Why good sound and professional AV can make a bigger difference to your wedding day than you might think.
POV: your big day has been planned for months, years maybe. The menu is perfected, the tables are everything you dreamed of and the sun is shining. You’re all set to marry the love of your life.
Your handwritten vows are poised to be read. You’ve both poured your heart and soul into them. You know they’ll cry, you know the special mention to your mum, your kids, your dog will get huge smiles from your nearest and dearest…
And… nobody hears a word.
Pretty upsetting, right?
Great AV isn’t just about volume. In fact, it’s got a hell of a lot more to do with clarity, placement, location and sound technicians with a shit load of experience.
When it’s right, you shouldn’t even notice the work that’s gone into it. But when it’s wrong, or left out completely, well, that’s embarrassing.
Your venue and what you might already have
When you book your venue, you’ll likely get a long itemised list of what they have available for you to use from an AV point of view.
It may include things like house lights, plug sockets, room speakers, spotlights and potentially a PA system. Or it may have nothing at all.
And even if your venue does have a sound system, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to be suitable for everything you’re planning.
A system that works perfectly for background music in a small room might not be enough to make sure 150 guests can hear the speeches. A beautiful old building might look incredible but have some seriously challenging acoustics. And an outdoor ceremony? Well, you’ve got no walls to help carry the sound.
It’s worth finding out exactly what’s included with your venue before you assume you’re covered.
What about your band or DJ?
Did you know that your band or DJ may not provide everything you need for the whole day?
Some bands and DJs will bring their own PA and equipment, while others may expect the venue or couple to arrange additional sound hire. It really depends on what’s included in your booking, so it’s worth checking.
And even if your evening entertainment has its own sound system, you might still need a separate setup for the ceremony or speeches.
Maybe you’re getting married outside. Maybe your venue is larger than expected. Maybe it’s got poor acoustics or is particularly echoey (looking at you, historical buildings!).
That’s where we come in.
It’s not just about the party
When people think about wedding sound, they often think about the evening reception: big speakers, loud music and getting everyone on the dance floor.
But there are several important moments earlier in the day where good sound can make a huge difference.
Your ceremony
Your vows are probably one of the most important parts of your day. So, making sure everyone can hear them seems like a pretty good idea.
The same goes for readings, music, announcements and anything else happening during the ceremony.
The right microphone and speaker setup can make sure your guests aren’t straining to hear, or relying on the people in front of them to tell them what was said.
Your speeches
Then there’s the speeches.
Whether it’s the best man, maid of honour, your parents, your partner or someone who has promised to keep it short and absolutely will not, you want everyone to hear it.
A suitable microphone means your speakers don’t have to shout, and guests at the back of the room don’t have to lean forward and cup their hands around their ears.
It can also make a huge difference to your wedding videographer. Clear audio is a big part of capturing those moments properly, so it’s worth considering when you’re planning your AV.
Your evening reception
And then, of course, there’s the party.
Good sound isn’t necessarily about making everything as loud as possible. It’s about making your music sound good and making sure the system is suitable for the size and shape of your room, without deafening the people standing directly in front of the speakers.
The right setup will depend on your venue, guest numbers, whether you’ve got a DJ or live band and how much space you’re working with.
So, what do you actually need?
The answer is: it depends.
Every wedding is different, and you don’t necessarily need a massive production system to get great sound.
For example, you might need:
- Ceremony: microphone and speakers
- Drinks reception: speakers for background music
- Speeches: suitable microphone and speakers
- Evening reception: a PA system suitable for your room and entertainment
- Outdoor wedding: additional speakers and equipment designed for the space
The important thing is getting the right equipment for your wedding, rather than hiring a load of kit you don’t actually need.
That’s where experience comes in.
We consider the size and layout of your venue, the number of guests, acoustics, where people will be sitting and what you’ve got planned throughout the day. From there, we can recommend a setup that does the job without overcomplicating things.
What happens if you don’t hire anything?
Maybe nothing.
Maybe your venue’s system is perfect. Maybe your DJ has everything covered. Maybe you’ve got 30 guests sitting in a tiny room and everyone can hear perfectly.
But if you don’t have the right equipment, you could end up with guests asking people to repeat themselves, music that’s too quiet or distorted, speeches that can’t be heard at the back of the room, or, worst of all, one of your friends being given the job of unofficial sound engineer for the day.
And we’re guessing they’d rather be on the dance floor.
Professional sound doesn’t have to cost a fortune
We know weddings are expensive. There are dresses, suits, flowers, food, venues, photographers, entertainment…
So we don’t think good sound should automatically mean adding hundreds of pounds to your budget.
Our basic wedding package starts at just £70 and includes a microphone for the speeches and a couple of speakers. It’s enough to make sure you’re heard and can also support an evening DJ in a smaller room.
Need more? No problem.
If you’re deep in wedding planning and you’ve already decided your wedding can be whatever you want it to be, we’d love to help make the AV part of your dream day happen too.
From a simple microphone and speaker setup to a full bespoke sound and lighting package, we’ll help you work out what you actually need, and nothing you don’t.
Because you’ve spent months planning the perfect day.
You might as well make sure everyone can hear it.
