“Hey Blacky, just a quick question. Do you bring your own PA system?”
Ahhh, yes. The question that usually lands in my inbox shortly after a couple has had a meeting with their wedding venue or coordinator.
And it’s a bloody good question.
Because there’s not much point spending months creating a beautiful, personalised wedding ceremony if half your guests can’t hear a word of it.
So, the short answer?
Yes. Absolutely I do.
And while I can’t speak for every celebrant in Australia, I’d suggest that having a reliable PA system, or at the very least a solid plan for ceremony audio, is a pretty fundamental part of the job.
A Good PA System Isn’t an Optional Extra
When I first invested in my equipment, I didn’t just wander into an electronics store and grab the first speaker that looked the part.
I did my homework.
I spoke with fellow celebrants, live musicians and videographers to understand what equipment worked best, what was reliable and, importantly, what would allow other wedding professionals to do their jobs effectively.
Because sound isn’t just about making sure the guests can hear me.
It’s about making sure they can hear you.
Your vows. Your promises. The personal moments that make your ceremony yours.
And it’s also about ensuring your videographer can capture clean audio so those moments can be enjoyed again for years to come.
So, after plenty of research, I invested in the Bose S1 Pro+.
Actually, I bought two.
And there’s a very good reason for that.
Two Speakers. Because Shit Happens.
The Bose S1 Pro+ is a brilliant piece of equipment.
Portable, battery-powered, reliable and more than capable of handling the audio requirements of a wedding ceremony.
No power point required. No complicated setup. Just quality sound.
But sometimes we’re working in environments where sound can be challenging.
Think windy hinterland properties, beachfront ceremonies or larger outdoor spaces.
Having two speakers gives me the flexibility to position them where they’re needed and, when appropriate, run them together to provide better sound coverage.
But there’s another reason I carry two.
Backup.
Because as wonderful as technology is, occasionally it decides to be a complete pain in the arse.
So, if one speaker decides it’s having the day off, there’s another ready to go.
Simple.
And What About the Microphone?
Same philosophy.
I use a quality Sennheiser microphone with a dedicated wireless system that allows me to select a clear operating channel before the ceremony.
That helps minimise the risk of interference and unexpected dropouts.
I also carry a second microphone, ready to go if required.
And if wireless technology decides it doesn’t want to play nicely?
I’ve got a cable.
Old-school reliability.
Sometimes the simplest backup is the best one.
It’s all part of making sure the ceremony runs smoothly, without couples having to worry about what’s happening behind the scenes.
But What If the Venue Has Its Own PA System?
Great question.
Some wedding venues have excellent in-house audio systems, and many prefer that celebrants use them.
Absolutely no problem.
I’m more than happy to work with the equipment provided, particularly when it’s designed specifically for that ceremony space.
And, of course, I’ll still have my own equipment available as a backup.
But here’s something worth checking.
Some venues include their PA system in their package. Others charge an additional fee to use it.
If your venue is asking you to pay extra for ceremony audio, have a chat with your celebrant before agreeing to the charge.
Because if your celebrant already brings a suitable PA system as part of their service, you might be paying for something you simply don’t need.
And who doesn’t love saving a few dollars during wedding planning?
What About the Ceremony Music?
Now, this is where things get interesting.
My PA system can absolutely play your ceremony music, and I can assist with managing it when required.
But if you’re asking me for my preferred approach?
Live musicians. Every bloody time.
Whether it’s a solo acoustic artist, a duo, a string quartet or something completely different, there’s something pretty special about live music at a wedding ceremony.
Not only does it create incredible atmosphere, but experienced musicians can adapt to what’s happening in real time.
They can extend a song, repeat a chorus, adjust their timing and make sure that walk down the aisle unfolds beautifully.
You simply can’t replicate that flexibility with a playlist.
But live music isn’t everyone’s preference or within everyone’s budget.
And that’s completely fine.
The next option is having your venue coordinator, another vendor or someone you trust manage a prepared playlist.
And if you’re still looking for someone to take on the responsibility?
Well… most couples have got a mate who’s been absolutely useless throughout the wedding planning process but doesn’t have a job yet cos they’re hopeless! Congratulations. We’ve found them a job.
I’m joking, of course.
Sort of.
But seriously, managing ceremony music isn’t that complicated.
Create a playlist with your songs arranged in the order they’re needed, connect a device to the PA system and make sure the person responsible understands the cues.
When to play. When to fade. When to stop.
We’ll discuss those details beforehand so everyone’s on the same page.
Piece of piss.
One Last Thing. Your Videographer Will Thank You.
Here’s another little detail that often goes unnoticed.
Your videographer needs clean audio just as much as your guests need to hear the ceremony.
That’s why I’ve chosen equipment that allows videographers to connect their recording devices and capture audio directly from the PA system where appropriate.
Most will also attach a separate recorder to my microphone for “Justin”… Just-in-case.
And because I always have a backup microphone ready, I make sure they know about that too.
If we need to switch microphones, I will make sure their recording setup is taken care of.
It’s a small detail.
But when you’re watching your wedding film years down the track, you’ll be bloody glad someone thought about it.
So, Do I Bring My Own PA System?
Yes. Every single time.
Two speakers. Quality microphones. Backup options. Battery power. And a setup that’s been chosen specifically for the work I do.
Because while the equipment itself might not be the most exciting part of planning your wedding, it’s pretty bloody important.
You deserve to hear every word of your ceremony.
Your guests deserve to hear every word.
And your videographer deserves the opportunity to capture those moments properly.
The best sound system is the one you never have to think about.
And that’s exactly how I like it.
Happy planning.
Ryan.
