I have a friend who is a pastor and I'd like her to give the homily at our wedding. If she agrees, she will have to travel to come to the wedding. What is the proper thing to do here: offer to pay for her plane ticket? give her a gift as a token of appreciation? Similarly, I'm not sure what the standards are for appropriately recognizing those in your ceremony, such as soloists, musicians, or pastors. Thanks.
You are not responsible for paying for her travel, but it would be a nice gesture. You will have to decide for yourself what you would like to give her. Usually, you would ask what her fee is and pay that, plus a small donation (the fee is often called a donation).
Similarly, for those in your ceremony who are affiliated with the site (pastor, musicians, soloists...) you would ask what their fee is. Ask the church secretary what is the suggested fee, or donation made payable to the house of worship. If this is a large ceremony, you may wish to include an additional donation for the church.
gifts for officiants?
