Backdrop Stands For Weddings: Diy Guide To Building Yours

A backdrop stand is a great way to elevate the decor at a wedding, whether it's to enhance a photo booth or to showcase a beautiful flower wall. You can buy them ready-made or make them yourself. If you're feeling crafty, you can create a stand from PVC pipes or wood, and in virtually any dimensions you need. For example, you can make an 8'x7' PVC pipe stand or an 8'x8' wooden stand. If you're short on time, a PVC pipe stand is a good option as it's lightweight and easy to make, but a wooden stand will give you more stability. You can also buy ready-made stands from sites like Etsy and Balsa Circle, LLC.

Using PVC pipes for lightweight backdrops

Using PVCsection pipes for lightweight backdrops

PVC pipes are a great option for a wedding backdrop stand, especially if you're short on time and money. They are lightweight, portable, and easy to assemble. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to create a PVC pipe backdrop stand for your wedding:

Step 1: Gather the Materials

You will need four 1" diameter 120" long PVC pipes, two PVC 90-degree slip elbows for 1" pipes, four PVC 90-degree tee connectors for 1" pipes, and four PVC caps for 1" pipes. You can easily find these materials at your local hardware store.

Step 2: Cut the PVC Pipes

Using a PVC cutter or a handsaw, cut the 120" long PVC pipes to the following lengths:

• 2 pipes cut to 74" long (for the top uprights)
• 2 pipes cut to 3" long (for the bottom uprights)
• 2 pipes cut to 92" long (for the top and bottom horizontal pieces)
• 4 pipes cut to 24" long (for the bottom base pieces)

Step 3: Assemble the Base

Take the four 24" long PVC pipes and attach a cap to one end of each pipe. Then, take the tee connectors and insert the other end of the 24" pipes into the sides, using a mallet to tap them snugly into place. You should now have two bases, each with three tee connectors attached.

Step 4: Connect the Vertical and Horizontal Pipes

Take the 3" long PVC pipes and insert them into the top of the tee connectors on your bases. On the other end of each 3" pipe, attach another tee connector, this time facing the opposite direction. These will serve as the vertical supports for your backdrop.

Now, take the 92" long PVC pipes and insert them into the empty slots of the tee connectors on your bases. These will be your horizontal pieces. Make sure to tap them firmly into place with a mallet.

Step 5: Add the Top Uprights

On one of the 92" long PVC pipes, push the two elbow pieces onto the end. Then, attach the 74" long pipes to the elbow pieces. This will form the top of your backdrop stand.

Step 6: Assemble the Backdrop Stand

Place your two bases on the floor about 8 feet apart. Take the assembled pipes from Step 5 and carefully push the ends of the 74" pipes into the tee connectors on your bases. It may be helpful to have someone assist you with this step. Make sure everything is firmly in place.

Step 7: Stabilize and Transport

To make your PVC pipe backdrop stand more stable, weight it down with sandbags. If you need to transport the stand, simply disassemble it into a bundle. The PVC pipes can be easily broken down and transported in a compact form.

Step 8: Add the Fabric

Once your PVC pipe stand is assembled, you can add the fabric of your choice. Lightweight fabrics such as muslin, polyester cloth, or lace work well. You can also dye the fabric to your desired colour. Simply fill a bucket with hot water, add fabric dye, and place the fabric inside to absorb the colour. After dyeing, place the fabric on a clothesline to dry and then iron it.

Finally, drape the fabric over the PVC pipe stand, creating a beautiful and elegant backdrop for your wedding. You can scrunch the fabric for a draped look or add additional panels for a fuller appearance.

Using wood for heavier backdrops

If you're looking to create a backdrop stand for a wedding using wood, this is a great option for heavier backdrops and will ensure your display is sturdy and stable. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to make a heavy-duty wooden backdrop stand that can be easily transported and reused.

Materials:

• Four (4) 2" x 4" x 8' long studs
• Three (3) 2" x 3" x 8' long studs
• 4-6 carriage bolts (3/8" x 5" long)
• Six (6) 3.5" wide hinges (security door hinges are a good option)
• Optional: Stakes or sandbags for stability in windy conditions
• Tools for cutting wood (handsaw or jigsaw)
• Metal triangle square
• 3/8" Speedbor Drill Bit
• Safety equipment (gloves and eye protection)
• Pliers or nail and hammer (for removing hinge pins)

Step One: Cut Your Backdrop Stand Wood

First, gather your materials and tools. You'll need six 3.5" hinges with screws, as these are crucial for the stand's stability and ability to break down. Mark the midpoint (48") on two of the 2" x 4" studs and cut them in half. You should now have two 8' long and four 4' long boards, along with the three 8' long 2" x 3" boards.

