One of the most exciting ways in which you and your partner can put a unique stamp on your big day is through wedding entertainment.
However, it’s important to remember that more and more wedding venues are now imposing noise limits on events – so you should come up with a plan that takes this into account before you find yourself struggling with an awkward and stressful situation that may threaten to put a damper on the proceedings.
So why do these limits exist, and what can you do to adhere to them and still enjoy the live wedding music of your choice? In this article, we provide some useful advice.
Why Do Wedding Venues Have Noise Limits and What Are They?
Live music noise regulations are gradually becoming more common across venues of every kind and maybe put in place for a variety of reasons. It may be that your wedding venue is located near a residential area or hotel, and the restrictions were established so as to not disturb the inhabitants.
If you are getting married in a historical venue, you may be told to limit any noise because the vibrations may cause structural damage.
The venue will also be required to stick to volume limits set by the local council.
Whatever the reason, it’s important to respect the rules of your chosen venue, as your relationship with them needs to be as smooth as possible in the run-up to your event!
Noise restrictions in UK venues usually lie between 80 dB (decibels) and 110 dB, with the average sitting around 95 dB. If you’re not sure how you’ll be able to stick to the sound levels your wedding venue has advised, you may benefit from the use of a sound limiter.
What Is a Sound Limiter and Why Do Venues Have Them?
Sound limiters are devices with inbuilt microphones that are able to measure the volume of the music that is being played in a venue.
They often include a display that reveals when the music is exceeding the set limit. If your band is playing at a good volume, the bars on the display will light up green. If you are approaching the limit, the lights will enter an amber zone. If the red bars light up, you’re too loud.
Some sound limiters have an inbuilt feature that causes the music to cut out if it exceeds the restrictions set by the venue. This can be pretty embarrassing and disappointing, as you’ll want your wedding entertainment to go without a hitch.
Do I Need to Consult My Wedding Venue Before Booking Entertainment?
It’s very important to discuss noise restrictions with your venue as early on as you can – in fact, we recommend bringing up this subject during your first meeting, or even in an email enquiry while shortlisting locations.
This is because this factor will have a considerable knock-on effect when it comes to booking your wedding entertainment. Any band that you choose to play at your celebration will need to know what the situation is in terms of limits.
If you’ve already booked your entertainment, there’s no need to worry. If they are experienced wedding performers, it’s likely that they’re used to catering to sound restrictions and will have tried and tested methods in place that will ensure they’re able to adhere to them.
This is likely to be a weight off your mind. However, you should never assume that an act will be able to be totally flexible at a moment’s notice. You’ll need to tell them about the limits well in advance so they can plan their set properly.
You should also tell your venue about the band you’ve booked to make sure they’re happy with the set up so that there are no problems on the day itself.
Of course, you may be in for a nice surprise when you consult your venue about noise – some locations invest in soundproofing to ensure that you aren’t chained to a harsh limit.
What Are the Best Wedding Entertainment Options for Venues with Noise Restrictions?
In order to avoid clashes with your venue regarding noise restrictions, you may decide to choose performers or bands whose style and setup are less likely to breach set limits.
Solo acts, for example, are usually more likely than a full band to be able to control their volume. However, if you have chosen a larger band to play at your event, there should be no cause for concern. There are a lot of steps that can be taken in order to stick to the rules – for example:
- Drums can be replaced with electric kits
- Regular sticks can be swapped out for hot rods
- Smaller or less powerful guitar amps can be used
- Volume levels can be gauged and set during sound checks
- Performers can employ decibel reader apps to keep their sound levels in check
If you’re trying to meet the requirements of a venue with particularly strict limits, there’s no reason why the quality of your entertainment should suffer – and the team at Twisted Entertainment know that first hand. We manage a number of exceptionally talented acts that are perfect for venues with tight restrictions. These include solo acts and smaller bands such as:
Ben on Sax
Ben’s stellar turns on Radio 1 and as support for The Killers frontman Brandon Flowers are accolades that prove this superb saxophonist’s star quality.
Addin the bright and upbeat sound of sax to dance and pop tunes – and everything in between – he’ll keep your guests on their feet right through the night.
Femme on Sax
With a sparkling career playing the club scene in Barcelona and touring London, Manchester, Abu Dhabi, Stockholm, Helsinki and the Philippines, May’s light up sax and exciting twists on party classics including deep house, funk and chill out tracks will add something truly original to your event.
Return of the Mac
Whether you’re looking for something chilled out and charming or brimming with floor-filling energy, this trio can serve anything from red hot dance tracks to smooth R&B, either up on the stage or roaming through their audience!
And larger bands, including:
Twisted Strings
Add a touch of class and sophistication to your party with this stylish string quartet. They can go electric or acoustic and provide elegant covers of your favourite tunes to give your wedding a timeless feel with a touch of romance.
Joe H and the Players
For an old-school, smooth sound and a selection of stripped back, funky covers for you and your guests to enjoy, Joe H and the Players are a unique and super-cool outfit that will give your wedding a laid-back but highly polished feel.
The Cash Cows
Unique and hugely entertaining with a vintage vibe and a great sense of humour, the superb and unexpected covers produced by this talented duo on a variety of instruments – including double bass, guitar and brass – make for the most wonderful of alternative wedding entertainment ideas.
Noise restrictions in UK wedding venues can feel like a pain, but it’s really easy to adhere to them without a struggle. Just remember:
- Check for any limits with your chosen venue early on
- Explain any restrictions to your wedding band as soon as possible so they can plan ahead
- Keep the venue informed of the entertainment you have chosen
- Consider choosing an act that can easily tweak their performance for strict sound limits
- Check in with your performers to find out how they plan to stick to any restrictions
By following the advice above, you can enjoy stress-free wedding entertainment without risking a fall-out with your venue or band.
For more information regarding live entertainment for weddings or other events, contact Twisted Entertainment here.
