I have to say many of the vendors on there are the Best, but the decisions are made based on brides taking a poll after their wedding and rating the service and quality or their vendors, so while it is not a professional opinion it is still an honor. Yes,The Knot charges for vendors to be featured at the top of their pages and anyone can do that but the benefit is people can see them without signing in to the website. Problem is many of the best vendors don't do a lot of advertising because they are good and word of mouth is enough to keep their schedules full. The brides write in and vote for their favorite vendors after the wedding. It is an honor, but if the group of brides you work for that year aren't signed up with The Knot then some of the best professionally/techinically out there might not be considered. Also I know for a fact that vendors call, email their brides to remind them and that can help also. Mostly I have seen the best vendors win but sometimes I'm scratching my head for sure. I know one vendor that got it and was mad because they were listed with a bunch of what they thought where bad choices (and I agreed) and didn't want the association, so go figure LOL also if a vendor does a high volume of weddings, (you know the quantity not quality type), then they often make the list because they have a large number of brides mentioning they used them. So it is a good list if vendors are on their they are definately reputable but you will have to decide for yourself if they are the best for your wedding! You may want to check with the gals on the NEST to see exactly when they got the email so you can watch for it after your wedding.