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Waldy
Devoted October 2020

Why are officiants so expensive? (virginia wedding)

Waldy, on June 11, 2019 at 7:47 PM

Posted in Planning 93

More of a rant than asking for advice. We wanted to have our friend officiate for us, but in Virginia, that person is not allowed to be ordained online. But they can get a one-day temporary pass from the courthouse, which is risky because if that person don't properly file the paperwork, then your...

More of a rant than asking for advice.

We wanted to have our friend officiate for us, but in Virginia, that person is not allowed to be ordained online. But they can get a one-day temporary pass from the courthouse, which is risky because if that person don't properly file the paperwork, then your marriage is invalid.

This isn't something we budgeted for and figured it would only be like $100-$200. We haven't officially started our search for an officiant, but I've been poking around, and OH MY GOD. The officiants that I've clicked on so far are $450 or $750 for a wedding and under $250 for elopements. We only plan on having a 15 minute ceremony. That amount of money for that short of a time just seems OBSCENE to me. Smiley cry Smiley cry Smiley cry

Are officiants in other states this pricey?

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93 Comments

  • Waldy
    Devoted October 2020
    Waldy ·
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    Hi! Another bride actually recommended someone who will perform the ceremony at the state mandated fee of $50.
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  • Waldy
    Devoted October 2020
    Waldy ·
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    Hi Anika! Darcy was the one who recommended Wendy to us! She posted the link earlier in the thread. Once I'm on a computer and not the app, I can grab the link
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  • Waldy
    Devoted October 2020
    Waldy ·
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    Awww, that's great to hear! Thank you so much Smiley smile and congrats again on your wedding!
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  • Haley
    Just Said Yes November 2021
    Haley ·
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    I know this isn't for everyone, but me and my fiance are getting married at the court house so it's done and over with so we don't have to spend so much on an officiant and we can have everything filed away before so it's not an added stress. And then we get to have a friend to speak at our wedding and have that special moment with all of our friends and family. Here in Vegas it's $77 for the license and $77 for for the little ceremony. The ceremony is just basically signing papers then asking you guys if you do want to marry each other.

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  • Lynne
    Super August 2022
    Lynne ·
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    Maybe a friend or family member knows someone that is ordained. If so, maybe you can get a discount?

    A good friend of ours is ordained and she's going to officiate the ceremony for us. She isn't charging us.
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  • Clover & Jon
    Dedicated October 2019
    Clover & Jon ·
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    Well that’s good to hear it’s within your budget. I live in London, UK so we do not have state mandated fees.I am fortunate enough to be having two weddings: I am a Buddhist (he is not); we are having our faith Wedding at my beautiful 19th century Gothic building centre, which Will only cost £144 the same amount as if being married at the registry office (courthouse).
    Our second marriage, will be on a beach in Jamaica at a private resort with family and friends. We were offered the big standard 15 minute wedding for US$750 and would be a Christian wedding ceremony, no options.. Fortunately we chose to be married first in the U.K. at my Buddhist centre, so will be legally married and do not have to go with Christian religious wedding to be legally married. Also, our friend who knows us well, will be able to symbolically marry us for free. Win, win! Enjoy your wedding!
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  • Purpledoggy
    Savvy November 2019
    Purpledoggy ·
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    We are getting married in norther Virginia and found a wonderful officiant for $225. Most of the ones I contacted in Virginia ran around the same price.
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  • Jennifer
    Just Said Yes August 2019
    Jennifer ·
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    Our officiant is $400 in the Philadelphia area. That was one of the lowest I found. I saw upwards of $1000 for some. That, to me, is crazy.

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  • Waldy
    Devoted October 2020
    Waldy ·
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    Thank you everybody who responded and for making feel like I'm not crazy for thinking that hundreds of dollars is absurd for an officiant. Another bride recommended someone who's charging the state mandated fee + travel fees. We are chatting with her Smiley smile

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  • Mrs. Rachel Lamb
    Dedicated October 2021
    Mrs. Rachel Lamb ·
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    Hi Darcy. I’m from Nova too. Can you please share her info?
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  • darcy
    Devoted June 2019
    darcy ·
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    Hi! Sure thing, her name is Wendy Jones. You can find her here on WW.

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  • Waldy
    Devoted October 2020
    Waldy ·
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  • Waldy
    Devoted October 2020
    Waldy ·
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    Hi Anika. so sorry for the delay. here's the link to Wendy https://www.weddingwire.com/biz/wendy-jones-manassas/9529c5ca4307c6f7.html

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