What Does Event Staffing Typically Cost?
Every event is unique, so exact pricing depends on guest count, service style, and venue logisitcs. The examples below are based on common events we support and are intended to help with budgeting. Our smaller event staffing starts at $335-$500+ depending on location, service style, and staffing requirements.
What Affects Pricing?
Guest Count
Event Duration
Food Service Style
Bartending Needs
Rentals & Equipment Needs
Travel Distance & Location
The below numbers reflect what a typical investment would be on most events we do. All pricing is adjustable based on the specific details of each event. The below pricing is to help clients know where budgets start and what a reasonable budget would be.
Weddings & Large Events
Most couples invest $1,500-$6,000+
Bartending Services
Most couples invest
$500-$4,000+
Small Private Parties
Most couples invest
$335-$2,500+
Click the event type, or scroll down, for more information about pricing.
Weddings & Large Events (100 Guest Event Examples Below)
Based on a 100-guest count.
How to use this guide: We want to help you build a realistic budget! The examples below outline typical investment ranges based on a 100-guest count and a 5 to 6 hour service time frame. Your final quote will be fully customized to match your exact guest count and service needs. All pricing is adjusta
1. Food Cart or Non-Full Service Catering Support
Typical Investment: $900 – $2,500 +
-
Ideal For: E
vents where food carts or separate catering companies handle the primary food service, but you need professional floor support to keep the event running seamlessly. -
Standard Service Includes: Up to full management of guest tables (setup, bussing, and cleanup support) and maintaining non-alcoholic beverage stations.
-
Equipment: Mid to higher side of the budget could include service rentals such as non-alcoholic beverage stations and Maximum-effort floor logistics, such as extensive table/chair flip transitions or advanced end-of-night venue teardown requirements.
2. Bartending Only
Typical Investment: $800 – $4,500 +
Professional, licensed bartenders to completely support your beverage service. (For a deeper dive into our specific bar packages, view our dedicated
- Ideal For: Providing professional, licensed bartenders to completely support your beverage service.
- Standard Service Includes: Dedicated beverage service, bar flow management from setup to teardown, and certified, insured staff.
- Higher End of Budget Includes: Mobile bar logistics and physical service materials such as commercial bar tools, ice bins, and ice supply.
Note: All alcoholic materials must be supplied by the client. The WaitStaff Team does not carry an alcohol sales license. The WaitStaff Team can serve client’s alcohol at no charge to their guests.
3. Buffet Wedding Service
Typical Investment: $1,500 – $4,000 +
-
Ideal For: Restaurant drop-offs or catering company deliveries where you need a professional team to handle and execute the actual meal service.
-
Standard Service Includes: Everything in our Food Cart Support package, plus receiving food onsite, buffet setup, full guest service, and buffet teardown.
-
Higher End of Budget Includes: Provision and rental of essential food-service equipment (chafing dishes, sterno fuel, hot/ice transport boxes, and serving utensils).
4. Buffet and Bar Service Wedding Staffing
Typical Investment: $2,600 – $8,500 +
-
Ideal For: Our most comprehensive coverage, handling your entire floor and bar logistics from start to finish.
-
Standard Service Includes: Seamless cross-coordination of full buffet service, professional bartending, floor bussing, and venue-wide setup/teardown(limitations apply).
-
Higher End of Budget Includes: Comprehensive event service-ware equipment bundles (chafers, high-volume ice management, bar tools, and specialized service accessories).
Note on Plated or Family-Style Dinners: Plated formal dinners require significantly higher staffing ratios to execute smoothly. Because of this, formal plated dinner execution is typically twice the cost of a standard buffet dinner layout.
Note on Setup & Teardown: To ensure our team can focus entirely on flawless food and beverage hospitality, our setup and breakdown services are strictly limited to service-related items (tablescapes, buffet stations, bar areas, and guest table bussing).
What we leave to the pros: We are unable to move heavy venue furniture, hang lighting/drapery, or handle complex floral and rental installations. If your venue requires a complete floor plan flip or heavy teardown, let us know so we can help you plan your timeline accordingly!
Bartending Services (100 Guest Event Examples Below)
Please note that the client is required to supply all alcohol, including liquer mixers. Depending on the client needs, TWST can provide all other non-alcoholic beverages and products such as mixers, garnishes, ice, and disposables.
Based on a 100-guest count.
