Unveiled: Create a Budget for your Wedding with Sharon Rumsey

The first thing you have to do after you get engaged is very SEXY…. You have to make a BUDGET!!!  LOL!  Seriously… it’s not sexy but it is the most important thing you will do to help keep your sanity.  Sharon Rumsey, owner of A Perfect Plan Event Planning, believes you can have an epic wedding on just about any budget, but you have to have a number in mind in order to make your decisions.

A good budget will help you make venue, vendor, guest count, and decoration decisions.  It can help you avoid misunderstandings and hurt feelings as you get closer to your big day.  If you work with Sharon you will have access to an interactive planning software that includes an amazing budget tool, but even pen and paper will work.  Just DON’T skip the discussion.

Sharon’s most important tip when deciding how to spend your budget is to have a discussion with your fiance and decide what items/vendors are MOST important to you as a couple.  That is where you should focus your money.  Keep in mind that 30-35% of your budget will be spent on the venue and catering but the rest is up to you and what you want to spend it on.  Splurge on the items at the top of the list.  However, don’t underestimate the expenses at the bottom of the list.  Even the little things add up.  Think about things such as transportation, hair/makeup, bridal party gifts, and accessories like jewelry, shoes and undergarments.

The budget will affect every choice you make throughout the planning process.

• Discuss it – Be open and candid with everyone responsible
• Find out who is paying and what they are paying and what they are paying for
• Be realistic – Do the necessary research and find what works best for you.

The key to a good budget is to know when to spend and when to save.  Make sure you secure your necessary vendors first thing.  Start with your venue because the perfect location sets the mood for the whole day.  Then schedule your hair and make-up artists to ensure you have your favorites and that you will look your best. Next, book vendors that only do one wedding a day.  These are typically photographers, videographers, caterer, day-of coordinators, DJ/bands, etc.  After you have secured your vendors you will have a good idea of how much money you have left for attire, florals, invitations, decorations, etc…

The idea of a budget can be very intimidating. Please remember that a wedding is just the beginning of your marriage.  Prove the strength of your relationship by working together and managing the event like professionals, even if you have never planned a party before.  Sticking to a budget for a wedding will be the first stepping stone in a financially secure future together.

Sharon Rumsey is the creative and budgeting master behind A Perfect Plan Events. She has some great resources to help her clients create a magical wedding day on any budget and she would love to help you as well.  If you were wondering how anyone could manage to plan a wedding and have fun I can tell you that they don’t do it alone.  You will appreciate having someone to consult and ask all your questions.  You can find more information about Sharon and her company at www.aperfectplanevents.com.

WHAT TO DO NEXT:
• SIGN-UP HERE to be on our email list and get PART TWO of the Unveiled series sent directly to your Inbox. FYI: Its all about hiring the perfect wedding planner for your event!
• CLICK HERE to auto-download a PDF of the information Sharon has shared about budgeting.
• CLICK HERE to learn what makes PhotoSculptor your best choice as your wedding photographer.