What Equipment Do I Need To DJ A Wedding?
Whether you’ve been asked to DJ the formal ceremony, the reception, or the afterparty, it’s essential to have the right equipment so that you can be prepared to deal with the highly significant and carefully organised event, that is: the wedding day. If you’re interested in DJing for a wedding in 2022, we recommend reading this essential kit guide.
A couple’s wedding is one of the most important days of their lives, so you must have the right DJ equipment and set-up to produce quality sound and unforgettable memories! From our experience in the industry, we believe that every wedding DJ should have the following:
● Professional DJ controller
● High Quality PA speakers
● Wireless Microphone for speeches
● An extensive library of up dated music tracks
● A clean and professional set-up to hide wires and equipment
It’s also important to know your audience. What works well for you and your friends may not be to the musical taste of the bride and groom. Planning what songs to play beforehand and following a setlist given by the newlyweds can help you stay on track and mix tunes that will keep the dancefloor grooving all night long.
Being organised before the big day will also help you to know what type of venue you are playing as wedding venues often require a different kind of setup compared to a small bar for example. Whilst your tracks may sound loud in a small room at home, the acoustics may not be as pleasing to the ear in a room full of people. Preparing yourself for a random array of song requests from guests is vital. However, with the right equipment, you’ll be on your way to giving your clients the most memorable day.
At Simply Sound & Lighting, we recommend the following types of equipment:
1. DJ Controllers
As a professional wedding DJ, you will often be asked to perform in different venues and cities. This means having a portable setup that won’t get damaged in transit. Instead of mixers and turntables, we recommend a DJ controller that is compatible with the software on your laptop.
Using a professional DJ controller will ensure you produce the best sound and rave reviews from all guests. We sell a range of DJ controllers such as the Denon DJ PRIME 2 Standalone DJ Controller with touchscreen and the Pioneer DJ DDJ-400 2CH DJ Controller For Rekordbox DJ Software.
2. Quality Speakers
Investing in a good set of speakers can help you achieve quality sound no matter where you’re playing. Weddings are one example of an event that can vary in size. From large churches to long halls, as a wedding DJ, you need to make sure that your speakers are powerful enough to play to both a large audience and a big room.
To achieve high volume, we recommend the CF EVOX J8 Active 2Way Portable Array System (Bundle). Easily setup and very portable, these are the industry standard column array speakers for weddings. Excellent clear sound and punch from the bass driver will fill most venues whilst keeping a clean and compact setup.
Most weddings will follow a strict theme, so it is important to acknowledge the needs of your clients. Lots of wedding DJs opt for all-white equipment, and covers as this produces a clean and professional look. Dressing up your speakers couldn’t be easier with the Odyssey White Speaker Cover Scrim.
At Simply Sound & Lighting, we provide an array of all-white DJ products and devices, such as the FBT CS1000 Vertus System and the Gravity Speaker Stand. Opting for an all-white look is really popular with brides who want a clean and simple look to the wedding – meaning you can blend your equipment into the background.
3. Microphones
Most wedding DJs opt for a wireless microphone as it makes delivering speeches, announcements, and toasts a lot easier than dragging around a wire.
To ensure this part of the wedding day goes as smoothly as possible, we recommend purchasing a wireless microphone that has an extensive signal range. The Shure SM58 radio handheld microphone system is the industry standard for quality sound and excellent wireless range.
4. Lighting and Stand
Having the proper lighting is a very important part of the DJ set-up and can help to keep the dancefloor full. Pairing up your tracks with moving heads and gobo lights can enhance the experience for all, allowing guests to make a night of unforgettable memories.
Lots of lights can be programmed to work alongside your music, creating an excellent ambience for a wedding. The Equinox Helix XP is the perfect addition to any DJ set-up enabling you to project bright gobos across the dancefloor and even add in your own custom gobos.
We also love the Chauvet GoboShot LED Gobo Projector. This projector makes it easy to project the couples name or perhaps your logo, and with the two-way switch, you can easily flick between patterns on the same gobo wheel.
At Simply Sound & Lighting, we also provide DJ stands to help you store your equipment safely whilst you mix. A professional DJ booth can help you to hide wires and your setup.
If you want to really make the big day as memorable as possible, why not invest in the AFX Sparkular. One of our bestselling products, this impressive spark machine effect produces cold indoor spark fountains that are safe to use in all indoor venues and can be triggered from the wireless remote.
Another popular choice for weddings is confetti canons. Easy to work, all you have to do is twist and shoot. Pre-packed with high-quality, slow-fall confetti in a wide choice of colours, this is sure to put a smile on the face of every guest and create the perfect photo opportunity!
Having a battery PA speaker like the Bose S1 Pro - is ideal for ceremony music or perhaps playing some background music whilst guests sip champagne on the lawn. You can Bluetooth from your phone or an iPad and easily control the volume wirelessly as well.
In the event that a piece of your equipment stops working, you don’t want to ruin the big day. Instead, you should bring backup pieces to avoid any equipment failures or last-minute requests. Bringing additional cables, mics, speakers, and even another laptop can help you to solve any problem that may arise. Lots of wedding DJs also create a backup playlist on their iPhone with music stored on Spotify or Tidal for that last minute emergency!
Choose Simply Sound & Lighting
DJing a wedding in 2022 can sometimes feel daunting. Whether this is your first gig or you are a seasoned professional, a wedding is a big responsibility that involves you arriving prepared for any situation with the best equipment at hand. You want your client to have had a memorable evening for the most special day of their lives.
It can also give you the chance to expand your network and collect a new host of clients, most DJ’s are booked from referrals so it is vital to create a great impression for all your new prospective customers. We have a wealth of experience in supplying quality equipment for these this industry, Simply Sound & Lighting can provide everything you need. By owning the best equipment, you can say yes to any wedding gig, knowing your audience are in safe hands.
Simply order your essential DJ wedding kit online or come and visit our store in Norfolk for product demonstrations and advice. We have a wide range of DJ equipment available and can provide quality advice and customer service. We also offer installation of audio-visual equipment in wedding venues and hire for customers in our local area.
Call us today on 01379 644135 or email us at info@simplysoundandlighting.co.uk.