Do i tip the officiant?

Be very careful of using these booking services. You never know who is going to show up.

Your event is 4 months away. The officiant hasn't even started their job. They will spend more than 30 minutes with you- a rehearsal, planning the ceremony, etc.

I think it would be nice to tip, but it's not required.

That is totally up to you. I tell people to only tip when they felt their standards/needs have been met or exceeded.

$450.00?????????? Seriously??????????? uhhhhh...you're getting ripped off.

Dear Lisa, post a request here for an Officiant that is registered in WW that live near your home town to contact you. The Officiants in WW are reliable and professionals.

@ Meghan - a friend of mine used the services on 10/23/2010, all of them and she had no complaints... and, i have to pay extra for him to be at the rehearsal.. if i didnt want him at the rehearsal, he would be $350... so its not like he is "throwing" it in. AND i am writing my vows through some online portal so he really is just showing up....

@ Nicole - that was one of the cheaper ones i found at the Jersey Shore...

@Arnaldo - thanks..but i already signed a contract... dammit!

WOWZA...I don't think it's more than $100.00 here! ouch!

Lisa I don't think that is a lot considering where you live. That may sound harsh, but the north east is expensive for everything wedding related. (and yes the cost of living does impact this so saying location changes price really is true) My minister, at my church, where I am a contributing member, is $500 for the member rate. True that he meets with you a few times before and of course I want him and his wife at the wedding and reception, but those numbers don't seem out of wack. the other option you could do if you could get out of your contract, would be to have a friend officiate. I think they can do the internet thing and get certified (I have friends who have done that :-) Good Luck.

I dont think its a lot either. everything is expensive in this area... but i feel that $450 for a minister who i do not know and i will only see for about 1 hour in total, btwn rehearsal and ceremony shouldnt be invited to my reception...now if i knew our minister personally, that would be a different story.

Lisa I agree with you there - I would check the contract and find out what the company expects then talk to your sales rep from the company to find out what you are really required to do. Good Luck though!!! and I hope they do a fantastic job for you.

Lisa Have you thought about asking a friend or relative to officiate ... My Uncle is doing mine, Its his gift to me so then I will get him a gift and he will be there for the whole wedding as a guest.

When I talked with my officiant regarding the usual day of plan she replied that she normally showed up about 20 min before, did the signing of the license, then the ceremony and then departed. She made it quite clear she did not expect to be at the reception. Try asking for a specific day of schedule to find out how long the officiant expects to be there.

Almost EVERY website that I've found online about etiquette and tipping the officient state that it's BAD etiquette to tip them. We are actually just giving our officient a small gift, mainly because he is also a friend. Other than that, we are going to donate a small amount of money to our church for his services.

I seriously do not believe in tipping if the person is getting paid already. This isn't a restaurant where waiters/waitresses are being paid $2.00 or something like that. The officiant is being paid for their services (if they aren't then give them a gift of some sort) and that should be enough.

Nicole... You might want to check into that because I haven't heard of anyone being under 150 yet.

I had a discussion about this with another industry professional. Apparently if the officiant is a judge, they cannot accept a tip, because they are a representative of the courts. Whether this is true or not, I do not know.

Lisa,

You do not have to tip the officiant, I am an Officiant, I do not stay for the reception, I do not expect a tip. I charge for my services, conduct my ceremony, stay for pictures is requested, and then I make my exit. I hope you shoped around, your wedding is 4 months away, I usually contact my couple, meet with them, then go over everything way in advance before the wedding is this close, but I do not know when you contracted the officiant. I wish you luck, and years of happiness :0)

Mike

Lisa,

Also If you do not hear from your Officiant over the weekend, Call the Co. you booked them through. If you have no luck. Contact me, Ill see what I can help you with

Mike

No tip...unless the person goes above and beyond what you expected. and you might not know all that until after the wedding.

The formal etiquette rule is, that white-collar professionals who set their own rates are treated as your social peers. If you lived in an old-fashioned small town people like your lawyer, doctor and minister would be friends of the family, so of course you would invite them to your wedding reception. Any services you received from them would be completely covered by the terms of the business arrangements you make with them as equal sides of a contract.

Tips are for employees who provide a personal service as part of the job that their employer pays them to do. They don't get to set their own rates, and you don't have a one-on-one peer relationship with them.

Which category does this person fall into? He is not stepping into a friend-of-the-family role as a pastor might be, so you don't need to invite him to your reception. Is he paid by the venue (in which case you tip) or does he own his own business (in which case you don't).

Mine was $200 in Puerto rico and no I didn't tip him. We eloped on the beach and it lasted less than 30 minutes with pictures and signing the license. $200 for 30 minutes was damn good if you ask me.