Party Planning: How to Make Easy Backdrops
Set up a DIY scene for photos & more
…That guests will be proud to post
Parties are all about the photo-ops, right? (We know they’re about so much more than that… but like, the photos really do matter). It’s not quite ideal to take a photo sitting at your table scarfing down that exquisite food you made. Though we trust your tablescape is #fire. When planning a party at home, what you need is a backdrop for everyone to gather in front of and shoot some A-list style content. We’re talking reel-worthy. After all, if there isn’t a post about it, did it really happen? Check out the following backdrops to set the new backbone for your party. Party planning checklist: One more thing crossed off.
Spoiler alert: These backdrops are easy to make. Fire up your Amazon cart and get to styling.
Holiday-Esque
What you need:
- Mylar tinsel: Gold or deep red
- Scissors
- Garland
- Round ornaments (Red, glitter, gold)
- Optional: Balloons & twinkle lights
How to set up:
- Pick your space for the backdrop. Determine how many feet of tinsel you need. Tinsel curtains are 3x8’, so depending on the size of your vision, factor in how many curtains you should use.
Pro Tip: these don’t work well against windows unless you layer them!
- Stick a curtain of mylar tinsel directly to the wall where the backdrop will be. No tape required; the tinsel comes with adhesive.
- Cut the bottom of tinsel to adjust the height as needed.
- If setting a table in front of the backdrop, arrange garland across. Disperse ornaments of varying sizes throughout.
- Prep cinnamon-spice cocktails to amp up your scene all the more.
Extra credit: Add a balloon arch to frame the backdrop. Top it off with twinkle lights intertwined throughout the balloons.
DIY Flower Wall
What you need:
- Artificial flower grid panels (~25)
- Faux flowers and greenery: Assorted colors
- Custom neon sign
How to set up:
- Assemble 10x10 artificial flower grid panels to the wall interlocked for one large grid. Fit to the size you would like your backdrop.
- Add plastic flowers into the grid. The grids have points for plastic flowers to attach securely in any pattern you choose.
- Arrange in rows of the same color.
- Add greenery with touches of flowers woven through, or a myriad of your theme’s colors.
- Place neon sign on the flower wall to declare what the party is for (and to use as a caption for your post).
Twinkle Light Backdrop
What you need:
- Curtain rod: Silver or white
- White curtain: Skip if arranging along a blank wall
- Sheer curtain
- Twinkle lights
- Sofa chair
How to set up:
- Assemble your rod and hang white and sheer curtains. If placed along a blank white wall, white curtain is not needed.
- Dangle strands of lights down from the rod rings. The more lights, always the better.
- Place a photogenic sofa in front for your guests to take seated photos.
Wallpaper Hack
For the easiest stick-and-go backdrop, try a wallpaper or decal matching the theme of your event. Tropical oasis theme? Add your island scene with the stick of a wallpaper. Quick and post-worthy.
Pro Tip: Check out Etsy and Wayfair for reusable sticker wallpapers.
.jpg)
Set Up Your Very Own Scene
What you need:
This one depends on the theme you are going for, but to get your brainstorm started…
- Think of what would represent your party well. For example, if you're hosting a book club, slide your bookshelf onto the scene and arrange your books in the most insta-worthy way you can.
- Add any decor to elevate the scene. Think:
- ~Books
- ~Plants
- ~Chiffon runners draped around
- ~Vases
How to set up:
- Start with your base (i.e. bookshelf).
- Elaborate with decor.
- We never saw a backdrop we didn't like with lights or plants ;)
Backdrops may be the life of the party you never knew you needed. Let these examples light a fire for your next gathering. They may, after all, just be the backbone that you didn’t know your party needed.
featured parties
Potluck
A potluck is always a good idea. Remove the stress of needing to cook and just invite your favorite people to share their favorite dishes. We love setting a theme and asking each guest to bring a dish to share.
Cinnamon Spice and All Things Naughty and Nice
A flirty, naughty, not-nice affair. Drink an extra cocktail and you may forget Santa’s bringing you coal this year. Makes a great late-night gathering courtesy of our friends at Shaker & Spoon.
Hi-Fi Holiday
A retro Christmas shindig with all the flair! Bright pops of color, metallic sheen, irresistible dishes and drinks that will make you flip your lid! Fun for a holiday party, Christmas party, or even a New Years Eve (NYE) party.
Shabbat Dinner Party
Hit pause and reconnect with loved ones this weekend with light, airy decor, warm bread, and relaxing company.
Wreath Making Party
Welcome in winter with a fun and fragrant wreath making party that will put everyone in the ho-ho-holiday spirit.
Holiday Cookie Baking Extravaganza
Realize your inner Holiday Baking Championship dreams! Gather your fellow bakers and workshop helpers for a festive and fun day of making all things delicious. Ready...Set...BAKE!
Hanukkalikimaka
Hanukkalikimaka is a dinner party that Kiki Aranita and her husband Ari Miller love to throw around the holidays. It infuses Hanukkah classics (like roast goose and latkes) with aloha spirit. It's a marriage of cultures.
.png)
BYOF Friendsgiving
Friendsgiving: the perfect excuse for a second Thanksgiving, but better with your chosen fam. Host effortlessly with Batch’s marketplace of to-your-door party pros—chefs, servers, and more. Relax, enjoy, and leave the stress (and mess) to them!
.png)
More articles
Get Ready to Sparkle
Expert tips, exclusive content, and the 411 on the latest parties
Thank you for your submission!
Start the party
For each party, our professional event planners have curated, styled, schemed, and planned so we can hand over everything you need to know to throw incredible gatherings.
