DIY Backdrops? Advice needed =)

Pictures of ceremony location & preferred backdrop

Pictures of ceremony location & preferred backdrop

Have you talked to the venue about covering the mural? Since it seems they have done it before, you may want their advice. I would be concerned with fire codes if you are planning to hang fabric from the walls. They may have a specific way it needs to get done.

For the second one, you can buy petals in bulk online and then maybe stitch them with a needle and some fishing line.

That is exactly what I was thinking for the petal garland. I know it will be time consuming but if I start now I shouldn't have an issue.

The venue told us people typically rent backdrops from a couple different places but they are in the $300- $400 range. I don't plan to hang anything from the walls I would use PVC Piping and make stand and hang the fabric off of that. Never actually done one before so not sure how hard it is

Yeah that whole PVC piping thing might be a lot of work, and you'd have to make several in order to cover that whole mural. What about using a lightweight material like foam board to make covered panels? You could cover the panels with fabric and either make tall ones that lean against the wall or find a way to secure them to the wall.

TBH, the $300 will probably be worth the time, money, energy, and headaches that are going to to go into covering the mural. Could you find something else to cut back on?

Or just embrace the mural. My venue has one, and it fits the space. You could arrange the room so that the mural is not the center of attention and everyone is facing away from it. Use that wall for your escort cards/seating cart, guest book, gift table, etc.

Are your dad or FH handy? They'd probably be tons of help with the backdrops if they are.

Here is one I found on pinterest for a photobooth back drop, you'd just have to change the dimensions to fit your space. Hope this helps!

http://www.downhomeinspiration.com/10-10-minutes-diy-photo-backdrop/

It may be easier for to buy a backdrop system and string the petals on to that...

This was the backdrop that I DIY'd. I bought the backdrop system, sparkle backdrop and made the giant flowers

I'm not very crafty, and I wish I could help more, but I just had to say, I love your ideas! It sounds like your wedding will be beautiful! Maybe consider Jo-Ann's fabrics! They have lots of beautiful fabrics and arts and crafts supplies! You'll have to let us know what you come up with! =)

Thanks for the good ideas! I get coupons for Joann's all the time so I figured I could start buying fabric whenever I get a 50-60% coupon. Do you think it would be cheaper to buy discounted fabric per yard or buy discounted curtains? I do not know how to sew and it looks like typically you have to sew the panel over itself so you can slide the pvc pipe through.

Have you looked at the price of fabric? that is a lot of fabric you need. also, it will not be one large piece of fabric so it might not cover well using multiple fabric pieces unless you sew them together. even then i think it might still be noticeable. renting may be easier

You will need a ton of fabric to cover this and have it look the way your inspiration picture looks. At least 8 panels that are 3.5 yards each. That's almost 30 yards of fabric. For pricing reference, and not buying my fabric at JoAnn's which is super pricey for large amounts of fabric, I created two panels that were that height and they cost me $45.00 in fabric alone. And creating the PVC system with the proper connections and bracing at the base so it doesn't tip over will be another fairly large expense. Not to mention to the time to get it put together, the panels hung and steamed to remove all the wrinkles. I think you might be better off renting the backdrop and letting someone else take care of all the work behind it. $300 is a great price for something that large.

Coffee filters for the backdrop! I photographed a wedding that used them and it turned out great!

edited for the link ... wasn't coming up

@Ashlei, I DIY's our back drop with PVC pipe and curtains from walmart.

1. Draw our your dimensions before hand. PVC comes in 10 ft sections typically so know what and how many you need cut. We did 8 ft across, by 8 ft tall [need two 8 ft tall sections] remaining 6 ft [10ft poles - 2 ft off 3 poles] we used to make the bases, 6 - 1 ft sections per base to make an H shape. Also count the number of elbows/t's you need making it easy to buy!

2. We bought sheer curtain panels because they are already sewn to be on a rod. Make sure the opening is wide enough for your PVC pipe (we used 1/4 inch diameter pipe).

Total was $5 x 6 curtains [4 for top draping, 2 to cover base] plus $25 in PVC pipe. so $55 to make it!

If you're going taller than 8 ft, I would make a bigger base so it doesn't tip over.

Since it's 9 ft high, I would recommend making your height 9 ft, but keep your width 8 FT. Then have 4 sections put together totaling 32 feet across [covers your 29 ft need]. Every 8 ft, have a pole coming down and a base so that it doesn't tip!

here is the "H" base I was talking about. More sturdy than an "I" base

Coffee filter backdrop - see images below!

So sorry about the triple posts ... all the same. trying to hide 2 sets of pics too.