Do you still tip the bartender if they had a tip jar out already?

I would tip the bartender directly and also ask that they not put out a tip jar. I wouldn't want my guests to feel obligated to tip the bartender at an event where I've paid for their drinks or feel bad that they don't have cash on them to tip even if they wanted to.

I 100% agree with Amber! I would tip them directly and ask them to please not put a tip jar out. If guests ask to/want to tip them, they can absolutely accept it. But tip jars are tacky and you don't want any of your guests to feel pressured or obligated to tip at your reception.

Skip the tip jar and tip your bartenders appropriately. If guests want to tip they will without a tip jar but a tip jar, IMO, signifies that it's the guests responsibility, not the hosts, to tip the staff. Which is just rude IMO

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It's interesting that you all say that because the last 3 weddings I have been to were open bar, had tip jars and I never felt obligated to tip them because I knew that they would be taken care of by the bride and groom already, I assumed it was on top of whatever they were getting from the bride and groom. I never thought it was tacky either. So I guess I answered my own question!

I never think of tipping unless they do something special for me like make a complicated drink they didn't know or make it extra strong. And honestly I couldn't tell you if there was one at any of the weddings I've been to over the years mostly because I'm not looking at the bar and it's decor. It's also harder for me to tell a stocked bar vs an open bar as a guest so I don't know what was paid for by the party. I don't think it would be tacky per se to have a small place for tip but I wouldn't like to see it billowing with money or looking like it was a pan handle. You are at a wedding so a small decorated jar if anyone tips would be fine. In the end I guess the bigger question for yourself would be what would you do if there was a tip jar that got no tips? And how would you know if and how much they got tipped? Personally in the end I wouldn't want to walk over to my bartender and ask to tip out. If they put one out tip less (you know your guests to know if they'd tip) if they don't then tip more.

Yes, you need to tip your bartender. In addition, you should tell them that you are covering the gratuity and have them not put out a tip jar. Guests should not be expected to open their wallets during your wedding.

The pp are right. You cover the tip, and don't allow them to put out a tip jar. Be careful, though, since a lot of times they'll put it out there anyway.

The bartender at the wedding of a friend of mine did that repeatedly. They had an open bar and had it in the contract that a tip jar was not to be displayed but he did it anyway and was told several times to get rid of it; he'd put it under the bar and then minutes later it was out again. Screwed himself over because they then didn't tip him at all when all was said and done.