Is it possible to find an officiant for less than $500?

MrsD06 Posted: Dec 30, 2005 05:59 PM

Is it possible to find an officiant for less than $500?

Or less than $300? I finally realized I keep putting this off because I don't want to spend so much $$. Yeah, it's my wedding and it will only happen once, blah blah blah If we have to spend the $$ we will but would love to find someone for less than many of the people I've seen mentioned on these boards. How does a JOP work? Will they still do a nice ceremony? Are they any less $$?

stephanief Posted: Dec 30, 2005 06:02 PM

Re: Is it possible to find an officiant for less than $500?

I am using a reverand for less than 500...rev. phil, he is a vendor on this site

cjb88 Posted: Dec 30, 2005 06:04 PM

Re: Is it possible to find an officiant for less than $500?

i heard JOPs, by state law, cant charge that much... that is what im currently looking in to...

cjb88 Posted: Dec 30, 2005 06:05 PM

Re: Is it possible to find an officiant for less than $500?

i just noticed your wedding date... you are like a week after me... that makes me feel better that there is another person who dosnt have an officiant yet either!!

cherryj24 Posted: Dec 30, 2005 06:11 PM

Re: Is it possible to find an officiant for less than $500?

I am having hte same concerns. I contacted Rev April who is HIGHLY recommended from so many brides. She seems awfully sweet and worth the fee that she is willing to negotiate and compromise based upon your needs.

Rev April

I think I will probably go with her. JOP's do 3-5 minute sh-bangs. I want just a little more than that though.

Good luck and let me know what you decide...

SomethingBlu Posted: Dec 30, 2005 06:14 PM

Re: Is it possible to find an officiant for less than $500?

I hope I don't come across as abrupt but I had to respond.

Your post was a bit offensive to me for one simple reason, you seem to not care about the officiant or the ceremony aspect of 'your day' one bit. How come? The ceremony is not 'blah blah blah' at all, in fact it is the wedding. The reception is a party...that's not the part that legally and spiritually joins you and your FH as a unit, as a family. This, the ceremony, is the most important part of your day. Without it, there would be no wedding. So why choose to skimp on this part?

I realize that things with weddings are expensive and there are many officiants that are pricey, but it sounds like this part doesn't matter to you...and as such 'anyone' will do.

I think you should really think about the ceremony. Find someone you and your FH like, connect with and respect. After all, this person will be marrying you, you will repeat vows uttered by this person and it should mean something.

As an alternative, I know many churches (Christian, for example) have Deacons or Ministers that would perform weddings simply for the joy that they get out of seeing couples marry. The majority of these officiants do not charge, but rather suggest a donation be made to the church (the way it should be). Perhaps you should look into this.

Again, I apologize if I offended you. I just had to write. The ceremony is not a place to cut corners IMO and your nonchalance toward this made me believe that the priorities are not on the 'marriage' but rather on the 'party'.

Deedlebug126 Posted: Dec 30, 2005 06:27 PM

Re: Is it possible to find an officiant for less than $500?

Rev. Phil... He is less than $500 and he is great!

EmberLynn Posted: Dec 30, 2005 06:32 PM

Re: Is it possible to find an officiant for less than $500?

Posted by cherryj24

I am having hte same concerns. I contacted Rev April who is HIGHLY recommended from so many brides. She seems awfully sweet and worth the fee that she is willing to negotiate and compromise based upon your needs.

Rev April

I think I will probably go with her. JOP's do 3-5 minute sh-bangs. I want just a little more than that though.

Good luck and let me know what you decide...

I second that! April does a wonderful job and will work with you on a fair price.

lacey&mark Posted: Dec 30, 2005 06:57 PM

Re: Is it possible to find an officiant for less than $500?

i would hope this is the most important vendor you are going to book, so maybe price shoudn't be the biggest concern. it seems that the average price is $500, but if you really don't want to spend that much, i am sure you can look into the jop type route for less. i can only recommend my officiant, father joe, he costs $500, but imo is worth every penny. the ceremony is personalized for the bride and groom and he is super nice and makes everyone feel comfortable. ever hear people talk about weddings and say 'the party was fun, but man, that ceremony was (insert negative adjective here)'. i know i have---and i don't want to have a too long, too short, boring, inaudible, or cheesy ceremony, which is why i booked who i booked and payed the $500 (which, yes, is a lot of money for a half hour of service, BUT it is the most important half hour of my life thus far, so i will happily pay it). good luck in your search! ~lacey

IslandPrincess Posted: Dec 30, 2005 07:06 PM

Re: Is it possible to find an officiant for less than $500?

Posted by lacey&mark

i would hope this is the most important vendor you are going to book, so maybe price shoudn't be the biggest concern. it seems that the average price is $500, but if you really don't want to spend that much, i am sure you can look into the jop type route for less. i can only recommend my officiant, father joe, he costs $500, but imo is worth every penny. the ceremony is personalized for the bride and groom and he is super nice and makes everyone feel comfortable. ever hear people talk about weddings and say 'the party was fun, but man, that ceremony was (insert negative adjective here)'. i know i have---and i don't want to have a too long, too short, boring, inaudible, or cheesy ceremony, which is why i booked who i booked and payed the $500 (which, yes, is a lot of money for a half hour of service, BUT it is the most important half hour of my life thus far, so i will happily pay it). good luck in your search! ~lacey

I also booked Father Joe and I couldn't be happier! He personlizes your wedding, so it is EXACTLY how you want it and he is great! Good luck!

L&M2006 Posted: Dec 30, 2005 07:11 PM

Re: Is it possible to find an officiant for less than $500?

Posted by stephanief

I am using a reverand for less than 500...rev. phil, he is a vendor on this site

Me too

MrsD06 Posted: Dec 30, 2005 07:45 PM

Re: Is it possible to find an officiant for less than $500?

I really need to clarify that I don't think *nothing* of the ceremony..just that there are different prices for everything..which is why I said if we have to spend $500+ we will..I'm sure you CAN spend less than $500...but I'm wondering exactly what you can find for less. When I said blah blah blah I was kidding ...my sarcasm is sometimes lost in the written word!

LaurenluvsTJ Posted: Dec 30, 2005 07:49 PM

Re: Is it possible to find an officiant for less than $500?

we are using rev. debra viola. She is really sweet and took time to get to know us when we met with her. She has even called to see how we are doing. We were going to to a JOP also, but we wanted more than the 'I do, you do' thing... we want the ceremony to be about us and our love.
I don't remember exactly how much she charged us, but I think it was less than $500.
She is vendor on LIW, you can check her out under Ceremonies of the Heart.

SomethingBlu Posted: Dec 30, 2005 11:22 PM

Re: Is it possible to find an officiant for less than $500?

Posted by LR5883

I really need to clarify that I don't think *nothing* of the ceremony..just that there are different prices for everything..which is why I said if we have to spend $500+ we will..I'm sure you CAN spend less than $500...but I'm wondering exactly what you can find for less. When I said blah blah blah I was kidding ...my sarcasm is sometimes lost in the written word!

*sigh* I too suffer from sarcasm lost in writing. But I'm happy to read that you *do* care about this aspect...after all, this is the wedding. Good luck in your search!

And listen to your vows...trust me, it comes in handy later on when you want to strangle your DH.