Meet Becca Schmitt | Wedding & Event Planner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Becca Schmitt and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Becca, do you have a budget?
I absolutely have a budget! I love budgeting! My husband and I consider our money a tool for the life we want to live. Budgeting gives us the freedom to spend where we like, so every year we set our priorities and allocate our money according to those goals. Because travel and giving are very important to us, we sacrifice in other areas by avoiding lifestyle inflation and keeping our regular living costs low. This allows us to give generously to those in need and not feel guilty for any of our spending!

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am a wedding & events planner and I own my own business, Shoestring Flings. My inspiration for the business came from my experience in nonprofit development. I had a hand in planning fundraisers and I definitely got caught up in the glitz and glam of fancy galas, but I saw the importance of frugality in event planning. Weddings and events can be SO expensive and I wholeheartedly believe you don’t have to sacrifice your vision for your budget. I specialize in creating beautiful memories affordably.

I started my business in 2020, which was…not the right time to launch in the event industry. It was definitely a challenge, but I was able to adapt very quickly in response to a changing landscape. I was also lucky enough to have other income, so I focused on building the infrastructure of Shoestring Flings while in-person events sat on the back burner.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned along the way is the value of a cancellation policy! No, but in all seriousness, I’ve learned that to be your own boss, you have to be your biggest advocate, No one is pushing me along, so I have to motivate myself everyday to show up for myself and my clients.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I live in the downtown area of small town Celina, which can be such a beautiful hidden gem. Sometimes I like to pretend we have our very own Stars Hollow! Celina’s got different festivals and events all year long, but I would invite you to our annual Halloween event, Beware of the Square — we’ve just become the Halloween Capital of North Texas! I love to show off my little town, so I would definitely make a day of the downtown Square. We could start the day with a stop at Summermoon Coffee — a new addition and fan fave. I’d suggest lunch at the café next door — Toasted Walnut. They have the best chicken salad sandwich!

We could stroll down the street to the candy shop for a sweet treat and eat it under the Pavilion. It would definitely be a more lowkey experience, but that’s just the way I like it when I’m not busy planning events!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I wouldn’t be where I am right now without the support of my wonderful husband, Jarod, and my mentor, Grace.

Grace taught me everything she knew about event planning and then encouraged me to start my own company, with endless patience for my never ending questions. She is my inspiration and a trusted friend.

From day one,= Jarod has been my biggest supporter. He shows up to all my bridal expos in a Shoestring Flings t-shirt, lugging decorations back and forth without ever complaining. He helps me dream big and keep my sanity when things get tough — it’s hard being your own boss!

Website: www.shoestringflings.com

Instagram: @shoestringflings

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beccastetson/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shoestringflings

Image Credits
Alyssa Bell Photography Opal & Onyx Photography