I am totally at a loss as to what to do-- first of all, I have NEVER been to a wedding where there is an open bar. I've never found this to be odd. But the more sites and blogs I read, the more I realize that this is a strong no-no. I've heard before that MA has a law about not discounting liquor, which is why open bars are so expensive, you can't buy in bulk for a cheaper price. Unless you are at your own place===which we are not.
Our reception at the salem waterfront hotel is $30 a person for a full open bar for 4 hours. It doesn't seem like much, until you multiply that by 180 guests and throw in taxes. My FI stepfather has graciously offered to pay for the open bar during the cocktail hour, but then we were switching to a cash bar. open bar for one hour is $15pp--- do we suck it up and find a way to pay the other $15pp?
Any other MA brides have experience with this, for their own wedding or for weddings they have attended?