Recommended vendors-should you go with them?

Just curious, what is peoples experience with going for places recommended by the RH. I know you save some money but is it worth it???

Any Thatched Cottage brides that know about their vendors??

The Photog I REALLY love is more expensive than I'd like and she's not on their list (which means even more $$) so I fiugred i'd at least try and see what else I could find before I make the decision.

I'm also considering doing that for the DJ, as I know nothing about what to look for with that.

I'm trying to not overdo the costs for this wedding, and it's driving me nuts.

Re: Recommended vendors-should you go with them?

We met with a couple of the recommended vendors for our RH, but in the end decided on different vendors. We honestly chose our vendors based on what we were looking for, price, quality, etc. and that meant using vendors that happened not to be on the recommended list.

Re: Recommended vendors-should you go with them?

I chose to go with all the house vendors from Fox Hollow except the DJ, only because they come highly recommended, and I've never really heard a bad thing said about them, & their work is incredible. I know Scotto Bros standards are high when it comes to their house vendors, so I felt like I was in good hands.

Re: Recommended vendors-should you go with them?

My honest opinion is it doesn't matter. Don't kid yourself into thinking you are getting a discount b/c you are referred by your hall. To the contrary...I went to a couple of vendors who had separate price lists for my hall b/c it recommended us. What I found out from one of our friends in the business is that those vendors have to give kick backs of some sort to the RH most, if not all, of the time. There are some really reputable halls that recommend some really shady vendors (i.e. many bbb complaints). The hall isn't going to recommend them out of the goodness of their heart and concern for their customers. This is business.

I didn't book any of my hall's recommended vendors but that wasn't for any particular reason. I just shopped around and picked what I liked the best. Some of their vendors were in my top picks but I ultimately went with someone else.

Re: Recommended vendors-should you go with them?

we got married at the thatched and didnt use any of there vendors.

i find when using recommened vendors by rh's they tend to charge a bit higher cause they are giving the rh a kickback.

this happens with gchotel, thatched, russos', westbury manor..

hth!

main thing is- go with who u are comfortable with!

Re: Recommended vendors-should you go with them?

Go with what you're comfortable with. Shop around and maybe talk to some of those recommended vendors and others as well. This way, you'll get a good idea of pricing and quality. Just because a RH recommends it, doesn't always mean it's for you and will fit your budget.

Re: Recommended vendors-should you go with them?

Also, sometimes the RH charge [more] per plate for the vendor meals if it is not a recommended vendor.