Ceremony Backdrops are an important styling element for your wedding day! Not only do they balance the lovely couple saying their heartfelt vows but they also set the tone for the rest of the wedding decor. How does one even begin to choose one winning backdrop from all the ceremony backdrop ideas?
Locale.
Apart from the millions of beautiful Pinterest references that can inspire your ceremony backdrop, you first must consider the locale. What setting are you displaying your backdrop in? Is it a natural setting with an already breath-taking view? Or is it a blank canvas, like a brick wall or ocean view?
This question alone, will help you narrow down the type of altar or backdrop you should aim for. If you have an epic natural view of a mountain or a sunset, you likely will want to ensure the main focus is the natural beauty. You can play off this by making the backdrop see-through, minimalistic, or more of a floor piece.
Lighting
Many people don't consider lighting when they choose their ceremony location. With a photography background, this is the first thing I like to consider and I often consult my clients about.
Sunsets
For example, a sunset scene, while it might be a STUNNING idea to have the sun set behind the couple, it can be a real set-back for a few reasons.
If you are dark skinned or one of you is dark and one of you is light skinned, your photographer is in for a nightmare lighting condition. Backlighting can be beautiful, but for dark skinned people, this can be a real challenge to get both the face of the subject and the sunset exposed. Your photos might end up looking like you got married in front of a white wall! The photographer can use a flash to balance this, but most pro's steer away from direct flash for style reasons and disruption. If you are in this predicament and cannot forfeit the sunset (I don't blame you), then simply off-set the sunset at a 45 degree angle to you. If you are an Interracial couple, have the sun shine on the dark skinned person.
Steering clear of a sunset ceremony might be the best bet if your ceremony is running longer than 15 minutes. Your guests might thank you for it too. No one likes sun blazing into their eyes for more than 15 minutes.
Pot Lights
Many wedding venues are filled with my not so favourite lighting: POT-LIGHTS! Yuck! No one, ever took a great portrait of someone under one of these. It is just not flattering. EVER. So, with this in mind, you can avoid standing directly under a pot-light fairly easily but you do need to prepare for it! The moment you are walking down the aisle is not one of these moments either. Make sure you properly mark the floor where you should stand or at least your officiant should stand to ensure that you and your partner are clear of any top lighting. Ideally, you are looking for an evenly balanced light.
Spotty Tree Shadows
Outdoor ceremonies are beautiful. And shaded ceremonies can be so perfectly cool and breezy for both the couple and guests. The only thing I highly recommend is to note the time of day you will be tying the knot. Go to the location at that exact time and evaluate the lighting. Will you be standing in spotty tree shadows at noon? This is a bad lighting scenario that in my opinion can really hinder your photographs. The photographer can do nothing about this either, so if photos are important to you, make sure you will be standing in even open shadow light.
Choosing a Wedding Theme
Choosing a theme for your wedding is the first obvious task to complete before deciding on a ceremony backdrop. Once you have chosen your look, colours, and general mood, then you can use these same themes for your ceremony style.
I always send my clients a questionnaire where they have to select about 30 adjectives to determine what they like and what they don't like. To help yourself narrow down ideas, make a list of what looks you don't like. For example, your no-go words might be: "glitter, glam, silver, modern, industrial."
Then, determine 5 adjectives that best describe your look and write them down. Let's say your words are: "bohemian, natural, tropical, whimsical and wild."
You can now ask yourself with each reference photo you consider on Pinterest or wherever, if it fulfills these adjectives? If it does not, then move on. These words will help you narrow down your look and keep you from the distraction of many other awesome ideas (that are great, but not what you narrowed yours down to).
Angles + Guest count
Don't forget to consider how many guests you will have. If you are having a wedding over 150 people, and your backdrop is a small floor installation, it might get over-looked by the people in the back. Design according to your location and also consider if your design can be viewed from all angles.
Don't forget to plan for the fact that a bridal party, officiant and you and your partner will likely be standing in-front of it too. Make sure there is enough room for everyone to stand without being hit by the backdrop!
The world is your Oyster!
Backdrops can be a lot of fun to create! Whether you want to take on the endeavour yourself, or leave it up to a stylist, the world is truly your oyster! Get creative, be bold, be poetic; whatever your message or your look, don't be shy to tell a story through your design!
Not all backdrops need to incorporate florals. Florals can get pricey, so think outside the box to keep costs lower. Greens and grasses can be a more cost effective option to florals. You can eliminate foliage altogether too and opt for something out of reusable materials, fabric, paper, balloons; you name it! Just have fun!
Ceremony Backdrops are an important styling element for your wedding day. Not only do they balance the lovely couple saying their heartfelt vows but they also set the tone for the rest of the wedding decor. How does one even begin to choose one winning backdrop from all the ceremony backdrop ideas?
Locale.
Apart from the millions of beautiful Pinterest references that can inspire your ceremony backdrop, you first must consider the locale. What setting are you displaying your backdrop in? Is it a natural setting with an already breath-taking view? Or is it a blank canvas, like a brick wall or ocean view?
