4 Backdrop Ideas For Your Bridal Shower

A bridal shower is an excellent way to usher someone you love into the next stage of their life. But it’s far from stress-free for hosts: Will people have a good time? How much food should you order? What’s the budget? Where do you get bridal shower decorations? The planning can be daunting.

Luckily, there are a few elements of the day that come sans stress—like an Instagram-ready bridal shower backdrop that your guests can use to capture a moment with their favorite person—the bride.

But how does a bridal shower photo backdrop come together? It’s much easier than you think: Here at Zola, we came up with the best way to create a DIY photo backdrop, as well as some clever and eye-catching decor ideas that can help you celebrate your friend.

Find the Right Wall

Photo Credit // Unsplash

First things first: You'll want to figure out how to set up your bridal shower backdrop. This can be determined by examining your space. If the party is outside, there may be a gorgeous tree or a wall of foliage you can decorate with streamers, letters, or twinkle lights for a built-in backdrop. If your party is set to take place indoors, try to locate a beautifully-painted wall in the venue. Even a plain white wall can be a great blank canvas to build upon to show off your bridal shower theme.

Or, Go Custom

If that doesn’t excite you, you can always order a custom backdrop from a place like Etsy or have one printed at Printastic. From there, you'll want to purchase a backdrop stand—like those you’d find at a portrait studio. Most standard backdrop stands can usually carry lightweight fabrics, canvases, foam, and paper, but anything heavier, like vinyl, might require a more heavy-duty stand. Putting up a backdrop stand is easy and pretty quick, making this a great option if you're short on time and in need of decor.

Now, Decorate Your Backdrop

Okay, so you've settled on how you're going to build your backdrop, and now you're ready to really make it pop. There are plenty of ways to decorate your backdrop for your festivities.

Use lights: A beautiful and simple idea is to use Command hangers to drape string lights from the ceiling (or loop around your backdrop stand).

Use balloons: Balloons have always been popular—even more so now that we're becoming a far more photographic world. Buying a balloon garland in the colors of the special day and attaching it to your backdrop can be a game-changer for the event.

Use personalized letters: Make sure everyone knows who's being celebrated by decorating your backdrop with customizable acrylic or vinyl letters. You could even have an over-the-top banner printed to commemorate the day.

Use flowers: If you're using a foam board, covering it in fake flowers (you can push them through easily, no need for staples) in differing colors feels like a beautiful way to add to your celebration. If the floral budget is tight, opt for greenery garlands instead.

Use craft supplies: Fringed tinsel or fluffy yarn balls are another way of bringing in texture to your backdrop. And of course, paper. Paper, in a way, is almost built for a backdrop wall. You can hang streamers from the ceiling and have them rest against the backdrop for some texture and movement in your photos, or cut out paper garlands to hang down.

Use wrapping paper: Wrapping paper and wallpaper are always excellent choices for easy backdrop ideas. These materials are a breeze to work with and simple to clean up.

4 Backdrop Ideas For Your Bridal Shower

Now that you know the process, you're ready to gather some inspiration and get to work. In an attempt to aid and inspire, we've dropped four of our favorite bridal shower backdrop ideas—plus, how to put them together. Added bonus: Most of these can get multiple eases as wedding decor, party decor, or saved for future birthday parties and baby showers.

Backdrops for your bridal shower's welcome sign, dessert table, and photo shoots are below.

1. Fabric Streamers

By now, everyone's encountered a streamer wall or ten at various bachelorette parties, wedding showers, and engagement parties. The photo booth backdrop is a celebratory staple, exciting guests into taking selfies and having full-on themed photoshoots. They're simple to install and tons of fun as party decor—it's a win-win. That being said, if shining streamers don't fit your bridal party aesthetic or you want something a little different, we highly recommend swapping out streamers for strips of fabric. Panels made of lace, sheer chiffon, or colorful pieces make for a similarly beautiful backdrop, only more soft and elegant.

To create one of your own, first survey your bridal shower space. If there's a wall, fence, or even tree branch you can attach your fabric to, don't hesitate to utilize it. If not, get ahold of a wire, rack, laundry line, or similar. Then get large pieces of fabric and cut them into matching long and thin (around one to three inches in width) strips. Once you've got all of your finished pieces, tie them to your base. Finally, secure the ends of your base to a pole, wall, or ceiling if you want an arched appearance. Optional: Add matching florals or balloons around the top and sides

2. Flower Wall

Flower walls are exceptionally eye-catching, adding tons of texture and color to any party backdrop. From classic, to glam, to boho, they can be made to fit any theme or location. That being said, one can be quite the splurge if professionally made—especially if you want real florals. However, building one yourself (or with a couple helpers) can be easy and affordable.

First, decide whether or not you want to purchase real florals and greenery or save some money and opt instead for faux versions. Then acquire a plywood or foam board and bring it down (or up) to your preferred size. Finally, with a visual in mind—or pinned to your Pinterest board—adhere the florals of your choice to your board. We suggest laying them out beforehand so you can get a good look before making anything permanent. Full floral backdrops are stunning, but those with exposed wood and minimal flowers are just as nice.

3. Rustic Wood Backdrop

Whether want something rustic and pared back or admittedly aren't the most crafty, a wood backdrop is an easy and stylish option. These backdrops work well both indoors and outdoors and immediately give off a warm and woodsy vibe. Plus, they can be assembled in various different ways, depending on how comfortable you or a helper is with woodworking. From simple single-panel backdrops, to floating walls, to spaced out planks with florals poking out in-between. You can even purchase already built, pre-loved wooden backdrops online on resale sites for ultimate ease. Add some string lights, hanging eucalyptus, or have a loved one with a steady hand paint the bride's name across the top, and your backdrop will be ready to go.

4. Spell it Out

Everyone loves themed event decor. One of the best ways to honor the bride-to-be and make a statement is to have a backdrop that spells out the occasion. What's wonderful about this idea is that the backdrop can be something as simple as a plain wall or fence. For letters you have a number of options, like balloons and widely popular glitter cardstock. Just purchase the needed letters for your special message and attach them to your backdrop of choice by string, push pin, or double-sided tape. Consider spelling something out like, "Bride to Be," "Miss to Mrs." or something more personalized like, "Angela's Bridal Shower" or "Mrs. Garcia."

Whatever you choose, Zola has every resource to make your bridal shower the festive event it should be, making it an easy and enjoyable day.