Appropriate for Bar Tender to Have Tip Jar at Wedding?

No, you should be tipping him for everyone.

ETA: but people will still probably tip him anyway and nothing you can do about that. He just shouldnt have a tip jar, he can accept tips given to him. If he wanted a jar for them under the bar (not visible) to split with the other bartender at the end, that's whatever.

Nope. On the scale of 'tacky wedding things' this is near the bottom of the list, but it really wouldn't be cool.

No, you should tip the bartender for everyone.

I agree that you should be tipping him. Whatever he is charging per hour, plus tip (20% at least).

No, he should not be solicing tips from guests by having a tip jar out. You should tip the bartender yourself.

Be careful of liquor laws. In some places any money for alcohol can't be exchanged without a liquor license, and I'm guessing your backyard doesn't have a license. You should tip them for everyone at the end of the event/

Eh... I guess I'm going against the grain with this one. I used to work in a restaurant, and we are also paying a couple bartenders from there to come serve drinks. It's an open bar, so drinks are completely free to the guests. I've already told the bartenders they can have a tip jar, plus what I'm already paying them. I wouldn't make it huge and gaudy with a big sign that says TIP HERE, just a small glass or jar or something sitting up on the bar.

Again, no it is not ok to have a tip jar, and as the host you should cover all tips.

@Tiffany, are you paying a tip to the staff as well? What if nobody puts money in the jar?

The ladies are right; you should be tipping.

My reception provided bartenders and they had two ways to handle this.

We could pay 18% gratuity on the bartenders bill (Like your situation we brought liquor so the bill was just the hourly) or they could put out a tip jar.

We choose to pay the 18% as it was an open bar and I didn't feel like my guests needed to tip. I did learn later however many of them did. The bar staff were rock stars though so I am totally ok with this! (My parents, who covered the bar bill, even tipped them more at the end of the night but I think that is because they were a little drunk).

Long story short. No tipping jar. Just make sure he gets a good tip from you guys at the end of the night.

Hmm...I'm with Tiffany on this one. I've been to a few weddings were bartenders have a glass vase or something on the bar, and I've never seen an issue with it.

Umm just because something tacky has happened at previous weddings doesn't mean it's ok to do it at your own wedding. Guests shouldn't be prompted for tips.

As a guest I always tip the bartender and I don't drink. I don't think you need to put up a tip jar. Most people will tip anyway. Things like tip jars and adding the gratuity to the bill is off putting to me.

Thanks so much for the advice! I am thinking most of our group will just tip regardless of whether or not there is a tip jar out as we usually do with open bar weddings. We were planning on tipping him as well but just wasn't sure about the tip jar for additional. We just wanted him to get the most of it that he could as he is taking a Saturday night off of his own bartending for it which is a good night for him.

For those paying hourly bartenders - how much are your venues charging per hour? I just want to be sure we are somewhat on the right track.

Thanks!

My venue charges $25 per hour for the bartender plus $2 per person for bar set-up, but we are only serving beer and wine (no mixed drinks) and we'll be bringing it ourselves bulk. Might be much different if your bartender is doing liquor versus wine and beer.

Yup, most people will tip whether or not there is a jar, but as the host it is really your responsibility to cover the tip.

Yup, most people will tip whether or not there is a jar, but as the host it is really your responsibility to cover the tip.

Guests should not be expected to tip. The bartender is being paid and tipped at the end of the evening by the host. Personally, I think your a bonehead if you do.....but the bartender will make out alright!