Instagram pictures from Santa Barbara weddings

In the world of weddings and events, collaboration is everything. From photographers and florists to rental companies, stylists, planners, and calligraphers — it takes a whole team of creative professionals to bring a vision to life.

And in today’s digital age, once the event is over, the celebration continues online — through Instagram posts, Pinterest boards, blog features, and reels. But here’s where a recurring issue keeps surfacing:

Vendors are contributing time, talent, and products to beautiful weddings, styled shoots, and networking events — and then not being credited when the content is shared.

This post is for everyone involved in an event — vendors, planners, creatives, and especially couples and clients who are sharing their wedding or event photos online. Because crediting isn’t just about social media etiquette — it’s about respect, recognition, and community.

A Note from Zohe Felici

If you’ve ever felt the sting of being left out of vendor credit, you're not alone — and I see you.

But I also want to be honest: I’ve been on the other side of this, too. God knows, it’s happened to me on this very blog more times than I can count — not because I didn’t care, but because I didn’t have the full vendor list, or I unintentionally missed someone. And it feels awful. It’s never my intention to exclude anyone, and I always try to make it right.

That’s why I’m writing this — not to call anyone out, but to call us all in to a better standard. Because I’ve seen how hard vendors work. I’ve seen them donate time, talent, rentals, and services, only to be left untagged or forgotten when the images go live.

Crediting your creative partners is part of honoring the experience you had. It doesn’t take much, but it means everything.

Let’s be intentional. Let’s be generous. And let’s give credit where it’s due.

Why Social Media Credit Matters

When a vendor contributes to an event—whether it’s a wedding, styled shoot, or industry mixer—those photos become part of their portfolio. And for many small businesses, social media is their most powerful marketing tool.

Proper credit helps vendors:

Get discovered by future clients
Grow their business
Network with other professionals
Build trust and legitimacy in the industry

In many cases, especially for styled shoots or unpaid collaborations, credit is the only compensation vendors receive.

Credit = visibility
Credit = respect
Credit = future bookings

Vendors at Santa Barbara wedding event — *Photo by* *Alyssa Lizarraga*

What Does Proper Vendor Credit Look Like?

Whether you’re a couple sharing wedding photos or a vendor posting content from a styled shoot, here’s what thoughtful, professional credit looks like:

Tag the photographer first – it’s their image
List each vendor clearly with their role (e.g. Florals: @‌petalpushersb)
Tag vendors in both the caption and the image/story
Be specific – don’t just say “dream team”
Double-check handles and spellings before posting
When in doubt, ask – clarity is always appreciated

For Couples and Event Hosts: Why This Matters to You Too

If you're planning a wedding or hosting an event, you may not realize how meaningful social media credit is for your vendor team — and that’s okay! This is all part of learning and growing together.

Your vendors worked hard to make your day beautiful. When you share your event photos, tagging them is a powerful way to say thank you and help their businesses thrive.

Here’s how you can help:

Ask your planner or photographer for the full vendor list
Tag each vendor in your caption or story
If you're unsure who did what, just ask — they’ll be grateful you cared enough to find out!

For Vendors: Best Practices for Giving Credit

If you're organizing a collaborative event or shoot, here are some simple ways to ensure everyone gets recognized:

Collect vendor names, roles, and social handles upfront
Share a credit list with all participants
Include credit expectations in your initial communication
Remind your team to tag one another before posting
When publishing a blog or gallery, include full credits at the end

By making credit part of your workflow, you help build a stronger, more inclusive creative community.

Vendor at Santa Barbara wedding event — *Photo by* *Renoda Campbell Photography*

What to Do If You’ve Been Left Out

Let’s be honest — it happens. And like I said earlier, I’ve been both the person who’s been left out and the person who’s made the mistake. Most of us are doing our best, but oversights can still happen.

So what do you do if you’ve contributed to an event and weren’t credited?

Here’s what I recommend:

Reach out directly and kindly.
A message like:
“Hi! I noticed I wasn’t tagged in your recent post from [event/shoot]. I contributed the [product/service], and I’d love to be included if possible — thank you so much!”
is respectful and clear.
Assume good intent — at least the first time.
Oversights are common, especially in multi-vendor events. But if it happens repeatedly, it’s okay to set boundaries or reconsider future collaborations.
Advocate for yourself with grace.
Your work matters. It deserves to be seen, and it’s okay to ask for acknowledgment.
Make it easy to be credited.
Always provide your name, business, and Instagram handle when you participate in a shoot or event. The easier you make it for others, the less likely you are to be missed.

Final Thoughts: Credit Builds Community

Proper vendor credit is about more than Instagram tags — it’s about respect, acknowledgment, and integrity. When we take a moment to give credit where it’s due, we create a stronger, more collaborative industry.

Whether you're a vendor, planner, or couple, we all have a role to play in honoring the people behind the magic.

So next time you post, pause and tag with intention.

It’s a small act with a big impact.

Give Credit Where Credit Is Due: Social Media Etiquette for Events & Weddings