Are you having your ceremony on location or on the grounds of your reception venue? If so there is a high probability that you will need a ceremony sound system to cover accompanying music and microphones so your guests can hear your officiant and vows.
I think this is an area that often gets overlooked by wedding couples and can be a bit of an after thought. Honestly, as a wedding DJ, the ceremony is probably the highest pressure part of the day for me. Everything is so quiet and formal feeling during a ceremony and any little flub that may occur feels very multiplied. For a seamless ceremony, you really want somebody who knows what they’re doing running the sound.
My ceremony coverage includes a small sound system with a lapel microphone for your officiant, a handheld wireless microphone for vows and/or readings and playing all music during the ceremony and pre-ceremony background music.
The Music
There are typically at least 3 songs that need to be picked out by the wedding couple prior to your wedding day. The first one is what song your wedding party will walk down the aisle to, the second is for the bride’s processional and the third is the recessional song for the bride and groom after they are announced married.
There are several other opportunities for songs if you should decide to have them (a separate song for parents/grandparents procession, or maybe a song during a unity ceremony). There are so many versions of songs out there that are often designed for weddings or have a professionally recording instrumental version. I recommend that for your processional songs that you should pick whether or not you want them to have words or not. Either one is completely acceptable but I would keep it consistent (both instrumental or both with lyrics). If you’re opting for having lyrics you might want to think about what words you want to be heard or not heard as you walk down the aisle. It might take a little finesse and timing but a particular section of the song can easily be communicated to your DJ.
For your recessional song, it’s usually best to have a fun, upbeat song that is joyous, after all you just got married and everybody is excited! It can really help set the tone of your reception so feel free to be creative with this one.
The Microphones
If you are not reading your own vows but rather repeating after your officiant then only one mic is needed. That microphone will be a lapel style microphone that your officiant will wear. If you are reading your own vows and want everybody to hear you, then a wireless handheld microphone will be provided for that. I find that for best results, holding the microphone is the best option but we could also put it on a mic stand if that is preferred. Usually the officiant will have this mic accessible to him or her somewhere and will grab the mic and hand it to the wedding couple when the time is right.
If there are any readings or if for any reason another person needs to speak or sing during your ceremony, this would be the microphone that is used for that as well.
Battery Powered
My ceremony sound system is completely wireless and requires no power. This allows me to provide sound at any location you desire. This also gives me the freedom to set up at any spot I’d like at your ceremony location to avoid having speakers in your wedding photos. I usually set up behind your guests in a corner with the speaker(s) facing forward.
Let’s Make Every Moment Sound Perfect
From your vows to the dance floor, I’ll ensure every song and spoken word is crystal clear. Contact me today to book your complete wedding DJ and ceremony sound experience.