The Cost of Clergy for an Interfaith Wedding

When a couple decides to get married they incur many expenses from wedding clothing to a reception hall to clergy. Depending on where you live and what type of wedding you are planning the costs of a wedding can range from $1000 to $30,000, give or take. Most couples fall in the middle regarding the costs of a wedding. Often times the parents of the bride and groom will help with expenses or pay for the wedding completely, but they often times set a budget and require that they get a say in the wedding planning.

What You Are Paying For When Hiring Clergy.
Many couples think that clergy should cost $100 or less because all they do is perform the ceremony. A typical ceremony takes under one hour. However, clergy typically spend between 10 to 15 hours preparing for your wedding, meeting with you, finalizing things on the telephone and providing premarital counseling. Considering all that clergy does behind the scenes, the cost for hiring them is very reasonable.

What Costs Should You Expect With Interfaith Clergy.
Typically, a couple will pay between $300 and $500 for clergy. If you are having your wedding co-officiated you will pay double or slightly less than double to have both clergymen there. Some clergymen who perform interfaith weddings work with clergy of other religions on a regular basis and thus they have a "group" or "team" price. In such a case the cost is usually less than hiring them individually.

If you hire a Priest or Rabbi or both from a church or synagogue that you attend and are a member with you will typically pay less than if you go outside your home church or synagogue. Members of a religious organization typically get a "member rate" as opposed to hiring a specialized interfaith wedding group or team with clergy that specializes in weddings only. If the bride and groom do not have a home church or synagogue and are concerned with saving money it may be wise to talk with parents and extended family to see if any of them belong to a church or synagogue where you could have your wedding. Often times, as long as somebody in the family is a member the bride and groom will get a better rate on the location and the clergy.

As with everything related to a wedding the costs vary greatly. It is important to shop around and make sure that you are getting what you want regarding the ceremony and ceremonial planning. The costs of hiring co-clergy for an interfaith wedding can vary from $300 to $1000 or more. Make sure that the clergy you hire are willing to take the time to work with you and help you plan the wedding that you want. Remember it is okay to shop around and work on a budget, but remember; you get what you pay for.