Wedding Backdrop..

[dragnfly1996]

I sure wish there was a wedding forum so I wouldn't feel guilty posting another wedding post here. Anyay, my queston is, I have a wedding at the end of Nov. The bride has agreed to do some, before the wedding, formals outside, but the event will be held inside in the enving and there are some other formals that she wants with certain guests etc plus a back up for rain. She wants me to make a Backdrop for formals (it is in the local grange) I have the lights and the backdrop stand but only white and black backgrounds. I figured white would not be enough contrast with her gown so do you have any suggestions? I can't afford to purchase a painted scenic background and I want to make the backdrop if I can. What would you suggest?

[Jon]

Local theatrical group/school drama club you could borrow/rent some set pieces or drops from? Coloured background will sort of depend on what everyone's wearing, so it can get tricky (bridesmaids, ushers, etc.).

[kawter2]

WOW I wouldn't even consider it.. I have shot weddings into the hundreds and NEVER used a backrdrop. and never performed a seperate bridal session

I guess it is up to you, but I think you are going to have a rough time with this..

[Jon]

WOW I wouldn't even consider it.. I have shot weddings into the hundreds and NEVER used a backrdrop. and never performed a seperate bridal session
Don't have many granges in Orange County, do you? The local grange is often a general assembly hall, with much in common with an elementary school multi-function room. Interior finish and polish depends on how good the farming is in that area. I'm guessing here it's potatoes and blueberries mostly. And rocks.

[kawter2]

Don't have many granges in Orange County, do you? The local grange is often a general assembly hall, with much in common with an elementary school multi-function room. Interior finish and polish depends on how good the farming is in that area. I'm guessing here it's potatoes and blueberries mostly. And rocks.

I understand.. and still would not try to construct the background

[Maureen Souza]

You can buy backrounds (on stands) from a reputable dealer...... I would pass the some of the cost on to the bride since it is her request....of course you should discuss this with her now.... But they are only a couple of hundred dollars. Maybe you could split the cost with her...she'll get her background and so will you, for future shoots.

[dragnfly1996]

I understand.. and still would not try to construct the background

is it that you think it will look too posed and unnatural? If so, what are some other suggestions for formal indoor shots? Should I just try doing them with my flash? I would rather us emy lighting so I can assure it will be adiquate. I talked her into outdoor formals for B&G for this reason but then what about rain? the backdrop of this hall is old wood paneling and dead stuffed deer heads, definatly not wedding material.

Believe me, I didn't want her to do formals but that seems to be all she wants.

[CPA676]

You are biting off a big undertaking but if you must, you are already half way there in that you have the stand(s). I have done this by purchasing "on sale" fabric at the local fabric store and coaxed my wife into doing a little sewing. We purchased 6 yards of 60" wide fabric, cut it in half making two pieces each 3 yds long and sewed them together and sewed a pocket across the top to hang onto the stand. Makes a backdrop 9' x 10'. You probably didn't allow for this cost in your price proposal so maybe you could get the bride to furnish the fabric; you assemble it and then keep it in exchange for the labor. That is an inexpensive way to build your inventory of backdrops.
Let us know how it turns out.

[ladybelle2k]

Jenn,
We have the same thing in small towns around here..all of the parties and events are at the american legion hall which isn't the most condusive for background material. Some people might balk at the idea, but you might check ebay and do a search for background or backdrop in the cameras and photo area...they had some that seemed pretty reasonable. I try to do most of my shooting outdoors as well as it's a lot prettier than inside some of these old buildings.

[cmM]

seamless paper... cheap, any color you want. Any big photography store has them.

As for formals, I rarely do any, but that depends much on photographer's style and client's requests.
Anyway, good luck !

[robertwgross]

In some weddings where I have been involved, instead of a serious background, there is a white wedding archway. This is about one or two feet taller than the B&G, and it is typically covered in real or silk flowers. The B&G are centered on it, one step in front, and the rest of the small group is posed directly in front of the sides of the archway. As a result, the background can be as non-serious as a dark wall, and the people and the archway make up most of the image.

