How much does an Officiant cost?

I am an ordained Minister in a large denomination and have done hundreds of weddings. Most people offer me an honorarium of $100-$250. But I will conduct small weddings for no honorarium.

Please don't assume that my family will want to go to your reception or your wedding ceremony; and please don't consider the cost of my family and my presence at your reception as additional honorarium. My spouse rarely wants to go to weddings, and our daughters never want to go. When it is clear that I'm expected to bring them, this creates a lot of friction in my household. This is true for nearly every clergy I know. Ask the clergy you employ if they want to be there at the reception; ask the clergy if their spouse and family MIGHT want to come. You will very likely save money at the reception - most clergy family members will not want to be there.

If your family is close to the clergy family, it is likely that everyone in the clergy family will want to be at both the wedding and the reception. But with soccer practices and recitals and homework tasks, this still may not happen, and please do not be offended.

As a Notary Public and Ordained Minister, I can attest to the fact that most fees are between $200 and $450 Dollars. Most officiates are flexible with they're rates but rarely will you find one higher than $450. For example, My base fee is $155, with a travel fee of 55 Cents per mile And I travel all over the state. Call around , meet with the officiate if possible and most importantly Get that contract!

My officiant is my brother who will be attending my wedding regardless of whether he officiated my wedding or not. He is a minister at a church, but I'm not getting married at his church. He's playing a song at my wedding as well. He hasn't asked for money and I don't know how much to give him.

Warning - this is a VERY old post with old pricing!!

In 2016, engaged couples spent $300 on average on their officiant.

Use the WW vendor search to find local officiants, see pricing, and read reviews from past clients!

Why a Wedding Officiant Costs THAT Much

I am an officiant in Minnesota and I charge a fee from around $250 - $400 depending. If someone wants a rehearsal on a different day from the wedding there is an additional charge (as I may have to turn down a wedding to accommodate a rehearsal on a different day). If there is travel involved there is an extra charge. If an overnight is required (because it's out of town and they want me to do a rehearsal the day before) then there is a hotel/motel charge as well. Please contact me for a quote. Thanks, Cheri Rice

I have changed all the way down to $50 and up to $300. The reason varies on if o have to take off from work, travel, etc. I have also dropped to that price because I saw the wedding lay out and the young couple was struggling. I've done stuff for free as well. Nevertheless I got ordained so tgat o could be apart ofbsharong the love that people experience on their big day. It's not a get rich quick scheme... that's why I also offer DJ services :p

I am a wedding officiant. I charge 300$ for a wedding. I was ordained as a minister specializing in marriage.. message me for my cell if anyone needs an officiant in Tennessee..

Fees charged by officiants can vary greatly. I hesitate to give any figure here because prices vary greatly from one area of the country to another, or the state or even the city. It would be an injustice to you to give you a hard and fast amount. If I must, $150-1000 or more...

The officiant a legal necessity. Be your wedding a small private affair or a grand over the top celebration the officiant is a must. There are three things you should take into account when choosing an officiant for your marriage ceremony.

1. What are your expectations of your officiant? Show up and do a pre-written short and sweet or a personal, thoughtful celebration of your special day. How much time and attention do you expect from your officiant, do you want to have a rehearsal...do you expect after ceremony follow up... how important is their service.

2. What is your budget. The officiant is not the most expensive item on your "Wedding To Do List", but, do you want the least expensive officiant you can find? Expect to pay for the services that you feel are important. An officiant with an excellent reputation and experience will usually be more than the beginner. The old saying, "You get what you pay for" usually hold true here as well.

3. Most important of all, do you feel that the officiant will be your advocate and will give you the ceremony that you envision. Does your officiant welcome your input and ideas. Will your officiant be available to you when you need them, will they respond to you quickly and do you feel that you can ask "dumb questions". These are to me is the most important qualities to find in your officiant.

Your marriage ceremony is the heart of your wedding event and your officiant is an important member of your wedding day team.

Sheila Roehl

Licensed/Ordained Wedding Officiant

Rose Weddings

View Quoted Comment Hello!! I am in Florida and want to know these answers as well. Not getting married until Nov 2019 but already planning and trying to see the cost. Where in Florida are you? Is this the same for every county, around $150-$200? We do not have a Pastor.