Creating A Floral Wedding Backdrop: A Step-By-Step Guide

Creating a flower backdrop for a wedding can be a fun DIY project. The process can be broken down into two parts: building a stand and attaching flowers to it.

For the stand, you can use PVC piping or plywood, depending on your skill level and the tools available. If you want something lighter and easier to build, you can opt for a polystyrene backdrop.

When it comes to flowers, you can use paper flowers, artificial flowers, or fresh flowers. Flowers can be attached to the stand using hot glue, wire, or zip ties. With some creativity and careful planning, you can create a beautiful flower backdrop that suits your wedding theme and budget.

Characteristics of a DIY Wedding Flower Backdrop

Using a PVC pipe stand

Planning and Materials:

First, decide on the size of your backdrop. A common size is 8 feet wide by 7 feet tall, but you can customise the dimensions to fit your needs. For a 6 ft by 5 ft frame, you will need:

• 2 PVC pipes, 5.5 ft long
• 2 PVC pipes, 5 ft long
• 4 PVC pipes, 20 inches long
• 2 PVC pipes, 6 inches long
• 4 PVC tees, 1-1/4 inch on all three sides
• 2 PVC 90-degree elbows
• Clamps or claw clips
• Fabric of your choice
• Large cardboard boxes
• Box cutter
• Small saw for cutting PVC

Building the Legs:

Start by connecting a PVC tee and a 6-inch pipe. Place the 6-inch pipe on top of the tee. Then, connect two 20-inch pipes to each side of the tee, forming one leg of the stand. Repeat this step to create the second leg, ensuring both legs are identical.

Assembling the Frame:

Connect another PVC tee to the top of each leg. Then, join the two legs together by connecting a 5.5-foot pipe to the inside of the tees. This will form the horizontal bottom portion of your frame.

Next, attach two PVC elbows to each end of the remaining 5.5-foot pipe, which will go along the top. The elbows should be facing down, forming the horizontal top side of your frame.

Finally, connect the two remaining 5-foot pipes to complete the frame. These will be the vertical sides, parallel to each other. Check that all your pieces match the diagram provided.

Adding the Fabric and Flowers:

Drape the fabric of your choice over the frame and use clamps to hold it in place. Alternatively, you can use mounting tape along the frame to keep the fabric tight.

The cardboard will be what you glue or mount your flowers to. Cut your cardboard box in half if you want the flowers along the top. For a cascading look, cut the box diagonally across the centre. Use clamps to hold the cardboard to the frame, and glue flowers or leaves to conceal the clips.

Additional Tips:

• You can cover the entire backdrop frame with flowers by using foam insulation boards. Attach the boards to the PVC frame with large screws and gorilla glue. Then, glue the flowers directly to the board or create hooks for the flowers with nails.
• If you prefer to attach flowers to the fabric, ensure the top of the fabric is secured to the frame with heavy-duty clips or by sewing a loop. Use a foam board behind the fabric for support, and glue large flat-back pins to the flowers before pinning them to the fabric.
• To transport the backdrop, disassemble it into pieces and stack the flowers in large moving boxes. Reassemble it once you arrive at your destination.
• To make the backdrop more stable, especially outdoors, use sandbags or tie rope to the sides and stake it down.

Your PVC pipe wedding flower backdrop is now ready to be displayed and admired!

Building a PVC pipe stand

Materials:

• PVC pipes (varying lengths)
• PVC connectors (tees, elbows, crosses, etc.)
• PVC end caps
• Fabric of your choice
• PVC cutter or hacksaw
• Rubber mallet
• Double-sided tape

Step 1: Planning and Cutting:

Firstly, decide on the desired height and width of your backdrop stand. Using a PVC cutter or a hacksaw, cut the PVC pipes to the required lengths. For a 6-foot-high by 5-foot-wide backdrop, as suggested by Abbi Kirsten Collections, you will need:

• 2 PVC pipes cut to 5.5 feet (#6)
• 2 PVC pipes cut to 5 feet (#5)
• 4 PVC pipes cut to 20 inches (#3)
• 2 PVC pipes cut to 6 inches (#2)

Step 2: Assembling the Legs:

Start by connecting a PVC tee (#1) and a 6-inch pipe (#2). Then, attach two 20-inch pipes (#3) to each side of the tee to create one leg of the stand. Repeat this process to create the second leg.

Step 3: Creating the Base and Top:

Connect another PVC tee to the top of each leg. Join the two legs by attaching a 5.5-foot pipe (#6) between the tees. This forms the horizontal bottom portion of your frame.

For the top horizontal side, take the remaining 5.5-foot pipe (#6) and attach two PVC elbows at each end, facing downwards.

Step 4: Completing the Frame:

The remaining two 5-foot pipes (#5) will be the vertical sides of the frame. Connect these pipes to the structure to complete the entire frame. Ensure that all connections are secure by tapping them with a rubber mallet.

