This past weekend, I had the pleasure of working a beautiful wedding in Simi Valley, Southern California. The couple, Tony and Stephaney, chose a stunning venue for their intimate ceremony, surrounded by close friends and family. What made the ceremony extra special was their officiant—a longtime friend of the bride—who shared heartfelt and funny stories about the couple, making it truly personal and memorable.

As the audio tech, I came fully prepared. I set up three microphones: a lapel mic for the officiant, a wireless mic on the bench, and a wired mic as a backup. While the lapel mic provided clear audio, it occasionally picked up some wind, so having backups ensured everything went smoothly. I always like to have my bases covered, especially for outdoor ceremonies.

Tony and Stephaney are a fun-loving couple who wanted to keep things relaxed and joyful. They skipped some of the traditional formalities but made sure to include the essentials—like a sweet first dance and a group Cupid Shuffle that got everyone moving.

During cocktail hour, we kept the vibe upbeat with fun music. It was warm inside, so many guests opted to hang out outdoors. For the older crowd who stayed inside, I mixed in some classic old-school tracks to keep them entertained.

Once the sun went down and things cooled off, the dance floor filled up. From a touch of country to a lot of early 2000s dance hits, the night turned into a party that perfectly reflected the couple’s personality.

Weddings like this are a reminder of why I love what I do—great music, great people, and a celebration filled with genuine joy.

Djs can provide the ceremony sound for weddings if needed. They can provide the service of setting up the speakers and having the microphones to work correctly. They can also be behind the mixing board to adjust volumes and in case of feedback or if someone needs a boast or reduced in volume based on their voice is soft or too loud. The dj can also cue up the music for the pre-ceremony music and entrance music for everyone to come in. 

Or the couple can do it DIY. Some djs only bring one speaker but I always bring two for the ceremony. It has a good balanced sound to it. A smart phone or tablet can be connected to the speaker via Bluetooth or a cable. You would still need someone to man the music to push play at the appropriate times. If it’s a small gathering then you would not need microphones or if it’s a chapel that has their own microphones then you set. But if you want to diy microphones, its crucial to have someone overseeing the volumes. 

So, which is better between getting a dj to do your sound versus diy? A diy rental would run about 150 to 300 dollars and you would have to pick it up and set it up or you would have it set up for you. The question is who ever is working it are they going to know how to use the gear correctly. A dj will be using their own equipment so they know how to use it. The cost for a dj to do the ceremony can range 300 to 500 dollars. 

We talked about the microphones and it is time to pick the right microphones for the ceremony. I have heard other djs speak about they rely on the corded microphone for ceremonies. As a dj company, they can offer the different microphone choices. They can be able to work any of the 3 types of microphones. A professional always prepares for the unexpected. What happens with the battery dies? What happens if the signal drops?  What happens if someone trips on the cord? What happens if the microphone picks up another signal and heard through the speakers?

Providing the sound, the dj has to let the officiant and or groom know how to use the wireless microphone or the lapel. Typically, the dj puts the lapel on the officiant or groom with the microphone pointed up. Then the dj will tuck the cabling in the shirt or pocket so its not totally visible. 

I always bring a multi channel mixer when it comes to ceremonies. I hook up a wireless microphone, a lapel and a corded microphone to it and test them all before the ceremony to ensure they work. Batteries should be within reach in case one of the wireless microphones need them. Depending on microphone, it gives indications if the battery is running low on the receiver or on the microphone itself. 

Which one is the best? It all depends what the bride the groom wants. With technology, every microphone sounds better than ever. At the same time, a classic never goes out of style (a corded microphone).