What should I do with this empty stage?

Sorry, app malfunction. Here are the photos: obviously, the hammock and cushions in the corner were from another event and will be gone.

Ak! Sorry. WW just uploaded like 42 duplicate posts.

How is your seating going to be? You could put a nice back drop and set the Head table in front of it. Or put some type of decorations up there.

I'd say head table, or rearrange the tables in such a way that the stage is off to the side, as opposed to having people face it. If you decorate it too much, you may just draw more attention to it.

Or if you're having a fabulous cake it can be up there?

I was planning to have a dance floor in front of the stage with tables spaced evenly beyond it. I suppose I could put the dance floor in the middle of the room, but it might look/flow funny.

You could christmas tree looking things across it...or other plants. Or you could create a new background with a structure and put fabric, or flowers, or draping or doors or whatever your style is....https://www.pinterest.com/explore/wedding-background/

Silan, that's what I was thinking--I don't want to draw attention to it, but I feel like the shape of the room can't really accommodate a dance floor on the side without feeling awkward, or like it's up against a wall. Not having a big cake (but it will be fabulous, lol). We are doing a small one with a dessert buffet. The bar is at the back (behind where I took the photo from), so we can't reverse it. I keep having visions of a big, giant glamour shots photo of us on an easel up there, haha. We could dress in double denim.

I don't know how big it is, looks small to me in the pic.....I was thinking like.... window seat cushions to make it a sit and chat area when people are a little tired from dancing

Thank god for Pinterest. I'm not wild about balloons, but I found this idea and I think I could work with it if I can't come up with another one:

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/222717144045767111/

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/559924166143089604/

It's pretty big. The photos are deceptive. It has a 250 seated capacity with dance area. We will have 20 (60") round tables in there.

Lol @ double denim. You could always put life sized cardboard cutouts of yourself up there!

Maybe you (the sweetheart table) should sit up there?

I like the sit and chat idea...that would be pretty neat. Are you having a sweetheart table? You would definitely be on display but you would have a wonderful view of your guest.

Sweetheart table up there? or extra dance floor for the brave? or easels with large photos of you two for folks to view? guestbook?

I say use it to put the cake and sweetheart table up there with a nice backdrop!!!

Maybe a huge monogram?

You could put the DJ stand up there, or if you want something fun it could be a photobooth

edit: I missed the part about no DJ. So I am going with photo booth. or you could keep the hammock in case someone needs a nap lol

I agree with a backdrop and head table.

It's a good idea, but there's no effing way FH is sitting up on stage in front of the crowd. He doesn't like to be the center of attention, but loves a party. Funny because he's a teacher. We are having the world's shortest ceremony at his insistence. As in "Do you love me?" "Yes." "Do you want to be my wife?" "Yes." "Great. I do."