Wedding Sound Hire Melbourne: Why Your Big Day Deserves to Sound Good

You can tell us, we won’t rat you out, but for real, you’ve been to some garbage weddings, right? We’ll make the guess that part of the reason, if not THE reason, was because the sound was absolute rubbish. Tinny speakers crackling from the ceiling, speeches you couldn’t hear properly, and a dance floor that felt more like a library than a party. It’s painful.

In Melbourne, we’re pretty spoiled when it comes to good audio. Walk into any decent bar or club around town, and you’ll hear the difference immediately. So why should your wedding day be any different? If you’re investing serious cash in the perfect venue, gorgeous flowers, and that dress that will make jaws hit the floor, doesn’t it make sense to ensure your guests can actually hear your vows and feel the music in their bones?

What does "proper" wedding sound actually look like?

When we talk about club-quality wedding sound, we’re talking about proper speaker systems like QSC or Funktion-One (which would run you tens of thousands if you were buying it yourself). Include dedicated subwoofers (those chunky boxes that handle all the deep, thumping bass) alongside quality top speakers that handle the crisp highs and clear mids, and your wedding will sound as good as it looks.

Here’s an example set-up we love:

Two 18-inch subwoofers paired with a couple of 12-inch speakers from a decent brand. The subs do what they’re meant to do, which is pump out that deep, rich bottom end, while the speakers handle everything else with crystal clarity. When it’s all connected properly and tuned right, it’s like the difference between listening to music through your phone speaker versus putting on a good pair of headphones.

Most venue-supplied sound systems? They’re the phone speaker equivalent. Tiny ceiling speakers with maybe one sad little subwoofer if you’re lucky. These systems aren’t designed to be pushed loud, so when Uncle Ivan grabs the mic for his impromptu speech, it sounds like he’s talking through a tin can. Won’t somebody think of Ivan?

Why Melbourne couples are getting pickier about sound

We’ve definitely seen a shift in the last few years, which is why our jungle is getting thicker! The couples getting married now, mostly in their thirties, have been around the block. They’ve been to enough events to know when something sounds off. They’ve experienced good audio at their favourite bars and clubs, so they can immediately tell when a wedding’s sound system isn’t cutting it.

It’s a bit like Melbourne’s coffee culture, actually. Once you’ve had consistently good coffee around the city, you can spot a dodgy brew from a mile away. The same thing’s happening with audio. People’s standards have been raised, and they’re not willing to settle for subpar sound on their wedding day. It’s a very good thing!

What should you be looking for?

If you’re serious about your wedding audio, here’s what you need to know:

• For a smaller wedding (around 100-150 guests), you want at least one decent subwoofer and two quality 12-inch speakers. Something like a QSC KS118 sub with a pair of K12.2 speakers will give you solid sound without breaking the bank.
• For 200-250 guests, you’ll want to bump it up to two subwoofers and two speakers. This is where the difference really becomes noticeable as that extra sub fills out the low end beautifully, especially when you hit the dance portion of the night.
• For the big outdoor weddings or marquee events with 300+ people, this is where the premium gear really shines. Funktion-One systems become almost essential at this scale. These speakers are cleaner, more accurate, and surprisingly, easier to talk over even when they’re pumping.

Here's what your wedding planner probably won't tell you

Venue acoustics can make or break your sound. Some of Melbourne’s most beautiful venues (think heritage buildings with high ceilings and hard surfaces) can be acoustic nightmares. Sound waves bounce around like ping pong balls, creating echoes and potential feedback issues.

Then there’s the practical stuff. Premium sound systems are hungry for power. A proper Funktion-One set-up might need its own dedicated power circuit. If you’re going outdoors, you might need a generator just for the sound system.

Weather’s another consideration for outdoor events. Wind can play havoc with sound, and you need gear that can handle Melbourne’s unpredictable conditions without missing a beat.

Our top pick: The Funktion-One

We’ve mentioned the mighty Funktion-One a few times in this article, but there’s something special about these speakers that’s hard to explain until you experience it. The clarity is incredible, and you can have a normal conversation standing right in front of them, even when they’re pumping out the volume.

There’s also virtually no distortion, which means the music stays clean and punchy rather than turning into a wall of noise. The visual impact matters at a wedding, and when you roll up with those distinctive silver and purple speakers standing over two meters tall, people notice. They become part of the experience, not just background equipment. We’ve had guests ask about the speakers almost as much as they compliment the flowers.

The trick with wedding sound

You may think the loudest system is the best one. It isn’t. It’s about having the cleanest, most accurate one. You want energy and excitement without overwhelming your guests or drowning out conversation during dinner.

This is where proper system tuning comes in; for example, timing delays so the bass hits at exactly the same moment as the mids and highs. It’s about walking the room constantly during set-up, making tiny adjustments that guests will never notice consciously but will absolutely feel.
When looking for your system, don’t just ask about price; ask about the specific gear. What brand are the speakers? What model subwoofers? A quick Google search will tell you if you’re looking at budget gear or professional equipment. A $500 speaker and a $2500 speaker might both make noise, but only one will make music.

Always ask about subwoofers specifically. If a company can’t provide at least one decent sub for your wedding, keep looking. And don’t be afraid to ask for references or examples of similar events they’ve done.

Your wedding day happens once

Your guests will remember how your wedding sounded long after they’ve forgotten what the centrepieces looked like. The good news is that Jungle Audio is here to make sure there will be no subpar wedding sound on your special day.

We’re here to help you invest in proper audio to make sure the atmosphere and energy of your entire celebration are on point. When that first dance song kicks in through a quality system, you’ll know we did you right!