Wedding DJ Ceremony Setup that is High Quality, Efficient, and Ultra Portable

This is my 2020 wedding ceremony setup! I've used this over a dozen times at the time of this writing and I love it. As a mobile DJ, I need solutions that are compact and efficient, while also rock solid and professional grade.
To make my wedding ceremony system, I reflected on the top issues I've had with prior setups, and the needs + wants of my perfect system. I borrowed ideas from other DJ's and learning from Shure and other video classes about optimal microphone configuration. I tested and experimented with a few different components.
I use a small folding RedSwing table to hold my mic case, and give me a working surface/laptop stand. www.amazon.com/RedSwing-Foldi...
I use the JBL Eon One Pro for audio and mixer. It's super portable, battery powered, sounds amazing(!), and has a little hole on the top of the array column for my directional antenna. It's also a good fill speaker for a larger space, to augment my main speaker setup. www.amazon.com/JBL-EON-ONE-PR...
I built a custom mic rack using an SKB 4U shallow rack. Inside I have 3 Shure SLX-D mic receivers (for 2 lavs and 1 handheld), a 2U shallow drawer, and some other cables/items. www.amazon.com/SKB-1SKB-R4S-S...
With the directional antenna (shark fin), I get 0 drop outs and less interference from people and devices in the line of sight between receiver and transmitter.
Content provided by Kevin Summers, owner and DJ at Smilestones DJ Services (www.smilestonesdj.com).

[@ksbears1]

Thanks for the help in showing the set-up.

[@rafaelpolina8218]

Great set up!

[@SmilestonesDJAdventures]

Thanks Rafael!

[@noirxplorer3185]

Nice setup. Only thing I do differently is I only have 2 mics for ceremony max. The 2nd U is for a 1U mixer so all the mics go cleanly into it. 2nd reason mixers built into speakers have been prone to feedback. May never happen. Also, you wouldn't have to plug in 3 mics everytime. Point of having a case is sitting it down and it being self contained. Only thing hanging out is the power.

[@SmilestonesDJAdventures]

Good thought - thanks for that

[@MrJFunkSanchez]

Good ideas, I have the Maui5 Go and typically use a fastset table with scrim for a clean look. Definitely got me thinking of different options to consider to minimize my setup. Like the little slot your JBL Eon Pro has for the fin antenna.

[@SmilestonesDJAdventures]

Awesome, glad it might’ve spurred a couple ideas!

[@SmilestonesDJAdventures]

Jesse - the front facing BNC connectors were included with the dual lav mic receiver I bought from shure :)

[@DjBriteEyes]

Great job

[@SmilestonesDJAdventures]

Thanks John!

[@djdannybhtx]

Very nice!

[@SmilestonesDJAdventures]

Hey Thanks!

[@allandenola5968]

Hey pretty awesome Love that little folding table too Has your skb rack held up dj Barr says his latches broke so I keep thinking mine is next Thank You Allan

[@SmilestonesDJAdventures]

Hey thanks!! So far the rack case has held up fine - had for about 1 year and it’s been through a couple dozen events. I can see what Barr is saying and like you, wonder if mine could break also. Hanging in so far tho! :)

[@INTERNATIONALCURTISG]

Great Info What type of battery you use ?

[@jonbessom]

Great video! I'm curious how you are combining 3 receivers into 2 antennas. I understand you're using combiners, but I can't figure out how to wire it up. According to Shure, they seem to require an active antenna distribution system for 3 or more receivers.

[@SmilestonesDJAdventures]

Thanks! Ok so I’m cheating a bit because I actually just have 2 receivers here - the two lavs are part of a dual receiver chassis - similar to the following www.bhphotovideo.com/c/used/1566020?gclid=CjwKCAjwzOqKBhAWEiwArQGwaBqZrgWM0qJLA_PnaoIJbSkx37aLBBIh3FzwItLE9kgpfREsMlrAdBoC5IAQAvD_BwE

[@DamienCross66]

Great ceremony setup. How about putting velcro on the table edges & make a short skirt for it?

[@SmilestonesDJAdventures]

Damien, thanks man! That’s a great idea that should be pretty easy to do. Thank you!!

[@DamienCross66]

@@SmilestonesDJAdventures I like the videos you put out as they can help so many, including myself.

[@allandenola5968]

Hi and Thank You for your videos they are very helpful. How do you keep 2 MacBook pros with identical music up to date? I have a 13” and 16” MacBook pros and use 13” as a backup and for ceremony setups. I have SSD hard drives in both of them . I’ve been adding songs and updating cue points etc. and now I’m trying to get the 13” updated with the other MacBook

[@SmilestonesDJAdventures]

Hey Allan, appreciate that brother! Actually I made a video on my process - check it out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qou3paZ6q82Yo5Y

[@chrisgirardi2827]

Great video Im looking at getting of of those antennae paddles ...so you able to use that one external antennae paddle for all of the receivers?

