There are certain real costs incurred by the parish in assisting the couple to prepare and celebrate their marriage. Some of the costs incurred by St. Michael's Parish in the preparation and celebration of your marriage include the following:
a) The ongoing training and support of our marriage sponsor couples: We have approximately 20 married couples in the parish who volunteer their time to assist the priests and deacons in your marriage preparation. They are trained facilitators who use an inventory to discuss your readiness for marriage. After their initial training, they receive periodic training and enrichment in marriage preparation.
b) The cost of materials: Several materials are used in preparing you for marriage: the pre-marriage inventory, books, pamphlets, etc.
c) Parish Staff time: The office staff handles the scheduling and necessary sacramental paperwork. The liturgical staff assists you in the planning and preparation of your wedding ceremony. The maintenance staff cleans the church and bride’s dressing room before and after weddings, and ensures that everything is functioning for your wedding. A wedding assistant is assigned to your wedding and rehearsal to assist you, your wedding attendants, and your families and guests; this assistant opens the church, sets the lighting and sound system, and answers questions you may have about your ceremony or the church facilities.
d) Use of the parish facilities for rehearsal and wedding: This includes the cost of heating or air conditioning, electricity, candles, sacramental supplies, etc.
Wedding Fees
Couples being married at the Church of Saint Michael who are registered parishioners, or have parents or grandparents that are registered members, will pay a wedding fee of $1,000.00. This includes a $100 (non-refundable) deposit due at the time your wedding date is entered on our parish calendar. You will receive an invoice for this deposit. You can give this payment to the priest/deacon at your first meeting or you can mail it to our Wedding Coordinator. $500 is for the church use, $400 for cantor and organist/pianist and $100 for the wedding assistant on site at the rehearsal and day of the wedding. If you are not a registered member of the parish, but residing within the City of Stillwater you must register with the parish. Completing our registration process entitles you to fill out a Wedding Request Form. Cost will again be $1000 ($100 non-refundable deposit applies as noted above).
NOTE: Couples who are NOT registered members of the Church of Saint Michael and who live outside the Stillwater area, but are interested in becoming a member can register. You will have to be an active, participating member for 6 months before a Wedding Request Form can be filled out. After 6 months of active membership you would qualify for the $1000 fee.
OTHER POSSIBLE WEDDING COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH YOUR WEDDING CEREMONY
Most “decorations” available through St. Michael’s (these include green plants, candles and candelabra, the unity candle stand, etc.) are free of charge; however altar flowers for your wedding can be ordered through the church for a fee. Please refer to the “Request for Church Decorations” form in the wedding folder that you will be given at your first meeting with the priest or deacon assigned to you, or call our Wedding Coordinator (651/439-4400 x255). Please note that seasonal decorations in the Church (Easter, Christmas, etc.) will not be removed for weddings.
Payment of Musicians IMPORTANT NOTE: The $1,000.00 Wedding Contribution includes a cantor and accompanist. Visiting soloists/instrumentalists are allowed per approval of our Director of Music and Liturgy and must be paid before the wedding.
Optional Stipends A “stipend” is a payment made to thank a person for their services – it is similar to what people call a “gratuity” or “tip.” A stipend gift is optional, and the amount of the gift is up to the discretion of the couple. The $1,000.00 Wedding Contribution does NOT include any stipends to the priest/deacon or altar servers or wedding coordinator.
The priest or deacon officiating at your wedding ceremony or Mass does not receive a “fee” for presiding at your wedding, and there is no requirement that the couple “pays” the priest/deacon for his services. However, many couples ask what a “normal” stipend amount is when given as a gift to the priest or deacon. While there is no set guideline, many couples present the clergy with a stipend of $50.00 to $150.00.
If the parish provides an altar server to assist at your wedding Mass, many couples also offer the server a stipend of $10.00.
Your St. Michael’s wedding assistant receives $100 for assisting at your rehearsal and on your wedding day, but the couple may choose to provide an additional card of thanks.
