What Couples Should Know Before Hiring a Mobile Bartending Service

How hard can it be?

Cups, Alcohol, Mixers, Ice…

Maybe we’ll just put out a cooler…

Oh! My friend knows how to bartend, maybe we can just ask her!

That’s what a lot of couples are thinking when it comes to their bartending service.

But, it's a little more complicated than that.

So for Episode 7 of Set the Stage: Central Florida Weddings, I sat down with Chris Goodnoe of WinterBrooke Bar to talk about what couples should know before hiring a mobile bartending service.

And let me tell you: there is a lot more to it than just making cocktails.

First: Who Is Buying the Liquor?

One of the first things couples need to understand when looking at mobile bartending services in Central Florida is that mobile bartenders don't carry a liquor license.

Chris explained that some of the larger catering companies can carry a catering liquor license, but mobile bartenders often don't have that same setup.

That means a mobile bartender can't simply buy the liquor and resell it to you. (That’s illegal)

And if you were thinking about a cash bar… sorry to burst your bubble but a mobile bartending company probably can’t do that either.

And a lot of mobile bartenders leave the job of buying the liquor up to the couple to figure it all out.

Chris says that part of the reason couples reach out to him is because WinterBrooke Bar makes buying liquor easy, thanks to their partnership with Kim from ABC Concierge Services.

Instead of passing along a shopping list and hoping you can figure it out. He can give that information to Kim where her team sources the ingredients, shops the products, and sends the invoice directly to you, the couple.

The benefit?

There's no markup on the liquor and drinks.

And for couples trying to keep their wedding budget under control, that can make a huge difference. Especially when cocktails these days can be upwards of $20 PER DRINK!

Chris typically sees his couples spending around $10–$12 per guest on alcohol for a normal wedding – which is a cost savings upwards of 90%!

Couples can also choose to provide their own alcohol. Chris has seen couples do what he calls a “stock the bar” party, where friends and family bring bottles to help supply the wedding.

Which can work however…

Chris pointed out, you may end up with a whole collection of random bottles that nobody actually wants to drink, so proceed with caution!

Ask About the Liquor Before You Book

Here are the specific questions you need to ask if you're hiring a mobile bartender.

Who purchases the liquor?

Can I provide my own?

How does the liquor ordering process work?

And what exactly is included in the bar service?

You want to understand how the entire process works before you're standing a few weeks out from your wedding wondering how much liquor you actually need.

And speaking of that…

WinterBrooke Bar has an alcohol calculator on its website that allows couples to enter their guest count, number of hours, and other details about the type of bar they're planning.

It then provides an estimated liquor list.

Chris is clear that it's an estimate because the actual amount can change depending on the drinks you're serving. Vodka-based drinks and margaritas, for example, won't necessarily require the same quantities.

But it gives couples a starting point.

Your Bar Can Be More Than “Just a Bar”

One of the things that stood out to me in this conversation was how much thought can actually go into the drinks themselves.

Once couples are booked with WinterBrooke Bar, Chris typically starts talking with them about their drink preferences.

He sends over a cocktail menu, couples choose a few options, and then they can do a cocktail tasting.

Chris will bring the supplies, make the cocktails, and talk through what they like flavor-wise.

From there, he creates a cocktail menu for the wedding that matches the aesthetic of the event.

I absolutely loved this idea because one thing I’ve noticed is that many mobile bars do not offer a tasting. Chris really creates an experience for his couples where they can be involved in the creation of the drinks.

Couples who partake are usually bringing their guests to the bar the day of their wedding, proud to show off their creation, and already have established rapport with their bartender which makes for an incredible experience.

What If You Don't Drink?

Chris and I had a great discussion about how relevant sober culture and the mocktail scene is nowadays.

He tells us about his 20 years of experience in the industry and how the trends have shifted from regulars coming into the bar ordering the usual to now many people opting for mocktails that require a higher level of creativity and quality ingredients.

Now just to clear the air:

A mocktail doesn't have to mean Sprite with grenadine.

Chris shared an example of an elderflower strawberry spritz made with a virgin elderflower component, lemon juice, club soda, dried strawberries, and mint.

He also talked about using high-quality cold-pressed juices like those from Fresh Victor to create mocktails with more depth and flavor.

If you don't drink, you don't have to build your wedding around alcohol just because that's what weddings traditionally do.

You can still have an amazing experience and celebrate in a fun and unique way.

What Questions Should You Ask a Mobile Bartender?

There aren't a lot of restrictions on how someone gets into mobile bartending.

And because of that it’s more important than ever to know what questions to ask and how to properly vet your mobile bartending service.

Chris's first big question?

Does your bartender have insurance?

A professional mobile bartending company should carry a minimum of 1 million dollar liquor liability insurance.

Most venues will require this and if you’re planning on hiring a bartender from your local bar or your cousin who knows how to make a mean espresso martini, you might want to double check that they are certified and insured.

Because it’s not just about who can make a good cocktail.

It's about liability.

Chris and I also talked about event insurance for the couple themselves.

There are a lot of moving pieces at a wedding, and sometimes something happens with a guest that nobody could have anticipated. Event insurance can provide another layer of protection.

Whether that be protection for you when someone trips and falls or if a vendor goes out of business before your wedding, you want to be able to protect your party so you’re not suddenly out thousands of dollars on what is supposed to be your best day ever!

Here's Another Big Red Flag: They Don't Ask You Questions

This one goes for any vendor who you are considering:

Chris said that if a company isn't asking you questions, that's a red flag.

