EP. 28 Every Backdrop Has a Backstory: Creating Personalized Event Designs

Ever wondered what truly makes a wedding photo pop? Hint: it's not just the smiling faces or perfect lighting, it's the backdrop that frames the entire moment. 

In this episode of The Tipsy Guest Podcast, I chat with Oji Martin, the creative force behind Backstory Backdrops, about the art and science of creating meaningful event backdrops that tell your unique story. What began as a VIP lounge for her son's fifth birthday party has blossomed into a thriving business built on storytelling through design.

Oji reveals the surprising depth behind backdrop creation, from the initial consultation where she uncovers a couple's personal narrative to the three foundational elements (color story, style story, and font story) that bring cohesion to every design. She takes us through her creative process, explaining how her team transforms Pinterest boards and scattered ideas into cohesive visual stories that perfectly represent each client.

We dive into the practical challenges of installation, with Oji humorously admitting that her company's "B" also stands for "Plan B" because of their ability to overcome unexpected venue limitations. The conversation takes an enlightening turn when we discuss vendor collaboration, particularly between backdrop designers and photo booth companies like mine. Learn why communication between vendors is crucial for elements like neon signs, which may look stunning in person but create photography challenges without proper coordination.

The episode culminates with Oji sharing her favorite creation, a baseball-themed seating chart that perfectly captured a couple's shared passion. This heartwarming story demonstrates how the most meaningful designs come from personal details that might seem insignificant until transformed by a skilled designer.

Whether you're planning a wedding or simply appreciate the artistry behind event design, this conversation offers valuable insights into how backdrops can become more than decorative elements—they can become the canvas that tells your story. Connect with Backstory Backdrops on Instagram @backstorybackdrops or through their website to bring your own vision to life.

Have you incorporated personal stories into your event design? Share your experience or ask questions about backdrop possibilities for your upcoming celebration!

Transcript

Speaker 1 0:01

Welcome to the Tipsy Guest Podcast. I am your host, marco Buenrostro, and every week I'm here with the top industry experts, amazing clients and all my vendor BFFs to bring you the best tips, advice and juicy behind-the-scenes stories to make wedding and event planning a breeze. So grab your favorite drink and let's get this party started. Hey guys, welcome back to the Tipsy Guest. I am Marco, your host. Today we're going to be talking about something that, as a photo booth owner, I appreciate this a hundred percent, because this is what makes or breaks an actual photo. We are going to be talking about backdrops, backdrops, backdrops. And for that I have an expert OG Martin from Backstory Backdrops. Hello, hello.

Speaker 2 0:56

Backdrops, backdrops, backdrops and backdrops.

Speaker 1 1:00

Literally that's yeah.

Speaker 2 1:01

I love it. I'm here. I'm here for it.

Speaker 1 1:03

Girl, I gotta tell you, oh my God, I mean, every time I go through your Instagram I am just amazed by the talent that you have. It is crazy. Talk to me. Tell our listeners everything about you. I'm sure they are so curious.

Speaker 2 1:22

Oh my gosh, first of all, thank you so much. I mean gosh, that's, yes, curious. Oh my gosh, first of all, thank you so much. I mean gosh, that's yes, thank you, thank you, thank you. Every design we make, we really put thought, care and stories into it. Hence backstory, the name yeah the name.

Speaker 2 1:37

But yeah, so I our company backstory backdrops. We do all sorts of backdrops and that starts from, say, seating charts, ceremony backdrops, backdrops just for photo booths, like you mentioned, and just little displays that really kind of bring your event together. Even if it's just signage, we can really turn it into a backdrop.

Speaker 1 2:02

I absolutely love it. So I mean I know that, you know, I mean I see you at events, everywhere. I see you at open houses, wedding shows and things like that. So I guess, how well, I guess let's get a little behind. You know, like a background story here, how long have you been doing this?

Speaker 2 2:21

So really it all started back in 2019. And we're actually about to celebrate six years this August, so it's really exciting. But it really all started with don't laugh at me, but my son's fifth birthday party. We decided to do like a VIP lounge and the theme was Austin City Limits.

