Your wedding backdrop sets the tone for the entire ceremony. It frames the bride and groom and can double as a piece for the reception table or even a photo backdrop for guests. Whether you like to get your hands dirty with a DIY wedding project or prefer to leave it to the pros, there are wedding backdrop ideas perfect for any ceremony theme.
Your celebration should be full of personal touches that describe you as a couple, complementing those jaw-dropping wedding photos and your backdrop is no exception. To help spark some inspiration, we’ve gathered 37 wedding backgrounds from rustic arches to minimalist structures. Once you’ve picked the perfect backdrop, match your wedding announcements to the theme so friends and family can reserve the special day.
1. Tropical Palms
Are you tying the knot in the sand? Adorn a wedding ceremony arch with simple modern palm leaves for beachy inspiration. If you like a pop of color, decorate the palms with tropical florals in pink, orange, and white.
2. Paper Scroll
Keep it sweet and intimate with a paper scroll of you and your fiance’s favorite song lyrics. Line the side with lanterns and candles to illuminate the space. For a personal touch, roll the scroll out all the way down the aisle.
3. Go Geometric
Whether you choose hexagons, squares, or triangles, a geometric backdrop styled with stunning florals will create a trendy and eye-catching display. This style works for a modern or boho wedding.
4. DIY Copper Display
Weddings can be expensive, but you don’t have to break the bank to make gorgeous decor that doesn’t look handmade. A simple material to DIY your wedding backdrop are copper pipes. Pick them up from your local hardware store and create a modern display that your guests will admire.
5. Ombre Design
If you don’t know what to choose for your backdrop, flowers are a great option that never fails, especially for a backyard wedding. Choose seasonal flowers in red or pink and create an ombre effect from dark to light.
6. Natural Arch
Create a simple arbor with a few pieces of wood. Try adding on decorative greenery to make your photos more lively and romantic. The best part? Natural wood pairs well with any other decor to customize your wedding theme.
7. Macrame Anything
Macrame is a unique knotted piece of art that looks amazing hanging inside of an indoor or outdoor venue. Whether your wedding is boho, rustic, country, or somewhere in between, a macrame arrangement will help enhance the ceremony.
8. Light It Up
With a little PVC pipe and string lighting, you’ll have a DIY backdrop in no time. Firefly lighting behind the bride and groom creates an elegant ambiance and makes for stunning photos. It can even double as a photo backdrop for wedding guests.
9. Go Neon
For the couple who doesn’t take themselves too seriously, neon is the perfect way to have a little fun. A lit-up neon sign or neon color scheme will scream, “Let’s get this party started!” Pair it with tropical leaves or red roses to mix and match your style.
10. Art Deco
Transport your guests back to the roaring 20s with a lavish art deco backdrop. Sweeping curves, chevrons, or a fan adorned with feathers; the ideas are endless to inject a little Gatsby glamour into your celebration.
11. Vintage Barn Doors
Not a fan of the classic wedding arch? Mix it up with reclaimed barn doors and gold hardware. Line the top of the doors on either side with wedding flowers to draw the eye upwards.
12. Simple Sage
Sage green is a romantic, neutral color that mixes with warm or cool shades found in nature. If you are a couple who loves the outdoors, hanging sage is a classic choice you won’t regret later on.
13. DIY Garland
Having a fiesta themed wedding? Make a statement by stringing garlands, pom-pom balls, or streamers for your ceremony background. Don’t forget the margaritas and tacos afterward!
14. Your Favorite Quote
Is there a wedding quote that perfectly describes you as a pair? From “Better Together” to “It Was Always You,” framing your backdrop with a romantic quote would have family and friends swooning. Plus, it makes for gorgeous photos you can hang in your home.
15. Window To Your Soul
If you’re good with your hands, you can turn old pieces into a new-but-vintage piece that’s perfect for a rustic wedding backdrop. Three-door frames or two large windows that the bride and groom stand in front of will create a visual effect for your wedding pictures.
16. Paper Cut Backdrop
For an elegant affair, a delicate paper backdrop with fun design makes a gorgeous background. Just be careful transporting it on the day of!
17. Triangle Arch
A triangle backdrop is popular because it’s the perfect canvas for florals. Plus, it frames the couple so well. Try working with pipes for a minimal, modern vibe.
18. Industrial Brick
Take advantage of the beauty of your wedding venue. If it features an exposed brick wall, simply add some tiered candles and simple greens. The mix of fresh elements and industrial setting will create a style that’s all your own.
