When it comes to figuring out how much does a wedding officiant cost, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. In fact, it really depends on a few different elements including the location of the ceremony, how involved they are with planning and customizing the wedding script, as well as other duties that may be expected from them.

The average amount of money spent on a wedding officiant is around $500 to $1,000. This is based on thousands of couples who have shared their costs for this service with us through their WeddingWire reviews.

Religious officiants that are affiliated with a house of worship usually don’t charge a set fee but may ask you to make a donation depending on their house of worship and the amount of work they put into your ceremony. For example, some churches require that they attend your rehearsal and help plan the ceremony, which can add more time and work to their role as an officiant.

Wedding Officiant Cost: What to Expect and How to Budget

Civil officiants typically have a set price on their website or at least can provide you with a quote when you meet with them. This is because most are contracted to perform a certain number of weddings per week and they need to cover their expenses as well.

The type of ceremony can also impact how much an officiant will charge. For instance, some couples may request an intricate, custom-made ceremony with a lot of readings and personal anecdotes that could take more time to prepare for than a standard legal marriage ceremony.