WHILE outdoor weddings are growing in popularity, some couples still enjoy the tradition of saying 'I do' at the Altar.
However, it can prove quite costly.
As a non-parishioner, it will cost you $1000 to rent St Rafael's Catholic Church, $50 more than it would to swap vows at St Christopher's Cathedral in Manuka. You will also have to provide your own Priest.
Father Troy Bobbin told the Age the charge was $350 higher for non-parishioners for a number of reasons, the main one being the church's belief that people should be married within their own belief community.
He said if people wanted to shop around for churches and treat it like a service, then they would have to pay for the services being provided.
"If you look at an hour long wedding there is about seven or eight hours-worth of preparation so, when you break it down to an hourly rate it isn't that expensive," Father Troy said.
The church takes care of all of the paperwork, provides couples counselling and there are no hidden fees.
Father Troy said there were a number of overheads which pushed the price up including electricity and heating. The maintenance costs are also higher because the church is a heritage listed building.
To get married at Christ Church Anglican Church will set you back $750, regardless of your denomination.
Reverend Ian Palmer told the Age they provided the full service, they even threw in flowers and an organist, but said the real bonus for couples was that they got to tie the knot at "the best venue in town".
"It's the most historic church in the city that is in regular use," he said, "It's absolutely lovely.
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While contemporary weddings are becoming more and more popular with the younger generation, Reverend Palmer said a religious services still held relevance.
"Everybody needs courage and strength to love today and right at the heart of the Christian faith is that God is love and we come into church to pray and find that courage and that strength," he said.
While both the local Anglican and Catholic churches say their charges are small in comparison to the rest of the wedding, it can seem like an absonant amount to the city's least fortunate. However, that won't prevent them from a religious service.
Pastor Wayne Lyons from High Street Church told the Age he performed wedding ceremonies for free for both his parishioners and the poor.
He said Jesus said to look after the poor and that charity was the foundation of the Christian faith. When people could afford to pay he was prepared to accept a donation to a limit of $550.