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Updated Mar 06, 2025Need A Wedding Bartender? Here's What You Should Know
Wedding bartenders can brighten up your main event, reduce stress and create a memorable experience for guests.
Bartenders are often unsung heroes at weddings. They can be just as vital to the event as a DJ, catering and other forms of entertainment. If you're thinking about having a wedding bartender at an upcoming wedding, you may be wondering what you need to know.
Some vital pieces of information that may come in handy include how much a bartender costs, what they wear and services they cover. To help you answer those questions, we spoke to Tiffany Price, owner and head bartender at F.A.B. Mobile Concierge Service in Atlanta, Georgia, who has extensive experience providing bartending services at weddings .
Should I Have a Bartender at My Wedding?
Hiring a professional wedding bartender is highly recommended for most weddings. One thing to ask yourself before getting a bartender is whether a wedding bartender fits into your budget. Price says that if you're not sure about whether you need a bartender, having one can help make your wedding more efficient, reduce stress and keep things organized.
"It is not uncommon for the hosts to question whether or not to cut the bar budget or even lessen the bar experience by bearing in mind drink dispensers instead of actual personnel," she says. "However, considering all of what an actual wedding entails, trying to juggle multiple details of your wedding when in all actuality you are supposed to be enjoying this moment of bliss, hiring a beverage catering company allows you to do just that."
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How Many Wedding Bartenders Do You Need?
Every wedding has a different number of guests and that can influence how many bartenders you need at your event. As you can guess, the more guests you have, the more bartenders you may need to avoid lapses in service and long queues at the bar.
How many bartenders do you need for 100 guests?
For a guest count of 100, Price suggests a minimum of two bartenders and one barback–an assistant to the bar attendants. She says having two people makes it possible for one bartender to stay at the bar and attend to guests while the other deals with restocking and any other errands.
How many bartenders do you need for 150 guests?
If you plan to have around 150 guests at your big day, it's advisable that you have three bartenders and one barback, says Price.
How many bartenders do you need for 200 guests?
Those having a relatively big wedding party of about 200 guests should have at least four bartenders and two barbacks.
How Many Bartenders for 300 Guests?
Having a super-sized wedding with 300 guests? Then six bartenders and three barbacks is ideal, says Price.
How Much Do Bartenders Charge for Weddings?
One of the most pressing questions a couple having a wedding may have is how much bartenders charge for weddings. A basic package could start around $3,000, says Price.
"This includes a six-hour minimum service with two or three bar attendants, beverage mixers, bar utensils, plastic drinkware, fresh cocktail garnishes and a menu showcasing the drink options for the evening's event," she says.
Note that this cost doesn't include alcohol–that is typically added on to the cost of the package. To calculate how much liquor will cost, you'll need to let the bartender know how many guests you're expecting. If you opt to use well liquor, which is lower cost liquor or spirits the bar uses in mixed drinks or to replace top shelf brands, you could save more money.
"As an example, if the client advises us of a guest count of 100 and well liquor served, we determine the amount of bottles needed and if the client would like us to pick up and provide the spirits with our service, we would add that cost to their estimate."
In the example provided, well liquor would cost $600 to $800 plus the cost of the basic bartending package, says Price.
Couples or wedding planners with more top tier liquor in mind—think Don Julio 1942 or Casamigos—should anticipate an inventory budget of $1,500 to $3,000. There's also the option of a luxury beverage catering experience. Price says with this package, you get everything within the basic package in addition to add-ons like custom drinks, themed bar accessories, floral garlands and custom drink stirrers for around $5,000. However, this price doesn't include the cost of liquor.
While many couples choose to have an open bar, there are other less expensive options. "I have personally always been a fan of recommending a signature bar, limiting your guests to two drinks options at the bar," says Price. "While consulting with couples, I always suggest a white and a dark option, beer and wine. This can cut your bar cost down tremendously!"
How Much to Tip Your Wedding Bartender
It's commonly known that bartenders make a bulk of their money through tips. It can be a good gesture to tip them at a wedding too. That said, since the bar service is usually provided by the couple, guests aren't obligated to tip the same way they would at a restaurant or bar.
"For this reason, we add gratuity to all wedding packages with the option of including or not including a tip jar," says Price. Gratuity can cost between 15 to 20% and bartenders can make between $100 to $500 in tips, but they usually have to split that amount. On a lucky day, tips could add up to $1,000 or more, but this is rare, says Price. In addition to tips, bartenders usually charge an hourly fee, too. The wedding bartender cost per hour, could be around $20.
What Do Bartenders Wear During The Event?
Couples who care about fine details may be curious about what bartenders wear during weddings. The typical attire is all black, be it a button down shirt and slacks or black dress. A white button down shirt with a bow tie and black slacks is another common uniform.
If this is too basic for you and you're hoping for something more creative, some companies offer a range of choices.
"Our company offers our clients a few options to choose from when it comes to weddings and themed events. We have suitable black and white branded uniforms and depending on the theme we can dress our staff in colored attire, such as a blush satin evening dress for a garden wedding, or a polka dot billowy skirt dress if it is a 1950s themed wedding. We love to play dress up, so the options are everlasting," Price says.
Questions to Ask Your Wedding Bartender
Before hiring a bartender for your wedding, you may want to ask them a couple of questions about insurance and licensing.
Do you have wedding bartender insurance?
This is important to ask as if something happens at your wedding and the bartender is liable, you want to know they have insurance to cover it. Since they're selling or serving alcohol at the wedding, it puts them at risk. Price says startups are expected to have liability insurance policies of at least $100,000. She adds that sometimes, you may be required to get event insurance too.
Are you a licensed bartender?
It's key that you know the rules in your state regarding bartenders having a license. Some states require they have a license before selling alcohol, while others, like Florida don't have this requirement. If your state says only certified bartenders can serve alcohol at events, then this is a question you should be asking before hiring anyone.
