how to calculate ribbon/draping?

My first thought is that ribbon is expensive. If you go with ribbon you should try and get it wholesale. You'll need to get the ceiling height and make sure you can find spools of ribbon at least that high. It'll be a lot of ribbon! I think I have some other backdrop images saved somewhere on my computer… lemme see if I can find any of them~

What about paper lanterns? I found a bunch on orientaltrading.com. Martha's always good for ideas too.

How long do you want to make it? This is how I would make it. I am thinking of making one too if I have the time and money. Diameater of top holding bar plus height/length of ribbon wanted plus 1 inch to fix it tio th pole. I was thinking of using PVC piping and leaving the ends raw that run on the floor or if its poly blend singing it. One of a few website I know of Such a Deal is pretty cheap for large bulk orders

http://www.such-a-deal.com

I have yet to order from them but I was looking to order my ribbon wand ribbon from them. both projects are extras that are if the money is there I will do.

I like the idea for the ceremony - i think that it could be overkill for the reception. if i remember correctly you have a really neat urban space that doesn't need to be covered up!

for the ceremony - i'd just measure how long each piece will be. then you can measure how many pieces across you would need based on width of ribbon, and go from there.

you could also save a little money, maybe, by buying cloth and cutting strips?

Pop up alter… Martha Stewart.com!

Wow, that's not bad pricing at all.. I was looking at another place that was charging similar ribbon (organza) $25 per 100 yards...

I may do a mock up of paper streamers to see how it looks and get an idea for how much I need for the backdrop.. I think the cieling would be a little more difficult to calculate I think... only because I'm not sure how dense I want it to be.. maybe I'll skip that..

Not sure if you like any of these… but I was having way too much fun on Martha. I like these because they give depth.

We looked into this for my sister's wedding at one point, and we calculated based on the height of the ceiling = length of strips, Then divided the width of the wall we wanted to cover by the width of the ribbon (2") and determined how many strips we would need. We multiplied that by length of strips and got a total number of feet we would need. It ended up being WAY more money than she could afford, but the cheapest place we found to buy ribbon was http://www.theribbonretreatwholesale.com/default.aspx

They have ribbon in all widths and colors. We were looking at the Grosgrain ribbon so we could singe the ends to keep them from fraying.

Thanks for all the suggestions! I'd post pics of my inspirations, but I can't from this computer for some reason :/

My wedding board can be found here though...

http://www.pinterest.com/jenuine86

I may just do ribbon chandeliers for the reception.. the cielings aren't terribly high and we have permission to hang things.. so it might work best.. plus if I do it right, I won't have to worry about putting to much ON the tables for decor is the chandeliers can be hung above them.. hmmmm

I've decided to get paper streamers on my lunch, probably make a little something tonight and post a pic

Check out this website for ideas as well. They have string curtains and beaded curtains that work well for backdrops. We are using them for behind our candy buffet

http://www.shopwildthings.com/stcuwi18stpe.html

I seem to remember that pinterest pin LOL. I planed on using it behind our table at first. But now its moving to the theater to backdrop us.

Yea.. I stole it Thanks Shdvl! lol