What a full wedding production package covers, how sound and lighting work together across ceremony, reception, and late evening, and what you should expect from a production company working at the top end of the market.
luxury wedding AV productionLuxury wedding production is not a more expensive version of the same thing a standard AV hire company provides. It is a different working relationship. At this level, the production company is engaged months before the day, contributes to technical decisions during venue planning, conducts a site visit well before the event, and has a named operator present from before the first guests arrive until the last cab leaves.
The word luxury, in a production context, means margin for contingency. Redundant equipment. Crew with enough experience to solve problems before anyone at the wedding knows there was one. A sound check scheduled early enough to be finished before the day programme starts. It means all of this was planned for, not relied upon to work out on the day.
A well-run wedding production is quiet. The couple never speak to the crew. The ceremony microphones are on when needed and silent when not. The band sounds like the band, not like the PA. That result requires a lot of work to look effortless.
Microphones for the officiant and the couple, coverage across every seat, music playback that fills the room without overwhelming it. Wireless lapel microphones fitted before the ceremony so there is no visible adjustment during the procession. A monitor position for the operator so levels can be managed live throughout the service.
Background music at a level that allows conversation. A speech microphone on a stand at the top table with the operator monitoring from front of house. Music transitions managed so there is no dead silence between courses and speeches. The production crew is present throughout, not watching on a timer from a van.
A live band requires a full PA system, monitor wedges or in-ear monitoring for the performers, a front of house mix position, and a sound check before the day programme begins. The production company liaises directly with the band's tour manager or sound engineer. The transition from band to DJ and back is managed technically so the energy does not drop at changeover.
Drinks receptions, garden ceremonies, and outdoor entertainment areas each need a separate audio treatment. A system designed for an indoor room will not work outside. Output levels, weatherproofing, cable runs, and generator supply for outdoor power all need to be specified separately, before the day, not improvised on arrival.