A Communicant of St. Peter's Church is one who worships regularly at St. Peter's, has received Communion here at least three times in the past year, and has contributed to general parish support in the past year in an amount at least equal to the church and clergy fees charged to non-parishioners ($2400 - $2800, depending upon whether the clergy perform the premarital counseling). If at least one member of the couple, or the parents of one member, fit this definition, the "Communicant rate" applies.  Note:  No one is ever denied the sacrament of Christian Marriage because of the inability to pay the fees.  In cases of financial hardship, fees can be negotiated with a member of the clergy.

Standard Fees (payable by all)

Reservation fee:  $500.00

Payable at the time the wedding date is placed on the church calendar; fully refundable up until two months before the wedding date if the wedding is cancelled. Check payable to St. Peter's Church.

Music fees: $300.00

For the services of the organist (music consultation, rehearsal and wedding). If there is special music, an extra rehearsal with soloists, or more than one consultation, this is increased to $400.00.

For the services of soloists: their fees vary and should be paid directly to them. Our music director will arrange and advise.

Church musicians depend upon wedding fees for part of their compensation. If a couple wishes to bring in an outside organist, and the St. Peter's Church organist would have been available to play for the wedding, the basic music fee must still be paid.

Sexton's fee: $200.00

Altar Guild contribution: $100.00

Variable Fees

Use of Church:

     Communicants: no fee

     Non-communicants: $800.00

Carillon (the bells in the church tower, rung before and after the ceremony): $200.00

 Use of Great Hall  (limited availability on Saturdays due to Community Soup Kitchen):

• Communicants: $100.00 - $200.00 (depending upon number of guests and setup required)
• Non-communicants:    
  • Wedding reception $750.00
  • Rehearsal dinner $250.00

  (Includes use of room, tables and chairs)

Clergy Fees

Communicants: no fee.  It is traditional for the groom to give the priest an honorarium. The size and nature of the wedding, other fees, and the amount of time required of the clergy should be taken into account when determining the amount. (The fees charged to non-communicants can be used as a guideline.) The couple should consult with the clergy person about how to make out an honorarium check (i.e., to him or her personally, or to his or her discretionary fund, or to another church fund or charity).

Non-communicants:

• If the clergy person does the premarital counseling: $600.00
• If the counseling is done by another clergy person or approved counselor: $350.00

If the priest is required to spend an unusual amount of time in preparation (additional counseling sessions, coordination with other clergy, extra correspondence, etc.) the amount of the fee will increase commensurately.

Fees are due in the Parish Office no later than two weeks prior to the rehearsal.

For communicants, this includes the music and sexton fees, and the fees for the carillon and use of the Great Hall, if applicable.

For non-communicants, this includes the church, music, sexton and clergy fees, and the fees for the carillon and use of the Great Hall, if applicable.

Checks should be made payable to St. Peter's Church, memo "Wedding fees" and date of wedding; if mailing them, please send checks to the attention of:

Marie Patterson
St. Peter's Episcopal Church
70 Maple Avenue
Morristown, NJ  07960