Let me start with the opinion that'll annoy some of my colleagues: a lot of bartenders in this market are underpriced. Not "good value" underpriced. Not-covering-their-own-costs underpriced.
I'm telling you that because it affects how you read quotes. If one number comes in dramatically under everything else, that's not a bargain you found. That's somebody who hasn't done the math on insurance, ice, supplies, travel and the six hours they'll actually be on site.
The short answer
- Bar service starts at $850. 120 guests over five hours is $1,740.
- Alcohol is separate, bought at cost, and unopened bottles go back.
- Budget about $12–20 per guest all-in for a typical wedding bar.
- Ice, cups, mixers and garnish are included in my per-guest charge.
- A suspiciously cheap quote usually means something's missing.
What bar service actually costs
Here's my real pricing, straight off the calculator on this site. No ranges, no "contact for pricing."
| Guests | Hours | Bartenders | Bar service |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 4 | 1 | $850 |
| 80 | 4 | 1 | $1,040 |
| 100 | 4 | 2 | $1,300 |
| 120 | 5 | 2 | $1,740 |
| 150 | 5 | 2 | $2,175 |
| 200 | 5 | 3 | $2,900 |
That covers the bartenders, setup, breakdown, all the tools, ice, cups, napkins, straws, garnish and mixers. Setup before doors and breakdown after are included in the per-guest price.
The alcohol is the other half, and it's yours
I don't mark up alcohol. You buy it at cost through ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, and unopened wine and liquor goes back for a refund after the wedding.
For a typical 120-person wedding, the alcohol usually lands somewhere between $800 and $1,600 depending on what you serve. Beer and wine only sits at the bottom of that. A full back bar sits at the top — which is one of several reasons I usually talk people out of one.
Run the alcohol calculator and you'll get an actual shopping list with quantities. That's a much better number than any range I could give you here.
So what's the all-in number?
For most Central Florida weddings, $12 to $20 per guest all-in — bar service plus alcohol. A 120-person wedding usually lands around $2,400 to $3,200 total.
Where you land inside that depends almost entirely on what you pour, not on the service. Two signature cocktails, beer and wine puts you near the bottom. Premium spirits across a full bar puts you at the top.
Where people waste money
- Over-buying alcohol somewhere with no returns. Buy where you can return the unopened stuff and this stops being a risk.
- A full open bar nobody uses. Twelve bottles so four people can order something specific.
- Champagne for a toast. Most of it gets set down untouched. A sparkling option at the bar does the same job.
- Real glassware you didn't need. It's $1.45 a glass at two per guest. Lovely, and genuinely optional.
- Paying for hours you're not using. Nobody's at the bar during dinner. Tell me the timeline and I'll tell you where to trim.
What to ask before you book anyone
Not just me — anyone:
- Is alcohol marked up, and can I return what we don't open?
- Are setup and breakdown included, or billed separately?
- Do you carry liquor liability, and will you issue a COI naming my venue?
- How many bartenders at my headcount? (The answer should be one per 80 guests.)
- What's included besides the pouring — ice, cups, garnish, mixers?
The answers to those five questions will explain almost every price difference you see between quotes.
Questions I actually get asked
How much should I budget for a wedding bar in Central Florida?
Budget roughly $12 to $20 per guest all-in, covering both bar service and alcohol. A 120-person wedding typically lands between $2,600 and $3,300 total, with WinterBrooke Bar's service portion at $1,740 and the alcohol bought separately at cost.
What does wedding bar service cost on its own?
WinterBrooke Bar starts at $850. A 100-guest wedding over four hours is $1,300, 120 guests over five hours is $1,740, and 200 guests is $2,900. Setup, breakdown, ice, cups, garnish and mixers are all included.
Is alcohol included in the bar service price?
No, and that is deliberate. You buy the alcohol at cost through ABC Fine Wine & Spirits with no markup, and unopened wine and liquor is returnable after the wedding so you only pay for what was actually poured.
Why are some bartender quotes so much cheaper?
Usually because something is missing. Check whether setup and breakdown are billed separately, whether ice and supplies are included, whether they carry liquor liability, and how many bartenders they are sending. Many quotes in this market do not cover the vendor's own costs.
How can I cut my wedding bar budget without it showing?
Serve two signature cocktails plus beer and wine instead of a full open bar, skip the champagne toast in favour of a sparkling option at the bar, and trim the service window during dinner when nobody is drinking anyway.
I run WinterBrooke Bar, a licensed and insured mobile bar service out of Orlando. I’ve worked 225+ events across Central Florida and have 38 Google reviews, all five stars.