[@SmilestonesDJAdventures]

Yes! You need to use antenna combiners like I used in my little setup. But it is really effective! I’m about to post a video here on my channel, maybe next week, where I talk about this topic again and show some sample video/audio - for how crisp it is!

[@chrisgirardi2827]

@@SmilestonesDJAdventures awesome ok thanks and that would be helpful

[@sullivan44]

Maybe a rookie question, but how do you make your second laptop a duplicate of the main laptop? I guess I’m looking for an easy way.

[@SmilestonesDJAdventures]

Not a rookie question! I’m also always interested in how DJs are doing their synching tricks - lots of options. I made a video about how I do it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qou3paZ6q82Yo5Y

[@djlev1734]

Miss your videos, hope to see some new ones soon. Do you use this same setup for your microphones for the reception or a different rack? Thx

[@SmilestonesDJAdventures]

Thanks man. No actually I use a separate mic receiver - here’s my most used setup for receptions - kzbin.info/www/bejne/gpzPoWZ4odd2a7M

[@djlev1734]

@@SmilestonesDJAdventures thanks!

[@bleserms]

How do you mirror your primary MBP laptop to your 13" MBP? Through Time Machine? Or a different way?

[@SmilestonesDJAdventures]

Hey! I do it kinda old school. I copy over the music folders, and then backup/restore my rekordbox library, before every event. All of my music folders are synced to Google Drive as well, so I can access them from any other device if needed :)

[@ras2472]

always time machine, cleanest sure way

[@ozprod371]

Great video! What battery are you using?

[@SmilestonesDJAdventures]

Thanks Chris- it’s a Halo www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B079FSPRXM/ref=psdcmw_2407761011_t1_B07W85TF6X# Heard about it from Johnathan Simmons!

[@ozprod371]

@@SmilestonesDJAdventures Awesome and how is the JBL Eon One Pro doing so far? Any issues with lack of power?

[@SmilestonesDJAdventures]

@@ozprod371 not at all - it’s a beast! I sometimes use it as a fill at events if I’ve got a weirdly shaped venue or need audio in another room. I’ve done some simple house parties with it - it jams!

[@ozprod371]

@@SmilestonesDJAdventures Thanks!!

[@e.rivera4251]

Awesome, less is more. ..Just went to a party and the dj's went bersek with 6 huge speakers 4' tall, wires,lights,mics,stands, etc....well ..first the guests have to tell them to low the volume, 2nd the pictures look awful with that contraption in the back... as i said before, less is better.

[@SmilestonesDJAdventures]

Wow! :)

[@davidhughes8574]

Great setup! but you might think about some type of small booth where you can hide things, because the overall look is kind of messy. Do you put some kind of cover on that table? Also, I switched from a laptop and small controller, to a Denon Prime GO for my battery ceremony system and it works great. Thanks for the video

[@SmilestonesDJAdventures]

Well thanks David. And appreciate your comment.

[@SmilestonesDJAdventures]

Envious of your Prime Go for ceremony- cool!

[@davidhughes8574]

@@SmilestonesDJAdventures Ditto for your mic setup, that’s my weak point. Awesome fin idea

[@samcoart]

What battery pack is that you are using for your mics?

[@SmilestonesDJAdventures]

Hey Samuel, it’s a Halo Bolt - www.amazon.com/Halo-Portable-Laptop-Charger-Starter/dp/B07FM85W13/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=halo+bolt&qid=1611983694&sr=8-3

[@samcoart]

Thank you!!!@@SmilestonesDJAdventures

[@moward3]

of all things that little table is cool.. where to get it

[@SmilestonesDJAdventures]

Thanks Maurice - that is a cool little table. I really like it! Here’s a link www.amazon.com/dp/B07Q64HLNT?ref=pd_basp_dp_primary

[@moward3]

@@SmilestonesDJAdventures been trying to shrink down my systems bc I always have to run 2. always great to get ideas that save time and space but still be professional.

[@quantumsound2423]

I always tell to starter DJs and Sound Guys: the most important part of ceremony sound set up is to PUT SPEAKERS AT THE FRONT! DONT PUT SPEAKERS AT THE BACK OR ON THE SIDE, don't be lazy and respect the audience, bride groom, and their parents and do it right!

[@SmilestonesDJAdventures]

That’s a good point. I like projecting audio from the rear of ceremony to help the folks in the back hear better, and to keep myself and my gear out of ceremony pictures! :)

[@cduemig1]

@@SmilestonesDJAdventures at my own wedding we had a band so I ran my own ceremony / cocktail hour / speech sound with my Bose L1. I set the speaker at the front right for ceremony but during the speeches we were in the middle of the large room. The delay was terrible Making it difficult to speak. That wasn’t the best decision.

[@rosecat9738]

It’s that to much equipment for just a ceremony

[@SmilestonesDJAdventures]

Nope this is just right!