Hello just woundering if anyone can help me on this suject I thought getting married in a church was supposes to be free just supposed to be donations but some people tell me it cost them around £500
So how much does it cost to get married in a church??

Cost of a Wedding Chapel or Site - Get Prices and Estimates - CostHelper.com (http://www.costhelper.com/cost/wedding/wedding-chapel-site.html)

How Much Does a Wedding Chapel or Site Cost?

Typical costs:
A church ceremony can cost between $100 and $400 for rental of a small chapel on a college campus or in a park that accommodates up to 100 guests. A medium-sized church or synagogue can cost $500 to $800 to accommodate 100 to 250 guests. A large church or cathedral that can hold 300 or more guests can cost $900 to $3,000 or more.
The average total cost of a wedding ceremony location is $435, according to The Bridal Association of America.
What should be included:
The cost covers the rental of the location for three to five hours -- including set-up time -- and usually a rehearsal in the location. Some churches offer packages that include the services of the officiant, an organist and decorations, for $600 to $2,500 or more.
Additional costs:
Church decorations, such as flowers for the altar and flowers and bows for the pews, cost, on average, $391, according to The Bridal Association of America.
Some churches prohibit women from baring arms and shoulders, so brides and bridesmaids who plan to wear strapless or sleeveless dresses may need to spend $30 to $50 or more to purchase capelets, boleros or shawls to wear during the ceremony.
Supplies for the ceremony rituals, such as the lighting of unity candles, can cost $20 to $100 or more. For Jewish weddings, renting a chuppah, or wedding canopy, can cost $100- $250 for a basic chuppah, and $500 or more for an ornate one, while a ketubah, or wedding contract, can cost from $100 for a non-personalized one up to $1,500 for a custom-designed, framed work.
Some churches and synagogues require a refundable deposit of $200 or more.
If you want the church to ring the steeple bells for your wedding, you might have to pay $100 or more.
Discounts:
Most churches will rent at a substantially reduced rate -- often just a nominal fee to cover the cost of cleaning -- to church members. Sometimes, the bride and groom do not need to belong if a parent or other close family member does.
Tip: Check chapels at local colleges and universities. They are often picturesque and very inexpensive to rent -- especially if you attended the school.
Shopping for a wedding chapel or site:
Before reserving a church, be sure to ask about any restrictions or policies the church has about attire, music and ceremony wording so you can avoid last-minute surprises or changes. Many churches, for example, consider a wedding ceremony to be a worship service and do not allow "secular" music or readings.
Getting married in a house of worship can present a challenge for interfaith couples or couples in which one member is not religious. Many churches require that both members be members of their denominationSome couples consider Unitarian Universalist churches, which are open to a wide range of religious and spiritual beliefs.

Hi, kasikins!

I just wanted to add to the fine answer by Krazi above, that some churches also expect the weddings to be planned and the church reserved for the ceremony a certain number of months in advance. The couple might also need to meet with the clergy person a certain number of times also. So, it's best to be planning in advance.

Thanks!

First why in the world should it be "free" often in smaller churches where you are a member they will if you keep it small and take care of things.

But there is heat or cooling of the building, there is janitorial issues, if there are rehersals and more

In the US, and I am sure UK, the cost of using a church can be in the 1000's itself.