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Wedding audio has to do a lot of different jobs.
At the ceremony, the priority is usually making sure everyone can hear the celebrant, readings and vows. At the reception, microphones are needed for speeches and announcements, while music becomes increasingly important as the evening progresses.
By the time the dance floor opens, the requirements can be quite different again.
That’s why choosing wedding speakers isn’t simply a matter of finding the biggest PA available.
Audio Hire uses Electro-Voice speakers across its event hire range because they provide a practical combination of clarity, output and flexibility for weddings and other events.
The right system will depend on your venue, guest numbers and what you want the PA to do.
What speakers do you need for a wedding?
For many weddings, a pair of powered full-range speakers is a sensible starting point.
Two speakers can be positioned on either side of the reception area to provide more even coverage across the audience.
Audio Hire’s 2 × 1500 Watt 15” Speaker Package uses two Electro-Voice EKX-15P powered speakers and includes speaker stands and speaker cables.
This type of system can be suitable for a wide range of wedding applications, from speeches and background music through to a lively reception.
For smaller or more speech-focused applications, a more compact speaker system may be appropriate.
The important thing is to choose the system around the actual event rather than assuming every wedding needs the same equipment.
Wedding ceremony audio
A wedding ceremony presents a different audio challenge from the reception.
People need to hear the celebrant and anyone speaking clearly, often across an outdoor area or a relatively large room.
Music may also need to be played before the ceremony and during parts of the service.
Speaker placement is particularly important.
The main speakers should generally be positioned in front of the audience and behind the microphones to reduce the risk of feedback.
Raising the speakers on stands can also help sound travel over the heads of guests near the front.
For many ceremonies, a pair of full-range speakers is more than capable of providing the required coverage.
Don’t forget the microphones
The speakers are only one part of the wedding sound system.
A ceremony may require microphones for the celebrant, groom, bride, readings or other participants.
The reception may require several microphones for speeches.
And this doesn’t automatically mean you need wireless microphones.
A wired microphone can be an excellent choice when the person speaking is staying in one position.
The Shure SM58, for example, is a well-established vocal microphone that can be used for speeches, announcements and live performance.
Wireless microphones become useful when the speaker needs to move around freely, but there is no reason to choose wireless simply because it’s a wedding.
Audio Hire offers both wired and wireless microphones, allowing the microphone to be selected according to the job.
Wedding speeches
Speech clarity matters more than extreme volume during wedding speeches.
Guests need to hear every word without the PA becoming unnecessarily loud.
A good microphone, appropriate speaker placement and sensible system levels all contribute to this.
If several people will be speaking, it can also be useful to have the appropriate number and type of microphones ready before the reception begins.
For a straightforward speech setup, wired microphones can be particularly simple.
If speakers need to move around the room or leave the lectern, wireless may provide greater freedom.
Background music
Background music places relatively modest demands on a PA compared with a dance floor.
The system needs to provide clear music at a comfortable level without dominating conversations.
This is another situation where a pair of appropriately sized full-range speakers can work very well.
You don’t necessarily need subwoofers simply because music is being played.
The requirements change when the music becomes the main focus of the event.
When the dance floor opens
Once the wedding reception turns into a dance party, the PA has a different job.
Music needs to be played at a higher level, and low-frequency content becomes much more important.
This is where the difference between a general-purpose full-range PA and a larger music system becomes more noticeable.
A pair of 15-inch Electro-Voice EKX-15P speakers can provide substantial output for a range of wedding receptions.
For larger receptions or events where bass and dance-floor energy are particularly important, dedicated subwoofers may be worth considering.
Do you need subwoofers for a wedding?
Not every wedding needs them.
If the reception is mainly speeches, dinner and background music, full-range speakers may be all that’s required.
If there is a DJ and a busy dance floor, dedicated subwoofers can provide considerably more low-frequency output.
The important question is what you want the music to feel like.
If bass and dance-floor energy are a major part of the evening, a system with dedicated subwoofers can be a worthwhile upgrade.
Audio Hire’s larger EV configuration combines full-range speakers with dedicated subwoofers for events that need more low-frequency performance.
Our guide to when you need subwoofers with Electro-Voice speakers explains the difference in more detail.
How many speakers do you need?
There isn’t a fixed number based on the number of wedding guests.
A 100-person wedding in a small reception room can have very different requirements from a 100-person wedding in a large hall or outdoor marquee.
The shape of the venue matters too.
If everyone is concentrated around a dance floor and the speakers can be positioned effectively, a pair of speakers may provide excellent coverage.
If the audience stretches a long way from the stage or dance floor, additional coverage may need to be considered.
