The holiday party invitation says plus-one, the gala is black tie, and walking in alone means an evening of explaining. Bringing a hired platonic plus-one to a work event is more common than people think, and it goes well when two things are true: the person is good in a room, and you do not ask them to pretend.
When people do it#
The company holiday party where everyone brings someone. A black-tie gala or an award dinner. A conference reception in another city where you know nobody. A client dinner where the client is bringing a spouse.
What it costs#
Most friends charge $25 to $60 an hour for an evening event, and these run three to five hours, so $100 to $350, often as a flat rate for the evening. Add their travel, and if the dress code is formal, agree in advance who covers the outfit. On RentAFriend you also need a membership to message; on Roavi there is none. Costs by city.
Who to look for#
Someone good in a room: whose profile mentions events, business dinners or networking, who can talk to a stranger about their job for ten minutes and mean it. A five-minute video call before you book tells you everything.
The one rule: do not invent a relationship#
"This is my friend Alex" is true and enough. What goes wrong is a made-up partner: a story to remember, in front of people you see every day, which unravels the first time someone asks how you met. Keep it to friend. Nobody at a holiday party interrogates a friend.
The brief, in writing#
A few days before:
- What the event is and why you are going.
- The dress code.
- Who will be at your table, with one line each, and your boss's name.
- The one or two topics to steer away from: a merger, a round of layoffs, a colleague's divorce.
- How long you plan to stay.
- Whether they should mention what you do, or let you.
- The hours and the rate.
On the night#
Meet ten minutes before, outside, and walk in together. Introduce them by name. Let them talk to people; a good plus-one makes you look more relaxed than you are. Drink moderately: you are the one who sees these people on Monday. Pay at the end, privately.
The boundaries#
Platonic, public, the agreed hours. Your plus-one is your guest at the event, not at an after-party you did not agree, and not at your hotel. Either of you can end the evening early. The safety rules.
Other occasions: a wedding plus-one, a dinner companion on a work trip, a concert or game buddy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you hire a plus-one for a company event?
Yes, and people do it for holiday parties, galas, award dinners and conference receptions. A paid platonic plus-one comes as your guest, is good company at the table, makes conversation with your colleagues, and leaves when you leave. It works best introduced honestly as a friend.How much does a plus-one for a work event cost?
Most friends charge $25 to $60 an hour for an evening event, and these run three to five hours, so $100 to $350, often as a flat evening rate. Add their travel and, if the dress code is formal, agree in advance who covers the outfit. On RentAFriend add a membership to message; on Roavi there is none.Should I tell colleagues they are hired?
You do not owe anyone the arrangement, but do not invent one either. 'This is my friend Alex' is true and enough. What goes wrong is a made-up relationship: a partner who has to remember a story, in front of people you see every day. Keep it to friend.How do I brief a plus-one for a work event?
In writing, a few days before: what the event is and why you are going, the dress code, who will be at your table with one line each, your boss's name, the one or two topics to avoid (a merger, a layoff, a colleague's divorce), how long you plan to stay, and whether they should mention what you do or let you. Agree hours and rate in the same message.What are the boundaries?
Platonic, public, the agreed hours. Your plus-one is your guest at the event, not at the after-party in someone's suite unless you agreed it in public, and not at your hotel. Alcohol moderately: you are the one who sees these people on Monday. Pay at the end.