Likely the most challenging part of planning a wedding is figuring out your budget.

Those items include a venue, a stunning wedding ensemble, food, and music.

But one thing you may easily forget about is the legal aspect of the day.

wedding officiant with the bride and groom

In other words, who will marry you?

The short answer: a wedding officiant.

So, how much should you budget for your wedding officiant?

couple kissing at wedding ceremony

How much you’re free to expect to spend depends on the kind of officiant you choose.

According toWedding Forward, the average cost of hiring a professional is between $400 and $800.

you get married in.

bride and groom putting on wedding bands

You also need to factor in tips.

They recommend foregoing the officiant on the rehearsal day to save money.

According toWedding Bee, the very first step is deciding what pop in of wedding you want.

Once that is determined, you’ll have to start your search but don’t take this lightly.

If you ask a loved one, confirm they know what is required of them.