What Is The Best Ceremony Sound for My Outdoor Wedding?

One of the most frequently asked questions we get as event and wedding sound experts is: “What are the best options for sound at our outdoor ceremony?”

Sound outside is tricky. It has many options on where it can go. And on a windy day, you might not even hear yourselves or the officiant. So, if you want to hear yourself, and you want anyone in the back row to hear too, these are the questions we ask clients and options based on what they want …

 1. Are you interested in something that is very basic and functional, or do you want something more integrated into the environment?

The Good Option: Speakers flanking you and the officiant and facing into the audience.

The Best Option: Hidden speakers placed strategically on the ground or in the landscape surrounding the audience.

Why? This gives a better distribution of sound at a lower volume so all guests can enjoy the vows and music, plus it hides speakers in photos.  

2. For us to calculate best coverage and how many speakers will be needed, we ask how many guests will there be and what is the layout? Is it a traditional layout with an aisle in the middle and guests on either side, or is it “in the round”? Depending on this, we will usually suggest between four and eight speakers.

3. What are we supporting with sound? Are you having one, or two officiants? Is there a cantor? Do you have readers coming up to say special remarks? Do you have live music or pre-recorded music? This is all part of our process in determining the best sound for you.

 Other FAQs 

“I don’t have much money. I need something functional.”

Solution: Two speakers on stands, flanking the chuppah or altar with one wireless handheld microphone on a stand.

“I want something great. But I’d like the sound to be invisible.”

 Solution: Hide the speakers within the decor and environment. In this case, the speakers then surround the guests to create great sound!

For microphone options, see this blog.

An example of the best outdoor sound situation: A “skinny” mic and speakers hidden in the environment.

Photo; @johncainphotography | @mariee_ami, @jacksondurhamevents, @bishopslodgeauberge, @westcoastmusicbevhills | Design Sound

And yes, we also provide sound for outdoor music in the middle of nowhere! Our team trucked out two 24' trucks packed full of gear including L’Acoustics and Digico for this event to provide the best sound possible for our clients.

Planner: @brookekeegen | Photo: @mksadlerwed | Music: @westcoastmusicbevhills | Venue: @duntonhotsprings | Design Sound