Our guide to choosing the number of Electro-Voice speakers looks at this in more detail.
12-inch or 15-inch speakers for a wedding?
Both can be useful.
A 12-inch speaker can provide a compact solution for ceremonies, presentations and smaller receptions.
A 15-inch speaker provides additional low-frequency capability and headroom and can be particularly useful when music plays a larger role.
The choice shouldn’t be based simply on the assumption that bigger is better.
Think about the size of the venue, the number of guests, the type of music and how important the dance floor is.
Our 12-inch vs 15-inch speaker guide explains the practical differences.
Speaker placement at a wedding
Where the speakers go can make a significant difference to the result.
For the ceremony, speakers should generally be positioned so that sound travels towards the guests rather than towards the microphones.
For the reception, place the main speakers towards the front of the audience area and raise them on suitable stands.
If there is a dance floor, consider its position when deciding where the speakers should go.
Avoid putting speakers behind the microphones.
You should also avoid positioning them where people can easily knock into them or where cables create unnecessary trip hazards.
Our guide to setting up Electro-Voice speakers covers the practical setup in more detail.
What if the ceremony and reception are in different places?
This is common with weddings.
The ceremony might be held outdoors or at a separate location before everyone moves to the reception venue.
That can mean the ideal audio setup for the ceremony isn’t necessarily the ideal setup for the reception.
You may need microphones and a relatively compact PA for the ceremony, followed by a larger system for the reception.
If the equipment needs to move between locations, this should be considered when planning the hire.
Outdoor wedding audio
Outdoor ceremonies and receptions can require more careful planning than indoor events.
There are fewer walls and surfaces to contain or reflect the sound, so speaker placement becomes particularly important.
Wind and ambient noise can also affect how clearly people hear speeches.
For an outdoor ceremony, the priority is usually clear speech rather than maximum volume.
For an outdoor reception with dancing, the required system may be substantially larger depending on the size of the area and desired volume.
What if you’re hiring a DJ?
If a professional DJ is supplying the music, talk to them about the PA requirements before booking equipment.
Some DJs bring their own sound system.
Others expect the venue or client to provide the PA.
If Audio Hire is supplying the system, the DJ’s equipment will need to connect to it correctly.
For a larger wedding with a substantial dance floor, the requirements may extend beyond a pair of full-range speakers.
See Audio Hire for DJs in Adelaide for more information.
What about live music?
Some weddings include a live band, acoustic duo or solo performer.
The PA requirements will depend on the performers and instruments.
A solo acoustic musician may have relatively modest requirements.
A full band can require multiple microphones, mixer channels, monitors and a more substantial main PA.
In that situation, speaker selection is only one part of the production.
It’s worth discussing the full equipment requirement before the event rather than discovering on the day that additional inputs or microphones are required.
Don’t choose a wedding PA based on wattage alone
It’s easy to see a large wattage figure and assume you’ve found the right system.
But wattage doesn’t tell you everything about a speaker’s real-world performance.
Maximum SPL, speaker sensitivity, driver design, enclosure design, DSP and coverage all contribute to the result.
Our guide to what speaker wattage actually means explains why the biggest wattage number isn’t necessarily the best way to choose your PA.
A practical wedding setup
For a straightforward wedding reception, a typical setup might consist of two full-range Electro-Voice powered speakers on stands, a suitable microphone for speeches and the appropriate cables.
If the event has a DJ and a strong focus on dancing, the system may be expanded with dedicated subwoofers.
The exact setup depends on the venue and requirements.
There’s no benefit in hiring equipment you don’t need, but equally, trying to save money by undersizing the PA can be frustrating once the reception is underway.
What should you tell Audio Hire?
When asking about wedding speaker hire, provide as much information about the event as possible.
Tell us where the wedding is being held, approximately how many guests are attending, whether the ceremony and reception are in the same location, whether there will be a DJ or live music and how important the dance floor is.
Also let us know whether you need microphones for the ceremony and speeches.
That gives us enough information to recommend a system based on the actual event rather than simply giving you a generic speaker package.
Electro-Voice speakers for your Adelaide wedding
Electro-Voice provides a flexible range of professional powered speakers that can cover many different wedding applications.
A compact system can work well for speech-focused events and smaller functions, while larger EV speakers and dedicated subwoofers can provide the additional output required for music-focused receptions.
The aim isn’t to hire the biggest system available.
It’s to choose a system that gives your guests clear speech, enjoyable music and enough headroom for the way you intend to use it.
If you’re planning a wedding in Adelaide, get advice about your event or browse Speaker Hire Adelaide and check the available options online.