We compute couplings between the $\ensuremath{\rho}$-meson and $D$ and ${D}^{*}$ mesons---${D}^{(*)}\ensuremath{\rho}{D}^{(*)}$---that are relevant to phenomenological meson-exchange models used to analyze nucleon--$D$-meson scattering and explore the possibility of exotic charmed nuclei. Our framework is built from elements constrained by Dyson-Schwinger equation studies in QCD, and therefore expresses a simultaneous description of light- and heavy-quarks and the states they constitute. We find that all interactions, including the three independent ${D}^{*}\ensuremath{\rho}{D}^{*}$ couplings, differ markedly amongst themselves in strength and also in range, as measured by their evolution with $\ensuremath{\rho}$-meson virtuality. As a consequence, it appears that one should be cautious in using a single coupling strength or parametrization for the study of interactions between ${D}^{(*)}$ mesons and matter.