Speaker 2 2:43

His name is Aston, so yeah so we did all sorts of stuff and my friends all throughout that party were saying, oh my gosh, oji, you should do this as a business. I'm like, do people really want backdrops? Like is that a thing? And so started kind of going down the rabbit hole. And then we rented out that backdrop we created for his little VIP lounge, if you will and it just kind of kicked off from there and I just started to like learn more about the industry, more about what can be done, and, being that I come from a branding background, graphic design background, it just kind of really was where I could find my niche, if you will, of something that I really love to do, was where I could find my niche, if you will, of something that I really love to do. I mean, it just was birthed from joy and I really enjoy what I do, so taking backdrops and bringing it to San Antonio, the way we tell the stories in San Antonio, it's been a joy for me.

Speaker 1 3:40

It is so crazy and I love the story. You know it started from something so personal, yes, and now you are making money honey, making money.

Speaker 1 3:50

No, oh my gosh, you get me to say the craziest thing, marco, and I love it, I'm here for it no, but seriously, I mean the, because sometimes people this is the way I see it you know, sometimes people look at the things that you create, you know, and not just you specifically, but just you know. Let's say, of course, you know we're talking wedding business, yes, but people see us doing, for example, me with the photo booths, you know. They see me going to weddings every weekend. They see me doing, you know, all these beautiful events. Yeah, sorry, I'm almost choking here. So, and the first thing that they think is like oh my God, you just, you don't even work, you just go to parties and you're just having fun and blah, blah, blah.

Speaker 1 4:37

Yeah, there's actually a lot that goes on behind closed doors that people don't see. Yeah, and I'm assuming with you it's the same way, because I mean, from the moment somebody inquires, I mean I'm sure there's an initial consultation that you have to design like, walk me through the process of how you know a backdoor comes to you know, from something, from somebody reaching out to you, to the moment you go and install it at their wedding. How is that whole process?

Speaker 2 5:04

so, yeah, that you're saying everything that we do. It all starts as a long, long laundry list, if you will, of things that need to happen before that backdrop comes up on your instagram feed, and it starts with that initial contact with us. Whenever someone reaches out to us, you can reach out email, call, even on social media. We get that information from them about their event. We ask for all the details, but then we also ask for the story. That's really what we come back to is the story, because there's so much stuff.

Speaker 2 5:41

First of all, I have to take a little like a little side note. There's so much stuff. First of all, I have to take a little side note. There's so much stuff on Pinterest, on social media ideas for weddings, ideas for your events, ideas for your parties. It can be overwhelming, you know, getting all that information and then trying to narrow it down to what you actually want and what you actually need. And that's where we come in making sure that, out of all that clutter during that consultation, we get your story, we get to the core of who you are, and then what happens after that is when we present you your story. You're gonna buy into it. There's no way, you're not gonna look at anywhere else, even though you've been sliding through pictures after pictures, pinning after pinning. Once you see a backdrop that tells your story, your unique, individual tale, come on, you're going to say yes, please, you know, sign on the dotted line.

Speaker 1 6:41

Come on now. I mean you sound so passionate about what you do About backdrops. Yes, it is so incredible. I love that. I mean you sound so passionate about what you do About backdrops.

Speaker 1 6:46

Yes, it is so incredible. I love it. Honestly, I'm telling you, I get you Because we use backdrops for every single photo booth activation that we put out there. And you know, of course, we have our standard backdrops, but then you know a lot of the times we have our brides, our groomss, you know, wanting something specially like made for their big day.

Speaker 1 7:06

Yes, and this is where you come into place. You know a lot of the times you know they, they want they, you know they see all my my social media. They're like oh my god, we like this factor, we like that one. And I'm like, well, I have the right person for you, because you know that's what we do. We like to partner up with people that love what they do, that create amazing stuff. And I mean, now that you're telling me the process, I mean I feel like it's so meaningful, you know for, for for you and it's so meaningful for for your clients you know, because you're putting so much into this design, then of course you know, I guess, and then once you show them the mock-up, I guess, of the backdrop, Basically, after each consultation I'll go to my.

Speaker 2 7:48

You know, on my computer I start pulling up ideas and then I take their information and all of a sudden it could be one little detail. They said to me during the phone call and we're running with it. We're like okay this is going to be the anchor, if you will, to this whole design, and so we provide them a. This is my foundation for every design that we create. It is the color story, your style story and your font story.

