22 Unique Ways to Decorate Your Wedding Band Stage

These ideas will draw attention to the big act.

Bride and groom spinning around a monogrammed dance floor beneath mirrored spheres and in front of a stage with white delphiniums

Photo by Erika Delgado Photography

If you and your partner have decided to hire a live band to perform at your wedding, get ready for an unforgettable experience. Live music heightens the mood of your reception and brings an exciting energy to the party. Once you’ve selected your musical ensemble and worked with them to curate the perfect set list, the next task on your to-do list involves identifying the best location for the group to set up shop. If your venue has one, a stage is an obvious choice, but make sure to double check any specific requirements the band may have for their preferred location. No built-in stage? No problem. Rentals are always an option, as is creating a makeshift setup that gives the illusion of the band being off the ground.

Once you've selected your space, the rest is up to you. Decorating the platform with statement-making additions will draw attention to the big act while also setting the tone for a night of endless dancing. Best of all, there are so many ways to make the elevated surface a focal point of your reception. You can outline the area with anything that complements your aesthetic and vision, whether it’s colorful blooms or a neon sign.

Looking for inspiration to help you spruce up your wedding band stage? Here are 22 of our favorite ideas.

01 of 22

Channel Ombré Tones

Bride and groom's band stage decorated with ombré flowers and fake grass

Photo by Gracie Byrd Jones

If you’re throwing a statement-making wedding with a vibrant color scheme, paint your band stage in punchy shades. A border of blooms in ombré hues that shift from one color to another is an unexpected element that will coordinate with your aesthetic and grab everyone’s attention. For a bonus, work with your planner to cover the floor in artificial grass, so it appears as if the flowers are growing out of the ground, just as this couple did at their rooftop wedding in Houston.

02 of 22

Install a Citrus Backdrop

Band stage decorated with yellow and orange flowers and a greenery wall with oranges

Photo by Allan Zepeda Photography

Bringing real citrus fruits into your setup will freshen up the space while adding a playful pop of color. At their citrus-infused wedding in Palm Springs, this couple selected a greenery backdrop draped with oranges as a nod to their Florida venue. Their custom dance floor even incorporated illustrations of oranges, so it was only fitting that planters brimming with buds in the fruits’ bright hues pulled the setup together. This is an ideal look for Florida-based venues, but we also love this idea for summer soirées in any state.

03 of 22

Engulf the Ceiling

Band stage with white delphinium and a neon sign and the ceiling suspended with mirrored spheres

Photo by Erika Delgado Photography

While adorning the band stage itself is a must, you can also make use of the negative space above the stand. Draping reflective spheres from the ceiling is a stunning option for glamorous affairs. Not only will the surface match the textures used throughout your décor, but these decorations will also draw the eye upward and play with depth and dimension by reflecting the below dance floor. Consider incorporating unique uplighting to cast fun patterns on the ground, which is what this couple did at their New Year’s Eve wedding in Miami.

04 of 22

Suspend a Flower Chandelier

a band stage with canvas backdrop and floral ceiling installation for wedding reception

Photo by Rachel May Photography 

You can also dress up the ceiling above your band stage by hanging a flower chandelier. Suspending an overhead installation of blossoms will evoke a lush and ethereal feel at your reception, especially for garden nuptials. Mix different types of flowers and greenery to incorporate multiple textures and add an artistic touch. For a cohesive look, adorn the actual stage with matching florals.

05 of 22

Include Mood Lighting

A wooden band stage decorated with greenery, a neon sign of the couple's names, and tea lights in globes

Photo by Danielle DeFiore Photography

Embellishing your band stage with light fixtures will create the right mood for your post-ceremony party. Hanging globes stuffed with tea lights that float above your podium will illuminate the space once the sun sets, creating a romantic atmosphere. A neon sign featuring your names, like this couple used at their nuptials in Texas, will also help cast a warm glow over your evening while personalizing your setup.

06 of 22

Frame Your Setup With Luxe Draping

Band stage decorated with large floral installations, lights, and terracotta satin curtains

Photo by Sarah Falugo

Whether you’re looking for a way to make your venue feel more upscale or to coordinate with an already swanky space, draping is a great way to transform your band stage. The fabric’s rich texture is guaranteed to create an opulent backdrop your guests won’t stop talking about. To add a stronger sense of luxury, station towering urns with flowers on the outer edges, and outline the setup with light fixtures, which both made an appearance at this couple’s wedding at a mansion in Ireland.  

07 of 22

Display a Neon Sign

a band stand decorated with mini disco balls, a neon sign, and greenery

Photo by Kate Headley

Signage is one of our favorite ways to infuse some personality into your big day. At their farm wedding in Virginia, this couple placed a hot pink neon sign that read “You belong here” on the backdrop of their band stage. Set against a brick backdrop, this glowing decorative element was the main moment.

08 of 22

Embrace the Scenery

A band performing on a stage decorated with potted plants and overlooking Tuscany

Photo by Lisa Poggi

If your stage is positioned in the great outdoors, you likely won't need a lot of decorations to make a statement. At this couple’s wedding in Tuscany, the elevated surface overlooked the rolling hills of the Italian countryside, so they went with a minimalist design: Potted plants to match the surrounding greenery. Just make sure you ditch any overpowering elements, whether it’s a bold color or tall arrangement, because they’ll most likely detract from the views.

09 of 22

Opt for Simplicity

live band performing on a black stage decorated with hydrangea, roses, and greenery

Photo by Jainé Kershner Photography

If you're looking for ways to make a statement without breaking the bank, know that a simple strand of flowers is often enough to introduce the main act. Select in-season blooms and fitting shades, such as hydrangea and roses in pastel hues for a summer affair, to emphasize color and texture.

