Supplying our own alcohol, needing to hire a bartender. Help!

I agree that 1500 an hour is ridiculous.

I think what the bartender asks for should be partly based on what type of alcohol you ae serving. If it's wine and beer only then they ought to charge less than a full bar.

I don't know what the laws are in your area (because some places have strict rules about serving alcohol, so check if you need a license or permit).

My advice would be to serve beer and wine only. If you want you can also have some coolers or pre-made bottles of cocktails. This should be a lot easier to serve, and if it's an option you could hire someone with leads experience, since 90 percent of the job will just be pouring the drinks into the glass. If it's legal in your ate I'd ask your friends if they know a bartender, waiter, or even a barista who will do it for cheap.

Thank you! Yes we are from Chilliwack, honestly I think we are going to be keeping it really simple and just doing like shots of alcohol of many different sorts and the guest says what kind of pop or juice they want in it. Also, beer and wine. I don’t think we’ll be doing anything too fancy since I could understand how the price would raise higher!

Hey Brittany! Whereabouts in BC are you getting married? In the Vancouver/Fraser Valley area, I used to bar tend for a company who is just "for hire" bartenders.

Our services simply included a ServingItRight certified bartender, who brings their own ice bin (empty), mix jugs, shakers, and some garnish equipment. You would provide everything: the bar, booze, mix, ice, garnish, glassware, liquor license, etc...

I don't think they travel as far as Chilliwack... but you could always ask, or they could direct you in the direction of someone closer: Perfect Party Services, Ltd.

I can't remember what their recent hourly rate is, but it definitely would not come to anywhere near $1500...