Speaker 2 8:17

I know fonts is that, yeah, font is a thing for me. It's a big deal. It's a big deal because we're going to write whatever we're going to say in big letters on your backdrop, and that really is important, and we can pick a font that suits you, like your wedding dress, that suits you, like your party dress, that suits you, like your suit and tie it's really important to us. So those three things color story, style, story, font story three things color story style, story, font story that is what we use to create your entire design suite. So I am obsessed. That's your ceremony, that's your photo backdrop, that's your cake backdrop, that is your place card, your seating chart, your you know, escort, escort tags. Every single thing that we create for you. Its true foundation lies in those three principles for us, and so it will always be like uh, what's the word? Connected? It will always be.

Speaker 1 9:17

They will always complement each other because they all started from the same birthplace I love it and that was actually that was going to be one of my questions If you do more than just backdrops, which you obviously just answered that for me, and I love that because you know it's great for our listeners to know that because they they hear the name, you know backstory backdrops and they may be sometimes think that you're only that, you can only do that.

Speaker 2 9:47

Oh yeah, that you can only do that. Oh yeah, but no, she, she can do it all, we do it all. I'm a I'm a maker at heart, so saying no has always been a problem. But we've tried to, like you know, pinpoint what we do, and so it really comes down to creating beautiful story backdrops, and it could be a flower wall, it could be a streamer wall, it could be aerial, an aerial story we're telling with streamers and other props I know we did.

Speaker 1 10:10

I mean that, those streamers that we used, for we had a style shoot with the kimpton hotel.

Speaker 2 10:15

Yes, yes, those streamers.

Speaker 1 10:16

I mean the colors, the, I mean even, like the amount of streamers like it's the perfect amount. We go big yeah, no, it was so beautiful. Oh, thank you, it was so, and I and I, yeah, like I love how you I don't know, I guess, like you, just have a vision for things and and, and the good thing is that you're pretty familiar with most of the venues here in in the area, so you know what works and what doesn't work yes, yes, yes we were just talking about right now, before we started recording, about placement for, you know, for the backdrops or for the photo booth, or just you know, any of your activations in general.

Speaker 1 10:49

Correct, here in the area you know, san Antonio, austin, the Hill Country, weather is crazy all the time. So I guess what would you say to a? You know a couple that comes, they come up to you and they're like hey, you, hey, we want this beautiful activation, but it is going to be outdoors. Like, what is? How are you? Do you do outdoors? Do you do indoors?

Speaker 2 11:12

What are your restrictions, I guess, when it comes to design, so really, we can work around any element, and so you could. We do outdoors, we do indoors and we really try. And being that we've been doing this for about six years now. Coming on six years, we've really kind of figured out how to make things work in just about any location. And, yes, there are some days that it's like, oh, that's not going to work outside or that's not going to work in this location, because you deal with slopes, you deal with all sorts of things and we create huge designs.

Speaker 2 11:48

So for, say, a backdrop, you're dealing with a 20 foot wall that you're trying to stretch across uneven pavement. We may have to move it around, we may have to make some changes, or we're doing something aerially and we thought, oh, the ceiling was magnetic, but now it's not. Now we have to make different adjustments. So, really, because our, our know-how is in backdrop, is in decor um installation, we've really come across a lot of ways to get around things and make your day happen. No matter what, we'll'll figure it out. Yeah, we can. I mean, come rain, snow or sleet, we will make it work.

Speaker 1 12:27

Okay, and now let me ask you so what happens? So let's say, for example, if you know, the backdrop gets damaged during installation, like is there a backup plan? Like how would you handle something like that?

Speaker 2 12:43

Okay, this is an inside joke for our team. We're saying we're backstory backdrops. The B also stands for plan B, because nothing ever goes to the like what you think it is. You know, we give you that mock-up even before we design anything. We give you a proof, with like down to the centimeters, of what things are gonna be. However, you know, sometimes you get there, even if we do a walkthrough, which we try to do in spaces before we install, just to make sure everything's going to like, fit, everything's going to work, work out and look great. And you get there the day of and all of a sudden there is something in the way of what you where you're going to set up the backdrop. Now you've got to move it somewhere else, or anything like that.

