As per usual, we received an inquiry about our wedding officiant packages and fees. I quoted them our price, and their response was, “Why are officiants so expensive?” Well, we actually are not the most expensive vendor at your wedding, but we are, in fact, one of the most important but overlooked so many times. Without an officiant, you are having a very expensive party with no legal marriage.
Officiants typically charge a fee for their services because they spend time preparing and customizing the ceremony to fit the marrier’s preferences, as well as traveling to and from the wedding location. Additionally, many officiants are ordained ministers who have undergone extensive training and education.
There are several factors that can affect the cost of an officiant, including:
- Location: Officiant fees can vary depending on the location of the ceremony. In some areas, the cost of living may be higher, which could result in higher fees.
- Experience: More experienced officiants may charge higher fees than those who are just starting out.
- Customization: If you want a customized ceremony that requires extra time and effort from the officiant, you can expect to pay more.
- Time: The length of the ceremony can also affect the cost. Longer ceremonies may require more time and preparation from the officiant.
- Travel: If the officiant needs to travel to the ceremony location, you may need to cover their travel expenses, which can increase the overall cost.
- Additional services: Some officiants may offer additional services, such as pre-marital counseling or rehearsal attendance, unity ceremonies, which can add to the overall cost.
Dawn Plante, Owner and Officiant of Spirit of the Butterfly, also reminds us that, “…We [Officiants] also cover the cost of filing the marriage license, whether we drive to courthouse or post office to send priority mail. Experienced Officiants also go above and beyond what is required. We, at times, take on the role of coordinator when couples don’t have one.” Dawn and Lori have had many conversations about this (stay tuned for another blog about this topic!).
It’s important to keep ALL of these factors and others in mind when selecting an officiant and budgeting for your wedding or event.