Hosting an outdoor event provides an unrivaled aesthetic appeal to your evening. Whether it’s a sophisticated garden gala, a high energy concert, or a high end corporate event, nature provides a breathtaking atmosphere that no indoor ballroom can compare to. However, stepping outside the traditional four walls introduces an entirely new set of technical factors that can quickly jeopardize your budget if overlooked.
From unexpected high winds disrupting your audio, to sudden power outages halfway through a presentation, natural environments demand specialized preparation. Partnering with a highly experienced event AV company early in the planning stages is the most effective way to ensure a flawless execution of your event and safeguard your budget.
1. Prioritize Sound Optimization for Open Spaces
For an indoor venue, sound naturally bounces off of acoustic walls and ceilings, keeping audio contained. Outdoors, sound escapes into the open air or fights against natural elements such as wind, traffic, or water.
A standard AV company may try to solve this by simply increasing the volume on a couple of large speakers. Unfortunately, this results in excessive volume levels for guests standing near the stage, while leaving the audio muffled for those in the back
A premier AV production company will approach this challenge with custom designed layouts. By distributing low profile speakers throughout your layout, sound is dispersed evenly across the entire venue. This guarantees that your speeches are able to be heard by everyone, and your music remains balanced.
2. Implement Weatherproof Structural Engineering
Nature can be incredibly unpredictable, meaning your setup must be prepared for anything from intense heat to sudden downpours. When looking for outdoor AV solutions for event spaces, basic rental gear simply will not be good enough.
Professional outdoor setups are completely air tight and sealed against water. Additionally, high end visual elements like LED video walls act as massive sails when exposed to wind. Your production team must have expertise in secure structural rigging and strong weighted ground supports to keep your guests safe and your displays operational through any unexpected weather.
3. Lock Down a Dedicated Power Plan
One of the most common sources of unexpected venue fees is inadequate electrical planning. Commercial audio systems, moving light fixtures, and LED walls pull massive amounts of electricity. Relying on basic venue outlets or standard household extension cords will instantly trip breakers, potentially causing damage.
The production team you choose to work with should thoroughly map out the total amperage requirements ahead of time. In many outdoor scenarios, the safest option is using event grade generators.
4. Ensure Comprehensive Technical Oversight
The true value of a capable event team is their adaptability on event day. As sunlight fades into night, your technicians must be able to actively calibrate your adjustable venue lighting to maintain perfect visibility for your photographers and guests. When wind levels change, sound technicians must step in to balance frequencies and keep background noise at bay.
Choosing a dedicated production partner ensures that specialists remain on site to actively monitor your frequencies, safety lines, and power distribution from the initial set up to the final teardown.
Elevate Your Next Outdoor Celebration
At Premier Sound & Lighting, we specialize in overcoming environmental challenges to deliver breathtaking, luxury experiences for your guests. Whether you are mapping out an elegant outdoor wedding, a social gathering, or a corporate event, our team provides the premium hardware and technical expertise required to execute a perfect event.
Contact our team today to review your venue layout and design a fully weatherproofed production plan designed to keep your event running flawlessly.