Does the officiant stay for the reception?

Question

Do officiants tend to stay for the receptions if they are not connected to the bride and groom in any way other than they were hired to officiate at the ceremony and chances are you will never see them again? Should they be given an official invitation?

Answer 1

Yes they should be invited, and you should mail him/her a forma linviation, but they rarely attend. Our minister thanked us for inviting he and his wife, but declined because he thought that his presence might bring the party down a bit, with people trying to be on their best behavior in front of the clergy. But you absoluetly have to invite him and his wife.

Answer 2

Inviting the officiant and possibly their spouse to stay for the reception is a good idea. The officiant may want to say a few words at the reception as well especially if you are having more people at your reception than at your wedding. As for the official invitation to the officiant, I think it is an individual preference. When sending out my invitations for my wedding, I plan to include one for the officiant and his spouse especially since I am acquainted with both of them though we will probably see them only one or two more times.

Answer 3

Yes, the officiant should be invited. This person officially UNITED you and your groom. That makes them sort of special, even if they're not connected to neither the bride or groom. If that doesn't deserve an invitation then I don't know what does.

Answer 4

I invited our officiant to the reception after the ceremony. He came and seemed to have a good time, I invited him in person not with an official invitation. I haven't seen him since but I feel good about my decision. He was also paid for his services.

Answer 5

I am going to say that yes you can invite them via invitation like all other guests, but since he will already be at your service, a word of mouth invitation is just as acceptable.

My officiant is not only staying for the reception but has a room at the same hotels as my guests. We have also included her husband (as i dont think she should stay in a different town all night by herself- that would be boring). They are invited to everything, and it is up to them to stay as long as they are wanting to.

I know that some may say they shouldn't, but it is nice to do either way.

Answer 6

I am a Minister/Wedding Officiant and I always base my "fee" on the following:
1. how far do I have to travel; including the rehearsal the evening before/do I have to spend the night away from home
2. how long is the ceremony/is there a wedding planner
3. have I been invited to the reception
If I am travelling a distance that requires me to stay over night than it is customary for the couple to pay for the hotel, and meals up to the wedding ceremony, however, if I bring a "guest/spouse" that it is MY responsibility.
Receptions are not cheap. The cost of feeding a wedding guest can be exasperating and put a damper on anyone's day when they feel obligated to invite someone, especially if they do not know them well.
My philosophy is this: If the couple is gracious enough to invite me as their "guest" to an expensive meal, then that is a "gift" to me as they are already paying me a "fee" for my services. Therefore, the least I can do is lower that "fee" to help off set the cost of the meal. I never bring a guest when invited to a reception unless I know them personally and would have been invited regardless of who performed the ceremony.
Most of the time, I will accept the offer, eat my meal " in the back" and leave.
If I am asked to offer the blessing before the meal or some other "service" at the reception then I believe it is appropriate to invite me to the reception.
Just as an FYI, I am also a wedding planner, I know that most if not all reception venues charge by the "head" for the meal. Many venue's will not charge you for the Minister/Officiant meal or offer it at a reduced price if you speak with them ahead of time. I have, in the past, had a wedding venue prepare a lovely "to go" platter for the couple to present to the Minister/Officiant as a thank you, and they were beautifully prepared at a reduced price.
I have also, as a Minister/Officiant been the recipient of a "to go" platter and found it to be a lovely and appreciated gesture by the couple.
With all that said, for those of you who feel "obligated" to invite the Minister/Officiant to the reception, please do not feel that way, you are already paying us a "fee' for the service we perform at the Ceremony.
Unless you have requested that we perform a service at the reception, in my opinion, our "job" ends after you are pronounced married. As with any other person who performs a service, if you would like to offer a gratuity, that's your decision, but, paying for a $100. plate of food in addition to the "fee" is not necessary.
I enjoy weddings so much, either planning them, officiating at them, or attending them as a guest, that I know for me personally, I would much rather charge a lesser fee and enjoy an hour or so having a lovely meal with some nice people than charging an enormous fee to perform a ceremony.
With all that said, I do believe that it's appropriate to invite the Minister/Officiant to the rehearsal dinner, especially if there is no wedding planner as we will do most of the coordinating for the ceremony.
As an added note, if I am invited to the reception and attend, I always bring a gift for the couple. Like I said, I believe that I was paid for my services during the ceremony, the reception, in my opinion is not necessary and therefore if I am being invited, I should act as any other guest and bring a gift.
Just one Minister's opinion....

Answer 7

I invited my officiant and he is going to come. He is actually marrying me in his church and my fiance and I are not members. This is actually the first wedding that the church will do for a non member, so I actually am really grateful to him. I work at a restaurant and that is how I met this rev and his wife. So I am not only inviting a wedding officiant, I am inviting a friend.

Answer 8

Usually an invitation is extended to the officiant & partner if he/she is your pastor.
Unless you've developed a special bond while working with your officiant, no. But an invite is always appreciated & in good manners, but not expected.
If you r-e-a-l-l-y want to show an appreciation for a job extra well done, remember them with a gratuity.

Answer 9

nicely i can inform you I unquestionably have been a clergyman for 30 years and in that element I unquestionably have performed 60 weddings and that i've got in basic terms been invited to the reception 29 time and an excellent variety of of the cases i replaced into not invited they didnt know me so dont undertaking approximately it, in case you dont its in comparison to he wont marry you peace and advantages Fr. Mauro

Answer 10

It is considered proper etiquette to issue the invitation. If they do not have another occasion to officiate, they will tend to stay to offer best wishes.