As wedding musicians, we’ve performed at hundreds of venues across the UK — from historic halls and modern barns to mountaintop tipis and grand ballrooms. While couples are (rightly) focused on the look, the layout, and the vibe of a venue, we’re also paying attention to things you might not even think about — but that can make a big difference to your day.
In this post, we’re sharing a few of the things we’ve learned from being on the ground at so many weddings. These aren’t criticisms — they’re tips. Little things that can make your day run smoother, sound better, and feel more magical.
1. Acoustics Matter More Than You Realise
Big stone walls and high ceilings look stunning — but they can bounce sound in all directions. That warm echo can quickly become a blur if not managed properly.
Likewise, marquees and barns can absorb or flatten sound, especially outdoors or on windy days.
💡 What we do: We adapt. With our professional setup — the Nord Stage Piano, Yamaha Electric Cello, and Yamaha PA system — we can tweak EQ levels and volume on the fly to suit the space. We also do sound checks early to make sure everything carries clearly without being overpowering.
🎯 What you can do: Ask your venue how live music typically sounds in the ceremony space. Is there a sound limiter? Is it echoey? A dry room? We’re happy to advise if you’re unsure.
2. Access & Setup Time Can Impact Your Timeline
You might picture your musicians floating in quietly just before the ceremony begins — but the reality is, we arrive around 90 minutes before our first note to get everything set and sounding perfect.
That’s easy in some venues. In others, we’re navigating:
- Long walks from the car park
- Narrow staircases
- Venues that are still being set up around us
💡 What we do: We always arrive early, and our duo setup is compact — no crew, no huge kit. We can move quickly and quietly without getting in the way.
🎯 What you can do: Let the venue know when we’ll arrive and make sure we’ve got easy access to the space (especially if the ceremony is outside or in a separate area from drinks reception). A bit of planning here = zero stress later.
3. Weather-Dependent Ceremonies Need a Music Plan B
Outdoor ceremonies are stunning — but the British weather isn’t always on board. Venues often have a rain plan, but it’s not always communicated in detail, especially to suppliers like musicians.
💡 What we do: Our gear is portable, and we can relocate within minutes if plans change. We also bring weatherproof covers for short transitions and are happy to adjust on the fly.
🎯 What you can do: If you’re planning an outdoor ceremony, ask your venue exactly where the backup ceremony space is — and how quickly that decision gets made. We’ll adapt, but knowing in advance helps us prepare for smooth transitions.
4. Power Sources? Not a Problem for JAM Duo
Some venues have power sockets in strange places — or none at all, especially for outdoor ceremonies. That’s not a concern for us.
💡 What we do: We bring our own professional portable power pack, which allows us to play anywhere, all day — no cables, no stress. Field, forest, garden, lakeside — if you can host your ceremony there, we can play it.
🎯 What you can do: Just let us know where you want us, and we’ll take care of the rest. No need to stress about extension leads or venue limitations.
5. Layout Affects Sound (and Guest Experience)
We’ve played ceremonies where the musicians are tucked off to the side behind a floral arch — and guests couldn’t hear us. Other times, we’ve been placed between the drinks bar and the speakers, with conversations drowning out the music.
💡 What we do: We’ll suggest ideal placements based on where people will be seated or mingling. Our setup is neat, visually elegant, and sounds best when we’re placed where the guests are.
🎯 What you can do: When doing your venue walkthrough, try to visualise where the musicians will sit — and how close they’ll be to your guests. If you’re not sure, we’ll help plan that with you.
6. Some Venues Have Sound Limiters — Ask Early
Sound limiters are great for keeping everyone happy with volume levels — but they can also shut down live music if not properly understood.
💡 What we do: As an acoustic-style duo, we’re naturally low-volume and elegant — we’ve never triggered a sound limiter. But we still need to know if one’s in place so we can set up our PA accordingly.
🎯 What you can do: Ask your venue if they have a sound limiter, and what the decibel limit is. Let us know — and we’ll take care of the rest.
7. Quick Transitions = Less Disruption
Many weddings have the ceremony in one space and the drinks reception in another — sometimes even on opposite ends of the venue grounds.
💡 What we do: We can relocate in just a few minutes. No heavy lifting, no huge rig, no downtime. We’ve fine-tuned our process so your guests go from vows to champagne without a musical gap.
🎯 What you can do: Let your venue know that JAM Duo moves quickly between locations — and to allow a short 5–10 minute pause while we reset. It’s all part of the flow.
Final Thoughts: We’re Not Just Musicians — We’re Part of Your Team
Every venue is different. Every wedding is unique. But over the years, we’ve learned to notice the little things — the things that help us deliver a polished, elegant musical experience that feels effortless to your guests.
So when you book JAM Duo, you’re not just getting live music. You’re getting professionals who think like planners, move like a team, and care as much about your day as you do.
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