How can a vendor know what you want if they don't ask?

Your vendor shouldn't just be talking at you about what they do.

They should be listening.

What flavors do you like?

What kind of drinks do you normally order?

What time of year is your wedding?

What kind of experience do you want your guests to have?

Do you want beer and wine?

A couple of specialty drinks?

A full open bar?

Mocktails?

There are a hundred different questions to ask, but if your bar company is just trying to sell you their services without learning more about you… RUN!

Don't Let the Portfolio Do All the Talking

Its easy to scroll through someone’s Instagram and think, "Wow, I want that for my wedding."

But don’t stop there.

Chris and I talked about how easy it is now to create beautiful cocktail images using AI.

And THAT is exactly why you need to dig a little deeper.

Because you can have a cocktail that looks absolutely gorgeous but is also completely unrealistic.

Chris has had couples bring him images of cocktails that simply aren't possible to recreate in the real world.

So yes, use their portfolio as a conversation starter, but don't use it as the only reason you book someone.

Ask questions.

Have that conversation.

And find out whether that bartender can actually deliver the experience that you want.

Your Bartender Needs to Know How to Handle People

This was another really important distinction Chris made.

Being able to make a drink does not automatically make someone a good wedding bartender.

Chris said he can teach someone how to make a drink.

But he can't teach someone how to be a good person.

And wedding bartending requires a very specific kind of personality.

You need someone who can interact with guests and provide great customer service.

But you also need to have someone who knows how to tell someone they’ve had enough.

Because yes, it happens. (We see you dad!)

And when it happens, you don't want someone standing behind the bar saying, “You're cut off. Get out.”

You need someone who knows how to handle the situation professionally.

Give them some water.

Take a walk.

Let things cool down.

That's hospitality.

And that's a very different skill set from simply knowing how to make a good Old Fashioned.

What About the Fun Stuff?

Of course, your bar can also be an opportunity to add some personality.

Chris talked about some of the ways couples can elevate the experience, including:

• A horse trailer bar for the right type of venue

• Upgrading from disposable cups to glassware

• Foam toppers and drink designs

• Smoke bubbles

• Customized drink toppers

• Dry ice for a fog effect around the bar

• Flair bartenders

And even the drinks themselves can become personal.

Chris has a wedding coming up where the couple named their two drinks after their dogs.

That's the kind of little detail that doesn't necessarily have to cost a fortune to make the experience feel more like you.

Don't Just Hire Someone Because They're Cheap

This is probably one of the biggest themes we've talked about throughout Set the Stage.

There are ways to save money without sacrificing professionalism.

Mobile bartending can actually be one of those places where you can create some savings while still hiring a professional.

But there's a difference between finding a cost-effective professional and simply hiring the cheapest person you can find.

Chris put it pretty bluntly:

You get what you pay for.

And sometimes that becomes very obvious on the wedding day.

The same goes for trying to DIY everything.

Chris shared an example of how impressed he was when he first worked with Edwin from Winshow Events (see his article here) and saw the difference between a professional DJ who understands the flow of a wedding and someone who is simply pressing play.

When things are going well, you don't necessarily notice everything the professional is doing.

That's the point.

You get to enjoy your night.

Your Vendors Should Be Working Together

One of the other things that came up throughout our conversation was vendor relationships.

Chris talked about his relationships with other professionals in the Central Florida wedding industry and how those relationships lead to referrals.

But there's something bigger happening there.

When vendors know each other, work together, and understand how each other operates, the event can flow better.

Chris talked about the importance of showing up, doing your job really well, and being willing to help instead of constantly saying, “That's not my job.”

Because at a wedding, everything is connected.

The bartender affects the guest experience.

The DJ affects the flow.

The planner helps keep the pieces moving together.

The caterer affects timing.

And when the people behind those services know how to work together, it makes a difference.

If Your Vendor Isn't Asking Questions, Start Asking Why

At the end of our conversation, Chris came back to the same advice:

Ask questions.

And make sure your vendors are asking you questions, too.

Your vendor should be trying to understand you—not just trying to sell you their service.

Because the goal isn't simply to find someone who can technically perform the job.

It's to find someone who understands what you're trying to create and can help you get there.

That's the whole reason Set the Stage exists.

You don't need to become an expert in bartending before you hire a bartender.

You just need to know enough to ask the right questions.

And recognize a good answer when you hear one.

One Last Thing: Give Yourself a Minute to Breathe

When I asked Chris what advice he'd give a newly engaged couple, his answer was simple:

Breathe.

He and his wife got married last year, so he's been on both sides of this.

And after talking about everything that goes into a wedding—from vendors to timelines to drinks to guests to all the little things that somehow become your responsibility—it's pretty solid advice.

Breathe.

You don't have to figure everything out at once.

But you do need to know what you're getting into before you start making decisions.

And that's what building your foundation is all about.

Meet Chris Goodnoe | WinterBrooke Bar

Chris Goodnoe has been in the hospitality industry for about 20 years and now operates WinterBrooke Bar, a mobile cocktail catering company in Central Florida.

WinterBrooke Bar works with couples on their bar service, including liquor planning, cocktail selection, tastings, custom cocktail menus, and more.

Chris is also a proud father of two daughters. In fact, the name WinterBrooke came from his daughters' middle names, Winter and Brooke.

You can find WinterBrooke Bar on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and its website at @WinterBrookeBar.

For more information about WinterBrooke Bar visit:

www.winterbrookebar.com

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