Bartender

How many hours and how many guests?

This is tricky. As a bartender I average about 40$ an hour at my bar in California.

I would say ATLEAST 30/ hour then put out a tip bucket. Especially since they had to pay for their own flight.

I would pay for their plane tickets plus whatever is the going hourly rate for bartenders in that location.

It is your responsibility to provide a tip only for going above and beyond the call of duty. It is not your guests’ responsibility to tip and many people don’t carry cash to weddings or anywhere else. Browse the hourly pay rate for bartenders in Montana and go from there. Make sure as a vendor he is able to get the same meal as the rest of the guests.

View Quoted Comment Hours 5-12pm and 160 guests

View Quoted Comment Oh yeah we will tip him on top of hourly pay also I’m just seeing what others paid hourly

Our venue's bartenders (2) charge $15/hr.

View Quoted Comment

It is very kind for your friend to offer his/her services, but this may be quite an undertaking. 1 bartender, no barback for 160 ppl for 7 hours will be very busy. Plus, your guests may be standing in uncomfortable lines. Our venue required 1 bartender per 75 guests max for 5 hours (for $175 +contracted grat). I've also seen 1 for every 50 for 5 star service. You could have a table station with tubs of beer for self-serve, but another person should restock ice, bottles, and keep the area clean. Perhaps it may be more affordable to have your friend come as a guest (they pay their own room), and you hire local bartenders.

In terms of fees, you could provide a strong 7-hr wage, so your bartenders do not have to worry about making the difference by guest tips. My friends and I are the type at bars and even weddings, to always tip and tip well at first round. Then the bartender make swift, lovely drinks for us the rest of the night. If you do not think your guests will provide, you could tip on top. I, myself, am not a fan of tip buckets esp. at a loved one's wedding, but it is up to you as a host if you find them suitable. Best wishes.

Are they RAMP certified? Are you getting insurance? The last thing you want is for someone to get a DUI or get in a crash.

But honestly, if you are paying for their flight and their hotel room, let them have a tip jar and let that be their compensation.