Outdoor wedding ceremonies have been popular ever since they were first allowed in England in 1994. Especially in the summer months when the British weather is a little more predictable! They’re likely to become even more popular if proposals to change England’s wedding regulations go ahead.
Live music is the perfect way to create a beautiful atmosphere at your wedding ceremony. Outdoor wedding ceremonies are no exception. It will make your hairs stand on end at all the right moments and help to cement those special memories that stay with you for a lifetime. But there are a few things you need to bear in mind if you’re hoping to book live music for an outdoor wedding ceremony. Here they are:
1. Venue restrictions
Venues must have a licence to hold legal wedding ceremonies. Sometimes they also have to comply with additional restrictions. That might include restrictions on amplified music or the time of day that music is permitted. That’s most often the case if the venue is in a built-up residential area. Usually, acoustic instruments will be allowed, even if nothing else. So a string quartet, harpist or wind ensemble would be fine, but a jazz ensemble or singer with a backing track might not. It’s always worth checking with your venue what restrictions, if any, are in place before you get too far along with your planning.
If you’re having a celebrant-led ceremony, you have more freedom over your wedding ceremony. But depending on the location you choose, you might still need to be aware of licensing. I’m working on a future blog post on live music for celebrant-led weddings, so watch this space for more detail on that!
2. Playing surface
Most musicians would prefer to play on a solid, level surface if possible. For some, this is essential. For example, the harp is a large, heavy instrument requiring the use of pedals. If it’s placed on an uneven or soft surface like grass or gravel, there’s a chance it might tilt or even topple over! Surfaces like grass and gravel also aren’t great for other large instruments, like electric pianos.
Ideally, you want to position the musicians on concrete or paving slabs. If that’s not possible, make sure you let the musician know in advance. They can talk to your venue and try to work out an alternative solution.
The last thing you want is for your musician to be sinking into the grass while they’re supposed to be performing your wedding song!
3. Shade and cover
When a musician asks to be under cover, it’s not because they’re worried about their hair getting wet or getting sunburnt! Musical instruments are delicate and usually expensive. They’re often made from natural materials which can warp in direct sunlight or if they get wet. This damage could be costly to fix or even irreversible. Professional musicians who make a living out of performing can’t afford to take that risk.
So, if you’re having an outdoor wedding ceremony, you’ll need to make sure there’s some cover for the musicians to play underneath. That will protect the instruments from direct sunlight and light rain. It might be part of a nearby building, a large umbrella, a gazebo or a marquee. Often venues, wedding planners and décor companies can help to organise this. I’m always happy to liaise with your other suppliers to find a solution if one isn’t immediately obvious!
4. A Plan B for adverse weather conditions!
Providing shade and cover is all very well if the weather’s nice, or there’s only a slight chance of rain. But if it’s pouring down or blowing a gale, you need a Plan B! Even if you’re getting married in the height of summer, you should still have an indoor space as a backup, just in case. Most venues have this as standard, and the chances are your registrar or celebrant will give the same advice. Your musicians won’t perform at their best if they’re battling gale-force winds. Your guests probably won’t be able to hear the ceremony very well either!
5. The volume of the music
When booking live music, you need to make sure the volume level is appropriate for the space and number of guests. That’s true for indoor wedding ceremonies too. If you’re inviting a large number of guests, or they’re going to be very spread out, it’s a good idea to book a larger ensemble or use a bit of amplification. This will make sure everyone can hear it. In very open spaces, the soundwaves will get carried off more easily. The music will need to be louder to compensate. In more enclosed spaces, such as a walled garden, there might be more reverberation meaning guests can hear better. In that case, you could choose a smaller ensemble or soloist.
You also need to think about where to position the musicians. A naturally louder ensemble will be fine behind the guests or set up a bit further away. Something smaller and quieter would be better at the front.
It’s important to consider all this carefully and to take advice if you’re not sure. You don’t want to waste your budget on something that your guests can hardly hear.
6. Power supply
If you’re booking live music that requires amplification, you’ll also need to think about a power supply. Your venue coordinator should be able to tell you which parts of the venue have access to the power supply and whether extension cables are needed. If the outdoor ceremony space is a long way from a building, this might not be an option. In which case, you’ll probably need to stick to acoustic music.
You might have noticed that there are some contradictions in the advice above! What do you do if your wedding ceremony is taking place in a large open space that’s a long way from any buildings with a power supply? How do you make sure all the guests can hear the music if you can’t use amplification?
Regardless of the space you’re using, I can advise you on where the compromises lie. I can help you weigh up the different options, the pros and cons of each, and find live music that's perfect for your outdoor wedding ceremony.
