So, your outdoor ceremony area looks beautiful, the skies are blue and the birds are tweeting, and your wedding is about to begin. But, unless you are absolutely in the middle of nowhere, you run the risk of a variety of outdoor sounds creeping in and spoiling the silence.
Your venue could have all manner of audio interferences, for example, nearby road noise, agricultural machinery (if on a farm or in the countryside), animals, or even aircraft (you could unknowingly be in a flight path). I have had sheep and cows being quite verbal in the next field to a festival wedding, a busy schedule of aeroplanes (in peak season) flying overhead at a venue near Gatwick, and even a neighbour's lawn mower during at a wedding at home.
Having said all this, you can rest assured that as your celebrant, I come with a fully portable battery operated PA system, with lapel and wireless microphones (with 'windjammer' to stop the noise from the breeze being picked up), and a mic stand.
I am completely mobile and without messy leads, so whether we are in a field or by a lake without power supply, we are still fully operational!
We will have potentially spent months preparing your personalised and unique ceremony script, so it is key that we make sure everyone hears it and indeed enjoys the sentiments. If you have a large guest list, those at the back will just not be able to hear.
I often suggest fewer rows and with gentle arcs rather than boxed rows of chairs, as you increase the size of the rows, and people are not so far back, but rather wrapping around what is going on at the front.
If you are having an outdoor wedding, I arrive early on your day to do a voice test and sound check, and ensure all equipment is prepared. I run through volume levels and ensure it is all ok ready for your guest's arrival.
Once I know who your allocated person is for operating the music, I show them everything they need to know and together we check all pieces of music for entrance, signing and your exit too.
(My PA stand also has a white cover which you are welcome to adorn with flowers or lights, so that it is in keeping with your theme and blends in with the ceremony setting.)
If you have hired a celebrant for your day, make sure you discuss how the ceremony words will be amplified, and indeed if you require the option to have pre-recorded music played through it too.
The guests at my couples outdoor weddings all enjoy the personal words that we have written, and it makes for some fabulous photos too, seeing them engaged, and involved in the ceremony means they'll be talking about it for ages afterwards!
"I learned so much about the bride and groom today and listened to every word. Usually, I am thinking about the reception drinks and not at all paying attention during the ceremony, but this was fabulous!"
Make your special words heard, and make your ceremony unforgettable.
Put this very special part of your day at the forefront of your celebrations and let it become the very start of your happy ever after!
