How Much Should You Invest in an Excellent Waiter?

The season for end-of-year celebrations is here. These events are the perfect opportunity to introduce a common topic in event planning: budgeting. As organizers, we’re frequently met with questions like, “How much will everything cost? How can I streamline the process? How can I make it happen with minimal expenses?”
 
When planning a holiday party, one of the first questions may involve the waiter's fee. For many, the person serving drinks at the bar is simply a given—something not worth particular attention. In practice, this couldn’t be further from the truth. If you want your event to run like a well-orchestrated experience, every element must fall perfectly into place.
 
In this scenario, the waiter plays an especially crucial role. They are the essential link between you and your guests. Are they attentive to clients? Dynamic and skilled? Can they intuit the guest’s needs immediately? Can they offer helpful recommendations? And do they know how to handle tension tactfully if a line forms at the bar, causing guest frustration?
 
In short, there are many factors to consider. You might hire someone for this role at 10 euros an hour, or a seasoned professional who charges a significantly higher, pre-arranged fee. Personally, I have worked with individuals who, at first glance, might be considered “too expensive.” Yet, in the end, I often reward them with an additional bonus for a job well done, on top of the agreed-upon payment. You may ask, “Was it worth it?” The answer is clear: absolutely. A waiter who charges a five-figure sum for an evening isn’t just someone who stands behind the bar and serves drinks. No. They’re a professional who collaborates with you from the event’s planning stage. Then, once the event has ended, they help analyze the experience, offering advice on how you can enhance the guest experience for future events.
 
Such a relationship between client and provider should be standard across all fields. But let’s face it, no one is an expert in everything. Someone might think they can serve drinks to guests at the bar themselves. Perhaps. But that might work for a small gathering at a local café. It’s a different story when hosting a “high-performance” event with hundreds of guests accustomed to top-tier service. Take another example: an oil change for your car. Could I do it myself? Probably. But since I don’t have the right tools or expertise, I’d likely spend far more time on it than a professional would. Yes, I might get the job done, but without the extra insights a professional would offer. Who knows—the mechanic might notice a small issue that could eventually lead to a major problem with my car.
 
In life, as in business, it’s essential to look at things from the inside out, to see the entire picture. This is best achieved through well-coordinated processes. And most importantly, these processes must be measurable. A skilled event organizer always works from a carefully prepared plan, first listening closely to the client’s wishes, placing them at the center, recommending optimal solutions, and then, after the event, reviewing the results. That’s when they can clearly identify potential weaknesses and areas for improvement for the next event.
 
If you attempt to do everything yourself, you won’t have these experiences. You might find that basic issues arise that you hadn’t considered. For instance, problems may appear during the setup of lighting and sound at a conference.
 
As mentioned, many people—particularly in the event industry—believe that event organization is something anyone can do. With the rapid advancement of technology and new tools, this misconception has only grown. Unfortunately, not all agencies have kept pace. People often lack knowledge about advanced tools and all the possibilities they provide—from event registration, to enhanced options for hybrid events, to attendee segmentation. Personalization and user experience are increasingly in the spotlight.
 
Only someone who thoroughly understands these processes can integrate them into a cohesive whole, ensuring the client leaves satisfied. What’s crucial is an awareness that there is always room for improvement. We will never be experts in every field, so we must appreciate expertise and give professionals their due. And, of course, compensate them fairly for their contribution.

Jaka Gornik