Why Hire a Mixologist?

In recent years DIY bartending at weddings have become popular ways for couples on a tight budget to keep their wedding spending under control. Unfortunately, a lot of people assume that they can simply ask friends to take turns running the bar. Having an amateur cocktail bartender may actually wind up costing you money both in terms of alcohol poured. Here are some key things to understand and questions to ask before you hire a bartender.

• Check with your venue and caterer
If hiring your own cocktail bartender is important to you, you need to decide that before booking a venue. For insurance reasons, many venues and caterers have restrictions on who is and isn’t allowed to serve alcohol on site. Some caterers and venues allow you to purchase your own alcohol off site, others do not. Make sure you fully understand the costs and requirements of running your own bar. Some venues and caterers do not offer bartending services or alcohol. If you do not want to hire your own bartender, you may want to look at a different venue.

Hire A Cocktail Bar NYC

• Know your guest count
35 guests per cocktail bartender is a general rule of thumb. So, if you’re having a 200 guest wedding you’ll probably want to play it safe and have three bartenders plus bar backs and drinks waiters. Having too few bartenders can result in long lines, frustrated guests, and even delays in your reception. Having too many bartenders is, well, a waste of the money you’re trying to save.

• How much alcohol?
You know your crowd best, but generally speaking you should budget for three drinks per person for the cocktail reception (2 hours) and one drink per person per hour for the rest of the reception. If you will be purchasing alcohol yourself, make sure to determine how the alcohol will be delivered to the reception site. Ask about return policies as well. Most large liquor stores have a special sales staff for events and will work with you.

• Add it all up
Once you’ve determined how much the alcohol, insurance and staffing costs are – compare that to any estimates you may have received from the caterer or venue. In the long run it may be less hassle and less money to let someone else hire the bartender.

If you do decide to hire your own bartender, don’t forget to check Hire a Mixologist for best cocktail bartenders for hire in your area.