Organist Gift

Philbo86

Okay, I have two questions pertaining to the organist for our wedding ceremony.  First of all, he is a member of our church where we will be married.  We've invited both him and his wife to the reception.

Question 1:  Does the organist normally attend rehearsal?  If so, should we invite him to the rehearsal dinner afterwards?

Question 2:  Should we get him a small gift as a token of our appreciation?  Our church requires a small fee for the organist ($150), so I'm sure most of that goes to him; but should we get him something else as well?  If so, any ideas?

mbcdefg

1. If it's a paid vendor, no. But since he's a friend and coming to the reception, I would say yes.

2. I think something small on top of that would be nice. Maybe a bottle of wine, or a gift certficate so he and his wife can go out to dinner. If nothing else, a handwritten, heartfelt note of thanks.

trix1223

I'm a church organist.  Typically, I don't attend rehearsal dinners, although I do attend the rehearsals.  I consider myself a vendor, and don't expect to be invited to RDs.  On the occasions that I am, I politely decline.

I have a fee set by our church for weddings.  In my case, it's $150, whether the couple are church members or not.  I get all of that fee.  I don't expect anything above and beyond it.

If you wouldn't give your florist a bottle of wine, you don't really need to gift your organist anything.  Again-even thought I'm a very integral part of your wedding ceremony, I'm a vendor that day.  GL