Outdoor Wedding Music: What You Need to Know Before Your Big Day

I love outdoor weddings. Playing music in the open air, surrounded by beautiful scenery - you can't beat it. I also love that outdoor spaces give the music room to breathe, creating a much more relaxed and atmospheric experience than many indoor venues.

However, outdoor weddings do come with a few extra things to think about when it comes to live music. Having played at many outdoor ceremonies, here are some practical tips to help everything run smoothly.

Shade and cover are essential

The most important thing to consider for your musician is shade.

It’s not just about keeping the musician comfortable (although that’s important too!) - direct sunlight (and rain of course) can be a problem for instruments, speakers and other equipment. Electronics don’t always cope well sitting in full sun for long periods and can easily malfunction if not protected.

Many wedding venues are very used to this and will often have a gazebo, parasol or covered area available. However, it’s worth thinking about where the sun will be at the time of your ceremony. A spot that is shaded when suppliers arrive may be in full sunshine an hour later.

One thing I wouldn’t recommend is placing musicians underneath a tree. It might seem like the obvious solution, but trees can drop leaves, seeds, sap and other debris that can cause all kinds of havoc!

Do you need power?

Most outdoor wedding venues will have access to power, but it's always worth checking. If you're booking live music, ask your musician whether they'll need electricity. It's sometimes possible to perform on battery power, giving you much more flexibility over where your ceremony takes place.

Wind can cause more problems than you might expect

Everyone thinks about rain when planning an outdoor wedding, but wind can actually be just as challenging. I’ve seen flower arches blown over during ceremonies and a full set of ceremony chairs go over like dominos as guests were arriving! Lightweight items such as stationery and decorations can quickly become a problem on a windy day. If your musician uses physical sheet music, make sure they secure it - or suggest they use a tablet like many of us do these days.

A level surface makes a big difference

This is something couples don’t always think about, but the ground matters!

Instruments and speakers or speaker stands all need to be positioned safely. Uneven ground can make equipment unstable , and from a musician’s point of view, trying to play while sitting at an angle on uneven ground isn’t ideal!

A firm, level surface makes everything safer and allows me to concentrate on creating beautiful music for your ceremony.

Outdoor sound works differently

One of the biggest differences between an indoor and outdoor wedding is how sound carries. Inside a building, sound naturally bounces around and fills the space. Outside, it simply disappears into the open air. This means music can seem much quieter once you move away from the musician.

I always play through a PA system for outdoor ceremonies and make sure I do a proper soundcheck beforehand. If you’re having an acoustic musician, it’s worth discussing whether amplification will be needed.

Don’t forget about your registrar or celebrant too. Being able to hear your vows clearly is one of the most important parts of the ceremony, so make sure they have suitable amplification if required.

Think about your guests too

If your guests are seated outside waiting for the ceremony to begin, they may be sitting in the sun for quite a while before you make your entrance. Providing shade, water, parasols or handheld fans can make a huge difference, especially during a summer wedding. Comfortable guests are happy guests, and that helps create a relaxed atmosphere from the moment the ceremony begins.

Keep the music going afterwards

One of the lovely things about an outdoor wedding is that the celebrations can flow naturally from one part of the day into the next.

Having live music continue after the ceremony while guests enjoy drinks, canapés or photographs creates a really special atmosphere. It gives everyone time to relax, chat and enjoy the moment rather than having a sudden switch from ceremony to silence.

An experienced wedding musician will know how to set the atmosphere with just the right vibe for you and your guests, and, like me, will often be happy to take requests!

Always have a Plan B

Even the most carefully planned outdoor wedding depends on the weather behaving itself! Check with your venue where the ceremony would move to if needed and make sure there is space for your musician and equipment.

Summary

The best outdoor weddings are the ones where everyone has thought ahead, leaving the couple and their guests free to enjoy every moment.

With a bit of preparation, outdoor ceremonies can be absolutely amazing. The setting, the music and the people can combine to create something really magical. Just make sure the practical details have been considered too! If you'd like to discuss anything at all about music for your outdoor wedding, get in touch!