Creating Backdrops For Weddings: Diy Guide For Beginners

Creating a backdrop for a wedding can be a fun DIY project that will make your big day even more special. A backdrop can be a great way to showcase the personalities of the happy couple, and it can also be used to hide an eyesore or fixture that you don't want in your photos. When designing a backdrop, consider the wedding theme, colours, and the couple's favourite places. You'll also want to make sure that the backdrop is the right size – big enough to fit everyone in the photo, but not so big that it overpowers the focus of the portrait.

Floral grids

Grids are a great way to craft a DIY wedding backdrop. They give you the flexibility to create a custom backdrop that will wow your guests. You can purchase grid walls online and they come in different shapes, such as rectangular and circular.

For a minimalist look, a simple rectangular grid can be dressed up with greenery and flowers to create the perfect DIY wedding backdrop. If you want to prepare this ahead of time, you can opt for faux florals. Circular grids have a softer look, so they are perfect if you're going for a soft and elegant backdrop.

Flower grid panels are also available and can be combined with plants, flowers, and LED lights to create a beautiful flower wall. These panels are made of environmental plastic, are durable, waterproof, and easy to shape. They are ideal for arch decorations, weddings, birthdays, and photo displays.

Fairy lights

Centrepiece and Table Decor

Backdrop for Photos

Entrance and Signage

Welcome your guests with a well-lit entrance adorned with fairy lights. Decorate the main entrance, wedding signboards, ladder props, and hashtags with fairy lights to give your wedding a lively and engaging feel.

Curtains and Fabric

If you're having an outdoor wedding, consider using fairy lights to illuminate curtain walls. Bright LED fairy lights will turn your wedding into a magical event, and hanging them over curtains will create a cosy and inviting atmosphere for your guests.

Photo Booth

A photo booth is a fun addition to any wedding, and fairy lights can make it even more special. Introduce fairy lights to make the photo booth stand out and provide a perfect spot for magical selfies and group photos.

Trees and Nature

Garden weddings are a great opportunity to incorporate trees and natural landscapes into your décor. Throwing fairy lights over trees or wrapping them around branches and trunks will create a glamorous, Pinterest-worthy look without breaking the bank.

Remember, fairy lights are versatile and can be used in many creative ways. With their soft glow and whimsical charm, fairy lights are an excellent choice for DIY wedding backdrops, adding a touch of enchantment to your special day.

Macrame

Materials:

• Macrame cord or rope: Choose a type of cord or rope that suits your preferred colour scheme and thickness. You can find various options online or at craft stores.
• Scissors: Ensure you have a sharp pair of scissors to cut the cord or rope cleanly.
• Wooden dowel or rod: This will serve as the base for your macrame backdrop and can be easily hung or attached to a structure.
• Tape measure: To ensure your macrame design is symmetrical and evenly spaced, use a tape measure to mark out the cord or rope.
• Hooks or rings: You will need hooks or rings to attach the cord or rope to the wooden dowel.

Step 1: Planning the Design

Before you begin, decide on the design and pattern of your macrame backdrop. You can find various tutorials and patterns online, or you can create your own design. Consider the size of your backdrop and the overall look you want to achieve.

Step 2: Preparing the Wooden Dowel

Measure and cut the wooden dowel to the desired width of your backdrop. Sand the dowel if necessary to smooth out any rough edges. Drill small holes at even intervals along the dowel, or attach hooks, to secure the macrame cords.

Step 3: Creating the Base

Cut the macrame cord or rope into equal lengths, ensuring they are long enough to reach the floor or your desired length. The number of cords will depend on the design and width of your backdrop. Fold each cord in half and attach them to the wooden dowel using the drilled holes or hooks. Space the cords evenly across the dowel.

Step 4: Knotting Techniques

Once you have the base set up, you can start experimenting with different knotting techniques to create the macrame pattern. Common knots used in macrame include the square knot, half-hitch knot, and spiral knot. Play around with different knots and techniques to create a unique design.

Step 5: Adding Details

To enhance the bohemian vibe of your macrame backdrop, consider adding details such as beads, shells, or dried flowers. You can attach these to the cords using thread or thin wire. Get creative and incorporate elements that reflect your personal style or wedding theme.

Step 6: Finishing Touches

Once you have completed the macrame pattern and added any desired details, finish off the cords with a final row of knots to secure them in place. Trim any excess cord and ensure all knots are tight and secure. Attach a cord or rope to each end of the wooden dowel so you can easily hang your backdrop.

Your macrame wedding backdrop is now ready to be displayed! You can hang it on a wall, from a ceiling, or on a wedding arch. Feel free to add extra decorations such as flowers or fairy lights to enhance the overall look.

Paper lanterns

Choose Your Colours

If you have a specific theme or colour palette in mind for your wedding, you can select paper lanterns that complement your vision. You can also match the lanterns to other details such as floral arrangements or stationery. Don't worry too much about finding the exact shade, as the final effect will depend on the lighting and surrounding decor. White paper lanterns are always a safe choice and can be combined with plain or eyelet lanterns, accordion lanterns, and pompoms for an elegant look.

Select Your Lanterns

Traditional paper lanterns, accordion paper lanterns, and pompoms are popular choices for weddings. You can also mix and match different shapes and styles, such as honeycomb balls, star lanterns, and paper fans, to create a unique display. Paper fans, in particular, are great for creating a backdrop for a photo corner or dessert buffet.

Determine the Number of Lanterns

The number of paper lanterns you need will depend on the size of your venue and the density you want to achieve. For a sparse look, use 9 paper lanterns for every 18 square meters (190 square feet). For a fuller look, use 9 lanterns for every 8 square meters (85 square feet). If you're decorating a specific area, such as a dance floor or table, concentrate the lanterns for a denser effect.

Hanging the Lanterns

Illuminating the Lanterns

You can choose to use paper lanterns as simple decoration items without illumination, or you can add lights to create a glowing effect. For paper lanterns in sizes 35cm and 50cm, use a bulb of 40W max, centred in the middle of the lantern. You can also use LED bulbs of a maximum of 40W. For smaller lanterns, such as 15cm baby lanterns and accordion lanterns, use mini battery-operated LED lights.

Using nature

Nature is a beautiful and cost-effective way to create a stunning wedding backdrop. If you're lucky enough to be surrounded by natural beauty, you can use the scenery as a statement-making ceremony backdrop without any additional adornments. Whether it's a roaring ocean, a vast mountain range, or a lush forest, nature can provide the perfect setting for your special day.

One idea is to frame yourself with trees. At a Joshua Tree wedding, for example, the beautiful Saguaro cacti served as epic ceremony decorations with no extra details needed. Any grand tree, such as an oak or a willow, can make a similar statement. If you're near the water, you can take advantage of the coastline to frame the happy couple as they exchange vows, as seen at an intimate Oregon wedding.

If you're looking for a more intimate setting, consider bringing the garden indoors. Oversized arrangements of white Duchess peonies, viburnum, tulips, and foxgloves can be perched atop acrylic stands, creating a stunning and unique altar. You can also bring the outdoors in with a wall of greenery and white florals, which is a surprisingly statement-making look, as seen at a wedding in Colombia.

For a more rustic feel, a wooden arch or a simple table decorated with floral arrangements and candles can be the perfect backdrop for a laid-back outdoor ceremony. If you're feeling creative, you can even make your own DIY wedding backdrop by sanding, staining, and painting typography onto boards.

So, whether you're surrounded by breathtaking natural scenery or bringing the outdoors in, using nature as your wedding backdrop is a wonderful way to create a romantic and memorable setting for your special day.

Frequently asked questions