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We are getting married in Late April @ Sapphire Beach. We have a minister on retainer, and will pay the balance the day of the wedding. Not the priciest package on the island, but we wanted good pictures, so we are paying for a photographer also.
Me and my fiance have been debating over weather or not we should tip the minister. We always tip where tipping is expected. Well, except for sometimes in Mexico, where every Tom Dick & Harry has their hand out 🙂
Anyways, this being a rather generous price to pay someone to perform a 10 minute ceremony, I was wondering if anyone else that has been married there actually tipped the minister for their services ? We certainly don't want to come off as rude.
Stateside it is pretty much how a minister would receive payment for their services, and would certainly be rude not to slide the minister $100.00 for their services, but we are already paying (over $500.00) for the minister alone (the photographer is separate). Mind you that does include a few small extras, boutonniere, etc...
Can anyone give us a clue 🙂
You should have booked with Weddings the Island Way. For a vow renewal on Meagans Bay it's only 400 includes flowers. They will gladly take pictures with your camera if provided. We also wanted to play some music and they gladly offered to bring the cd player. Would I tip the minister? Probably, but maybe not $100 if it's only a ceremony. In New York it's $100 for a full mass. Either way, it's done once so I say go for it. ENJOY!
Hi Cat
I renewed my vows at Pettyklip Point on Sapphire this January with Cheryl from Weddings Set Go. She was very helpful and took care of everything. She charged less than half what you are being charged and I did tip her. She was great!
If you go thru a wedding company....
Your coordinator is the most important person to tip as she spends the most time with you, etc. and makes the least amount of money! (4 hours for approx. $50 - $60)
After that, the minister, yes should be tipped. If you would like to tip the photographer and videographer or anyone else such as musician, etc. you can tip them, but not mandatory as they are getting paid a much higher amount!
Hiring your own minister, etc....Hmmm, that is a tough one. Not too sure if I would tip when I know the minister is getting $500! Our ministers make between $75 to $100, in this case, a tip would be nice for sure! Remember the ceremony is approx. 15 minutes long- give or take.
I am a wedding coordinator and know what it feels like to put alot of effort in to a wedding and then not be acknowledged. Tho I do not expect it, I certainly pray for it AND I appreciate it! 🙂
I was recently married on STT, we used Island Wedding Services. The minister was only $200. and the photographer was only $250. Both did an excellent job! We gave them a 20% tip, they deserved it! I think it would be rude if you didn't tip.
Best of luck to you both!
I think of a minister as a professional, like a doctor or lawyer. As such, and especially if I was paying well, I would not tip.
I think of tipping as something that is done for someone who isn't pocketing the money - an employee. If the yare an employee (or contractor), and have to hand the money over to someone else, then I'd tip. If they own the business and are independent, then I wouldn't feel compelled to tip. They set the price and keep it all. It's their company - so they should do a great job. Tipping someone for running their own business well seems like overkill, IMO.
Linda, I have to agree with you. I've always considered members of the clergy "professional" and feel they should charge a fee for services and not expect a tip. We don't tip police officers for a job well done. I'm a dental hygienist, and once in a while some old man will offer a tip! that's crazy, and I explain that I cannot accept it, but thanks for the gesture. (now I HAVE had a patient bring me a bottle of wine every six months, which I did accept, Ha! I sure miss him!)
I tip my hairdresser and nail lady, simply because its the norm, but always wondered how that started. THey attend school for training and are "professionals" also.
The thing I run across with members of the clergy, is they often EXPECT free or at least discounted services because of their occupation (or position, I should say). I think that's boloney too. They will call around to different dentists to see if any offer a discount to clergymen. Missionaries - we generally do give a discount as they don't have a "salary"
OK, I'll get down from my soap box now! 🙂 didn't mean to ramble.
Good to get that all cleared up 🙂
Seems we have opinions both ways. This lady we have hired is the minister and coordinator. So it seems we are going to just play it by ear. Do what feels right at the time. Of course I will probably be in such a good mood, I'll want to tip everyone . The photographer is going to develop our pictures during our stay, so well know what to do when we see the delivered product.
I appreciate everyone's input, this forum is great. I feel like I know the islands already.
Do you have any pictures or advice you could give me. I am looking to have my ceremony on pettyklip point.
Thanks a bunch,
Christy
