Wedding DJs and sound: what UK venues ask for

The music decides how the evening feels, but the venue decides what is allowed. Before you book a DJ or a sound package, these are the three things to check with your venue.

1. Is there a noise limiter?

Many venues have a sound limiter that cuts the power if music goes over a set level. Some are a condition of the venue's licence after neighbour complaints; historic buildings sometimes fit them to protect the structure. Settings vary widely: published examples range from around 90 to 100 decibels. A limiter usually cannot be overridden on the night.

• Ask the venue whether there is a limiter and what it is set to.
• Ask whether it applies to recorded music as well as live bands.
• Tell your DJ before the day. A good sound setup is tuned to stay under the limit and still fill the room.

2. Public liability insurance

Venues commonly ask suppliers for a public liability insurance certificate before they can set up. It covers injury or damage caused by the supplier or their equipment. Many venues ask for a minimum level of cover, with £5 million a commonly quoted figure. Some will not let a supplier perform without it.

3. PAT testing

Portable appliance testing shows that electrical equipment has been checked. Some venues ask for PAT certificates for everything a supplier brings; others only when the equipment draws power from the venue. Certificates have dates, so check they will still be in date on the wedding day.

Other questions worth asking

• What time can suppliers arrive to set up, and when must the music stop?
• Where are the power sockets near the dancefloor, and are they on a separate circuit?
• Is there a lift or step-free route for equipment?
• Does the ceremony or drinks reception need its own small PA and microphone for speeches?

How our DJ packages work

Our DJ packages run for six hours and start from £450, from sound-only to DJ with lights or full production. Sound packages are sized by guest numbers, from up to 150 guests to up to 500. Tell us the venue and we will check its requirements as part of your proposal.