How to Make a Photo Backdrop for Parties

Make Your Instagram-Worthy Party Feature

Photo backdrops are definitely not just for the professionals anymore. Backdrops are perfect for so many purposes, from taking great photographs to adding a pop of color to your next party. This crepe paper photo backdrop is an incredible combination of affordable, fast, easy, and durable. Set it up at your next party to create a colorful, vibrant place for your guests to take photos, or for a photoshoot on a special occasion. It also would make a great backdrop for a dessert table or a gift table at a wedding or shower. There are so many uses for it, and one of the best features is that you can dismantle it and use it over and over again.

What You'll Need

• 12" wide crepe paper
• Glue dots
• Scissors
• Blank wall

Gather Materials and Prep the Wall

For this project, you'll need some extra-wide crepe paper. When you're searching for your supplies, you can do an online search for "premium crepe paper" or "Italian crepe paper" and you'll find a huge selection of colors. Select a color palette that is right for your event and choose six to eight different shades.

Also, you'll want to select Glue Dots that are strong enough to hold the crepe paper; we recommend choosing the extra strength. Start with a blank, clean wall. If there is any dust or debris on the wall, be sure to wipe it clean first. The glue dots will adhere best to a wall that is clean and dust-free.

Place Glue Dots

Choose the color that will be on the bottom of the backdrop. Place glue dots all along one edge of the crepe paper, 10 to 12 inches apart. Press them firmly into the crepe paper to be sure that they adhere well.

Place Paper

Place the first sheet of paper up on the wall, a few inches above the floor. Press the glue dots firmly into the wall. Be sure as you apply the paper so that it's level all the way across. At this point, decide how wide you'd like your backdrop to be and trim off the excess paper on either end if the paper is too wide. 

Add More Paper

Continue to add more strips of crepe paper using the same process. As you add more strips, the bottom of the upper strip should fall in front of the strip below it. Continue adding strips until the backdrop is your desired height. Also keep in mind that as you add strips, you'll want them each to be equidistant from each other, so step back frequently and take a look to check that they are even and equal. Trim any uneven edges once you've got all of the paper hanging on the wall.

Take Some Photos

Place your subject in front of the backdrop and have a great time snapping photos. If you feel like it, you can even add your own embellishments. Everything from a balloon arch to a tassel garland would look adorable in front of this backdrop.