Gazebo Wedding Ceremony

Outdoor wedding ceremonies held under a gazebo are beautiful and very romantic.  Although a gazebo is an ideal site for a wedding, they almost never have an attached PA system.  For this reason, we are often asked to help couples facilitate their gazebo ceremony by providing a PA system, a microphone and/or music.

If you are having a small intimate gathering of 40 or 50 people and you do not wish music to be a part of your ceremony, you may not need a DJ to assist with a PA system.  You  and your officiant will probably be heard just fine without the aid of sound amplification.  If your group, however, is larger than 50 and/or you wish music to enhance the celebration you will certainly need a PA system at the gazebo.  I suggest against the boom box option as they tend not to be powerful enough and outside ambient noise can easily drown out the quality of sound coming from a boom box.  Plus, the boom box option requires a family member or a friend to work the controls and this takes away from their experience at your wedding, even if all else works fine.

You'd be surprised at how affordable it is to have a professional provide this service for you.  Typically, we charge only an additional $100 to $150 to set up a sound system at the gazebo if the ceremony is held at the same site as the reception, which is almost always the case.  A recent client of ours commented on how valuable this service was to her because it relieved her of a lot of stress related to the ceremony.

We'll arrive well before the start of the ceremony to set up equipment in a manner that is not intrusive.  We'll do a sound check, prepare the microphone and music, etc.  When guests begin to arrive, they are welcomed by prelude music already softly playing as they find their seats and prepare for your ceremony.  When the ceremony begins, you and your bridal party will enter to a processional song(s) of your choice, making for a very moving experience.  And, hey, what about the postlude song as your officiant congratulates you as husband and wife?  We'll make sure that the end of your ceremony is a great springboard for fun and celebration afterward at your reception!

For more information about how we might help you with your ceremony and reception, please contact us soon to set up a phone chat or a personal meeting!

Click here if you want to learn more about our DJ service or receive a price quote for your upcoming event!

DJ's Who Assist With Wedding Ceremony

I've been a professional wedding disc jockey for many years and have observed a number of trends. One significant trend has to do with couples deciding to plan a ceremony that is not held in a church but elsewhere, usually the site of their reception.

Almost half of the weddings that I book now require my attention to both the ceremony and reception, something that was very rare even ten years ago. Couples who plan a non-traditional ceremony often forget to consider the need to amplify the proceedings. Most churches have a sound system that allows guests to hear the officiant, listen to vows and enjoy recorded or live music before, during and/or after the ceremony - a benefit not always found at other venues. Ceremonies held outside in parks, gazebos or at other non-church venues often lack a PA system.

If you are planning a small, intimate ceremony inviting less than 50 guests and do not desire music, you probably do not need a PA system. Ceremonies larger than 50 and/or for those that include music to create a special atmosphere definitely will need an experienced DJ who understands the dynamics of a wedding ceremony.

A ceremony DJ will:

1) deliver and set up a sound system at the site of the ceremony before guests arrive
2) provide a microphone for the officiant and the couple
3) play selected music before the ceremony begins while people are arriving
4) play selected music during the processional
5) play selected music during the ceremony itself if the couple so desires
6) play selected recessional music providing continuity leading to the reception

Unlike during the reception, a DJ who assists with the ceremony should not be seen as a prominent figure and will work in the background of the event. His efforts, however, will create a result that lasts in the memories of the couple and their guests for a long time.

Most DJ's are not trained or experienced to assist with the wedding ceremony. The skills necessary to help facilitate a successful ceremony are somewhat different than those needed to produce an energetic dance floor during the reception. For those searching for a DJ who will assist with the ceremony and the reception it is important to be sure your DJ has experience in both regards. Ask your DJ to detail how he or she can help make your ceremony a successful one. Ask for advice on how best to amplify the ceremony, select appropriate music and how the DJ interacts with the officiant to make it all happen. Also, be sure to ask about any additional rates for the added service.

The roles and responsibilities of the professional wedding DJ are expanding along with newer trends. Asking the right questions, including those pertaining to the ceremony, will help the couple feel at ease knowing their DJ is perfect for the job!