Normally, these things are supplied by the wedding planner or caterer or the event hall. Sometimes they are purchased at an arts and crafts store, assembled, and then decorated.

---Bob Gross---

[Harry Settle]

Got my 12 X 24 mottled grey, from B&H for not too much money. I think it is from Backdrop Alley.

[chtgrubbs]

You might want to check out the collapsible backgrounds sold by Westcott and Calumet Photo. They are on collapsible metal frames like the reflectors which twist and fold. They are not very big and would only do for the bride or the couple. If you need to do groups you'll need a larger background on a stand.

[PhotosGuy]

I'd shoot it outside with shallow DOF = "Gods background". With only the kit lens, you might have a problem getting a nice bokeh, though.
Google link to background. (http://www.google.com/search?as_q=photography&num=10&hl=en&btnG=Google+Search&as_epq=background+paper&as_oq=&as_eq=&lr=&as_ft=i&as_filetype=&as_qdr=all&as_occt=any&as_dt=i&as_sitesearch=&safe=images)

[Jon]

I'd shoot it outside with shallow DOF = "Gods background". With only the kit lens, you might have a problem getting a nice bokeh, though.
Google link to background. (http://www.google.com/search?as_q=photography&num=10&hl=en&btnG=Google+Search&as_epq=background+paper&as_oq=&as_eq=&lr=&as_ft=i&as_filetype=&as_qdr=all&as_occt=any&as_dt=i&as_sitesearch=&safe=images)
At the end of November? In Maine? The bride's dress will blend in nicely with the snow, and the blue complexions will really stand out although they might clash with the bridesmaids gowns (so what doesn't?).

[dragnfly1996]

I'd shoot it outside with shallow DOF = "Gods background". With only the kit lens, you might have a problem getting a nice bokeh, though.
Google link to background. (http://www.google.com/search?as_q=photography&num=10&hl=en&btnG=Google+Search&as_epq=background+paper&as_oq=&as_eq=&lr=&as_ft=i&as_filetype=&as_qdr=all&as_occt=any&as_dt=i&as_sitesearch=&safe=images)

Luckily I have my 50mm 1.4 with excellent Bokeh.

My hope is that I will be able to be one with mother nature and not have rain or nasty weather to get the outside shots. Luckily we don't usually have snow (not any that sticks around) by the end of November.

[Nidz]

Personally from what I have seen in the past backdrops don't look as good as utilizing the surroundings and scenery of the location that the wedding is being held. I know personally at my own wedding we used a lot of scenic locations like a beach and rose gardens and a waterfall and the old buildings for photos.. I think they look a lot better and interesting in the final result than a plain backsheet..

[hjoli]

My hope is that I will be able to be one with mother nature and not have rain or nasty weather to get the outside shots. Luckily we don't usually have snow (not any that sticks around) by the end of November.

Where in Maine are you? I may be able to help you out some. Email direct..
heidij@medicalmailorder.com

Thanks!

[Harry Settle]

Some of the photographers here use a background for part of the shots and some don't ever use anything. If the bride wants a background, the bride wants a background. You can buy muslin in large widths and dye it, or you can buy one already colored. I don't know that using a background for a wedding, on the day of the wedding to do large groups is practical. Groups of maybe 4 or 5 wide at the most. I have a 12x24 and my stands will only go 12ft wide.

[dragnfly1996]

WEll, The wedding is over!! I survived! Here are some pictures.http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=116250 We ended up doing the formals outside, and I am so glad. It even started snowing right in the middle of the shoot. It was 37 degrees but Bride MADE every one show up, and I am sure she will be glad. People started looking a little purple by the end, but I am happy with what we got. Shot all the formals in less than 1/2 hour. I had some cool ideas I had wanted to try but people were going to start dropping like flys so I got what I could. The park I took them too had a bandstand and I took all the pictures from there.