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Devoted September 2012

Is it a better deal to used preferred vendors or outside vendors?

The Sealpups, on January 14, 2019 at 10:33 PM Posted in Wedding Reception 0 4

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The place where I want do a reception has a preferred vendors list: http://www.theadmiralshouse.com/#preferred-vendors

They take 10% from each vendor (table rentals, decoration, caterers, etc...) and 15% from outdoor vendors. Though it may seem easier to stick to preferred vendors, someone suggested to find cheaper outside vendors and have them take 15% from that (which may be more cost effective).

I am willing to cut costs to the budget - don't need a florist (i'm good with the local market or Costco), I can get a cake a whole foods, rehearsal dinner will be a chill bbq, and photographers will not be established/popular (there are great "millennial" photographers who have done weddings for 2 years and do a GREAT job).

I was also told to get caterers that had same-day coordinators.

We also checked out another venue with a view (similar to a country club) and it's all inclusive - same day coordinator, caterer, tables/linens/silver, etc... The only problem would that is the alcohol fee. They charge us double for BYO. Drinks are important for both our families. The venue above has no limit with alcohol and we can do BYO. That saves a lot, already but I'm just worried about pricing.

Any advice or suggestions are highly appreciated!!

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4 Comments

Latest activity by Maren, on January 15, 2019 at 12:24 PM

Super July 2019
Justine · on January 14, 2019 at 10:50 PM
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We went with outside vendors as most, if not all, of the preferred vendors were way out of our budget. Our venue is very flexible though and says the preferred vendors are just recommendations from weddings they’ve held in the past and are no way who we had to use. Stick with your budget and your gut
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Expert June 2021
Veronica · on January 14, 2019 at 11:51 PM
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Most of or all of the vendors we will have will be outside vendors as none of the vendors on our preferred list were in our budget at alllll! You have to do what’s best for your budget and you and your future hubby! In the end it matters what you both want
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Expert June 2019
Ginsteeca · on January 15, 2019 at 10:53 AM
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I would start a spreadsheet and begin comparing all of your options to make the decision. I'm all for saving money, or paying a little more to have things exactly as you want. There's no right or wrong answer to this.
For our venue there was a required rental company that we have to use if we rent, and one preferred caterer that would have given us 10% off the venue rentals. There was so much runaround with that preferred caterer. We spent a month waiting for a quote after being told 3x that she would send it asap, and this was besides the fact that we were going to have to book without a tasting because they don't offer those, but based on the menu we selected at the time of booking she could call me to tell me to come in and grab a plate because another wedding had ordered that particular food and there was now something to sample. Um, what?
We found another caterer and are "probably" spending more than we would have with the preferred, but I still have no way of knowing. Still waiting on that quote 10 months later
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Champion October 2021
Maren · on January 15, 2019 at 12:24 PM
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Hi KT4ever! Welcome to WeddingWire and congrats on your engagement!
I agree, you have to do what is best for you and your budget. So, whether that's preferred or outside-vendors will depend on your reception venue, budget, and the options they provide.
In addition, I just wanted to say that your cost-cuts [like you mentioned: choosing market/costco florals, grocery cake, a chill rehearsal dinner, and new-er photographers] are all really smart and great ways to budget!
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