One hundered and sixty quid to play the organ for an hour??! Is that the going rate??

[kittyletteItBe]

Or is my church organist ripping me off??

I seriously cant afford that.

Bllody hell, looks like Ill have to trawl the internet for a CD of hymns

oooo - You may get a pupil from Chethams to play - however, if they're half decent they'll probably be pretty clued up on the recommended rates - plus it'll be school holidays then and having lots of borders many may have gone home from Christmas - eeek. Good luck

Yes, if your dad is using a camcorder then the fee should be doubled.

orinoco - the weddings pay well to make up for the lousy pay the rest of the year!

Golly it sounds like a grim job to me

They'd make you attend the practice and you'd be bossed around by a dreadful crying bridezilla and if you buggered up 200 people would give you daggers and your mistakes captured on film forever

no thanks

Message withdrawn

at that time of year there are carol concerts and rehearsals for that to bear in mind.

I think you have been quoted fairly tbh

MP - should stick to the funerals then - less pay but more frequent and (generally) no-one cares if you've been up since 8am the previous morning worked a 9 1/4hr shift the night before and are about to fall asleep

I think you should have it as a priority though tbh kittyletteitbe - it's not THAT much money, and when you're looking back at the day, I bet if you used a CD you would think 'I should have just bitten the bullet and paid the organist'. Could you ask some relatives to pay as a wedding present? (Do you have siblings? I know it's awkward asking for money!!!)

Yes I agree I would much rather have an organist than other frills

Have you decided what music/hymns to have?

Blimey! Haven't had time to read all the thread but I'm glad my big brother's hobby is playing church organs!

And daddy was a church elder so we got the church gratis too.

Not reallt 'frills'

We are having a friend photographer, friend video, no flowers in the church.

We are not skimping on the organist to have a chocolate fountain or anything!!

Just generally skimping everywhere, lol.

I just didnt budget for it. I didnt realise It would be so much.

Well...what about not having the video in the church, but videoing bits of the reception instead, arriving at the church etc, which would halve the cost of the organist.

I attend church weekly.

And am fully a 'member'

I have to have it videod, I couldnt not!

Well I would ask for contributions for the music from people who ask you what you'd like as a wedding gift then!

is the church you are getting married in the church you attend? and does the organist come from that church?

kitty - why do you have to have it videoed? Just curious really - it's just I felt the same way about my wedding nearly 8yrs ago........I've watched the video a grand total of 3 times, once when we first got it, once with my parents about 4 months later and again with my aunt not long after that........tbh I couldn't even tell you where it is now!

Gawd, just seen the title - I used to stand in for mum when she was organist - I once did a funeral, it would have been about 15 years ago and I think I got about £20? which I felt v. guilty about. Can't remember now. She might have got £40, being professional I hope they didn't notice my mistakes too much!

Where are you, I'll do it!!!

...but you might get some grim tunes as my repertoire is limited, never done a wedding

Manchester. Any good?

I want to have it videod QOQ because Id just like to watch us getting married.

Even if it is only 3 times in the next 10 years atleast when one of those times comes around Ill be able to, rather than thinking 'why didn't I?'

fair enough -

Oh poo I'm in Kent. Sorry. You will at least get music if it isn't me, though