Hey Amma. You are right about saving yourself a lot of headaches by using black for the backing as well. Another option would be some of the very busy black & whites available. Any "artistic value" in your stitches will be lost in either. Since this will be your first attempt at stippling, do yourself 2 favors in addition to the black or b&w backing. Use a smaller needle & finer thread, like a size 10 or 12 (sharp- not universal) needle and at least a size 60 thread. You will, in the end, see it quilted and not see the quilting itself... not without a good light & magnifying glass. The 2nd favor to yourself would be to buy an extra 1/2 yard of the black or 2 FQs (1 black & 1 b&w), depending on your choice of backing color, to make a mini quilt to practice on before you do the real thing. This might also help you decide which backing you prefer.
Good luck & of course, we hope to see it when you are finished. :D