Speaker 2 13:26

So we're always ready to pivot and we just we in the past years we just know how to like, come up with another way of doing it, and that's why we call ourselves Plan B sometimes. I like it. Yeah, we've learned to pivot. We've learned to come up with new ways of. We have so many ways to hang things you wouldn't believe it. We have so many ways to adhere things to things. It's crazy.

Speaker 1 13:53

I like it. It's so good that you get creative, you know, because you gotta make it work, you gotta fake it until you make it.

Speaker 2 14:00

Yes, you have to, especially with what we do. Sometimes the structures we create can be small, but sometimes they could be 20 feet wide. That's a yeah that's a small bedroom. Yeah, trying to set up a small bedroom outside that can be put up in an hour and taken down in in 20 minutes, that that is wild and right now.

Speaker 1 14:19

okay that you're talking about setup. Yeah, so let's say, the wedding is, you know, 5 pm, 6.m, whatever the time it is, when do you set up? Do you go early in the day? Is it like an hour before, like, depending on how big the activation is? How does the setup work around? I guess the timeline of the wedding?

Speaker 2 14:36

Correct, correct. So when we, in that initial consultation, when you give us all the information, we ask you what's the earliest setup, what's the latest pickup? And all this information helps us decide how we're going to set up on your day of sometimes we have to set up the day before. Okay, I always said I've never it took so long for me to actually meet you, marco, even though we've worked on so many projects. I know, um, since we've been in business, we have worked on so many projects that your team has been at, but I've never seen y'all. It's like because we're gone before the flower lady gets there. We're gone because it's already set up. We have to Because there's so many elements that could happen. We like to be on site as early as possible as possible.

Speaker 2 15:22

So once we get the scope of the build and usually we'll know by the time we have that final mock-up proof once we get the scope, we can tell you this setup is going to take three hours. Shoot, this setup is going to take five, six hours. So, based on the duration of the setup, we'll get there in time so that way you have plenty of time to you know. Will get there in time so that way you have plenty of time to you know. And nowadays, with social media, we need to make sure we're set up so that way once the social media person gets there you're already photographer gets there, they can start taking those first images hours before the guests arrive I love that.

Speaker 1 15:58

I love that. And right now that you mentioned, you know we've worked on so many projects together. Yeah, it's so funny. Yes, because, like you know, before I even met you know we've worked on so many projects together. It's so funny, yes, because, like you know, before I even met you, you know like I would know, because, of course, you know we would tag each other on social media and stuff like that.

Speaker 1 16:10

But you know, something that we need to tell our listeners is you know, vendors know each other. So perfect example is you know, sometimes when a couple come, they come to me and they're like hey, marco, we already have a backdrop. You know, one of my first questions to them is like hey, how big is the backdrop? You know, because we need to make sure that the size that it's going to work with the photo booth so to our listeners out there. It is perfectly fine for you to let your vendors talk to each other.

Speaker 2 16:41

I think communication is key.

Speaker 1 16:43

Because sometimes you know they're like, hey, we already have a backdrop and we show up and it's like a little curtain or it's like a little flower, or it's like a little like something so small.

Speaker 1 16:50

Yeah, so, yeah. So to our listeners, you know, if you're going to be, at least you know. Let's say I, for example, you're using me or any company you know for a photo booth, but then you're using somebody else for a backdrop. It is always a great thing to do to put them in contact. You know, make sure that they talk to each other, Because one not only do they need to coordinate the time of the setup, because, as a photo booth company, the backdrop needs to already be in place for us to set up the photo booth, to make sure that it's going to be within the right frame, and all of that too. You know we need to talk to each other because we don't ask the photo booth company. We, you know, we come up with a design for the, for the printouts, or the border for the photos.

Speaker 1 17:38

So we want to make sure that we don't design something that's going to clash with the backdrop design. So we would would love to talk to the designer that's creating your backdrop so that they can send us a picture of what the backdrop is going to look like. That way we design around it to make sure that it's going to complement the backdrop and not clash with it.

Speaker 2 18:00

So yeah.

Speaker 1 18:00

So it's totally fine for us to talk. So you know, sometimes it's hard for them to be the middle person.

Speaker 2 18:05

Yes, I encourage that or even if you don't feel like you have to like necessarily say hey, marco, meet OG, og, meet Marco. Share the information that either vendor is giving you. If Marco says this is what's going to be at the MVP backdrop, make sure Backstory Backdrop knows that, because during the design process we can adjust for that.

