Affordable Utah Weddings

I grew up in a place where wedding receptions do not have receiving lines.  In fact, the first time I went to a wedding reception here in Utah and saw a big line of people I thought there must be some pretty good food waiting for me at the other end!  Boy was I surprised when I just found a bunch of people waiting for me at the other end.

As I’ve become more accustomed to the culture a ‘reception line’ wedding reception, I’ve started to notice the need for a beautiful backdrop on your big day.  After all, every single one of your guests will see you standing in front of it- it better look good!  Not to mention the fact that a beautiful backdrop can make for a great place to get all your group and couple pictures taken on your big day- no matter where your reception is.  And if you’re lucky enough to have a set of coordinating backdrops, you’ll have an amazing set up for your food tables, cake table or even guest book table as well.

Once I began to see the need for a wedding reception backdrop, I started searching for them.  Surprisingly what I’ve found- in a state where a backdrop is almost a necessity for your wedding reception- is a complete lack of good looking backdrops for a reasonable price.  Oh, there are backdrops available- don’t get me wrong.  But a lot of them are available through companies who have been renting the same backdrops since 1991.  It just so happens that there have been a few huge changes in the world of fashion since then (thank goodness!).  And WOW are they expensive to rent!  Maybe it’s just because I haven’t grown up seeing the same white pillared, fake flowered set up behind every bride I ever saw, but it seems to me there could be a better way.

So today I want to inspire you with an outsider’s perspective.  Not all backdrops must be created equal. (or rented for hundreds of dollars a piece).  For a brief moment I want you to open your mind with me and think of some cheaper and PRETTIER alternatives to the traditional wedding backdrop rental.

To help you along I’ve included a ton of pictures to help inspire the perfect backdrop to fit into your reception.  While a lot of these ideas would be perfect if you simply recreated them, I think the outcome might even be better if you just used them to fuel your own imagination.

First, let’s start easy and discuss room dividers.  These are available in just about any color or style you want and can be purchased in SO many places!  Check out  Target, Ikea or even discount places like T.J. Maxx, Tuesday Morning or Ebay for some great deals.  They are often prices around $100-$200 each and the best part is- after your wedding you could use them in your new apartment!

Ok, second idea comes from these beautiful flowing and draped designs.  I love the simplicity and elegance of the backdrop featured above- the simple white fabric blowing in the breeze.  It would be so simple to do and create such an amazing effect at your reception.  Below you see the flowing idea in a couple different forms- each creating it’s own unique and breathtaking effect.  I love that these two looks could be created simply by draping ribbon from a tree in a back yard wedding or the ceiling for an indoor reception.

And the last group of photos is what I like to call the Bold and the Beautiful.  Bright colors.  Vibrant patterns.  All unique and totally yours.

Yes, that couple did in fact paint their backdrop onto their house!  I personally think they’re kinda crazy, but it sure made for a cool effect.  You could tone down the idea by buying a large piece of plywood or foamcore board and asking an artistic friend to paint you a masterpiece.

I LOVE the colors in this wedding above, created simply by draping these amazing fabrics to create a unique backdrop.  Check out Ikea’s line of by the yard fabric to find some bold prints like these.  Or use the idea to create a completely different effect by draping a soft, elegant chiffon or a formal dupioni silk in your own wedding colors.

Below is a VERY unique and very modern background.  I think it’d be a great start for a Rustic themed wedding as well- just find yourself some old barn wood and you’re good to go!

I hope your eyes have been opened and your minds inspired!

May your backdrops be beautiful and your wedding budgets stay small

Photos thanks to http://greenweddingshoes.blogspot.com/ and http://www.michelleragoltd.com/