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Contributor I
March 19, 2017
Question

Back Yard Wedding Setup

So I'm planning a back yard wedding , im looking to use sonos as my Music system right now I have a pair of play 1's . I'm debating what to get to boost the system as I don't think they will be enough any advice would be appreciated thanks
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16 replies

Stuart_W
World-Class Superstar
March 19, 2017
Due to the audio delay you would get the experience would not be very pleasant with your voice appearing to be delayed (it would also be very odd for anybody near enough to hear you directly).

Do yourself a favour and hire a proper PA system.
Arc + Sub (Gen 1) + 2 x Play 1/ Stereo Play 3s/ Era 100 Stereo in Kitchen, One Stereo in Bedroom, Play 1 stereo pair in Study, Play 1in Bathroom, Sonos Move 2
Contributor I
March 19, 2017
Sorry when I said PA I was mistaken we will just be using it for music
CapnLes
Virtuoso
March 19, 2017
Hi andrew.rodriguez,

Welcome to the Sonos community

So every Sonos product has a Boost in it. All you need to do (if you can) is wire one of your speakers to your router. A Boost/Bridge (or another speaker) would help extend the SonosNet as well. SonosNet kinda leapfrogs from unit to unit.

SonosNet

I would suggest do several trial runs and see how it all works.

Also I have heard on here that when you fill the back yard up with people they can cause interference as well.
My Sonos system is rock solid 100% of the time and your system should be too!
Contributor I
March 19, 2017
Thanks for the advice , if I get a play 5 could I create my own lil closed sonos network with the aux in
I'm worried two play ones won't be loud enough
March 19, 2017
I'm worried two play ones won't be loud enough

There are a number of factors here, including how loud you want it to be, how big an area, how many people will be there (people absorb sound) and how noisy/chatty they are. If you just want background music, then Sonos kit may be OK, but if it's a big party with people chatting away, then you usually need some serious amplification simply to be heard. Personally, I'd hire in proper PA kit...
Prominent Collaborator I
March 19, 2017
I recommend you buy (guessing, I don't know how big your yard is) 2-3 Sonos connect amps and run wire outside to outdoor speakers. - Kris 🙂
BCM
March 20, 2017
A wedding is a once in a lifetime event... do it right. I have play 1s and play 5s 2nd gen. I would not use them for a wedding. You can rent a proper PA that can get as loud as you need should the crowd change. I love my Sonos, and would have no problem using it for a house party, but for a big event like a wedding, unless it was a smallish event. Otherwise, rent a PA.
Prominent Collaborator I
March 20, 2017
I have 6 outdoor speakers in my yard and they will definitely handle a wedding or party no problem.The money you will pay towards renting can go towards your backyard set up that you can own. Something to think about. - Kris 🙂
Contributor I
March 20, 2017
Thanks everyone, it's going to be a relatively small space , crowd under 75 people. I'm considering the PA but like he idea of putting it towards something I can reuse/ own
SHARKB8T
Prodigy I
March 21, 2017
Hi Andrew,

so... if you are just looking to have music throughout the yard... I may be in the minority here and suggest that you potentially are going down an excellent path. I do own a PA system for other uses... but two, or maybe even 4, large speakers blasting audio inevitably makes for a crowd of people avoiding being near the speakers since it is too loud... or, it is too quite in remote areas.

With proper dispersion of Sonos devices you can have comfortable volume audio in sync throughout the space. Beautiful.

Having said that, there are a few challenges... you need power at every location you are placing a speaker. You don't want tripping hazards... so plan accordingly. Sonos do not make an outdoor speaker... so you are pretty much betting on no rain... or will be inside a tent??

Outdoor audio isn't really the same as indoor. A speaker that is plenty loud filling an indoor space (with walls for the sound to bounce off and be contained in the space) may not be very significant outdoors where the sound will definitely disperse more. Particularly when people are talking over the audio at a social event... (I trust you are not trying to "Rock the house"... if so, consider the PA... or a large number of play 5s 🙂 )

Having no details of the space, I'd perhaps suggest that you figure out what you can make great use of *after* the wedding and purchase accordingly. Can you use a pair of play 5's in your living room after? if so, get them and use them to fill and more substantial space... Have a use for another couple sets of Play 1's? Use them to disperse sound in smaller areas... no need to waste the money purchase what you can't use after... and Play 1's are exceptionally flexible. But Play 5s are a much more substantial speaker and I suspect better for filling any more significant space outdoors.