How to use this guide: We want to help you build a realistic budget! The examples below outline typical investment ranges based on a 100-guest count and a 5 to 6 hour service time frame. Your final quote will be fully customized to match your exact guest count and service needs. All pricing is adjusta
1. Beer & Wine Bartender Only
The client must supply all beverages and bartending materials.
We will supply professional bartenders.
Most couples invest: $500 – $650
- Ideal For: Hosts who already have their bar setup, beverages, and supplies handled and simply need a licensed, insured professional to manage beer and wine service.
- Standard Service Includes: Dedicated beer and wine service, bar flow management from setup to teardown, responsible beverage service, and a clean, organized bar area maintained throughout the event.
2. Beer & Wine Bar Staff + Equipment
We will supply professional bartenders, as well as additional support equipment and ice handling assistance.
Most couples invest: $800 – $1,800+
- Ideal For: Events that need beer and wine service plus the physical bar support materials to run it, without the host having to source tools and ice on their own.
- Standard Service Includes: Everything in our Beer & Wine Bartenders Only package, plus standard bar support equipment, service accessories, and ice handling assistance.
3. Hard Liquor Bartenders Only
The client must supply alochol, mixers, and required bartending supplies.
We will supply professional bartenders for cocktail and liquior service.
Most couples invest: $1,175 – $1,500
- Ideal For: Hosts who have their cocktail program, alcohol, mixers, and supplies ready and need experienced bartenders to execute full liquor and cocktail service.
- Standard Service Includes: Dedicated cocktail and liquor service, bar flow management from setup to teardown, responsible beverage service, and ongoing bar maintenance (ice, glassware, and supplies) throughout the event.
4. Hard Liquor Bartenders + Equipment
The client must supply the alcoholic beverages, including any mixers.
We will supply professional bartenders, bartending equipment, a portable bar, mixers and garnishes, and ice. This is a cocktail-focused service.
Most couples invest; $1,500 – $4,000+
- Ideal For: Our most complete bartending coverage, for hosts who want a full cocktail-focused bar experience handled from start to finish, supplying only the alcohol.
- Standard Service Includes: Everything in our Hard Liquor Bartenders Only package, plus bartending equipment, a portable bar, mixers and garnishes, ice, and full bar setup and breakdown.
Note on Pricing: We bill hourly for all our staffing, so what can either increase or decrease the overall bill goes down to how much set up/service needs, and tear down will be required. Things like disposables vs rental, light alcohol vs having a full bar set up, bar station service or tableside service, and locations that require extra staffing due to logistics all play a part in how many and how long the staff must be onsite to properly serve your event.
Small Private Parties
How to use this guide: We want to help you build a realistic budget! The examples below outline typical investment ranges based on a the guest count and a 5 to 6 hour service time frame. Your final quote will be fully customized to match your exact guest count and service needs. All pricing is adjusta
1. Intimate Dinner Party (Typically 5-20 Guests)
One professional server supporting a dinner gathering.
Starting price: $335, with a minimum of 4 hours.
- Ideal For: Hosts of small, seated dinners or private gatherings who want one trained, uniformed server to handle service so they can stay present with their guests.
- Standard Service Includes: Professional food service, guest care, food warming and replenishment, service-area setup and cleanup, and table bussing throughout the event.
2. Hosted House Party (Up To 40 Guests)
One to two service staff supporting food, beverages, and cleanup.
A typical investment: $335-$1,200.
- Ideal For: Casual house parties and social gatherings that need a small team to keep food, beverages, and cleanup flowing smoothly from start to finish.
- Standard Service Includes: Everything in our Intimate Dinner Party package, plus beverage service support (client provides all alcohol), light kitchen support, and ongoing trash and recycling management as the event progresses.
3. Full Party Support (Up To 40 Guests)
Multiple staff members assisting with setup, service, and cleanup and potentially bringing equipment such as buffet materials and chafers.
A typical investment: $670-$2,500.
- Ideal For: Our most complete small-event coverage, for hosts who want a full team handling setup, service, and cleanup, with the option to provide buffet equipment as well.
- Standard Service Includes: Everything in our Hosted House Party package, plus multiple staff members, full buffet setup and teardown, and provision of service support items such as linens, chafing dishes, and basic service equipment (based on availability).
Larger guest counts, plated dinners, multiple bars, extensive rentals, and complex timelines will affect pricing.
Not sure which category fits your event?
Most clients are unsure exactly what staffing they need. Tell us about your event and we’ll recommend a service plan that fits your timeline, guest count, and budget.