Garden party sound system rental: a complete guide
Weatherproof planning and speakers that carry across a lawn without disturbing the neighbours.
- Typical audience: 30 to 150 guests
- Social celebrations
Outdoor sound behaves very differently from indoor sound. With no walls to hold it in, music either disappears across a lawn or spills into the neighbours' gardens. Rented garden-party systems are chosen and aimed to cover your guests and keep the sound where you want it.
You also have to plan for power, weather and the sun. A good supplier will talk about cover for the equipment, safe cable routes and how to protect microphones and mixers from damp and dust.
What you will need
- Speakers that cover the guest area without pointing at neighbours
- Weather cover for equipment and safe, dry power routes
- Wireless microphones for speeches and announcements
- Background music at a comfortable level across the whole lawn
- Enough power at the right distance from the house
Recommended setup by audience size
- Up to 40 guests
- Two compact powered speakers on stands, a wireless microphone and a small mixer.
- 40 to 100 guests
- Two 12 inch powered speakers, a subwoofer for music, two wireless microphones and a mixer.
- 100 to 150 guests
- A stereo system with two subwoofers, delay speakers for a large garden and a technician.
Recommended equipment
PA Speakers
Powered speakers on stands are easy to place and aim across a garden.
Complete PA Packages
A package keeps things simple for a family garden party.
Wireless Microphones
Wireless microphones let speakers move around the lawn.
Subwoofers
One subwoofer helps music carry outdoors without raising the top end.
Before you book
- Where the power will come from and how cables will be protected
- Weather plan: shade, cover and what happens if it rains
- Neighbour distance and local noise rules
- Where guests sit and where the speakers will be aimed
- Delivery access through a side gate or house
Practical tips
- Use more speakers at lower volume rather than two loud ones, so the sound is even and quieter at the edges.
- Keep mixers and laptops under a table or gazebo, out of the sun.
- Ask your supplier about wind and dust protection for microphones.
More event guides
WeddingsBirthday partiesEngagement and anniversary partiesBaby showers and gender revealsGraduation parties and promsPool and beach partiesYacht and boat partiesDance parties and club nights
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a subwoofer outdoors?
- Outdoors there are no walls to reinforce the bass, so a subwoofer helps music sound complete without pushing the volume up.
- What if it rains?
- Have covered space for the equipment and power, and ask the supplier what they recommend. Never run cables through standing water.