Step Two: Attach Base & Support Boards

Take two of the 4' boards and attach a hinge to connect them end to end. Ensure they can lie flat against each other when folded. Repeat for the other two 4' boards. Mark 12" from the end of these attached boards, as these will be your baseboards. Dismantle four hinges by removing the pins with pliers or a hammer and nail. Attach one half of a dismantled hinge to the marked line on each 4' board, with the knuckle end against the line and screw holes towards the longer end. Repeat for the other set of 4' boards. Attach one half of another dismantled hinge to the end of each support board.

Step Three: Prepare Upright Boards

Attach the other half of the dismantled hinge to the end of an 8' 2" x 4" upright board, ensuring the knuckles are flush with the bottom. Repeat for the other 8' upright board. Place one 8' board on top of one baseboard, forming a 90-degree angle. Slide the hinge pin back through the knuckles. Repeat for the other upright board. Swing up the support board until it rests against the upright board, then fit and screw in another hinge leaf. Repeat for the other upright board.

Step Four: Prepare Horizontal Boards

Remove the pins connecting the upright boards to the baseboards and set them aside. Using the 3/8" drill bit, drill three holes on each upright board: one 1.5" from the top, one 1.5" above the hinge at the bottom, and one 1.5" above the middle hinge. Drill holes 2" from either end of the 2" x 3" horizontal boards.

Step Five: Assemble Your Backdrop Stand

This step is easier with two people. Slot the upright boards' hinge knuckles into the baseboards' hinge knuckles and insert the pins. Swing up the support boards and insert pins to connect them. Insert carriage bolts through the bottom of the baseboards, then add a horizontal board, connecting the support assemblies. Tighten with washers and wingnuts. Repeat for the remaining two horizontal boards, inserting bolts through the holes above the upper hinges and at the top of the upright boards.

Step Six: Enjoy Your DIY Backdrop Stand

Your wooden backdrop stand is now assembled and ready to use! It can support at least 100 lbs and can be weighted down with sandbags or staked into the ground if needed. For transport, simply remove the hinge pins connecting the baseboards to the upright boards and middle horizontal board. Bundle the pieces together with bungee cords or shrink wrap, and store the hinge pins in a bag.

Cutting and assembling the PVC pipes

To make a backdrop stand for a wedding, you can use PVC pipes. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to cut and assemble the PVC pipes:

Cutting the PVC Pipes:

Firstly, you will need four 120-inch long PVC pipes with a 1-inch diameter. Using a PVC cutter, cut these pipes to the following lengths:

• 2 pipes cut to 74 inches (for the top uprights)
• 2 pipes cut to 3 inches (for the bottom uprights)
• 2 pipes cut to 92 inches (for the top and bottom horizontal pieces)
• 4 pipes cut to 24 inches (for the bottom base pieces)

Assembling the PVC Pipes:

• Take the four 24-inch long PVC pipes and push the caps onto their ends.
• Connect the other end of each 24-inch pipe into the sides of a Tee connector. Use a mallet to tap them firmly into place. Repeat this step until you have two bases with two Tee connectors each.
• Take the 3-inch long PVC pipes and push them into the tops of the Tee connectors attached to your bases.
• Push another Tee connector onto the other end of each 3-inch pipe, this time orienting it in the opposite direction. Again, tap with a mallet to ensure a tight fit.
• Place your two bases on the floor or ground, approximately 8 feet apart.
• Take one of the 92-inch long PVC pipes and push it into the empty slot of one of the Tee connectors on the base. Tap it firmly into place with a mallet.
• Repeat this step with the other end of the 92-inch pipe, connecting it to the other base. If you plan to thread a curtain onto the top, now is a good time to do so.
• Take the two elbow pieces and push them onto the ends of the remaining 92-inch long PVC pipe.
• Attach the two 74-inch long pipes to the elbow pieces.
• With a helper, push the ends of the 74-inch pipes firmly into the Tee connectors on your base. Hold the base down with your foot while doing this.

Your PVC pipe backdrop stand is now assembled and ready to use! You can further stabilise it by weighting it down with sandbags. Additionally, this stand can be easily disassembled for transport.

