Rixey Staffing Guide
Rixey Staffing Guide
Highlights
Every wedding at Rixey includes a day-of coordinator (often Isadora, or one of our trained team members).
Staffing fees are $350 per person, per event day (2026 rates).
Bartenders are required for any hosted bar — 1 per 50 guests, with Saturday weddings requiring a minimum of 2.
Extra bartenders are needed for bar “upgrades” like champagne welcomes, satellite bars, rooftop bars, or glassware service.
Extra staff (“extra hands”) can be hired to assist with décor, catering gaps, DIY setups, food trucks, large guest counts, and more.
Tips are never expected but always appreciated.
One of the perks of getting married at Rixey Manor is that our experienced staff is here to support you. We include a day-of coordinator (often Isadora, or one of our trained team members) who works with you from planning through the big day. In addition to coordination, you may need to hire additional staff for specific roles. This section explains how staffing works at Rixey, including costs and when extra help is recommended.
Staffing Fees
We keep staffing straightforward: any Rixey staff member is paid $350 per person, per event day (2026 rates). This flat fee applies to bartenders and any extra event staff you engage through us.
We’ll invoice or Venmo request you for staffing fees around the time of your Final Walkthrough (once we know your final guest count and service plan). If your event spans multiple days, the rate applies per day per staff member. (For example, if a bartender works Friday and Saturday, that’s $350 for Friday and $350 for Saturday.)
We handle paying our staff directly — you just cover the staffing fee and any gratuity (see Tipping Guidance).
Bartenders
For any event at Rixey where alcohol is being served to guests who are not overnighting on-site, you must use professional bartenders. Self-service bars are not permitted.
We can provide our in-house bartenders who know the space well, or you can hire from an outside licensed service. Most couples choose our team for convenience and familiarity.
How many bartenders do you need?
Friday events (welcome parties, rehearsal dinners): If you’re hosting guests beyond those staying overnight, plan 1 bartender per 50 guests. (If it’s just the wedding party/family with BYOB, no bartender is required.)
Saturday weddings: We require a minimum of 2 bartenders for any wedding, regardless of size. This ensures coverage if one bartender is serving while another restocks. Beyond that, use the rule of 1 bartender per ~50 guests. For example, 120 guests would require 3 bartenders.
Bar “Upgrades” that require extra staff:
Champagne welcome drinks — a bartender or server stationed to hand these out.
Specialty cocktail bar on the rooftop — mixing a featured drink during cocktail hour.
Satellite bar on the patio — any bar beyond the main indoor setup.
Wine or champagne poured at tables — may require 2 extra staff dedicated to pouring.
Real glassware — managing and swapping glassware slows service; we recommend an extra bartender or barback to handle glassware logistics.
When we review your Bar Setup and Bar Upgrades, we’ll flag if your choices require additional staff. Our goal is always to keep service smooth and lines short.
Extra Hands
Beyond bartenders, you may want to hire additional Rixey staff members as “extra hands” or event assistants. Our team is versatile — they can help set up décor, move furniture, direct parking, assist during the ceremony, keep the timeline on track alongside your coordinator, and handle countless little details.
Here are situations where extra staff are strongly encouraged:
Large or New Vendor Teams: If you’re working with many vendors who aren’t familiar with Rixey, an extra staffer can liaise with them and troubleshoot.
Caterers without full staff: Some caterers (especially Friday/Sunday) only drop off food. You’ll need servers/clean-up crew to cover the gap.
DIY or Family-Food Situations: If you’re bringing your own food or desserts, get at least 1–2 extra staff so family isn’t stuck bussing tables.
Food Truck Receptions: Trucks don’t bus tables — our event crew will manage the dining area.
Weddings over ~150 guests: Larger weddings need floaters to answer questions, direct guests, and cover more ground.
Multiple-Day Events: For cultural ceremonies, brunches, or rehearsal setups, extra hands make transitions smoother.
Early Ceremony Times: A compressed setup window means more hands needed to get everything ready.
Lots of DIY Décor: If you’re setting up elaborate décor, extra staff ensures everything is in place by start time.
No Shuttle Service: If you’re not running shuttles, a staffer may be needed to direct cars and keep parking safe.
On-Site Flower Arranging: DIY flowers can be messy and time-consuming — extra staff can help prep and clean up.
Generally, if you’re ever unsure, ask us. Our staff are trained to be unobtrusive, friendly, and detail-oriented. On your wedding day, you may not even notice them buzzing around — but you will notice that everything magically runs smoothly.
Tipping
Gratuities are never expected, but they are always appreciated. If you feel our staff went above and beyond (we’re confident you will), tips can be given and we’ll distribute them directly. See Tipping Guidance for details.
In Summary
Proper staffing is the difference between a stressful day and one that feels effortless. With a coordinator, bartenders, and extra hands where needed, our team takes care of the details so you and your guests can focus on celebrating.