Collaboration Over Competition: Making Friends (and Money) with Other Vendors
Collaboration Over Competition: Making Friends (and Money) with Other Vendors
Collaboration Over Competition: Making Friends (and Money) with Other Vendors
By Adam Hebert, Networking Badass & Editor-at-Large, Engaged AF Magazine
Let’s just set the record straight:
The only thing dumber than gatekeeping in the wedding industry is thinking that being a cutthroat lone wolf will make you rich, famous, or anything but burnt out.
If you think you have to treat every other vendor like the enemy just because they’re technically “competition,” you’re missing out on the real magic—and the real money.
Welcome to the wedding industry, where collaboration isn’t just possible—it’s how the best shit gets done.
Why Competition is for Losers (and Losers Are Broke)
You ever notice that the vendors who talk the most shit, whine about “saturated markets,” or stalk their competitors online are the same ones always complaining about slow bookings? It’s not a coincidence.
Vendors who thrive are the ones with deep, loyal networks. The ones who refer each other, lift each other up, and show up with the “let’s win together” attitude.
You know what gets you booked more than a perfect Instagram grid? Having ten other vendors actively telling couples, “Hell yes, you want to work with them.”
How to Make Friends in the Industry (Without Being a Fake-Ass Snake)
- Be the Person You’d Want to Work With
You don’t have to fake-laugh at every bad joke or like every post, but show up, be real, and be fucking reliable.
If you say you’ll do something, do it. If you mess up, own it. Be the vendor who texts back, who’s prepared, who actually cares how the day goes for everyone—not just your little corner of it.
- Stop Hoarding Your “Secrets”
No, you’re not a wizard and your timeline template isn’t the Holy Grail. Share your best practices. Offer advice. Teach a newbie. You’d be shocked how fast a little generosity turns into referrals, friendships, and opportunities you never saw coming.
- Refer Like a Damn Pro
Stop acting like couples only have room for one photographer, one florist, one DJ in their hearts. When you meet awesome people, shout them out. Tag them, recommend them, and mean it.
You’ll build a network of people who do the same for you. (And guess who gets the first call when someone’s booked solid or has a last-minute cancellation? Hint: It’s not the gatekeeper.)
- Show Up IRL, Not Just Online
Go to mixers. Go to open houses. Hell, go out for tacos after a styled shoot. The people who actually make connections in person are the ones who get remembered.
Don’t just lurk in Facebook groups and fire off friend requests. Make real connections with real people who know you bring good energy (and don’t suck).
- Celebrate Others—And Actually Mean It
If another vendor books a gig you wanted, congratulate them. If they win an award, share their win. There’s enough to go around. The pie isn’t getting any smaller when someone else gets a slice—it’s just getting tastier for everyone.
The Real Payoff: Money, Sanity, & a Damn Good Time
Want to be booked solid for years? Want to have backup when shit goes sideways? Want your job to actually be fun?
Collaboration is how you get there. When you become part of a crew that refers, supports, and lifts each other up, you all make more money, book better couples, and actually enjoy your work instead of playing Hunger Games with your “competition.”
The best weddings I’ve shot, filmed, or planned have been with vendors who wanted to see each other win. We worked together, shared gear, hyped each other up, and delivered next-level experiences for the couple.
The worst weddings? Ego, drama, cold shoulders, and everyone out for themselves. Zero fun. Zero growth. Zero repeat business.
Final Word: Don’t Be a Snake. Be a Legend.
You can be successful as hell and be a good human.
You can be competitive and collaborative.
You can get rich and have friends in this business—if you show up with integrity, authenticity, and a willingness to build the whole damn community, not just your own empire.
Network like a badass, not a fake-ass snake. Your referrals, your wallet, and your mental health will thank you.
For more real-world wedding industry advice, pro networking tips, and savage stories, check out Engaged AF Magazine—and see who’s truly crushing it at Epoch Moment.
Collaboration Over Competition: Making Friends (and Money) with Other Vendors
By Adam Hebert, Networking Badass & Editor-at-Large, Engaged AF Magazine
Let’s just set the record straight:
The only thing dumber than gatekeeping in the wedding industry is thinking that being a cutthroat lone wolf will make you rich, famous, or anything but burnt out.
If you think you have to treat every other vendor like the enemy just because they’re technically “competition,” you’re missing out on the real magic—and the real money.
Welcome to the wedding industry, where collaboration isn’t just possible—it’s how the best shit gets done.
Why Competition is for Losers (and Losers Are Broke)
You ever notice that the vendors who talk the most shit, whine about “saturated markets,” or stalk their competitors online are the same ones always complaining about slow bookings? It’s not a coincidence.
Vendors who thrive are the ones with deep, loyal networks. The ones who refer each other, lift each other up, and show up with the “let’s win together” attitude.
You know what gets you booked more than a perfect Instagram grid? Having ten other vendors actively telling couples, “Hell yes, you want to work with them.”
How to Make Friends in the Industry (Without Being a Fake-Ass Snake)
- Be the Person You’d Want to Work With
You don’t have to fake-laugh at every bad joke or like every post, but show up, be real, and be fucking reliable.
If you say you’ll do something, do it. If you mess up, own it. Be the vendor who texts back, who’s prepared, who actually cares how the day goes for everyone—not just your little corner of it.
- Stop Hoarding Your “Secrets”
No, you’re not a wizard and your timeline template isn’t the Holy Grail. Share your best practices. Offer advice. Teach a newbie. You’d be shocked how fast a little generosity turns into referrals, friendships, and opportunities you never saw coming.
- Refer Like a Damn Pro
Stop acting like couples only have room for one photographer, one florist, one DJ in their hearts. When you meet awesome people, shout them out. Tag them, recommend them, and mean it.
You’ll build a network of people who do the same for you. (And guess who gets the first call when someone’s booked solid or has a last-minute cancellation? Hint: It’s not the gatekeeper.)
- Show Up IRL, Not Just Online
Go to mixers. Go to open houses. Hell, go out for tacos after a styled shoot. The people who actually make connections in person are the ones who get remembered.
Don’t just lurk in Facebook groups and fire off friend requests. Make real connections with real people who know you bring good energy (and don’t suck).
- Celebrate Others—And Actually Mean It
If another vendor books a gig you wanted, congratulate them. If they win an award, share their win. There’s enough to go around. The pie isn’t getting any smaller when someone else gets a slice—it’s just getting tastier for everyone.
The Real Payoff: Money, Sanity, & a Damn Good Time
Want to be booked solid for years? Want to have backup when shit goes sideways? Want your job to actually be fun?
Collaboration is how you get there. When you become part of a crew that refers, supports, and lifts each other up, you all make more money, book better couples, and actually enjoy your work instead of playing Hunger Games with your “competition.”
The best weddings I’ve shot, filmed, or planned have been with vendors who wanted to see each other win. We worked together, shared gear, hyped each other up, and delivered next-level experiences for the couple.
The worst weddings? Ego, drama, cold shoulders, and everyone out for themselves. Zero fun. Zero growth. Zero repeat business.
Final Word: Don’t Be a Snake. Be a Legend.
You can be successful as hell and be a good human.
You can be competitive and collaborative.
You can get rich and have friends in this business—if you show up with integrity, authenticity, and a willingness to build the whole damn community, not just your own empire.
Network like a badass, not a fake-ass snake. Your referrals, your wallet, and your mental health will thank you.
For more real-world wedding industry advice, pro networking tips, and savage stories, check out Engaged AF Magazine—and see who’s truly crushing it at Epoch Moment.
