What Audio Equipment Do I Need For A Wedding?

Your big day is fast approaching, and you want to guarantee that your vows, speeches, background music, and dance music will be heard with crystal clarity. There's just one problem: You have no idea what audio equipment you'll need.

At Quality AV, we understand that very few couples are sound system experts, and we're here to help. We've assisted numerous brides and grooms in achieving flawless, high-quality sound for their wedding ceremonies and receptions. From setup and teardown to technical support during the event, we cover all the bases. Your wedding can be our next success story!

Below, we've provided an overview of the audio equipment we recommend for weddings. To learn more and make your booking with our professional team, contact us today.

Essential Audio Equipment For A Perfect Wedding Day

Every event is unique, and the audio equipment required for your wedding will depend on various factors like its size and location—and whether it’ll be indoors or outdoors. That being said, at Quality AV, we recommend the following essential audio equipment as a starting point for all of our clients:

• Speakers (at least 2)
• Amplifiers (if speakers are not active)
• Mixer
• Audio interface
• Microphones (at least 2)
• Audio accessories (cables, adapters, power solutions)
• Backup systems

Core Sound System Components

The core components of your wedding sound system will include speakers, amplifiers, a mixer, and an audio interface. Not sure exactly what those are or why they're important? Let's take a closer look:

Speakers And Amplifiers

You probably know that speakers convert electrical signals into sound waves, but did you know that in order for those sound waves to be heard loud and clear, they first need to be boosted by a device known as an audio amplifier? Many, but not all, modern speakers have amplifiers built into them (these are known as "powered" or "active" speakers). It's important to check whether or not the speakers you're planning to use for your wedding have amplification systems built in or whether you'll need to connect them to external amplifiers.

At a bare minimum, we recommend having two speakers (and two amplifiers) at your wedding to improve sound distribution and ensure a balanced audio experience for all of your guests.

Mixers And Audio Interfaces

Also known as an audioboard or soundboard, an audio mixer is a piece of equipment that connects all of your audio sources (microphones, song tracks) and sends them to the amplifiers/speakers. Your audio technician will use the mixer to control volume and ensure the highest possible sound quality throughout your event. For most weddings, a mixer with 4 to 6 channels is usually sufficient, but if you've booked a live band, more channels may be necessary.

An audio interface is a small piece of equipment that allows high-quality sound to be processed and played from a computer source. If you plan to play music off a laptop at your wedding, an audio interface is a must.

Microphone Selection For Wedding Events

No matter the size of your wedding, you should make sure you've booked at least two microphones. This will allow the event to flow smoothly and ensure a backup in case of any unforeseen technical issues. At Quality AV, our wireless microphones provide exceptional sound quality and allow for flexibility of movement throughout the event, but many couples also prefer to have a wired microphone and a microphone stand on hand for live music or formal speeches.

Audio Setup And Placement Strategies

How you set up the audio equipment for your wedding will depend largely on the layout of your venue. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Place speakers strategically around the dance floor, ideally at the corners facing inward to maximize audio quality and balance.
• Book adjustable speaker stands to further customize sound quality for the environment.
• Have an audio technician to adjust sound levels and quality throughout the event (this could be your wedding DJ).
• Ensure you know in advance what audio equipment (if any) is supplied by your venue and/or required by your band or DJ.

Additional Audio Accessories And Backup Equipment

Cables, Adapters, And Power Solutions

Don't let the details escape you; having the proper cables, adapters, and power solutions on hand for your wedding day is absolutely vital! There's nothing more frustrating or disappointing at a wedding than a technical malfunction or poor audio quality that could have been easily avoided with the proper equipment. Speak directly with one of our knowledgeable team members for more information about audio accessories for your special day.

Emergency Backup System

At Quality AV, we do everything possible to ensure a perfect wedding experience for our clients—and that includes being prepared for the worst. We strongly recommend having backup audio equipment on hand in case of any unexpected issues, and we can advise you on which pieces of equipment are most critical based on your setup.

Creating Your Customized Wedding Audio Package

Ready to put together the audio package for your dream wedding party? So are we. Contact us at Quality AV today to get started!