At Rock Paper Coin, we believe in open, honest conversations that support better business—and stronger industry relationships. In our latest webinar, co-founder Katie Mast sat down with attorney and former wedding planner Leah Weinberg of Weinberg Legal for a timely discussion on vendor contracts and communication in the events world.
As more roles appear on the wedding day (hello, behind-the-scenes teams), planners, photographers, florists, and content creators are navigating unclear expectations and rising tension. Leah shared key legal insights to help vendors protect their businesses and keep things collaborative, not complicated.
Here are the takeaways:
- Review your contracts annually: Vendors should revisit contracts at least once a year to keep them up to date. Key areas include force majeure, rescheduling, cancellation policies, and “default provisions” covering late payments or non-responsiveness. Leah also stressed the importance of collecting full payment before the event to avoid last-minute issues.
- Understanding exclusivity clauses: These clauses protect your work by setting boundaries around who can offer similar services at an event. Clear contracts and upfront communication help avoid confusion and keep everyone on the same page.
- Prioritize proactive communication: Katie and Leah emphasized that clear, early conversations can prevent many issues before they arise. Vendors should introduce themselves and clarify roles before the event. Sharing timelines and setting expectations with clients helps things run smoothly.
- Give credit where credit is due: Leah stated that content creators own the content they capture. She recommended agreeing on crediting ahead of time and properly crediting all vendors involved. This approach helps promote professionalism in the industry.
- Respect clients’ marketing wishes: She shared that clients do have the right to request that their wedding not be used for vendor marketing and must be discussed and included in contracts beforehand. She recommended considering compromises if clients want to limit how photos or videos are used.
Contracts should reflect the importance of ongoing learning, growth, and open communication with your clients. It’s one step to set clear expectations, and create smooth, respectful collaborations that benefit everyone involved.
Missed the live session? Watch the full recording on YouTube and sign up for the next RPC MoneyTalks!