Step 5: Adding the Fabric:

Drape your chosen fabric over the frame. Use clamps, mounting tape, or heavy-duty clips to secure the fabric in place. If desired, you can also sew a loop at the top of the fabric to hang it from the pipe.

Step 6: Final Touches:

If you wish to add flowers or decorations along the top, you can attach them directly to the fabric using hot glue or pins. Alternatively, you can glue or mount them onto large cardboard boxes or foam insulation boards, which can then be affixed to the frame using clips or hooks.

Step 7: Stability:

To ensure stability, especially for outdoor use, consider weighting the stand with sandbags or staking it down with rope and nails.

Your PVC pipe stand is now complete and ready for your wedding flower backdrop! This stand is lightweight, portable, and can be easily disassembled for transport.

Building a plywood chalkboard backdrop

Materials and Tools:

• Plywood sheet (4 x 4 feet or larger, depending on your desired size)
• Wood primer
• Chalkboard paint (2-3 coats)
• Sandpaper (optional)
• Paintbrushes or spray paint
• Weights/sandbags
• Flowers (paper, artificial, or fresh)
• Hot glue or wire
• PVC pipes and connectors (optional)
• Fabric, sheets, or curtains (optional)

Step 1: Prepare the Plywood:

Start by cutting your plywood sheet to the desired size and shape. If you want a simple rectangular backdrop, you can ask hardware stores like Home Depot or Lowes to cut the plywood for you. For curved shapes, use a jigsaw and remember to prioritize safety. Sand the plywood for a smoother finish, especially if you plan to paint it.

Step 2: Prime and Paint:

Cover the entire plywood surface with wood primer and let it dry completely. Then, apply 2-3 coats of chalkboard paint, allowing each coat to dry before applying the next. You can use a paintbrush or spray paint, but remember that paintbrushes usually provide better adhesion.

Step 3: Prepare the Flowers:

While the paint dries, you can start preparing your flowers. If you're using fresh flowers, arrange them in a way that complements your backdrop. For paper or artificial flowers, you can attach them to foam core boards or directly to the plywood using hot glue or wire.

Step 4: Assemble the Backdrop:

Once the paint is dry, rub chalk all over the surface and erase it to prepare the chalkboard. You can now attach the flowers to your backdrop. If you're using PVC pipes to create a stand, drape the pipes with fabric, sheets, or curtains, and attach the flowers to the fabric. Alternatively, you can attach the flowers directly to the plywood or hang foam boards with flowers from the PVC piping.

Step 5: Final Touches:

Use weights or sandbags to support the weight of the flowers and backdrop, especially if using plywood or polystyrene. And that's it! You now have a beautiful, handmade chalkboard flower backdrop for your wedding.

Building with polystyrene sheets

Building a wedding flower backdrop using polystyrene sheets is a much lighter and easier process compared to plywood. You can obtain polystyrene sheets from foam suppliers, who will cut the sheets to your desired size.

To build the backdrop, you will need to attach the polystyrene sheets to a stand or frame. One option is to use a PVC pipe stand. You can get all the necessary supplies for this from your local hardware store for about $40. The exact measurements and diagrams for the stand can be found on the Wedding Planner Institute website. Alternatively, you can find pre-cut pipes on Etsy, and ask your nearest Bunnings Store to cut the pipes to your desired size.

Another option is to build a wooden frame. This option is sturdier and more long-lasting than a PVC pipe stand, but it requires more tools and craftsmanship skills.

Once you have your stand or frame, you can attach the polystyrene sheets using zip ties, command strips, or another adhesive. Polystyrene is much lighter than plywood, so weights or sandbags are essential to support the structure.

After assembling the polystyrene backdrop, you can paint the board. Finally, you can attach flowers to the backdrop using wire, hot glue, or another adhesive.

Attaching the flowers to your backdrop

There are several ways to attach flowers to your backdrop, and the method you choose will depend on the type of flowers you are using and the effect you want to create. Here are some options for attaching flowers to a backdrop for a wedding or event:

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 attach the flowers to the fabric. This works well for accent displays or flowers across the top of the backdrop.

Attaching flowers to a fabric backdrop:

If you are using a fabric backdrop, such as canvas or calico, you can adhere the flowers directly to the fabric using hot glue or pins, especially if the flowers have a wire hanger on the back.

Using foam core boards:

Another option is to attach the flowers to foam core boards using hot glue or wire. You can then hang these boards from a PVC piping stand or attach them to a wall using zip ties.

Creating a flower wall on a solid backdrop:

If you have a solid backdrop, such as a plywood chalkboard or a polystyrene sheet, you can attach the flowers directly to the surface. For a polystyrene sheet, it is recommended to use weights or sandbags to support the weight of the flowers.

It is important to practice attaching the flowers before your event and to be mindful of any venue restrictions on putting holes in walls or attaching things to them. With a little creativity and planning, you can create a beautiful and lush floral backdrop for your wedding or event.

Frequently asked questions