[Salvation]

**Church weddings are in decline because Churches now charge astronomical sums for having the wedding there**

For sacraments there is no charge.

Reception hall, yes, gifts. yes. But no charges for the sacrament.

[old and tired]

For sacraments there is no charge.

Depends upon the parish. In Philadelphia, Catholic parishes charge between $500 and $1500 for weddings.

[old and tired]

I would add that I'm sure if cost is a hardship for faithful people desiring a sacrament, most pastors would waive the fee. However, there is a cost in most Philadelphia parishes for weddings and funerals. And even faithful, practicing couples desire marriage at a parish other than their own will not have that fee waived come Hell or high water.

Here is the list of costs for a wedding at our Cathedral. It's a whopping $2500 offering. http://www.cathedralphila.org/sacraments/holy-matrimony

I knew a couple where the husband was given orders to ship out to Afghanistan and so they upped their wedding date by three months. Their church was booked for the new date and so they began looking for alternate places for their ceremony. Not one single pastor was willing to waive the fee. It left a bad taste.