10 of 22

Choose Neutral Hues

Band stage decorated with dried grasses and flowers next to a custom dance floor

Photo by Kaity Brawley

If the rest of your reception is painted in neutral shades, bring the timeless tones to your wedding band stage. For instance, dried grasses and fresh blooms in beige and cream shades will help lend to a sophisticated and bohemian-inspired setup while introducing various textures and adding an organic touch. 

11 of 22

Create an Illusion

band stage with gold panels and a mirrored texture on a black and white checkered dance floor beneath balloons

Photo by Kristin Sweeting

If your venue doesn’t come with a stage, know that you can still create a platform for your band to perform on by using a decorative short wall or a barrier that separates the podium from the dance floor. This mirrored stand featuring gold panels placed on a black and white checkered floor is perfect for modern aesthetics overlooking the skyline in a metropolitan city. For a playful, nostalgic touch, cover your ceiling in white balloons.

12 of 22

Introduce a Nightclub Vibe

band stage with a funky pattern on the edge and the musician stands, plus metallic spheres and a "love" sign

Photo by KT Merry

Is an epic party the goal of your reception? Convert your venue into a nightclub. To accomplish this, adorn the front of your band stage with a funky pattern, and choose music stands that match. A ceiling suspended with metallic globes and a “love” light-up sign will also bring a sense of night life to your celebration.

13 of 22

Spotlight Exquisite Architecture

Live band performing on a podium with an architectural backdrop and colorful flowers on the ground

Photo by Alice Vicente

For one-of-a-kind venues, assemble your orchestra in front of an architecturally stunning spot. For instance, this couple got married in a 17th-century palace in Lisbon, so they stationed their live band on an elevated area that emphasized their locale’s intricate carvings and artistic designs. Clusters of colorful ground installations, featuring delphinium, roses, and hydrangea, further animated the regal space, but the stage would have been just as striking without the floral adornments.

14 of 22

Combine Flowers and Greenery

band stage with a boxwood wall, a neon sign, and white hydrangea and greenery planted in front

Photo by O'Malley Photographers

One of the most timeless designs is a combination of white flowers and greenery. To bring this classic pairing to life on your band stage, add an installation of white hydrangea and ivy to the setup. Choose a backdrop of boxwood greenery to tie your look together. An all-white dance floor will offer a sleek spot for your guests to break it down, while coordinating with the rest of the decorations.

15 of 22

Go for a Tropical Look

band stage with palm fronds and monstera leaves beneath a structurally designed ceiling

Photo by Elizabeth Lanier Photography

Band stages at waterfront venues and coastal soirées call for tropical plants. Reinforce your aesthetic by creating a wall across your stage with monstera leaves and palm fronds. To make sure the striking hue and the array of textures pop, set the greens against a white backdrop.

16 of 22

Integrate Ribbons

band stage decorated with greenery and ribbons on the wall and a hedge of pink and purple flowers

Photo by Rebecca Yale Photography

You just need a few special touches to elevate your band stage. Combining colored ribbons with a few strands of greenery will bring visual intrigue to an otherwise plain white backdrop—and it doesn’t require much planning. Plant a hedge of flowers on the floor beneath your podium for an additional element of lushness.

17 of 22

Light It Up With Lanterns

band stage with a backdrop of lanterns and a hanging greenery installation and string lights above the dance floor

Photo by Rachel Havel 

To highlight your band stage in a special way, line the backdrop with lanterns or pillar candles. The cluster of radiant decorations will create an enchanting vibe that will ‘wow’ your guests. Make sure to dim the rest of the lighting throughout your reception space for an even more magical look.

18 of 22

Use Potted Plants

band stage with potted plants in the front and a draped backdrop with more greenery

Photo by Meg Smith

For botanical aesthetics or nuptials that take place in a forest or vineyard, deck out your stage with greenery. A mix of potted plants in different shapes and sizes will bring the outdoors in while complementing your theme. Look to varieties, such as eucalyptus, ferns, grasses, and ivy, to decorate the edge of your stage.

19 of 22

Incorporate a Greenery Wall

band stage with a boxwood wall, a gold sign of the couple's last name, and a hanging flower chandelier

Photo by Josh & Dana Fernandez

Instead of leaving the wall behind your wedding band stage bare, cover it with verdant greenery. You can dress it up even more by including a sign debuting your new last name in elegant calligraphy. We love this look for springtime nuptials on a lawn in a tented space.

20 of 22

Get Creative With Your Design

Band stage with a ceiling of greenery and unique lights and a dance floor with green lights

Photo by Julio Tomala

Looking for a setup your guests will always remember? Fuse the band stage with the dance floor by using unexpected lighting and greenery. This platform features unique backlighting that extends into overhead light fixtures for a seamless design. The dance floor is even lit up with a sea of green to help produce a magical oasis. 

21 of 22

Feature Marquee Lighting

band stand with white flowers and a sign with marquee letters and a monogrammed dance floor

Photo by Hayley Dolson

Neon signs are always popular at weddings, but for something a bit more unexpected we suggest adding marquee letters to your stage; it's a guaranteed way to set your day apart and doing so will make you and your loved ones feel like you’re dancing at a concert. Use these light-up letters on the wall behind your band stage to highlight your last name, which will give your reception a meaningful touch. You can even complement the display with a monogrammed dance floor, complete with your joint initials.

22 of 22

Select a Moody Backdrop

band stage with moody gray and white celestial-inspired backdrop and three gold chandeliers

Photo by Norman & Blake 

Flowers are a go-to wedding decoration, but if your big-day style leans more moody, incorporate that aesthetic into your band stage design. An otherworldly backdrop featuring a blur of gray and white will bring a celestial and edgy flair to your venue’s podium. A trio of chandeliers above the dance floor will likewise set the scene by mimicking the constellations.

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