Creating A Floral Backdrop For Your Wedding Day

Creating a flower backdrop for a wedding can be a fun and creative project. Whether you're a professional wedding planner or a DIY enthusiast, a floral backdrop can be a beautiful addition to any wedding ceremony or reception. You can choose between using real or artificial flowers, and there are various ways to attach them to a backdrop, such as hot glue, wire, or pins. You can also be creative with the type of backdrop you use, from PVC pipes to plywood or polystyrene sheets. Many online tutorials and pre-made kits are available to help you create the perfect flower backdrop for your special day.

Using a PVC pipe stand

For a simple PVC pipe backdrop stand, you will need:

• Four 1" diameter 120" long PVC pipes, cut to size
• Two PVC 90-degree slip elbows for 1" pipes
• Four PVC 90-degree tee connectors for 1" pipes
• Four PVC caps for 1" pipes

The first step is to cut your PVC pipes to the desired lengths. You will need:

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

Once you have cut your pipes to size, you can begin assembling your backdrop stand. First, push the four caps onto the ends of the four 24" long PVC pipes. Then, push the other end of the 24" pipes into the sides of a tee connector. Repeat this process until you have two bases.

Next, push the 3" long PVC pipes into the tops of the tee connectors attached to your bases. Then, push another tee connector onto the other end of the 3" pipe, making sure it is facing the opposite direction.

Now, place your two bases on the floor or ground about 8' apart. Place your 74" and 92" long pipes, along with the two elbows, near the bases. Push a 92" long PVC pipe into the empty slot of one of the tee connectors on the backdrop stand base. Repeat on the other side. If you want to thread a curtain onto the top of your PVC pipe, do it now.

Finally, push the two elbow pieces onto the end of the other 92" long PVC pipe. Attach the two 74" long pipes to the elbow pieces. With the help of another person, push the ends of the 74" long PVC pipes firmly into the tee connectors on your base.

You can now attach your flowers to the PVC pipe stand. You can hot glue or wire the flowers directly to the pipe. Alternatively, you can drape the pipe with fabric, sheets, or inexpensive curtains. For a flower wall on fabric, use canvas or calico, and adhere the flowers using hot glue or pins. You can also attach the flowers to foam core boards and hang them from the PVC piping, disguising the pipe with fabric, lace, or tulle.

Another option is to build a PVC pipe stand using plumbing PVC piping. You will need:

• 6 x PVC pipe cut to 90cm lengths
• 6 x PVC pipe cut to 30cm lengths
• 4 x PVC pipe cut to 120cm lengths
• 6 x Female tee connectors
• 6 x PVC caps (to put on the end of the legs)
• 2 x Female elbow connectors
• 1 x Equal cross connector

Building a PVC pipe stand

Planning and Materials:

First, decide on the desired measurements for your stand. For example, you may want it to be 8 feet wide by 7 feet tall. Then, make a list of the materials you will need:

• PVC pipes (length and diameter depending on your measurements)
• PVC connectors (tees, elbows, crosses, etc.)
• PVC end caps
• Hacksaw or PVC cutter
• Rubber mallet
• Fabric of your choice (optional)
• Hot glue or wire (optional)

Cutting the PVC Pipes:

Using your hacksaw or PVC cutter, cut the PVC pipes to the desired lengths. You will need vertical pipes for the height, horizontal pipes for the width, and shorter pipes for the base. Be sure to cut the pipes straight to ensure a snug fit when connecting the pieces.

Assembling the Stand:

Start by creating the base. Connect the shorter pipes for the base using tee connectors. Then, attach the vertical pipes to the base using connectors. Next, add the horizontal pipes at the top and bottom to create a frame. Use elbows or cross connectors to join the vertical pipes and add stability. Tap the connectors with a rubber mallet to ensure a tight fit.

Adding Fabric and Flowers:

If desired, you can drape fabric over the PVC pipe stand. Sheer fabric, sheets, or inexpensive curtains work well. You can also attach flowers directly to the fabric using hot glue or wire. Alternatively, glue or wire flowers to the pipes themselves.

