diff --git a/backend/src/routes/events.js b/backend/src/routes/events.js
index 0b0b832..f0d25e3 100644
--- a/backend/src/routes/events.js
+++ b/backend/src/routes/events.js
@@ -1249,14 +1249,14 @@ router.put('/:slug/match-suggestions/:suggestionId/status', authenticate, async
       });
     }
 
-    // Check authorization: only dancer or recorder can update status
-    const isDancer = suggestion.heat.userId === userId;
+    // Check authorization: only recorder can update status (MVP decision)
+    // Dancer can only view who is assigned to record them
     const isRecorder = suggestion.recorderId === userId;
 
-    if (!isDancer && !isRecorder) {
+    if (!isRecorder) {
       return res.status(403).json({
         success: false,
-        error: 'You are not authorized to update this suggestion',
+        error: 'Only the assigned recorder can accept or reject this suggestion',
       });
     }
 
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/recordings/RecordingTab.jsx b/frontend/src/components/recordings/RecordingTab.jsx
index b0214cc..cca7232 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/recordings/RecordingTab.jsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/recordings/RecordingTab.jsx
@@ -291,6 +291,13 @@ const SuggestionCard = ({ suggestion, type, onAccept, onReject, navigate }) => {
   // Status badge
   const getStatusBadge = () => {
     switch (status) {
+      case SUGGESTION_STATUS.PENDING:
+        return (
+          <span className="inline-flex items-center gap-1 px-2 py-0.5 text-xs font-medium bg-blue-100 text-blue-800 rounded">
+            <Clock className="w-3 h-3" />
+            Pending
+          </span>
+        );
       case SUGGESTION_STATUS.ACCEPTED:
         return (
           <span className="inline-flex items-center gap-1 px-2 py-0.5 text-xs font-medium bg-green-100 text-green-800 rounded">
@@ -359,24 +366,8 @@ const SuggestionCard = ({ suggestion, type, onAccept, onReject, navigate }) => {
       </div>
 
       <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
-        {status === SUGGESTION_STATUS.PENDING ? (
-          <>
-            <button
-              onClick={onAccept}
-              className="p-2 text-green-600 hover:bg-green-50 rounded-md transition-colors"
-              title="Accept"
-            >
-              <CheckCircle className="w-5 h-5" />
-            </button>
-            <button
-              onClick={onReject}
-              className="p-2 text-red-600 hover:bg-red-50 rounded-md transition-colors"
-              title="Reject"
-            >
-              <XCircle className="w-5 h-5" />
-            </button>
-          </>
-        ) : (
+        {/* Dancers (TO_BE_RECORDED) can only view status, not update it */}
+        {type === SUGGESTION_TYPE.TO_BE_RECORDED ? (
           <>
             {getStatusBadge()}
             {status === SUGGESTION_STATUS.ACCEPTED && match?.slug && (
@@ -389,6 +380,39 @@ const SuggestionCard = ({ suggestion, type, onAccept, onReject, navigate }) => {
               </button>
             )}
           </>
+        ) : (
+          /* Recorders (TO_RECORD) can accept/reject */
+          status === SUGGESTION_STATUS.PENDING ? (
+            <>
+              <button
+                onClick={onAccept}
+                className="p-2 text-green-600 hover:bg-green-50 rounded-md transition-colors"
+                title="Accept"
+              >
+                <CheckCircle className="w-5 h-5" />
+              </button>
+              <button
+                onClick={onReject}
+                className="p-2 text-red-600 hover:bg-red-50 rounded-md transition-colors"
+                title="Reject"
+              >
+                <XCircle className="w-5 h-5" />
+              </button>
+            </>
+          ) : (
+            <>
+              {getStatusBadge()}
+              {status === SUGGESTION_STATUS.ACCEPTED && match?.slug && (
+                <button
+                  onClick={() => navigate(`/matches/${match.slug}/chat`)}
+                  className="p-2 text-primary-600 hover:bg-primary-50 rounded-md transition-colors"
+                  title="Open Chat"
+                >
+                  <MessageCircle className="w-5 h-5" />
+                </button>
+              )}
+            </>
+          )
         )}
       </div>
     </div>