So my sister (Amy) got married this past Friday.  Dad, Grandma, and I got in a rental car and traveled down to Destin Florida to be there for the festive occasion . . . and it was actually quite fun.  The car was a nice size, but still . . . after 8 hours any vehicle is gonna feel cramped. 

 

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On Weddings

 

I’ve done sound and lights for . . . well I’m not sure how many weddings in my 11 years doing sound here at the church.  We average three a year I guess . . . so about 33 total I suppose.  And while the ceremonies have varied from very simple to very complex, very elegant to very relaxed to . . . well . . . to lets turn the lights on and get this done so we can get legal and  leave. 

 

Here are a few things I have learned about weddings . . . at least ones here at the church.

 

- Dripless candles are a lie.  One wedding I saw them work as they were suppose to, the other times they either burned a hole in the side and dripped or went out 1/3 of the way through the ceremony . . . or just dripped wax everywhere. 

 

- When they tell you early on that they just want to play one or two songs from a CD . . . that’s a lie too.  Because the more people get involved, the more someone wants to sing at your wedding . . . so by the time rehearsal time comes along the day before there are no less then 4 CD’s and no less then two different people singing / playing.

 

- If someone says they don’t need to rehearse a song, don’t let them sing . . . at all.  Make everyone practice with your equipment.  Make them. 

 

- Plan B comes into play more often then you would think, so have a Plan B for all the songs (i.e. be able to play the Demonstration track if the singer cant sing).

 

- It’s the Brides day.  Second on the list is the family.  Last on the list is the groom.  If the groom wants something, ask the bride if it’s ok.  If she says no, then the answer is no.  She been planning this day since she was 5, he just needs to not lock his knees and repeat what the pastor says and he’ll do fine.  Let the bride have her day or you could loose a limb.

 

- If a wedding starts on time, then something is wrong

 

- Photographers generally come in three types:

1.) the type that wants to work with you and get the job done in a professional manner . . .

2.) the type that thinks that you are there to work for them and only barks orders at you . . .
3.)and the type that has no idea what they are doing because they are someone’s cousin who ‘does weddin’s and stuff for pretty cheep’. 

 

- children in the wedding party usually don’t do what they are suppose to, but that’s cute

 

- Do not, under any circumstances, let the wedding planner / decorators in the church with out making SURE they know what can and what CANT be moved.  Colored tape and a map are usually helpful.  If you let people move your equipment, you wont ever see it again . . . at least not in working condition.

 

- make lots of notes at rehearsal . . . lots of them.  Type them out.  Check and double check to make sure you understand when something is going to happen.  Then check again the next day.  This could save you from being found dead the next day.

 

- it still amazes me how the lungs and vocal cords of one screeming child can produce more sound then $30,000 worth of sound equipment. 

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