How to Build a Wedding Backdrop Out of Flowers
If a wedding arch is not to your tastes, you can still have a spectacular backdrop for your wedding or reception photos. A backdrop provides a focal point for your ceremony and photos while adding a touch of elegance to your wedding. One option is to make a backdrop out of hanging columns of flowers. Select flowers similar to those in the rest of your wedding for maximum coordination. Additionally, choose silk or rubber flowers, as they are more robust than natural flowers and will withstand more strain.
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Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Photographer's backdrop stand
- Flowers
- 22-gauge wire
- Wire cutters
- Floral tape
Instructions
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1
Measure the backdrop stand from top to bottom as well as its width. Measure the size of your chosen flowers, and divide the backdrop stand's measurements by the flowers' measurements. This will tell you how many flowers you will need to fill the vertical and horizontal spaces of the backdrop. For instance, if the backdrop is 70 inches by 50 inches and your flowers are 5 inches each, you will need 14 vertical flowers in each of the 10 columns.
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2
Cut the flower stems so that they measure 1 1/2 inches from base to end.
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Cut the wire into lengths of 2 inches and 4 inches. Push the wires measuring 2 inches up the middle of the flowers' stems to meet their bases. Push the 4-inch wires perpendicularly through the flowers' bases, and fold the ends down to meet the 2-inch wire. Twist the wires together tightly.
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4
Wrap the wires and flowers' stems with floral tape, leaving about an inch of the wire uncovered. This will help the wires stay stable throughout the project.
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Lay the flowers out in front of you in columns with the wires pointing away from you. Wire the bottom flowers to the blossoms above them. To accomplish this, push the twisted wire of the lower flower into the loop created by the wire pushed perpendicularly through the upper flower's base. Fold the twisted wire down and pinch to secure.
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Repeat this process with the remaining flowers until all of your vertical garlands are complete. Adjust the flowers so that the blossoms face outward, making the garlands look fuller.
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Push 10-inch lengths of wire through the bases of the top flowers. Twist these around the top rung of the photographer's backdrop frame to hold the columns of hanging flowers in place.
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Tips & Warnings
If you find that the flowers show too much space between the blossoms, hang a white or ivory cloth behind the columns to fill in the empty space.
As an alternative, purchase strands of garland and, using the same wiring method described, wire the flowers to the garland for a greener look.
References
- Photo Credit Pixland/Pixland/Getty Images
