How to Create a Custom Greenery Wedding Backdrop: Full DIY Tutorial
When my husband I are got married in 2020, I created this faux greenery backdrop for people to take photographs! I ran out of time to create a custom name sign before our wedding, but when my brother and sister-in-law got married a year later, I knew I wanted to customize this project for them.
The result was a beautiful and personalized setting that became a focal point for photos throughout the day. Here’s how I made it happen:
Materials Needed:
- Faux boxwood greenery panels
- 4×8 ft. sheet of 1/2″ plywood
- black paint
- Zipties
- E6000 Glue
- Staple gun and staples
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
Materials for Name sign (optional)
- white paint
- 1/2 plywood
- hand detail sander
- scroll saw or jigsaw
- printer to print out font template
Step-by-Step Process:
1. Gathering Materials
I started by collecting all the materials. Faux boxwood panels are widely available online. I ordered these ones from Amazon! I used a 4×8 sheet of plywood as the base for the backdrop, which matched up nearly perfectly with the boxwood panel pack I purchased.
2. Preparing the Plywood
Once I had the plywood piece, I painted the entire piece black. It’s crucial to paint it a dark color so any holes or gaps in the greenery panels won’t stick out from behind!
3. Attaching the Greenery Panels
Once the paint is dry, I attached the faux boxwood panels to the plywood using a staple gun. This step required some measuring and cutting to ensure the panels fit perfectly. Luckily the panels I purchased snapped together easilu which made this process really simple. I made sure there were no gaps and that the greenery was evenly distributed.
4. Creating the Custom Name Sign
For the custom name sign, I used my scroll saw to cut out our last name from a piece of wood. This step added a unique touch to the backdrop, but isn’t necessary. If you’re not familiar with using a scroll saw, there are many online tutorials available that can help you get started. Alternatively, you can use a jigsaw to cut out a name sign as well or purchase it from a maker on Etsy.
Once the letters were cut out, I painted them white. The white letters provided a beautiful contrast against the deep green of the boxwood panels. I applied several coats of paint to ensure a smooth, even finish, allowing each coat to dry thoroughly before applying the next.
5. Assembling the Backdrop
After the letters were dry, I carefully glued them to the center of the greenery backdrop. It’s important to measure and mark the placement beforehand to ensure the name is centered and level. I used glue for a strong bond and allowed it to dry completely.
6. Final Touches
With the backdrop assembled, I simply checked for any loose panels and it was DONE!
Creating this faux greenery photo backdrop was such a fun touch of decor, both with and without the name customization!
Whether for a wedding or another special event, a DIY backdrop like this can provide a beautiful addition to any occasion.