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"Gift" for Priest????

lizzypoo96lizzypoo96 member
100 Comments 25 Love Its Name Dropper First Anniversary
in Wedding Etiquette Forum
Hi knotties! Need some input here... Our home priest will be marrying us in a Catholic Ceremony in a chapel about an hour from home. I know that in some cases, the "fee" is paid to the church or a donation is made to the church, but in our case our priest is traveling an hour each way for both the rehearsal and ceremony, so we wonder if it should be a gift to him?. He will be missing Saturday evening mass to marry us as well so he had to arrange for coverage. What should we do for a gift or fee? I don't want to be tacky, but I don't want to be cheap either! Thanks!
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Re: "Gift" for Priest????

  • holyguacamole79holyguacamole79 member
    5000 Comments Sixth Anniversary 500 Love Its 5 Answers
    We had a similar situation, and we gave the priest a check. I think it was maybe $100?




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  • mrsmagicgeekmrsmagicgeek member
    500 Love Its 100 Comments First Answer Name Dropper
    Of you do canning or anything like that I'd add a jar of home made jam. Then again, I am a canning maniac so everyone gets jam ;)
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  • NYCMercedesNYCMercedes member
    Sixth Anniversary 2500 Comments 500 Love Its 5 Answers
    $250 per night at a minimum.
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  • MairePoppyMairePoppy mod
    Moderator Knottie Warrior 5000 Comments 500 Love Its
    That's what I was thinking @NYCMercedes. The priest is going through a lot of trouble to officiate this wedding. It would cost at least that much, around here, for a local JOP.
                       
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  • Peaseblossom55Peaseblossom55 mod
    Moderator Knottie Warrior 10000 Comments 500 Love Its
    I asked the secretary of the church what our priest would like, she confirmed my original idea & we got him a gift card to a near by steak house.  I agree with @NYCMercedes on the amount

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  • JennyColadaJennyColada member
    2500 Comments 500 Love Its Third Anniversary First Answer
    I think we are planning on paying our officiant $300 by check. So I'll ditto @NYCMercedes‌!
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  • ootmother2ootmother2 member
    Tenth Anniversary 5000 Comments 25 Love Its First Answer
    Absolutely a gift or cash and be sure to cover his travel expenses and hotel if one is needed.
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  • IrishPirate60IrishPirate60 member
    Seventh Anniversary 250 Love Its 100 Comments Name Dropper
    Gas card!
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  • Marzipan13Marzipan13 member
    500 Love Its 500 Comments First Anniversary Name Dropper
    I would give a personal gift + $100 if you are close with him. If you aren't close, I would give $250. However, regardless of how close you are with him, I would suggest putting him up in a room closer to the chapel - an hour drive both ways is a bit much.
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  • arrippaarrippa member
    Eighth Anniversary 1000 Comments 500 Love Its First Answer
    My paster is also my church elder, so on top of the fee (discounted b/c I am a member), I was bought him and his son Red Sox tickets (he is a HUGE fan) as a thank you. We made a Red Sox themed gift basket that also included his favorite coffee (it pays to be friends with the church admin).
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  • perdonamiperdonami member
    Fourth Anniversary 250 Love Its 100 Comments First Answer
    I plan on paying my officiant, who only lives 10-15 minutes away from the ceremony site, a $200 donation for one night. When I asked what her rates were she said she only works on donations and will accept what we can afford. She is non denominational or affiliated with any religion or church. However, she is performing a special handfasting ceremony for us.
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