Pastors tip (guess thats what you call it)

Trying to figure out how much to pay the pastor in a small town in oklahoma anyone have any ideas?

Posted On: Nov 4, 2009 at 7:38 PM | Vendors are allowed to participate

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AJCOLLINS
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Wedding: 12/01/2009

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Dan's Future Wife
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Wedding: 08/28/2010
Posted On: Nov 04, 2009 at 7:42 PM | Flag As Inappropriate
hmm... mine didnt chargeme anything.... Depends what religion he is and how he works...some do it to get profit so might charge by the hour.... I think oyu pay him what sound resonable to you.

Shell
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Married: 06/27/2009
Posted On: Nov 04, 2009 at 7:43 PM | Flag As Inappropriate
her in california, we tipped our pastor 150.00. he didnt charge a fee because he was our pastor, but he also did ouy marriage counseling and when we asked some other pastors they all said 150 was good :]

Shell
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Married: 06/27/2009
Posted On: Nov 04, 2009 at 7:43 PM | Flag As Inappropriate
our*

J.J
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Wedding: 09/10/2011
Posted On: Nov 04, 2009 at 7:52 PM | Flag As Inappropriate
I agree 150-200 sounds good. If you want to give him more than maybe you could donate like 50 dollars or so to the church itself or something along those lines.

Allison N.
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Blessed Events
Posted On: Nov 06, 2009 at 12:37 AM | Flag As Inappropriate
Hi AJ,
If your pastor isn't charging you anthing, $100 is about right. If you would like to be a little more personal, you could always write a nice thank you note and enclose a giftcard in the same amount to his favorite restaurant (if you know it). Pastors I have worked with in the past are always impressed when their couples add a personal touch to their tip :)

The Potters
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Married: 09/12/2009
Reviews: 8
Posted On: Nov 06, 2009 at 11:14 AM | Flag As Inappropriate
We don't belong to a church so we hired our officiant. His price was $200 for the ceremony, and $275 if we wanted him to also be at rehearsal.

Jessica B.
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Married: 09/05/2009
Reviews: 6
Posted On: Nov 06, 2009 at 11:27 AM | Flag As Inappropriate
Our money was simply a donation to the church...my husband is a member of that church. We did $200, and people thought that was rather generous. If you can afford it I personally, would not go below $150, but that is just my opinion.

Tyrone Blue Entertainment
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Tyrone Blue Entertainment
Posted On: Nov 06, 2009 at 11:28 AM | Flag As Inappropriate
They should be paid. This is one of those things that should always be addressed, but never seems to be. Like tipping your waitress or limo driver, your officiant SHOULD be compensated for their time. $200 is typical, and $150 should be the very bottom amount. Hope that helps.

username_2010
Community Headliner

Wedding: 07/04/2010
Posted On: Nov 06, 2009 at 11:30 AM | Flag As Inappropriate
I live in a smaller town and I was told that $120 is the typical officiant gratuity. (He donates half to the church anyway)

Future Mrs. J
Community Superstar

Wedding: 10/09/2010
Posted On: Nov 06, 2009 at 11:33 AM | Flag As Inappropriate
I think $100-$150 sounds right. Ours doesn't usually take tips, he says he just reserves the right to call in a favor when needed. In the past I know he's had couples sponsor a child in the church who wants to go to a summer camp but their family can't afford it, etc. I still want to do a lil something extra for him since I've known him since I was a child so the restaurant gift card is a perfect idea. Thanks Allison!

AJCOLLINS
Community Headliner

Wedding: 12/01/2009
Posted On: Nov 07, 2009 at 3:43 AM | Flag As Inappropriate
Thanks everyone.

Allison N.
Community Superstar

Blessed Events
Posted On: Nov 07, 2009 at 10:53 AM | Flag As Inappropriate
Sure thing Future Mrs.! Congrats btw, and happy planning! :)

Fernnie
Community Headliner

Wedding: 06/12/2010
Posted On: Nov 07, 2009 at 11:24 AM | Flag As Inappropriate
In my religion our bishop doesnt charge and refuses a tip.

Ms. Soon to be his Mrs.
Community Superstar

Wedding: 11/06/2010
Posted On: Nov 07, 2009 at 8:02 PM | Flag As Inappropriate
My pastor of my church said he takes "donations only" so I mean it's at our discretion but I'm probably gonna slide him some money and a gift card to a golf supply store or maybe give him a basket of personalized golf balls since I KNOW he loves to golf, but that's just me.... it's easier when you already belong to a church, but if you have to hire someone it's kind of tricky!!!

Sister Kya
Community Newcomer

All Ways Yours Wedding Ministries
Posted On: Nov 08, 2009 at 10:46 AM | Flag As Inappropriate
If your Pastor isn't charging you then the official term for the "tip" is an Honorarium. The size would depend on a couple of factors - the amount of time they've spent with you, the degree of personalization they've written for your ceremony, the distance they need to travel (rehearsal and ceremony), the time they spend attending your rehearsal and ceremony and your appreciation of anything they've done that seems "above and beyond the call of duty".
Typically, Pastors who earn a salary from their church expect honorariums to be on the smaller side - $100 or less here in Michigan (but it may be a little more or less in your area). While freelancers who make their living doing ceremonies expect more.
Best of luck to you!
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