Last Updated on November 8, 2019 by April
If you’re planning a big party, but don’t know where to start, creating a fun and interactive environment for guests is a great way to start! Guests love being able to take gorgeous photos so they can share on social media with friends. There are so many easy ways you can help them do that! Begin with my favorite way: instagrammable party backdrops.
Party Backdrops 101:
To get started, check out these amazing two tutorials from Gifts on how to create the perfect party backdrops. : )
Photo booths are a classic party must-have for any type of celebration. From birthday parties and weddings to everything in-between, taking photographs is a fun way to not only celebrate in the moment, but also remember the moment for years to come. If you’re planning a party soon and looking for a way to take your event to the next level, a photo booth might be just what you need. Although, it might not be in your budget.
Don’t fret, because there are plenty of ways for you to put your own spin on the iconic photo booth without spending too much time or money. To help you get started, Gifts.com created a DIY guide on show stopping photo backdrops for the ultimate party. If you want more party ideas, then come look at some of our Christmas party inspiration.
With different design elements, styling tips and even printable photo booth props, you’ll be on your way to party time before you know it. Don’t get discouraged by the impressive finished product, with step-by-step instructions this DIY might be easier than you think.
Browse through the instructions and styling tips below.
It’s time to celebrate!
DIY Photo Backdrop Stand
One of the best ways to create photo backdrops is by making your own backdrop stand. This way you can reuse it for different celebrations and move it around easily. We’ll show you how to build a backdrop stand, then show you two ways to decorate it!
The great thing about a photo backdrop stand is how easy and cheap it is to make! Plus, it’s simple to customize the dimensions to fit your space. All you need is a few materials from your local hardware store.
Materials
We used 1.25 inch PVC pipe throughout.
- T connector x4
- elbow connector x2
- 1.5 foot long piece x4
- 4 inch long piece x2
- 5 foot long piece x2
- 6.5 foot long piece x2
Most hardware stores will cut the PVC pipe for you, so just make sure you give them the proper dimensions listed above. You can also opt to cut the PVC pipe on your own. If you’re going to cut the pipe at home, add a PVC ratchet cutter to your materials list. Follow the tutorial here for cutting instructions.
Directions
Now that you’ve gathered all your materials, it’s time to learn how to make a stand for party backdrops. Follow these six steps for a photo backdrop stand that will liven up your party! Bonus points if you paint the PVC a fun color beforehand if you’ll see it in the shots.
1st step – Begin by building the legs of the stand. Insert a 4 inch pipe in the middle of the T connector and two 1.5 foot pieces on the sides. Repeat for the second leg.
- Optional: Add caps to the legs if you would like.
2nd step – Add another “T” connector to top of the 4 inch pipes.The middle “T” line should be facing inwards.
3rd step – Connect the two base pieces by attaching a 5 foot pipe to each of the “T” connectors that are facing inwards.
4th step – Add the sides of the photo backdrop by attaching the two 6.5 foot pipes to the upward facing openings on the “T” connectors.
5th step – Add the two elbow connectors to the tops of the 6.5 foot pipes.
6th step – Connect across by attaching the remaining 5 foot pipe to the elbow connectors.
DIY Photo Backdrop with Fringe
Add some texture to your photo backdrop with colorful fringe triangles. This option is so great for any type of party from New Year’s to birthdays. Just choose tissue paper that matches your theme, then cut, tape and voila, you have a backdrop!
Materials
- Tissue Paper
- Scissors
- Tape
- Plastic table cloth
- Ruler (optional)
- Pen (optional)
Directions
Step 1 – Cut out tissue paper triangles
Once you’ve chosen your colors, cut out triangles from your tissue paper. Then cut through multiple layers at a time to make this process faster. You can use a ruler to measure out your triangles, or create triangles in varying sizes.
Step 2 – Add the fringe.
Make vertical cuts in the triangles, stopping about one inch from the top. This will add texture to your backdrop.
Step 3 – Attach to backdrop frame.
Tape the plastic tablecloth onto the backdrop frame. Then tape the tissue paper triangles to the table cloth. Start at the bottom of the backdrop, building up, so that the triangles overlap. Use double sided tape, because you want to avoid the tape’s reflection coming through in pictures.
Step 4 – Enjoy!
Practice your posing and get ready to snap some fun shots! Don’t forget the photo booth props so you can really have some fun!
DIY Photo Backdrop with Flowers
Fresh flowers are so hard to resist! Give your bridal shower, birthday party or bachelorette party a floral touch with this photo backdrop. Mix in leaves for a pop of green, and make sure you choose long lasting flowers for a backdrop that will last all day.
Materials
- Flowers and leaves
- Fishing line
- Thread
- Scissors
Directions
Step 1 – Attach flowers to the fishing line.
Thread the needle with fishing line, tying the line off one one end so that the flowers don’t slip off. Then, thread your needle through the base of the flowers, spacing out the flowers as you see fit. If the flowers are slipping around, you can tie a knot at the spot you’d like the flower to rest before threading the needle through.
Step 2 – Hang flowers on backdrop frame.
Use any basic knot to secure the flower strands to your backdrop. We spaced ours about 4 inches apart so it has a minimalist look.
Step 3 – Start posing!
Gather your friends together so you can advantage of this fun photo backdrop!
Finally, a big thanks to Gifts because they shared these DIY tutorials for amazing party backdrops!
What size of clamps and where can I get them to clamp backdrops to this size of stand? 🙂
Hi Dee!
Thanks so much for reaching out. : )
I contacted gift.com about your question and they said clamps aren’t required. Tape should be enough to hold up your beautiful creation!
I hope this helps. Take care. <3
Thank you for replying, but I wouldn’t have made this stand with 1.25 inch thick pvc pipes if I knew I couldn’t find clamps for it. 🙁 I don’t want to use tape for my backdrops, nor is that even possible for most backdrops, nor will it give it a nice tight clean look.
I believe these clamps should be able to do the job.
They open 2 inches wide and if you’d like them to be hidden, you could try lifting some of the fabric over the pipe and then clipping from the underside of the pipe. 🙂