Music on a Budget (for micro-weddings)

“Can’t we just use a playlist?” Or, “The venue has speakers—why pay for sound?” Sensible questions—until you remember vows are quiet, toasts are emotional, and nothing flattens a room faster than bad audio.

Here’s what’s realistic for a micro-wedding of 20–60 guests.

Musicians add a melodious touch to the wedding ceremony, with a guitarist and pianist creating a heartfelt ambiance in an idyllic outdoor setting.

The “Playlist-Only” Option

Yes, you can run dinner on a curated playlist. But the hidden pieces add up:

• A handheld mic for vows and toasts (guests should hear every word).

• A quality powered speaker on a stand, positioned correctly.

• A small mixer, cables, and someone to ride volume and cue tracks.

• Battery PA (or power access) if your ceremony is outdoors.

Micro-wedding reality: $200–$600 for proper sound rental + $300–$600 for a day-of tech/MC. And you still need a clear cue plan so the room doesn’t stall.

Standard Music Costs

What couples actually book—and what it costs at this scale:

• Live duo (strings/guitar/piano): ceremony + 60-minute welcome — $400–$1,200

• Live trio: ceremony + 90-minute welcome — $800–$1,800

• “DJ-lite” (pro sound + tasteful curation): mic for vows/toasts, edited dinner playlist, light announcements — $1,000–$2,000

• Full DJ package: ceremony mic, cocktail, dinner, and a short dance set — $1,500–$2,500+

Upgrades (add only if they serve the room): extra speaker for coverage, lapel mic for officiant, recorded ceremony audio, small dance lighting.

What the Sound System Actually Needs

• One quality powered speaker (10–12″) placed near toasts, aimed into the room.

• Wireless handheld mic for vows and speeches (reliable, clear).

• Optional lapel mic for officiant if outdoors or windy.

• Small mixer to balance inputs; stands for height; gaffer’s tape for cables.

• Battery PA or clean power for garden/park ceremonies.

Ask your venue for the sound policy (decibel limits, mic allowance) and power map (circuits/outlets). Clarity over volume—always.

Hidden Costs Couples Miss

• Delivery/setup/strike fees (especially for off-site ceremonies).

• Second location coverage (garden ceremony → restaurant dinner).

• Overtime if toasts run long.

• Generator or battery PA if there’s no power where you say “I do.”

Ways to Save (That Still Feel Polished)

• Live for ceremony, curated playlist for dinner. A duo sets the tone; later, a refined playlist carries the room.

• One signature moment. A single live processional or first dance is memorable; the rest can be recorded.

• Edit the bar, not the audio. One quality speaker + mic beats extra cocktail SKUs every time.

• No open dance? Skip DJ lighting. Keep dinner elevated with a low-tempo list and warm sound.

Questions to Ask (Copy/Paste)

Venue

• Do you allow a handheld mic for vows and toasts? Any decibel limit or cut-off time?

• Where are the outlets/circuits near the ceremony and dining room?

DJ / Sound Tech

• What’s your mic + speaker plan for our headcount and room shape?

• Will you mix ceremony audio and keep dinner at conversation level?

• Do you supply all cables/stands and manage cues for vows/toasts?

Musicians

• What repertoire do you recommend for a 20-minute ceremony + 60-minute welcome?

• Can you amplify lightly indoors without overpowering dinner?

Reality Check

Good sound is invisible; bad sound is unforgettable. For a micro-wedding, one excellent speaker and a calm hand on the mic are the difference between cinematic vows and “what did they say?” Budget for clarity so the emotion reads.

Pro Lovestruck Tip

Keep toasts to 2–3 people, 3 minutes each, from one marked spot with the mic. Servers pause clears during speeches. It reads composed in the room—and photographs beautifully.

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