This question alone, will help you narrow down the type of altar or backdrop you should aim for. If you have an epic natural view of a mountain or a sunset, you likely will want to ensure the main focus is the natural beauty. You can play off this by making the backdrop see-through, minimalistic, or more of a floor piece. Look below at how they kept the beauty of the locale as the focal point. It’s effective and jaw-dropping!
Below, the focus is obviously florals but each uses florals in a completely unique way. The first image hangs an installation of purple and pink flowers from the ceiling to create a cascade of blooms. It is a powerful statement piece that can be seen from all angles of the room. I would recommend to make sure a piece like this sits far enough behind the couple so that it remains out of focus for photography though. There is nothing like a bloom dangling just an inch away from your forehead to be distracting. 😉
The second photo, works flowers in the opposite way. These flowers appear to be growing up the wall from the floor. The look in 2020 and for 2021 is gearing in this direction. A wild cascade of flowers and foliage that creeps up walls and in doorways. It’s just so breathtaking!
Below, the backdrops are kept natural. While one design is much more gigantic and complicated than the other, they both have a similar ethereal feel.
Lighting
Many people don’t consider lighting when they choose their ceremony location. With a photography background, this is the first thing I like to consider and I often consult my clients about.
Sunsets
For example, a sunset scene, while it might be a STUNNING idea to have the sun set behind the couple, it can be a real set-back for a few reasons.
If you are dark skinned or one of you is dark and one of you is light skinned, your photographer is in for a nightmare lighting condition. Add in the light person wearing black and the dark person wearing white and it is a real conundrum as to exposing this scene with balance! Backlighting can be beautiful, but for dark skinned people, this can be a real challenge to get both the face of the subject and the sunset exposed. Your photos might end up looking like you got married in front of a white wall! The photographer can use a flash to balance this, but most pro’s steer away from direct flash for style reasons and disruption. If you are in this predicament and cannot forfeit the sunset (I don’t blame you), then simply off-set the sunset at a 45 degree angle to you. If you are an Interracial couple, have the sun shine on the dark skinned person as opposed to the lighter one.
Steering clear of a sunset ceremony might be the best bet if your ceremony is running longer than 15 minutes. Your guests might thank you for it too. No one likes sun blazing into their eyes for more than that.
Pot Lights + Direct Sun at Noon
Many wedding venues are filled with my not so favourite lighting: POT-LIGHTS! Yuck! No one, ever took a great portrait of someone under one of these. It is just not flattering. EVER. So, with this in mind, you can avoid standing directly under a pot-light fairly easily but you do need to prepare for it! The moment you are walking down the aisle is not one of these moments either. Make sure you properly mark the floor where you should stand or at least your officiant should stand to ensure that you and your partner are clear of any top lighting. Ideally, you are looking for an evenly balanced light.
The idea of an outdoor ceremony anytime between 12-2pm, without open shade or a roof is likely a mistake. Sunlight at these times is just like a pot-light; ugly. Not to mention that it can also be boiling hot for yourself and your guests. Who really wants to express their deep love while wiping beads of sweat off their upper lip?
Spotty Tree Shadows
Outdoor ceremonies are beautiful. And shaded ceremonies can be a perfect combo of cool and breezy for both the couple and guests. The only thing I highly recommend is to note the time of day you will be tying the knot. Go to the location at that exact time and evaluate the lighting. Will you be standing in spotty tree shadows at noon or in a nice open shaded spot?
Spotty tree shadows are a bad lighting scenario that in my opinion can really hinder your photographs. The photographer can do nothing about this either, so if photos are important to you, make sure you will be standing in even, open shadow light like the photos below. A cloudy day of course ensures this, but don’t take your chances. If you can control where the ceremony backdrop goes, or what time your ceremony takes place to avoid these ugly shadows, then DO IT!
Choosing a Wedding Theme
Choosing a theme for your wedding is the first obvious task to complete before deciding on a ceremony backdrop. Once you have chosen your look, colours, and general mood, then you can use these same themes for your ceremony style.
I always send my clients a questionnaire where they have to select about 30 adjectives to determine what they like and what they don’t like. To help yourself narrow down ideas, make a list of what looks you don’t like. For example, your no-go words might be: “glitter, glam, silver, modern, industrial.”
Then, determine 5 adjectives that best describe your look and write them down. Let’s say your words are: “bohemian, natural, tropical, whimsical and wild.”
You can now ask yourself with each reference photo you consider on Pinterest or wherever, if it fulfills these adjectives? If it does not, then move on. These words will help you narrow down your look and keep you from the distraction of many other awesome ideas (that are great, but not what you narrowed yours down to).
Angles + Guest count
Don’t forget to consider how many guests you will have. If you are having a wedding over 150 people, and your backdrop is a small floor installation, it might get over-looked by the people in the back. Design according to your location and also consider if your design can be viewed from all angles.
Don’t forget to plan for the fact that a bridal party, officiant and you and your partner will likely be standing in-front of it too. Make sure there is enough room for everyone to stand without being hit by the backdrop!
It is also nice to consider if the photographer has space to stand around the altar in addition to the aisles and sides. Space means photos from all angles too!
The world is your Oyster!
