the pastor is an aquantance of my father and is doing the wedding for my fiance and i. He wants a donation of money and there is no set fee. My wedding is on a weekday so he will be missing work, ( sub contractor). I would like to give him a descent amount, but im unsure of the "going rates" so to speak.
2006-12-23 10:15:16 · 21 answers · asked by talisy77 4 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
I would suggest calling another church and asking what a customary donation is.
2006-12-23 10:17:36 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Traditionally, pastors perform weddings for members of their churches and receive a salary and housing as payment, so only a small "honorarium" is required. However, if the pastor you've chosen is primarily a subcontractor and you are not paying his salary with your weekly tithes, the rules change significantly.
First, try to calculate the amount of time he is spending on your wedding. Is he writing you a custom ceremony or just using a standard one? Is he providing pre-marital counseling sessions? Is he attending or running your rehearsal? As a family friend, is he invited to your reception meal? The extent of his services will make a difference in how much compensation he is earning. The extent of your hospitality regarding a free meal will affect it as well.
For comparing rates in your area, try checking with the links on this site:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/weddingofficiants/links (scroll down for state by state listings)
Compare the services your pastor is providing with the rates posted on local officiant websites for an estimate.
Personally, I wouldn't offer any less than $50, even if he lives next door to your venue, uses a standard ceremony and never spends a second with you before meeting you at the end of the aisle. Rates would go up from there...
2006-12-23 12:19:12 · answer #2 · answered by Kya Rose 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If he were your pastor then a gratuity of $75 would not be out of line.
But he is not, and is doing this out of his friendhip with your father.
Find out what the officiants in your area are getting for a wedding. Type into your search engine your city, state & wedding officiant. Visit a few sites. Go for the average amount..
Most officiants here in Cincy, for a weekend wedding starts around $175, plus $100 for rehearsal. There are some more expensive here, too.
I happen to be just north of Cincy so I can get by charging a little less.
As far as other's comments on pastor's charging. If they are indeed a pastor of a church they are getting a church paycheck. This is one of their duties, but a gratuity is always appreciated, though not expected.
Some of us do not have a physical church and do our ministry in other ways. We have responsibilities & families to feed just like everyone else. I happen to specialize in weddings, though I do other liturgicals as well such as baby blessings & funerals.
Weddings do not happen by themselves. We don't have a treasure chest filled with wedding addresses. We must write them. And that takes time, along with all the other details, rehearsal, etc. Usually a minister has 7-8 hours in that one wedding. You cannot get married without us, yet of all the wedding expenses, we are the least paid.
It is best for some to not show their ignorance by opening their mouth.
2006-12-23 10:56:03 · answer #3 · answered by weddrev 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
any ideas on going rate to pay pastor for upcoming wedding. .?
the pastor is an aquantance of my father and is doing the wedding for my fiance and i. He wants a donation of money and there is no set fee. My wedding is on a weekday so he will be missing work, ( sub contractor). I would like to give him a descent amount, but im unsure of the "going...
2015-08-19 00:50:54 · answer #4 · answered by Chanelle 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From my experience as a church-goer, most people getting married usually gave the pastor around $200, plus they often throw in extra money or gift certificate or otherwise arrange for a new suit for the pastor to wear at the wedding. I would say to give him at least $200, especially because he is missing work and he has a relationship with your father.
2006-12-26 04:41:34 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
ideas rate pay pastor upcoming wedding
2016-01-25 00:16:54 · answer #6 · answered by Janean 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all I am appalled at what "stop looking @me" just wrote above me! pastors need to make a living too! and for crying out loud we SHOULD be paying them better because in my opinion they have a very important job!!! To think that they sould have to work for free. And he's only asking for a donation!!! I'd like to see any other college graduate perform specialty services FOR FREE!!!!
Sorry about that... just hoping that person will read this...
But I agree with the other sensible people, giving him about $100, maybe more.
Congratulations and best wishes!
2006-12-23 10:46:16 · answer #7 · answered by i am a girl 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I work at a church. We have a recommended starting donation of $100. It is then your choice from there to go up or down depending on what work they do. Remember it is a tip not a salary. If you receive little to no help from them with your wedding then go down. If you recieve more help than your expected then go up.
I paid $150. I was married on a holiday weekend.
2006-12-27 03:59:30 · answer #8 · answered by Jennifer B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anything less than $250 is an insult. The number goes up if pre-marital counseling is performed. Also consider how far the officiant has to travel, then add a reasonable stipend. DO NOT consider their lodging as part of the compensation, that is a simple courtesy.
2014-05-27 10:39:15 · answer #9 · answered by Ronald 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2015-02-15 05:36:06 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Gratuity for people of the cloth is at the discretion of the giver, but a good starting place for someone officiating your wedding would be $100.00. That's a pretty standard amount, you can give more if you're happy with his services, but I wouldn't give less than that.
2006-12-23 10:20:55 · answer #11 · answered by Roberta 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