Everything to Know About Hiring a Bartender for Your Wedding

The last thing a couple wants to see at their wedding is a line at the bar. That’s why having the right number of bartenders—as well as a bar that’s set up efficiently—is key to making sure your reception runs smoothly. According to Gina Fasulo-Weinstein, founder of Hospitality Inc, "service is the number one priority" when it comes to bars at a wedding. "Actually getting the drinks out fast enough, not having anyone waiting. So it’s critical to have enough bartenders," she adds.

Having enough bartenders is also important even if you don't plan to serve alcohol on your big day. After all, guests will still want to order non-alcoholic beverages—soda, sparkling water, juice—so ensuring there's someone to quickly and easily service them is of the utmost importance. But how many bartenders are required for a seamless wedding reception? How much does it cost to hire a wedding bartender? Are bartenders included in your catering package?

Here, Fasulo-Weinstein helps answer all your questions about hiring a bartender for your wedding to make sure your event is a success. Read on for more.

The Average Number of Bartenders You Need for Your Wedding

Plan on having one bartender for every 35 guests if you want the bar to run smoothly (for example, a 150-person wedding will need four or five bartenders). That being said, this isn't a hard and fast rule, as staffing does depend on the level of service you require, like if you're opting for a fully-stocked open bar versus a cash bar.

You should also staff your bar based on the drinks you plan to serve guests. Beer and wine can be poured quickly; making craft cocktails from scratch, not so much. However, Fasulo-Weinstein does advise couples to keep their drinks as streamlined as possible—like serving pre-made specialty cocktails—as the skill level of each wedding bartender will vary. “You might have different bartender skill levels, based on availability," she explains. "So I try to simplify as much as possible, without compromising on quality, so everyone gets consistent drinks.”

The Cost of a Wedding Bartender

“Price depends to some degree on what the bar offerings are going to be,” explains Fasulo-Weinstein. “Whether the bartenders are simply pouring wine and beer, or whether they’re going to be making signature cocktails.” An average starting point is $35/hour/bartender, she says, but you might pay someone with experience in craft cocktails significantly more.

Couples should also factor in the work that happens before and after the event when putting together their budget. “They think the bartenders will walk in, pour drinks, and go," says Fasulo-Weinstein. Bartenders, however, are responsible for a lot more than that, including getting your bar set up and breaking down the whole apparatus afterward. So for a four-hour reception, you’re probably looking at seven hours of paid work from your bartenders.

Ultimately, the price will depend on your specific needs, the drinks you plan to serve, and the amount of time you're requesting for services. Many companies also offer packaged rates, so be sure to check in with your wedding planner or vendor to get an exact estimate.

Wedding Bartender Tipping Advice

Another budgeting factor to consider when hiring a wedding bartender? Tips! Fasulo-Weinstein prices gratuity into the rate for her bartenders in order to make it easy for the clients. “And if the client wants to give a little something extra, that’s always nice,” she notes. Check with your catering or bar service company to see if a tip is included. If your contract doesn't include a service fee and gratuity, you should have a tip ready (15 to 20 percent of your total service bill) to share with the bartenders when the event is over.

Additional Wedding Bartender Advice to Know

Here, we highlight four additional tips to keep in mind when hiring a bartender for your wedding.

Ask your catering company if they're providing glassware.

In addition to deciding what drinks the bartenders will be pouring, ask about glassware—who’s providing it and how it’s priced into the overall cost. You’ll want to know exactly what they’re serving in, too. Nicer-looking plastic might be perfect for a mojito at a beach wedding, but out of place for a Champagne cocktail in a grand hotel ballroom.

Ensure you know what each bartender will wear.

Your wedding guest dress code should also apply to your catering staff. That's why it's crucial to share your attire preference with your catering company, to ensure you know what each bartender will wear on the big day. You don't want to be surprised with uniforms that are too formal for the occasion—or with no uniforms at all. 

Confirm who's responsible for providing the bar gear.

Make sure you’re clear on who’s providing the bar gear, from cocktail shakers and strainers to bar mats. You'll also want to make sure there is an ice bucket for chilling beer and wine, a separate bucket for serving ice, a “dump bucket” for trash, and space on the bar top for the bartender to actually work. A full-service catering company will likely provide all of this, as well as price it into the overall rate. But if you’re hiring your own bartenders, you’ll want to work with the venue or a rental company to check all the boxes. “What’s behind the bar is essential,” says Fasulo-Weinstein.

Purchase an umbrella insurance package.

Finally, Fasulo-Weinstein recommends that all couples purchase an umbrella insurance package, which covers them for liability around alcohol in the unfortunate event, for instance, that a guest has too much to drink and injures themself. “The catering company will have this liability insurance, the venue will have it, and you should have it, too," she explains.