Why does gear matter? (At Weddings)
If you’ve ever been to a wedding where audio cut out during the Ceremony or an event where music stopped abruptly, those specific moments were probably remembered with/for those issues. High quality equipment ensures that the focus stays on you and the experience shared with your guests.
It ensures your voices do not cut out during your Ceremony. It ensures everyone can clearly hear your Officiant and all the Speeches. Good lighting will set an ambiance and help tie your space together. Powerful sound will help people party harder as they dance to the beat!
If you’re curious about the nitty gritty behind the equipment that makes my job possible and minimizes potential issues, let’s dive right in!
Photo Credit: Michael Stephens Photography
To start with the obvious, you probably don’t want to see my equipment in very many of your photos. Especially not at your wedding. But, in the instances where it does, I want my gear to look clean, presentable, and, if possible, to blend in with the background.
I take extra time at every event to make sure my cables are cleanly run and securely taped/held down. I double check that my equipment is symmetrically setup in relation to itself/the space. My DJ booths are designed with a minimal, modern aesthetic. You’ll be able to watch me mix!
And during your Ceremony, my goal is to be as discreet as possible. I use lapels to keep photos clean (no mic stands except during readings). I set up off to the side, out of most/all photos, but still near enough to provide even, complete coverage without microphone dropouts.
Now that you know my philosophy, let’s get more technical! The speakers themselves may vary - I have column arrays, battery powered PAs, and a larger PA w/subwoofer combo. The exact combination I use will be based on your guest count, venue (including any decibel/amplified sound rules they require me to follow), and availability of power.
No matter the setup, I will always have a separate speaker/speakers positioned and ready to go for the next moment. This guarantees smooth transitions from Ceremony to Cocktail Hour to Dinner to Dancing.
Photo Credit: Tayler Enerle Photography
Let’s talk about microphones and mixers. I use a Soundcraft UI16 mixer at Ceremony, Dinner, and sometimes during Dancing. This is a digital mixer that I have full control over directly on my iPad. It gives me detailed control to adjust volumes, EQ (down to exact frequencies), offer clean sound to your videographer, and stop feedback before it becomes painfully audible.
[Sidebar: Feedback is that ringing/tinny/high pitched squealing sound that can become painfully loud. It occurs when audio from a microphone comes out of the speakers and goes back into the microphone, creating a loop. My equipment and its positioning plays a key role in making sure this doesn’t happen.]
Even on a windy day, I’ll be able to reduce wind noise so your voices are clearly heard. On the microphone side I use Shure SLXD transmitters/receivers. I scan the frequency range these high quality units operate within (separate from the frequencies of cell phones, Bluetooth, etc.) to ensure that at your wedding, we’re using frequencies free of interference. This is the part you don’t see.
Photo Credit: Staci & Michael Wedding Photography + Videography
The part you do see are the wireless lapels (at your Ceremony) and the handhelds (during Speeches, announcements, etc.). Your officiant will be wearing a lightweight bodypack (comfortably hidden in a pocket or clipped on a belt or neckline of a dress) with a Countryman B3 mic plugged in. I manage the cable and placement so this is as discreet as possible. The mic is directional to your officiant, giving them the freedom to move and walk around as needed without unintentionally also amplifying the voice(s) of your guests in the front. The other lapel is a Shure WL93. This is directional picking up sound both from the person wearing it and the person standing in front of them. If given advance notice, I also offer tan and white lapels and all inclusive solutions.
For speeches, I use a Shure Beta 58 wireless handheld. This microphone capsule is less prone to feedback and also directional to the person holding it/standing in front of it.
The microphone stand is optional. I like to bring it out when a speech giver prefers to be hands free or needs to hold onto something for support.
Your videographer may discreetly attach a recorder to reliably capture unaltered audio (seen in this picture, PC: SLOtography).
Before we get to dancing, I want to pause, to turn our attention to the lighting! This is easily overlooked and has a huge impact on the overall ambiance of your entire evening, especially in indoor spaces! I have a range of different battery powered and powered lights that I use to illuminate your space. These may be placed on the ground, magnetically attached, or placed on a stand to light specific areas. Uplighting is the most popular choice. These are small (think the size of 4 soda cans put together) lights placed on the ground with beams of lights that reach all the way to the ceiling. When placed around your dinner/dancing space they fill the space with soft light, perfectly setting the vibe for the moments to come.
Photo Credit: Ashley Rae Studio
As pictured above, lighting can accentuate the design in your reception space and is typically set to a static color (white, amber, or warm white are all popular!) during formalities and dinner. Afterwards I can sync them with the dance floor lighting and the colors will change/flash to the beat of the music!
Speaking of dancing, wash lighting that casts a dynamic, colorful glow over the floor/space comes included. For a more club-like feel (with an uplighting package), I can swap those for moving head lights. These are more dynamic lights with moving patterns that flash and change colors while moving around/across your dancing space. Combine this with powerful speakers and there will be no doubt that it’s time to dance!
(Like in this great photo by Tayler Enerle Photography!)
I’ll make sure your music is crisp and clear with bass strong enough to keep everyone on beat (venue permitting, we’ll turn it UP!)! Volume will stay consistent, I’ll be transitioning smoothly so there are no awkward silences/pauses, and I will use my microphone to hype everyone up for key moments!
I’ll let the music do the rest, making your wedding unforgettable for all the right reasons!!