Speaker 1 18:29

We can make sure.

Speaker 2 18:31

Something that I think we should talk about is neon signs.

Speaker 1 18:35

Oh, my God, yes. Neon signs.

Speaker 2 18:37

So if you tell your backdrop company, preferably us, preferably Backstory Backdrops, if you tell us, hey, I want a backdrop with a neon sign, we're going to say, yes, yes, let's give you the biggest neon sign, the brightest neon sign you've ever seen. And then Marco gets there with MVP and they're looking at that huge, bright neon sign, thinking how are we going to photograph this? Now, your backdrop is not going to be what you envisioned Exactly.

Speaker 2 19:07

Because Marco's going to have to, mvp's going to have to do something different to make it work, to make sure your pictures look good, which may compromise the initial vision you had for your backdrop. But if you had just told us about it, if you had just, you know, put us in contact with each other and said, hey, og, hey, backstory backdrops, we're gonna have a um mbp photo booth there, we would have said, oh, I don't know if that neon sign is gonna work, or maybe we could do a smaller neon sign to the side, give you options. Or maybe we give you a layered backdrop that has the main backdrop in front and the neon sign on a smaller backdrop to the side, something to adjust and accommodate for all that you plan to do for your event. Just make sure you don't know what you don't know.

Speaker 1 20:01

Yeah, I was just going to say that, so just go ahead and share our information.

Speaker 2 20:05

Make sure, when we give you that proof, that final proof, before you even approve it, share it with your cake vendor, share it with your photographer, share it with your videographer and make sure you share it with the person who's going to be taking the picture of the backdrop with your guests mbp.

Speaker 1 20:21

So yeah yep, I always, I always.

Speaker 1 20:23

Yeah, there's always a surprise, especially like yeah, with the with the neon signs, you know there's a few ways that you can go around it. Uh, when, when brides, you know, when groups tell me like hey, we need, we want, we're going to use a backdrop or a neon sign, I always tell them I'm like this is the thing, the neon sign looks really, really pretty in person. Yeah, you know, when, once it's set up there at the wedding, but a lot of the times, depending on where you put the neon sign, you know, depending on the height that you use with that, with the backdrop it's, it might not even make it to the actual, to the final photo because people are going to be standing in front of it, so it will cover the backdrop.

Speaker 1 20:59

Another thing is, let's say, we put it a little higher to where it makes it to the photo.

Speaker 1 21:03

Most of the photo woods, at least you know with us here at mvp, you know we use studio lighting for our photo woods because you know the better the lighting, the better the photo is going to look. So if we, if we do that neon sign a little bit higher, where people are not covering it, then you're going to see the umbrella, you're going to see the lighting from the photo reflected on the actual neon sign. So placement matters, which is why it's very important for you as a couple to let your vendors know, you know, for you as a couple to let your vendors know If you have two vendors or more collaborating for one specific area of your wedding, let them talk so that we can figure it out to see what's going to be the best way to make it work. Yes, all right. So, og, what would you say has been your favorite activation for a wedding in this? I mean, I'm sure you have a few, but what is like your ultimate, like favorite, favorite, favorite?

Speaker 2 22:04

Oh my gosh. First of all, I love it when a couple comes with, like some kind of unique story or something that is just personal to them, and so I just live for love stories. When they can tell, like, tell me their whole love story. I'm literally on, like on the phone, kicking up my my heels, like, oh yes, how did you meet? And you know they'll tell us, and how did he propose I get the tea? And so, um, any, any activation, any um seating chart that we've created. Usually seating charts are my favorite. They're really a really fun way to really capture the, the um story of the couple, because it's where you can be kind of fun, you know your ceremony you want.

Speaker 2 22:44

You want it to look kind of serious, your cake design a little serious, you know, but a backdrop. That that is, you know, in your your guests are going to interact with is where you can really have the most fun with it.

Speaker 1 23:00

You know, really People will be talking about it.