Final Steps:

Once your stand is assembled and decorated, place sandbags or weights on the base for stability. Test the stand to ensure it can handle the weight of the fabric and flowers. You can also attach lighting to the top of the stand if desired. Now you have a beautiful and affordable flower backdrop for your wedding!

Building a plywood chalkboard backdrop

Step 1: Gather Your Materials and Tools

You will need plywood boards, chalkboard paint, weights or sandbags, and the necessary power tools. The power tools required may include a drill, a saw, and a sander.

Step 2: Cut and Prepare the Plywood

Use the power tools to cut the plywood to your desired size and shape. If you want a simple rectangular backdrop, measure and mark the plywood before cutting. For a more intricate design, you can create a template or stencil and trace it onto the plywood before cutting. Once cut, use the sander to smooth out any rough edges and create a uniform surface.

Step 3: Paint the Plywood

Paint the surface of the plywood with 2-3 coats of chalkboard paint, allowing each coat to dry thoroughly before applying the next. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the best results.

Step 4: Assemble the Backdrop

After the paint has dried, assemble your backdrop by joining the plywood pieces together. This may involve additional cutting and sanding to ensure a seamless finish. Use the power drill to create holes and join the pieces with screws or bolts.

Step 5: Secure the Backdrop

To ensure the backdrop is stable and secure, especially if you're attaching flowers or other decorations, use weights or sandbags to support its weight. You can attach these to the back of the backdrop or place them at the base.

Step 6: Add Flowers or Decorations (Optional)

If you wish to add flowers or other decorations to your chalkboard backdrop, you can do so by using hot glue, wire, or zip ties. Get creative and make it your own!

Building with polystyrene sheets

Building a wedding flower wall backdrop using polystyrene sheets is much lighter and easier than using plywood. You can get the required polystyrene sheets from foam suppliers, who will cut them to your desired size.

To start building the backdrop, you will need to assemble the polystyrene sheets into a board. Once the board is assembled, you can paint it to achieve your desired look. Remember that polystyrene is much lighter than plywood, so weights or sandbags are necessary to ensure stability.

After assembling and painting the board, you can attach the flowers. There are a few ways to do this. One method is to use wire to attach paper flowers to a foam board, which can then be fixed to the polystyrene backdrop using zip ties. Alternatively, you can use a hot glue gun to stick artificial flowers directly onto the polystyrene board.

Attaching flowers to your backdrop

There are several ways to attach flowers to your wedding backdrop. The method you choose will depend on the type of flowers you are using and the type of backdrop you have. Here are some common methods:

• Using a PVC Pipe Stand: If you have a PVC pipe stand, you can hot glue or wire the flowers directly to the pipe. Alternatively, you can drape the pipe with fabric, sheets, or inexpensive curtains and then adhere the flowers to the fabric using hot glue or pins.
• Building a PVC Pipe Stand: If you prefer to build your own stand, you can find DIY tutorials online or purchase pre-cut pipes and connectors from stores like Etsy and Bunnings. Once your stand is built, you can attach flowers using zip ties, hot glue, or wire.
• Using a Plywood Chalkboard Backdrop: This option requires more skill and power tools. After building the plywood wall, you can attach flowers using hot glue, pins, or zip ties. Don't forget to use weights or sandbags to support the weight of the flowers.
• Using Polystyrene Sheets: Polystyrene is a lightweight and easy-to-work-with material. You can attach flowers to polystyrene sheets using hot glue, pins, or floral wire. As polystyrene is lightweight, don't forget to use weights or sandbags for support.
• Attaching to Foam Core Boards: Another lightweight option is to attach your flowers to foam core boards using hot glue or wire. These boards can then be hung from your backdrop frame using zip ties, string, or hooks.
• Direct Attachment to the Wall: If you are allowed to attach things to the wall, you can use hot glue, pins, or adhesive hooks, depending on the weight of your flowers and backdrop.

Frequently asked questions