Before the first toast.

Before guests sit down, you should know which control starts the music, which brings up the toast microphone, and who is responsible for both. These checks help make those moments familiar.

This guide describes a typical mixer and powered-speaker setup for a wedding reception. Use your rental provider’s instructions for the actual equipment; passive systems need their own amplification and cabling. Keep the venue plan, cue list, and any supplied setup notes together.

Aim the main speakers toward the audience and keep the planned toast position away from their direct output. Use suitable stands and follow the manufacturer’s placement instructions. Check the positions and cable routes with the venue team.

Listen from dinner tables as well as the dance floor. If the layout needs additional speakers or a separate system in another room, ask the provider to plan their routing and alignment. Make those decisions before the room fills.

Keep equipment off while making the initial connections and turn level controls down. Connect microphones or wireless receivers to the appropriate mixer inputs. Connect the DJ mixer or playback device using the agreed cables and adapters. Send the main mixer outputs to the powered speakers’ specified line inputs.

Follow the supplied instructions for subwoofer routing, mic/line switches, and phantom power. Power up sources and mixer before powered speakers or amplifiers; shut down in reverse order. Settings and connections vary by model.

Have someone speak from the actual toast position while the operator sets the microphone input level using the mixer’s meter and instructions. Raise the output gradually and listen from several tables. Check playback separately with music representative of the reception.

Watch for clipping and lower the level at the stage causing it. Keep unused microphone channels muted. Hold a handheld near the voice without covering its grille, and avoid pointing it at a loudspeaker. If feedback starts, lower or mute the affected channel, then review placement before bringing it back.

Test the first-dance track, the introduction, the fade to a speech, and the microphone handover. Use the exact device, cable, and app planned for the event. Keep a tested backup playback source available.

Give the operator a short control map: music, microphone, main level, and mute. Name the person starting each cue. Agree on how the system changes from dinner to dancing, and who responds if something needs attention.

Walk through the audience area and check speech, music, sightlines, cable routes, and the venue’s sound requirements. Confirm the pack-down and return arrangements before the evening begins.

Sound Logic can provide a reception system with delivery, setup, soundcheck, and event support in the agreed scope. For help planning the day before you reach the controls, read One wedding. A few different soundtracks. or tell us about your reception.