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Wedding Fees

azaria567

New member
I am planning a wedding and i was wondering what the rate is for an organist to play at the ceremony, can anyone help me?
 

Krummhorn

Administrator
Staff member
ADMINISTRATOR
Hello azaria567,

Firstly, welcome to Magle Int'l Music forums :tiphat:

Organist fees for wedding change drastically by region ... In my own state, organists in the Phoenix metro area demand (and get) fees almost twice what organists in the Tucson metro area are able to charge.

The fees also rise if there is to be a soloist (as extra rehearsal time is going to be needed), or if special music is being requested that needs to be purchased (allow 6 months to a year for finding special music sometimes) or in some cases, composed specially for the occasion.

Organists also come in various varieties of experience ... the more experienced ones will command a higher fee, and rightfully so.

What region of our planet is this wedding to be held? What kind of organ is available? If you could provide us with more information, we may be better prepared to assist you with more accurate answers.
 

jvhldb

New member
Welcom to the forum.

In South Africa the price also vary a lot, depending on the region and the experiance. In our region students are at the bottom of the scale (read no charge"), but then you can't expect a big choice in what is played. Our top organist in town charges R1000 for a standard wedding (approx $145) and more for special requests (standard being 20 minutes before the wedding, two chorals, the wedding march and something to waltz out on) anything more and the price goes up. Around here the bride useually choose the chorals and whether she wants the wedding march or something else, the rest is left to the organist. Accompanying a soloist is included, unless special rehearsels are needed. If the organist has to travel from somwhere else, travel expenses are also extra.

In short, the more you want from the organist the more you can expect to pay.;)
 

azaria567

New member
Well thank you for the quickresponse!
It will be in Ohio in a church with the old church pipe organ....There are a few musicians who are capable in our congregation I am considering asking...so I guess I am looking at a more amateur to mid range level...
 

Krummhorn

Administrator
Staff member
ADMINISTRATOR
Hi azaria567,

Be careful about not asking the regular parish organist, first, for permission to allow somebody else to play for a wedding. In some parishes, mine included, there is a written policy in the church bylaws that states (in part) "none but the regular organist on paid staff for this parish shall be engaged to play for any wedding, funeral or church services, without the express permission of the permanent staff organist."

My standard fee for a wedding starts at $175.00. If there is to be a soloist, that adds another $45 as it will always require additional rehearsal time, and in all cases, the soloist provides their own music and a copy for myself ... 3 weeks in advance. I always require a meeting with the wedding couple at least 6 weeks before the wedding to discuss music. Changes in music can be made, but no later than 2 weeks before the date, and only if they provide the music to be played.

My fee includes up to 30 minutes of Pre-Nuptial music ... usually the drone of the organ for that time is quite sufficient for most wedding people. I never ever play for receptions - I did that once, and that was enough ... not my cup of tea!
 
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