What to pay the officiant?

[Deleted User] · April 2015

I was wondering what is a good amount to give our officiant for his work conducting our ceremony. He doesn't typically charge a fee, but I feel like some gift is necessary just as a thank you for his time and all the time he has invested in our lives over the years. Obviously his travel fees (hotel, tolls, food, etc.) are alread covered.

southernbelle0915 · April 2015

We hired an officiant and I think the cost was around $400.

What I'd do would be to research what it would cost to hire one in your area. This may mean some website research, phone calls and emails. Then, I'd pay him the going rate. If he's a personal friend, you might also get him a small, personal gift. Your call.

kvruns · April 2015

Here it is $150-300 depending on what you are doing.

Is this person a family member or friend? I'm guessing yes since otherwise they probably have a set fee they charge

littlepep · April 2015

Like Southernbelle, our officiant was about $400.

If this person is a friend, I think a gift card to a restaurant or something would be a nice option as well.

[Deleted User] · April 2015

It is my youth pastor...who is now my pastor. Bill's just the kind of person who wouldn't dream of charging a young couple to marry them if they were members of the church. But I will definitely do some research into what officiants cost in my area and go from there!

[Deleted User] · April 2015

I officiated my sister's wedding. Afterwards she mailed me a $300 giftcard to a B&B at a cute town near where I live. She worked with FH to figure out what place would be good for which to get me (us) a giftcard. She's my sister so I obviously didn't expect anything, so it was a nice surprise to get.

tcnoble · April 2015

Our officiant was included with our venue so we didn't "have" to give him anything, but we tipped him $100 because he was just awesome.

Dreamergirl8812 · April 2015

I think our officiant was $425. If she hadn't charged us, we probably would have donated roughly that amount to her church.

chibiyui · April 2015

For my pastor/officiant, we got him a package of double stuf Oreos,(Inside joke) and then made a generous donation to the church.

JennyColada · April 2015

It is totally ok to just ask your officiant "how much do people normally give you?" We asked ours (she didn't officially charge for her services) and she said that most couples give between $100-$450, but she stressed that anything we want to give would be appreciated. We ended up giving her $400.

ferricfox · April 2015

I'm in a similar boat, actually. Our town mayor is officiating our wedding, and doesn't charge a fee, (he noted in his initial email to us that he leaves it to the couple to donate something if they wish). My FI and I were thinking $100 as a gift, and also to invite him to join the reception to have dinner. Does that sound reasonable?
(I know some officiants do attend the reception, but I have also heard of some who don't, so we thought it would be nice to extend the invite)

kaitlynmichelle · April 2015

Our officiant charged $100. I would ask for a typical range of what they are paid and proceed from there.

JuneKnottie · April 2015

Our officiant is a county judge and also a personal friend. He isn't charging us, and he does all weddings as a public service gratis. He's invited to the reception of course, and we're going to get him a thank-you gift as well, probably something in the $150-$200 range. If you can find the going rate in your area go with that, or if you have any idea what his interests are, perhaps a gift certificate along those lines. I know our judge always appreciates the gesture more than the amount.

[Deleted User] · April 2015

ferricfox said:
I'm in a similar boat, actually. Our town mayor is officiating our wedding, and doesn't charge a fee, (he noted in his initial email to us that he leaves it to the couple to donate something if they wish). My FI and I were thinking $100 as a gift, and also to invite him to join the reception to have dinner. Does that sound reasonable?
(I know some officiants do attend the reception, but I have also heard of some who don't, so we thought it would be nice to extend the invite)

Be sure to invite his significant other to the reception along with him.

What to pay the officiant?

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