19. Cool Chevron
If you’re having an outdoor wedding, it can be tough to frame your ceremony without taking away from the gorgeous setting. A freestanding chevron-pattern may be your answer. Stain the wood or leave it exposed and draw the pattern inwards towards the happy couple.
20. Chalkboard Wall
For a rustic wedding, a personalized chalkboard backdrop is a fun addition to your wedding ceremony decor. Try using with gray chalk paint for a softer look. Line your aisle with a vintage rug to tie the theme together.
21. Minimal Touch
There’s beauty in simplicity. While an overflowing floral display is gorgeous, there’s something to be said about a minimal touch. Clean type, geometric lines, and monochromatic color schemes look dreamy in any setting.
22. Use The Outdoors
Planning your wedding on a tight budget? Use the outdoor elements to your advantage. A billowing willow tree or a big boulder make stunning backdrops. And the best part is they’re free!
23. Edison Bulbs
Add romantic ambiance to your rustic celebration with lighted Edison bulb garlands. Edison bulbs have vintage charm and emit a gorgeous glow that looks simply stunning in photographs.
24. Billowing Feathers
Having an outdoor country wedding? A square arch and billowing organics on a structured platform make for a modern and elegant altar in an open field.
25. Modern Drapes
For an ethnic or traditional affair, use drapes to make a sweeping statement. If you’re looking for a more formal option, use neutral white and beige. Or, spice it up with a dramatic red and purple.
26. Simple Initials
What better way to highlight the bride and groom than with their initials? A wedding backdrop sign works well in metal, wood, or gold. Purchase one or DIY it with your partner!
27. Like A Fairytale
You’re living your fairytale wedding, so why not carry that through to the wedding decor? As a lover of literature, your favorite lines of prose can be displayed behind you during the ceremony. Or, create a book-themed display that indicates it’s the beginning of a new chapter.
28. Hand-Painted Mural
If you have an artist in the family, a handmade painted ceremony backdrop will add some personality to your setting. A modern abstract brushstroke or a soft romantic watercolor will complement the decor beautifully.
29. Wintery Hues
Think silvery blues, iridescent purples, and heaps of glitter. A shimmering tinsel backdrop is perfect for a winter wedding. Tie in neutral, dried grasses for contrast to the cool color combinations.
30. Floral Trellis
The trellis is a refreshing alternative to the traditional wedding arch. Fill in the gaps of the structure with a clean, modern mix of rustic accents, bright blooms, and custom light fixtures.
31. Epic Balloon Arch
Looking for a “pop” of color? Incorporate unique features like textured hanging hoops and neon lucite signage, as well as bright balloons to embrace and explore pops of color and uniqueness on your wedding day.
32. Upside Down Roses
For another take on hanging florals but with a totally different vibe, flip them upside down. The extra-long length makes it larger than life and looks especially great in an industrial space.
33. Glass Mosaic
Mosaic is the art of creating images from small pieces of colored glass, stone, or other material. Use small tiles of mosaic to create a backdrop for your ceremony. Bold colors like red, orange, or yellow will create a gorgeous tribal boho backdrop for photos.
34. DIY Hoops
Grab some embroidery hoops or spray paint hula hoops for your base, then use floral wire or zip ties to attach the greenery. Just make sure your venue will help you sort out how to hang them.
35. Nude Color Scheme
Nothing says contemporary like a nude wedding color scheme. It’s both refined and elegant without going too overboard. If neutral isn’t your thing, add pops of golden honey for a glamorous ceremony setup.
36. Sheer White
There’s nothing more elegant than the use of white decor on your wedding day. Sheer white curtains or tulle hanging from a simple wood arch speaks volumes. Adorn the top with simple greenery for a gorgeous display.
37. Grid Display
For the DIY-loving couple on a budget, buy a simple grid wall. From there, it’s just a matter of adding greenery and flowers. If you’d rather do it ahead of time, opt for faux florals. The bendy stems are easy to attach.
Resources Related to Wedding Backdrops
Before the processional begins, all of your guests will be staring at one thing: your ceremony backdrop. Wedding ceremony backdrops don’t have to be complicated to be stunning. Since not every venue comes with breathtaking views, incorporate an eye-catching backdrop appropriate for your venue and theme. Then, tie in your wedding decor and details for a cohesive look that’s totally you.