Cutting and assembling the wooden backdrop

For a wooden backdrop stand that is 8 feet wide by 8 feet tall, you will need four 2" x 4" x 8' long studs, three 2" x 3" x 8' long studs, 4-6 carriage bolts (3/8" x 5" long), six 3 1/2" wide hinges (we used security door hinges), a way to cut the wood (such as a handsaw or jigsaw), a metal triangle square, a 3/8" speedbor drill bit, safety equipment (gloves and eye protection), and pliers or a nail and hammer to remove the hinge pin.

First, gather your materials and tools. Don't forget the hinges and their included screws—these are essential for this breakdown wood stand design. Next, measure and mark two of the 2x4 studs at their halfway point, which should be 48". Cut these two studs in half with a saw to create two 8' long 2x4 boards and four 4' long 2x4 boards.

Now, you will attach the base and support boards. Take two of the 4' boards (support boards) and attach a hinge with the included screws to connect them end to end. Ensure the boards are positioned with enough space between them so they can lie flat against each other when folded. Repeat this process for the other two 4' boards. Mark 12" from the end of these attached 4' long 2x4 boards, as these will be your baseboards. Dismantle four of the hinges by removing the pins with pliers or a hammer and nail. Attach one half of a dismantled hinge with three knuckles parallel to the marked line on your 4' long board, positioning it so that the knuckle end is against the marked line and the screw holes are towards the longer end of the board. Repeat this process for the other set of 4' long boards.

At this point, you should have two sets of connected 4' boards, each with a hinge attached at the 12" mark. Attach one half of another dismantled hinge with three knuckles to the end of the support board. Repeat for the other support board. Now, you will prepare the upright boards. Attach the other half of the dismantled hinge with two knuckles to the very end of one of the 8' 2"x4" upright boards, ensuring the knuckles are flush with the bottom of the board. Repeat this for the other 8' 2"x4" upright board.

Place one 8' board on top of one of your baseboards, butted up against the hinge, forming a perfect 90° angle. You can use a square to ensure the angle is correct. Slide the hinge pin back through the knuckles of the two hinge leaves. Repeat the above steps for the other upright board. Swing up the end of the support board until it rests against the upright board, and fit a disassembled hinge leaf with two knuckles into the hinge leaf at the end of the support board. Screw the hinge leaf to the upright board, and repeat for the other upright board.

To prepare the horizontal boards, remove the pins connecting the upright boards to the baseboards. Fold the baseboard and support boards closed and set them aside. Using your 3/8 drill bit, drill one hole 1.5" from the top of each upright board. Drill a second hole 1.5" above the hinge at the bottom of the upright board, and a third hole 1.5" above the hinge in the middle. Drill holes 2" in from either end of your 2"x3" horizontal boards.

Now, it's time to assemble your backdrop stand. This step is easier with two people. Slot the upright boards' hinge knuckles into the baseboards' hinge knuckles and insert the pins. Swing up the support assembly boards so that the two hinge leaf knuckles meet, and insert the pins. The stand should now be able to stand unsupported. Insert a carriage bolt through the bottom of the baseboard so that the bolt thread is facing up on both support assemblies. Take a 2"x3" horizontal board and insert its ends through the bolts on either end of the stand, connecting the support assemblies. Thump the carriage bolts with a rubber mallet to recess them into the wood, then put a washer and wingnut on each bolt and tighten firmly.

Insert two more carriage bolts through the ends of another 2x3 horizontal board. Take this board and insert the protruding bolt ends through the holes you drilled above the upper hinges of the upright boards. Secure with washers and wingnuts. Repeat this process for the last 2x3 horizontal board, inserting the bolts through the holes at the top of the upright boards and securing with washers and wingnuts.

Your wooden backdrop stand is now assembled! You can weight it down with sandbags or a cinder block or stake it down with rope and long railroad nails if needed. This stand can support at least 100 lbs and can be easily broken down for transport by removing the hinge pins.

Making the stand stable

PVC Pipe Backdrop Stand:

• Use PVC pipes with a higher tensile strength and PSI for a stronger structure.
• Make sure all pipes are pushed down as far as they can go to increase stability.
• Weight the stand down with sandbags, especially if using it outdoors, to prevent it from falling over.
• Alternatively, tie rope to the sides and stake it down if you're using it in a windy environment.

Wood Backdrop Stand:

• The wood version is inherently more stable due to its heavier base, which can accommodate heavier backdrops.
• To enhance stability, weigh it down or stake it to the ground, especially if using it outdoors.
• For the wood stand, you can also drill holes at the ends of the base and hammer a railroad nail through the hole and into the ground to secure it in place.

Both the PVC and wood backdrop stands can be made more stable by ensuring proper assembly and using weights or stakes to secure them, especially in windy conditions.

Frequently asked questions