If your ceremony will be at your your wedding venue (on-site), check to see if they offer amplification as it varies by venue.
The following insight is meant to be helpful…
Why do I need this?
If you have more than a small circle of guests and don’t want to shout to be heard, then you will want to be amplified. A ceremony sound system is exclusively for the marrying couple and the officiant (to be heard while speaking). The musician you’ve hired will have an amp for their guitar or piano…string players usually need no amplification.
What about the musicians amp? Can we use that?
Unfortunately amps for instruments are not designed for speaking, so voices will not sound good.
Can’t you just give us a microphone?
A microphone doesn’t work on its own, it needs to be plugged into a sound system (mixer and speakers), which needs to be run by a professional sound engineer.
Does my venue provide a sound system?
This varies by venue – some have in-house PA systems (like Bowery Hotel, Liberty Warehouse, Clarks Landing), some have coffee-house type small systems they’ll set up and run for you (Inn at Longshore, Tappan Hill Mansion). Check with your venue to see exactly what they offer. If they don’t, then contact your bandleader for options.
Will my officiant have a sound system?
This is case by case, but we find that rarely does an officiant own or provide a sound system.
Why doesn’t the band automatically provide this?
We can provide this, but every wedding is different – not all ceremonies are on site, or, some venues can provide a system. For these reasons we don’t build this into our standard packages. Also, most sound companies charge extra for this service as it’s not a part of the band’s reception sound needs.
Exactly what can you provide?
Our sound company provides a small system, which is separate than the big system for the dinner/dance. Our smaller system comes with a wireless microphone and elevated speakers which our engineer run during the ceremony. As you can see in the photo, there is a microphone – it plugs into the mixing board – which powers the speakers…all of this works together.
When do I need to decide about this?
We encourage our couples to reserve this at 2-3 months out from the wedding date to ensure availability.
This is giving me a headache!
Don’t consider this to be a problem! However, it is a detail that is often ignored until it’s too late and inventory is tapped out, so be sure to set up your rental well in advance.
Want to talk about this? Give us a call at 917-570-6609 or email storytellersnyc@gmail.com