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Officiant fees?

Sweet_AdelineSweet_Adeline member
100 Comments
in Washington-Seattle
We are trying to decide on an officiant, and the first one that responded said that his fee is $400.  Does that sound normal to you guys?  It includes two meetings prior to the ceremony, as well as him taking care of getting the marriage license filed (I think). I don't know why I had it in my head that it would be closer to $250.
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Re: Officiant fees?

  • jennyann28jennyann28
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Ours is $250.  She charges $200 for just the ceremony, and the rehearsal is $50 extra.
    However, when I was researching I saw a lot of officiants charging $300-500.  Which I think is absolutely ridiculous for 30 minutes of work!  Even I think mine is charging too much, but I was running out of options.
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  • Sweet_AdelineSweet_Adeline member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I really like this one because FI is Catholic and the officiant was once a Catholic priest.  We aren't having a Catholic ceremony, so this at least feels like we are doing the best we can to include his religious beliefs.
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  • TygirljojoTygirljojo
    2500 Comments
    edited December 2011

    That sounds about average.  Most officiants I saw rates for were between $300-400.  If the one you're looking at is Len Smolen, FWIW I've only heard good things about him.

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  • Sweet_AdelineSweet_Adeline member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    This one is Pat Callahan, but I'll look into Len Smolen as well!!
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  • jennyann28jennyann28
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Oh, Pat Callahan married my brother & SIL.  He was very cool!
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  • mma3mma3
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I saw them go as high as 600 and I freaked!
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  • alyssa324alyssa324 member
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I agree that officiants are wayyy over priced. Mine was $175 for a cookie cutter ceremony and $275 for it to be custom (readings a sand ceremony etc) Plus we paid for marriage counselling for $75 So mine cost $350 all together for two meetings unlimited emails and phone calls and a marriage packet and counselling. I called my pastor from a few years ago. He moved from my little church to a huge church in tacoma and said $550. I told him he was out of his mind.
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  • kducharmekducharme member
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    WOW $500 to do a wedding!! Are these people out of thier mind!!!  I just have no words for how much that is!! Thankfully we are using my FI pastor and she is doing it as a gift to us! :)  I was expecting like 200 though. 

    Have you thought about getting a friend or relative ordained?? Thats a an easy way to cut on cost!
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  • ArchelArchel member
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We chose Len! He's a bit higher than average, but we felt it was worth it!
    - Rachel

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    Married 11/6/10

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  • SoonToBeSweetSoonToBeSweet
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011

    We are going with the wonderful Rev Ray for $300 which includes personalized ceremony and rehearsal.

    I am like a falling star who has finally found her place next to another in a lovely constellation, where we will sparkle in the heavens forever
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  • pmarckxpmarckx
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We just used Len Smolen and he was great! I'd highly recommend him! We paid $250 and reserved with him last year for our wedding this year.
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