Planning a wedding is no small feat. From the smallest details to the grandest moments, every aspect of your day requires precision, care, and—most importantly—trust in your wedding vendors. As a husband-and-wife team with over 100 weddings under our belt, maintaining a perfect 5-star record, we’ve learned that the key to crafting unforgettable weddings lies in communication, collaboration, and mutual respect.
Trust Your Wedding Vendors
Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, and trusting your vendors is essential. Whether it’s a wedding planner, photographer, or videographer, building a connection beforehand can make a world of difference. Meeting your vendors—via FaceTime, a phone call, or in person—ensures that on your big day, you’re working with familiar faces, not strangers.
Photographers and videographers, in particular, need to work seamlessly together to capture both still and moving moments. When couples hire separate studios, it’s crucial that the vendors connect well before the wedding to break the ice and align their approaches. Without this collaboration, there’s a risk of miscommunication that can ripple throughout the day.
Collaboration, Not Competition
On your wedding day, there’s no room for competition among vendors. Each professional has been chosen and trusted by you for their talent, and their focus should always remain on the couple. Misaligned teamwork or conflicts between vendors can lead to unnecessary drama, which is the last thing you—and your guests—want to see.
As wedding vendors ourselves, we’ve seen firsthand how vital it is to approach every event with respect and professionalism. If a challenge arises, it should be addressed discreetly, away from the couple and guests. A successful wedding is about unity, not ego.
Respect and Recognition Go a Long Way
Wedding vendors pour their hearts into making your day extraordinary. From planners coordinating every detail to photographers and videographers spending countless hours in post-production, the effort is monumental. For photographers and videographers, this means sifting through thousands of photos to find the perfect shot or dedicating 25+ hours to editing a film that beautifully captures your story.
Tipping vendors is never expected but always appreciated. However, what truly matters is recognition. A heartfelt review or kind words can mean the world to a vendor. Positive reviews help us grow and continue to deliver excellence, while constructive feedback can help address any concerns and improve future experiences.
If something doesn’t meet your expectations, communicate with your vendor directly before leaving a negative review. Often, issues can be resolved through a simple conversation, avoiding unnecessary misunderstandings.
When Things Go Wrong
We’d like to share a real-life example of why communication is so critical. Recently, we worked on a beautiful wedding that, despite the day’s challenges, resulted in a stunning film. Unfortunately, the experience with one vendor—a photographer who declined to collaborate—created tension. While we maintained our professionalism, the lack of teamwork impacted the day’s overall harmony.
After delivering an extended 12-minute highlight film (beyond the contracted 8 minutes) and going above and beyond with extra reels and overtime coverage, we received glowing feedback from the couple. However, weeks later, they left a one-star review citing concerns that could have been easily addressed with a phone call.
Negative reviews carry significant weight, and one-star reviews can have lasting consequences on a vendor’s reputation. Before hitting "submit," we urge couples to consider the effort and artistry that go into creating their memories and to communicate openly about any issues.
A Final Note
To future couples: trust, communication, and respect will make your wedding journey smoother and more enjoyable. Your vendors are here to make your dream day a reality, and a little kindness goes a long way.
To our fellow vendors: let’s continue to collaborate, support one another, and prioritize the couple above all else. Together, we can create magical wedding days that are remembered forever.
For anyone interested, you can view our work on Instagram @dsideprod. Let our films speak to the dedication and passion we bring to every project.
Ghosted is something these days. So sorry about the one star review. We saw their film and it’s absolutely beautiful. The couple look like rockstar! Great job guys!
AGREED 100%