Outdoor wedding in the Basque Country: what the music needs to plan for

With no walls or ceiling, sound disperses: you need more power and a subwoofer to get people dancing, without deafening the front rows. Where the speakers point matters as much as how many there are: aim them at the dancefloor and away from houses.

• Ask the venue what time outdoor music has to stop: many estates require you to move indoors after a certain hour.
• Check whether there is a sound limiter. In venues open to the public that play amplified music, regulations cap the level at 102 dB(A) averaged over 15 minutes.
• Neighbours are still protected against noise nuisance: well-aimed, well-adjusted sound is the best ally of a party that lasts.

A good DJ doesn't fight these constraints: they build the evening around them.

On the coast, the weather changes quickly. Plan a covered plan B for each space (marquee, barn, hall), and equipment protected from wind, damp and sea spray. In summer, the sun beating down on the DJ booth matters too: shade is not a luxury.

• How much electrical power is available, and where are the sockets?
• Is a quiet generator needed for an isolated space?
• Are the cables covered and marked where guests walk?

All of this is checked during a site visit. See our sound & lighting service.

Ceremony in the garden, cocktail hour on the terrace, evening in a marquee: each space has its own needs. Equipment can be doubled up to avoid gaps while everyone moves, or acoustic musicians can play where there is no power. Think about lighting too: in high summer, night falls late, around 10 pm, and the dancefloor has to look good before and after dark.

Also worth reading: the musical running order of a wedding.