Backdrops can be a lot of fun to create! Whether you want to take on the endeavour yourself, or leave it up to a stylist, the world is truly your oyster! Get creative, be bold, be poetic; whatever your message or your look, don’t be shy to tell a story through your design!
Not all backdrops need to incorporate florals. Florals can get pricey, so think outside the box to keep costs lower. Greens and grasses can be a more cost effective option to florals. You can eliminate foliage altogether too and opt for something out of reusable materials, fabric, paper, balloons; you name it! Just have fun!
Olive Studio is a documentary based photography studio, specializing in unique, intimate and off-the-beaten track weddings. Our candid shooting style allows for couples to...
Ceremony Backdrops are an important styling element for your wedding day! Not only do they balance the lovely couple saying their heartfelt vows but they also set the tone for the rest of the wedding decor. How does one even begin to choose one winning backdrop from all the ceremony backdrop ideas?
Locale.
Apart from the millions of beautiful Pinterest references that can inspire your ceremony backdrop, you first must consider the locale. What setting are you displaying your backdrop in? Is it a natural setting with an already breath-taking view? Or is it a blank canvas, like a brick wall or ocean view?
This question alone, will help you narrow down the type of altar or backdrop you should aim for. If you have an epic natural view of a mountain or a sunset, you likely will want to ensure the main focus is the natural beauty. You can play off this by making the backdrop see-through, minimalistic, or more of a floor piece.
Lighting
Many people don’t consider lighting when they choose their ceremony location. With a photography background, this is the first thing I like to consider and I often consult my clients about.
Sunsets
For example, a sunset scene, while it might be a STUNNING idea to have the sun set behind the couple, it can be a real set-back for a few reasons.
If you are dark skinned or one of you is dark and one of you is light skinned, your photographer is in for a nightmare lighting condition. Backlighting can be beautiful, but for dark skinned people, this can be a real challenge to get both the face of the subject and the sunset exposed. Your photos might end up looking like you got married in front of a white wall! The photographer can use a flash to balance this, but most pro’s steer away from direct flash for style reasons and disruption. If you are in this predicament and cannot forfeit the sunset (I don’t blame you), then simply off-set the sunset at a 45 degree angle to you. If you are an Interracial couple, have the sun shine on the dark skinned person.
Steering clear of a sunset ceremony might be the best bet if your ceremony is running longer than 15 minutes. Your guests might thank you for it too. No one likes sun blazing into their eyes for more than 15 minutes.
Pot Lights
Many wedding venues are filled with my not so favourite lighting: POT-LIGHTS! Yuck! No one, ever took a great portrait of someone under one of these. It is just not flattering. EVER. So, with this in mind, you can avoid standing directly under a pot-light fairly easily but you do need to prepare for it! The moment you are walking down the aisle is not one of these moments either. Make sure you properly mark the floor where you should stand or at least your officiant should stand to ensure that you and your partner are clear of any top lighting. Ideally, you are looking for an evenly balanced light.
Spotty Tree Shadows
Outdoor ceremonies are beautiful. And shaded ceremonies can be so perfectly cool and breezy for both the couple and guests. The only thing I highly recommend is to note the time of day you will be tying the knot. Go to the location at that exact time and evaluate the lighting. Will you be standing in spotty tree shadows at noon? This is a bad lighting scenario that in my opinion can really hinder your photographs. The photographer can do nothing about this either, so if photos are important to you, make sure you will be standing in even open shadow light.
Choosing a Wedding Theme
Choosing a theme for your wedding is the first obvious task to complete before deciding on a ceremony backdrop. Once you have chosen your look, colours, and general mood, then you can use these same themes for your ceremony style.
I always send my clients a questionnaire where they have to select about 30 adjectives to determine what they like and what they don’t like. To help yourself narrow down ideas, make a list of what looks you don’t like. For example, your no-go words might be: “glitter, glam, silver, modern, industrial.”
Then, determine 5 adjectives that best describe your look and write them down. Let’s say your words are: “bohemian, natural, tropical, whimsical and wild.”
You can now ask yourself with each reference photo you consider on Pinterest or wherever, if it fulfills these adjectives? If it does not, then move on. These words will help you narrow down your look and keep you from the distraction of many other awesome ideas (that are great, but not what you narrowed yours down to).
Angles + Guest count
Don’t forget to consider how many guests you will have. If you are having a wedding over 150 people, and your backdrop is a small floor installation, it might get over-looked by the people in the back. Design according to your location and also consider if your design can be viewed from all angles.
Don’t forget to plan for the fact that a bridal party, officiant and you and your partner will likely be standing in-front of it too. Make sure there is enough room for everyone to stand without being hit by the backdrop!
The world is your Oyster!
Backdrops can be a lot of fun to create! Whether you want to take on the endeavour yourself, or leave it up to a stylist, the world is truly your oyster! Get creative, be bold, be poetic; whatever your message or your look, don’t be shy to tell a story through your design!
Not all backdrops need to incorporate florals. Florals can get pricey, so think outside the box to keep costs lower. Greens and grasses can be a more cost effective option to florals. You can eliminate foliage altogether too and opt for something out of reusable materials, fabric, paper, balloons; you name it! Just have fun!
