How much gratuity for a paid officiant?

I'd say between $25-$75 depending on how much you originally paid him and what his services are. Since you are putting together your own ceremony i'd think that $25-$50 would be a good range, probably more toward $50 if you have it in the budget.

Depending on how much you paid him between ten to twenty percent I think. The amounts J.J said would probably be a good estimate.

If you paid an officiant a good price (hard for me to advise you since pricing would be based on your area, but for an example, we charge $389 for a custom ceremony) then a tip would be appreciated but not expected. If your officiant goes above and beyond, then sure--a thank you of $25 to $100 would be appreciated, but it's not mandatory. (And no one will think you're cheap if you don't! LOL)

Tipping the officiant stems from the days when traditional clergy performed wedding ceremonies for a "donation". If that is the case, then by all means be generous. But if the officiant is a non-clergy professional, then a tip is totally at your discretion.

Thank you all for your help! I guess I should have just came out with the amount we're paying, which is $400. It seemed a lot to me, but I guess that's the industry standard. Based off of all your advice, we will definitely give him some extra...especially if he does a great job! Thanks again!

Tips are usually 10-15%.

Thank you so much for posting this! I was wondering the same thing!

I wouldn't tip..I think the norm is you only tip those who will not see a portion of the orginal payment sum..like assistants and stuff..I thinkthat's how it works..and he/she doesn't have to share the money with anyone..so I wouldn't tip..

If you're paying him, I don't think a tip is neccessary.

I thought a tip was not necessary. But later on, we thought he did an AMAZING job and I wish that I had tipped, but we were on such a crazy limited budget anyway. I wrote rave reviews for our officiant... all over the internet though!

As an officiant, I often only see a $20 tip, as I am a non clergy Officiant. Sometimes, Not even then. I do all the work, and custom write everything. I tell every client through the brochure I give them that although a tip is ALWAYS appreciated, it is definitely NOT required. I also start at 1/2 of my competitors prices. $150. For $400, in my own personal estimation, I wouldn't tip unless they went so far above and beyond what you expected. It's kinda hard to screw up being an officiant. BUT, that's my personal opinion.

A sole proprietor of a business, or a professional offering professional services, sets his or her own rates at the proper level in order to ensure that s/he is properly compensated for the services performed. If you respect them and their ability to do business, then you pay the fee asked and leave it at that -- and of course recommend them to your colleagues.

Employees who don't set their own fees and whose special efforts end up building someone else's business rather than their own, get tipped to recognize their special efforts and the inflexibility of their wage. Your officiant probably doesn't fall into this category.

I'm curious about this as well. We paid $350 for the ceremony fee, $150 for the rehearsal dinner and invited both to the reception where we are paying for a sit down dinner. In this instance, do we tip?

I'm curious about this as well. We paid $350 for the ceremony fee, $150 for the rehearsal dinner and invited both to the reception where we are paying for a sit down dinner. In this instance, do we tip?

Julia, it is entirely up to you, but if you are paying an independent officiant, it is completely acceptable to forego a tip. If they work for a company and are not the owner, then like other vendors who are staff, tipping is very thoughtful. Hope that is helpful. Sounds similar to my rates...

I have been surprised by a tip when I assisted a couple by going out of my way and securing a location that fit all the criteria they had for an elopement. They were under much distress by failing to find something appropriate. They had looked high and low, and at the last moment I found the perfect outdoor spot where we would have privacy. I took an additional step by contacting someone when we found the location was temporarily shut down, to see if we could get permission to use it. The couple was so pleased that they gave me a generous tip, completely taking me by surprise. (Though it was nice as it would have cost them a pretty penny if I had charged for research and consultation, and I chose to just help them out.)

Sometimes a couple will send me a gift later, and I am so appreciative, but it is just thoughtfulness when they feel a strong connection and want to do something extra. If clergy at your church, that is usually different. However an independent minister such as myself should never expect it.

If your minister waives mileage, or does something extra, that might be a nice thing to consider, but even then it is not necessary. (though it sure is nice!)

I encourage my clients (as I am also a planner so we discuss all sorts of stuff) to consider tipping anyone they see going above and beyond their contracted agreement, if they are in the position to do so. At minimum to take the lovely heartfelt card they are planning to mail them and leave good reviews.

Additionally, it is wise to be abreast of the most current etiquette. Many years ago I made so many etiquette errors, from lack of knowledge, as I only assisted weddings those decades ago, and I do not think we even had google yet. hehe Nowadays it is wise to google or grab a book. Or take a DIY Coaching course... my course covers etiquette, though I am not sure how many out there are doing this type of thing. It is something I decided to do a year ago for those couples who needed help and just could not budget in a planner.

Just don't take everyone's opinion you know as true expertise. This evening my client was texting what a family member was telling her about invitations and it was ALL WRONG. My goodness... She was so relieved we were working together, and from what I was hearing, my appreciation for working with these darlings was all the greater.

I'm a professional officiant in Denver CO. Fees and tips vary widely. I base my fees on what I believe is fair for my time and expertise. I don't expect a tip but always appreciate it when I get one. In your case you probably don't need to tip unless you think the officiant has gone above your expectations.

I am wondering the same thing: we are not part of a church so we hired an officiant we found on wedding wire and paid our officiant $500 but she hasn't helped us at all; when I asked for guidance on the ceremony she just directed me to her webpage and when I put everything together and asked for suggestions all she said was "looks good!" With that price I was supposed to get 2 in person meetings but I didn't. Should I leave a tip?

I’m paying $195, is $25 acceptable?

View Quoted Comment Lauren, I think that is very thoughtful. I am a professional affordable officiant. I don’t expect to be tipped and now that I have read the answers that it is industry standard not to tip a sole proprietor, I am beginning to understand why I am rarely tipped.

I have kept my fees low for years, even though other wedding vendors encourage me to raise them because they say I provide an excellent service. I am torn though because I want to remain affordable for the clientele who genuinely need an affordable officiant. I hope that if my clients are happy with the service I provide and can afford to tip, they will.

Definitely consider your officiants fee to other quotes you received, why you chose them, and how happy you were with the service. We don’t expect to be tipped, but even a $5 bill and a great review is appreciated. A great review is ALWAYS appreciated.

I have received sweet thank you cards with a gratuity check or gift card a week or so after a ceremony and my heart bursts for the kind words and that blessing. I really think it’s sweet when it’s sent after because then I know they are basing their gratitude on my full service, rather than an estimate - putting gratitude into an envelope before the ceremony.