10 Tips on How To Decorate Your Wedding Stage [or Sweetheart Table]

A sweetheart table is popular at Western weddings. It provides the bride and groom with a special, private place to eat and spend time together. It can also provide your wedding reception space with a stunning focal point.

The Indian version of a sweetheart table is the wedding stage! This is where the couple meets each other for the first time as husband and wife. Many other wedding rituals take place on the wedding stage as well.

Although they seem very different, both of these wedding traditions share similarities, and many brides and grooms mix and match sweetheart tables and wedding stages at their Eastern and Western weddings.

It turns out that decorating them is fairly similar too! Just check out these ideas that can be used to decorate both a sweetheart table and a wedding stage.

Wedding Stage Featuring Floral Wall and Hanging Garlands: ShaadiSaga

Use Flowers in Creative Ways

Flowers are an obvious choice for any kind of wedding decoration, but you should consider using flowers in creative ways. Sweetheart table flowers can feature floral garlands instead of cut stems and stage decoration ideas with flowers might include petals that cover the stage like a blanket.

Sweetheart Table on a Stage With a Simple Fabric Backdrop: Trendy Bride

Create a Backdrop

Backdrops are great for sweetheart tables and wedding stages! Keep it simple with a sweetheart table backdrop by decorating with a few backdrop floor stands. Curtains are an easy way to create a backdrop behind a large wedding stage.

Sweetheart Table With Flower Garland and Candles Pushed Towards the Front: Lara Rios

Decorate the Perimeter

Reception tables are likely to feature centerpieces. A sweetheart table arrangement and stage décor should focus on the perimeter instead. Arrange bud vases around the perimeter of a sweetheart table scattered among votive candles or allow tendrils of flower arrangements to cascade down the front of the stage.

Wedding Stage Featuring Layers of Flowers, Curtains, and Candles: Utopian Events

Create Layers of Interest

No matter how you decide to decorate, you should look for ways to add layers of interest. For example, layer a chiffon table runner over a table cloth or create stunning, hanging flower arrangements to hang in front of a curtain backdrop.

Sweetheart Table Featuring Antique Chairs: Junebug Weddings

Choose Interesting Chairs

Just because guests are using folding chairs doesn’t mean you have to! One of our favorite simple wedding stage decoration ideas involves choosing interesting chairs. An oversized chaise couch is a great choice, while velvet wingback chairs can look stunning at a sweetheart table.

Sweetheart Table on an Antique Rug Featuring a Velvet Tablecloth: Green Wedding Shoes

Splurge on Luxe Details

Your sweetheart table or wedding stage should complement the reception tables, but that doesn’t mean they have to match exactly. As a focal point, it’s a great opportunity for you to add luxe details to your décor. Stage and sweetheart table décor ideas with a luxe twist might include crushed velvet table cloths, fancy glass charger plates, or upscale candle holders.

Wedding Stage featuring Candelabras and Chandeliers: Maharani Weddings

Add Lighting

Lighting is a great way to add more dimension to any wedding space. It can also be a great low budget wedding stage decoration option. Candles are a quick and easy way to add some light. Fairy lights, string lights, and uplighting are popular too. If you’re looking for something a little different, try Edison bulbs at a modern wedding or hanging chandeliers at a more traditional celebration.

Sweetheart Table Featuring Hanging Rattan Lanterns: The Knot

Hanging Details

Any space is automatically more magical when things are hung from the ceiling! That might include lighting, but it should include other details too. For example, floral chandeliers are a stunning sweetheart table or stage decoration for a reception. Ribbons can be tied to tree branches at a whimsical outdoor wedding and rattan lanterns can hang above a sweetheart table at a boho affair.

Sweetheart Table With Poufs for Additional Seating: Martha Stewart

Consider Additional Seating

Traditionally, a wedding stage or sweetheart table is for the bride and groom, but weddings today are all about breaking the rules and making it your own. If you’re excited to share the day with your friends and family, consider adding additional seating. Place puffs in front of a sweetheart table or arm chairs flanking a couch on a wedding stage so you and other guests have an intimate place to have great conversations.

Wedding Stage Featuring Hanging Mirrors: Urban Company

Do Something a Little Unconventional

Don’t be afraid to do something a little unconventional! Create a backdrop of open books, skip the flowers and only use metallic and geometric details, or place a tent over the top of your indoor stage or sweetheart table that is covered in hanging tealight holders.