Speaker 2 23:01

Like seriously ham it up, Like if you are a take your, there's so many things you can take into it your love story, your profession, your hobbies, your things you love. So my favorite one and it's actually a super small backdrop, it wasn't even like anything massively big, but after hearing the couple story, keep in mind she came to me with just a photo. She sent an image. She's like can you make this for me for a backdrop? It was a picture of them and it had magnets with the with the couple, with the guests names on it. I was like, hey, I really don't do stuff like this, but here are some other people who can print something. It's just like a little poster thing and so, but if you want to talk to me about any other things I can help you with, she's like well, I really kind of want a big backdrop.

Speaker 2 23:48

Now I think about it. I'm like, well, talk to me. And so I was like let's get on the phone. So we start talking and she tells me about how they met and they've known each other for so long and she's not still not sure what her backdrop is gonna be. And then she starts saying something. I was like well, what y'all like to do. And she says, well, we have this thing where we visit all sorts of baseball fields, like we love to go to baseball fields, and I was like, really okay, we keep the conversation going, she tells me more about them. I hang up the phone and I was like baseball, baseball, immediately, get on my computer do a mock-up. It took me like five minutes for this.

Speaker 2 24:27

Seriously, I'm quick with it, but I'm not that quick. But this time I had it, I just had it, and so I sent her like three different options and all of them had to do with baseball Elegantly styled wedding baseball seating chart. She literally like, after I sent it, I was like I hope she loves it. That's the weird part about this job is you put your heart, you put your like you know, your creative juices into something and you hope someone likes it.

Speaker 2 24:58

Like look, look what I made. And so she calls me like five minutes after I sent that email. She's like I love it og I love it I love it. I was like yes, and so we got to create this um seating chart that was baseball themed. It kind of had the pink pin stripes in baseball, but we took her wedding colors and turned it into baseball Basically made their little baseball team and the guests were their MVPs.

Speaker 1 25:24

I love it.

Speaker 2 25:24

I had her send me a photo of her and her husband at the baseball like baseball field, so we had that on there with a little baseball.

Speaker 1 25:33

I love it.

Speaker 2 25:35

Flowers were used but baseballs were in the flowers. It was so, so cute. It was just like my absolute, just because it was so personal and it was really truly their love story. And the first thing, while we were setting up, some like part of their wedding party were like setting up and they're like, oh my gosh, they love baseball. How did you know that? I was like they told us.

Speaker 2 25:56

They told us so when your guests come up to your seating chart, to your overall wedding, you really want them to be able to get a glimpse of you, and sometimes it's hard to do that with all the other elements in the wedding design. But my God, try to get it in that seating chart. It will be the tea. There you have it. And oh my God, I have get it in that seating chart. It will be the tea.

Speaker 1 26:18

There you have it, and, oh my God, I have to see photos of this. You have to show me.

Speaker 2 26:22

Yes, I will share it with you.

Speaker 1 26:23

But okay, OG, we are completely out of time. No, we don't want to do that I know girl. I want you to tell our listeners where they can go see your work. I mean, I know you're very active on social media.

Speaker 2 26:36

I try to be a little, so I want you to tell them where they can find you All right guys. You can find Backstory Backdrops on Instagram, or you can check out our website at backstorybackdropscom, and our handle for Instagram is at backstorybackdrops.

Speaker 1 26:53

Absolutely love it. And I guess if they want to know about prices and packages and all that, backdrops, Absolutely love it. And I guess if they want to know about prices and packages and all that they can send out an inquiry form.

Speaker 2 26:59

Just get in touch with us. On our website You'll find the contact us form and there you can put in all the information. We ask for pictures. We love stories with pictures. Like little kids, we love to see stories with pictures. So send us as much pictures if you have. Most people have a Pinterest board that they're working with. Go ahead and send that to us. If you have no ideas, that's fine. Let's just get on the phone, let's talk, let's hear your story and we'll take it from there.

Speaker 1 27:24

Awesome. Thank you so much. I'm sure we'll have you again, girl, because we can keep talking.

Speaker 2 27:28

I want to do this again.

Speaker 1 27:31

All right, guys. That's it for today. We'll catch you next week. Bye, bye, everyone. Thanks for listening to the Tipsy Guest Podcast. If you know someone who could benefit from these tips, spread the love and share it with them. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review. Next round's on us, same time, same place, cheers. This podcast is brought to you by MVP Photo Booth, the number one photo booth rental company in San Antonio, austin and Central Texas.