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:

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.