salary, which was minimal at best to begin with. I had one lovely pastor who told couples that they had to pay me whether or not they used me. If they had a “friend” who plays, they still had to pay me. The bench fee. (vacate the bench).
Most of the time I did funerals for free because people really believe that the parish pays for these things. They don’t . And I’m not going to chase down a grieving family. And the parish’s position is “oh well”.
But unless this church is some sort of historical landmark, I can’t fathom why the prices are that high.