Sound Limiters at Wedding Venues | A Go to Guide
By Lucy, Live Weddings
The ‘How To’ guide to Sound Limiters
There’s nothing quite like the feeling when the band kicks in and the dance floor fills up—that magic moment where the music just takes over. But nothing kills the vibe faster than everything cutting out mid-song because of something you didn’t even know existed… the dreaded sound limiter.
So, what is a sound limiter?
In short, it’s a device installed in some wedding venues—particularly those in residential areas or heritage buildings—that monitors sound levels. If the music gets too loud (especially in the lower frequencies), it automatically cuts the power. Yep, full-on silence. Microphones off. Lights out. Party on pause.
It’s a bit like a noise police officer hiding in the wall—and if you’re not prepared for it, it can catch everyone out.
Why it matters for your wedding
Whether your party’s indoors or outdoors, it’s really important to check with your venue before booking your band or DJ. Some venues have fixed decibel limits, others have stricter controls after a certain hour, and a few have outdoor curfews altogether. Knowing this in advance means we can match you with the right kind of entertainment—and avoid any awkward cut-outs on the night.
We’ve seen venues where drums alone can trip the limiter, especially when that deep bass kick hits (which is what the limiter really hates). It’s usually not the volume that sets it off—it’s the type of sound. Those low frequencies from a standard drum kit are often the culprit.
But don’t worry—there are workarounds
If your venue has a limiter, it doesn’t mean you can’t have brilliant live music. You just need the right setup.
Here are a few options that work beautifully:
- Acoustic Bands – Stripped-back and super atmospheric. Think Mumford-style, folky vibes with cajóns and double bass.
- Percussion Setups – Swapping out a full drum kit for a percussionist with bongos, cajón, or electronic pads reduces bass-heavy impact while keeping the rhythm going.
- DJ Live Acts – A fantastic halfway house between a DJ and a live band. You get the energy of sax, vocals, or percussion alongside the controlled volume of a DJ.
- Hybrid Setups – Some bands offer “light” versions of their full show, tailored for venues with sound restrictions.
- Silent Disco – Not as mad as it sounds! Everyone wears headphones, so the party continues without bothering the neighbours.
Another brilliant solution many modern bands offer is the silent stage setup. That means no screeching guitar amps or floor monitors—everything is run through the mixing desk and into in-ear monitors for the musicians. It gives the sound engineer full control over the volume and direction of sound, keeping everything clear and powerful on the dancefloor, without setting off the limiter. Guests get amazing sound, and your venue stays happy.
The truth about sound limiters? They’re not always the enemy.
They exist for a reason—usually because the venue is trying to be a good neighbour or comply with licensing laws. But they don’t have to ruin the fun. With a bit of planning, we can work with the limiter rather than fight it.
Between the two of us (Jess and I), we’ve sung over sound limiters, DJ’d under them, and booked acts for hundreds of venues with every quirk under the sun. We know which venues need soundchecks done in the afternoon before guests arrive, which manor houses have unusually echoey spaces, and which acts genuinely thrive under sound restrictions.
So if you’re worried that your dream venue might come with sound limitations, don’t panic—we’ve got you. Let us take care of the technical bits while you focus on planning your perfect day (and maybe perfecting that first dance).
♕ Quick Sound Limiter Checklist
Here’s what to ask your venue (or pass to us and we’ll handle it!):
♕ Do you have a sound limiter installed, and if so, what’s the decibel limit?
♕ Where is the limiter located? (e.g. next to the stage, in a corner, etc.)
♕ Does it affect power to the stage or the whole room?
♕ Are there time restrictions on music, especially outdoors?
♕ Have you hosted live bands here before? If so, what worked best?
♕ Can a soundcheck be done earlier in the day?
Got questions or want to chat about your entertainment plans?
We’d love to hear from you.
📧 hello@live-weddings.co.uk
📞 0800 634 6799