How to Make Your Own Backlighting for a Wedding

Backlighting is used to create a warm glow inside events.

Backlighting often is used in wedding receptions to set a warm mood for dinner and dancing. The diffused lighting is created by pointing small spotlights upward behind sheer backdrops. Do-it-yourself wedding backlighting can be assembled from PVC pipe, chiffon curtains and spotlights. Standard white or colored bulbs can be used to accent the wedding colors and decor.

Things You'll Need

• 3 straight PVC pipes
• 2 PVC bases
• 2 PVC elbow joints
• Chiffon curtains
• Parabolic Aluminized Reflector, or PAR, can lighting

Instructions

1. Place one PVC straight pipe into each PVC base to create the vertical sides of the PVC frame.

2. Place one PVC elbow joint onto each vertical PVC straight pipe. The elbow joint will secure the horizontal pipe (where the curtains will hang) to the vertical pipes and bases.

3. Slide the chiffon curtains onto the final PVC straight pipe that will serve as the horizontal pipe on the frame. The more curtains added to the horizontal PVC pipe, the more dramatic the wall pleating will be.

4. Slide each end of the curtained PVC straight pipe into the open ends of the PVC elbow joints to create a horizontal frame.

5. Place the PAR can lights behind the curtained frame and in between curtain pleats. Point the lights upward, toward the ceiling. The PAR cans run off electricity, so be sure to set up your backlighting area near outlets or have extension cords on hand.

Tips & Warnings

• Switch out colored gel inserts in the PAR can lights for different mood effects.