Five DIY backdrops for your wedding photographs

If you want to add a ‘wow factor’ to your wedding photographs, take a look at these DIY backdrops you can make

You’ve seen the photos on Pinterest and Instagram: wedding photographs with stunning floral backgrounds, or intricately made suspended decorations. Believe it or not, these backgrounds are not that difficult to make yourself. Whether it’s for your ceremony, reception, or as a background for your DIY photobooth, here are five photo backdrops you can make at home.

Hanging flowers

What you need:

• Fishing line or thick thread
• Scissors
• Flowers (fake or real)
• Background support system/gazebo/wedding arch/pole

How to make:

1. Trim the stems of the flowers so that they are all a similar length.
2. Wrap and knot the fishing line or thread around the stems of the flowers.
3. Tie the other end of the fishing line or thread onto your support, whether that is a backdrop support system, a gazebo, an arch, or simply a pole.
4. Make sure to cut the thread at different lengths, so that the flowers are staggered.
5. Mount or position your support at your chosen location.

Mix it up: cut off the stems, and use a needle to push the thread through the centre of the flower. This way you can have several flower heads on one single strand.

Photo via Sugar and Cloth

Crepe paper streamers

What you need:

• Crepe paper streamers
• Double sided sticky tape
• Pole/length of heavyweight cardboard

How to make:

1. Cut your streamers to the desired length
2. With your pole or cardboard on the floor, arrange the streamers in colour order, making sure they overlap so there are no gaps in the backdrop.
3. Fold the top of the streamer around the pole/cardboard so that it meets the back of the strip. Use double sided sticky tape to hold in place.
4. Continue until your pole/cardboard is full.
5. Hang or affix to your desired wall.

Mix it up: add a fringed effect to the crepe paper streamers by cutting the edges. Add hanging pom poms and other decorations for a textured effect.

Photo via Tin Sparrow Studio

Lace and fabric

What you need:

• A selection of your favourite fabrics and lace
• Sewing needle or sewing machine
• Thread
• A length of heavy duty material such as fabric bias tape or a background support system

How to make:

1. Cut the fabric and lace into long, thin strips.
2. Pin the fabric and lace into place against the fabric bias tape in the order you want.
3. Either hand sew or use a machine to sew the fabric and lace to the fabric bias. Make sure it is secure by using a tight stitch. If using a background support system, simply tie the fabric and lace to the top pole.
4. Position or hang in place at your venue.

Photo via Not on the High Street

Flower wall

What you need:

• Polystyrene sheets
• Fake flowers (either paper or silk) – make sure to get enough to cover your wall, and that not all the flowers are exactly the same.
• Hot glue gun
• Optional: plywood boards and 2x4s to create a sturdy frame.

How to make:

1. Optional: use your plywood boards and 2x4s to create the frame. You will only need to do this if your wall is going to be very heavy.
2. Lay your polystyrene sheets down on the floor, and heat up the hot glue gun.
3. Arrange the flowers over the polystyrene sheets without gluing them down.
4. Once you’re happy with the layout, use the hot glue gun to affix the flowers to the sheets.
5. Continue until the sheets are covered.
6. Attach the separate sheets of polystyrene together and make sure the edges are hidden.

Mix it up: incorporate fabrics and other textures such as beads into your flower wall. You could also use fake moss to fill in any gaps.

Photo via Wedding Chicks

Paper cranes

What you need:

• Coloured paper
• Scissors
• Invisible thread
• Needle
• Spacer beads
• A length of heavy duty material such as fabric bias tape

How to make:

1. Cut your paper into squares.  
2. Make your paper cranes by following these instructions.
3. Thread the cranes using a needle, using spacer beads to prevent them from stacking on top of one another.
4. Sew the top of the thread the fabric bias tape.
5. Hang in place at your chosen location.

Mix it up: this method can be used for any origami or paper craft. Experiment with different colours and 3D shapes.

Photo via Kellan Studios