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Topic: Fog Machine At Weddings? - Page: 1

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I will have my first wedding gig on Saturday. It was a last-minute request. Expectations are low, but I plan to wow the guests as well as the clients. I am always hesitant to use a fog machine because of the smoke alarm issues. I will find out tomorrow if the venue even allows fog machines. My question is this. Are fog machines used much for weddings? I don't know if there is much differences in the "fog juices" available, but the one I have creates smoke that might be irritating to some. Feedback?
 
发表时间 Tue 06 Mar 07 @ 8:52 am
You are right to check with the venue first. Most don't allow smoke. A lot of guest don't like smoke, for various reasons. You did not mention lights. If you don't have lights, it will be out of place. If you are able to use it, go easy. Hazers are a better bet, if you have access.
 
I don't have much in the way of lights. I have a chauvet mini-line dancer, a chauvet color bank, and a strobe light and I'll probably get a chauvet oceana light effect What is a hazer?
 
It's similar to a smoke machine, most don't have much control, either on or off. They continually create a light haze, as a pose to a thick blast from a smoke machine.

There are a few types avaliable, some are really a low power fogger, some use ultrasonics to create the fog, others use a air compressor (Noisy) to spray air and fluid internally to create the haze. Most cost more than foggers.
 
We never use a fog machine for weddings. Our company (with over 15 years of experience :P) uses 2 sets for a wedding.

1. 2 fourbars and a standard spinning set (It's a wedding, not a danceparty!). An experienced, little bit older DJ.
EXAMPLE


2. For weddings that can cost a bit more.. A straight truss with 3 fourbars and a standard spinning set. Hmmm i don't have an example of this set.


Check my blog for pictures of other parties ;) We specialise in bigger dance parties now, but started off in weddings and smaller parties.

Of course you use a hazer when you want, but imo it's not necessary ;)
 
VanStino, nice set up. What is a "spinning" set? Which reminds me, does anyone know of any books or websites that would have information about lighting, lighting effects, dmx, etc, for a lighting newbie? I want information on mood-setting, placement of lights at small gigs, etc.
 
Lol, that's how we call it, it's actually just a dual CD player - one ecler mix table - one vinyl deck - two mini-disc players.

That entire setup takes only 20 minutes to build up. (From arrival till departure) It's really optimised for such smaller parties.

About a site like that, don't know exactly.. Do a google search, even though i didn't find anything on google. ;)
 
Yeah, I haven't found anything anywhere, so far. I guess the market is ripe for a nice book or tutorial on lighting.
 
Don't use a fogger.

Unless you're a fan of getting yelled at.

Old farts at weddings will come up one after another to tell you to turn it off.

If you absolutly must have smoke - Play only halls/locations that still allow smoking, or get a hazer and place it on the absolute slowest release time.

 
We got rid of all our foggers and switched to haze. We're using the American DJ hazers. They use the small compressor, which is a little noisy, but not too bad. Haze juice is water based instead of glycol based, and lasts a looooong time. A hazer will use a lot less power than a traditional fogger with a heating element, so you're less likely to trip a circuit breaker. A lot of venues that won't allow fog will allow haze, especially if you ask first and show them the difference. So far, we've never set off a smoke detector with haze. Haze is more expensive, but we like it a lot better.

Curt
 
Thanks all for the input. Very insightful. I'll be leaving my fogger at home and get a haze machine at some point.
 
This just in from the lessons learned dept........

I did a gig at a large hotel here in Atlanta, and the lady manager said I could use a hazer... I turned it on, and the other manager came barreling across the room and screamed to turn it off immediately and get it out of the room... I asked why, and he said "follow me" and pointed up in the corners of the room...

I guess it's got some invisible laser for smoke detection, and a red led laseer for testing operational status.

they have one laser scanner on each side of the room and it covers the whole ballroom ceiling

apparently they have this funky new laser matrix fire system that detects smoke, and the exact location, etc.... he said it's so sensitive that a cigarette could set it off and the fire dept would come. he said they only get 2 false alarms a year, then they have to pay the city $3000.00 per truck roll.

that was almost a big oops on my part!
 
A lot of places won't let you use certain pieces of DJ machinery - I am somewhat reluctant to use strobe lights, as they can induce epileptiform seizures - even I've almost had one using one at my nephew's 18th - and I'm not prone to them, even on a small scale.

Some places won't even allow filming of the gig - my self-styled manager and I nearly got arrested one night.

He had tried to get permission - but, because it took too long for them to give him the reply he wanted, he told me to pick up the camera and start filming anyway (he's like that - he even smokes in my house when I've told him not to). A woman (I think it may have been the headmistress - it was a school thing) ordered me to turn it off - which I did. When the gig was over, the cops arrived - fortunately, I'd hardly filmed anything incriminating.
 
Dont use strobo's, they are way TOO nervous. Try a bubble maschine- they have became popular on wedings.
 
Don't use anything like that on a wedding. As I said, a wedding is not a dance party. (Although mostly that depends of the crowd). Keep it clean, like on the pic i posted. Some ambiance lights and music. No need for special effects.
 
My wedding receptions turn into dance parties. As Steve said, forget about the smoke machines. The last time I used one, the fire dept. made everyone get out of the gym. They were pissed, and wanted to teach me a lesson. The 2000 guest were pissed too, but not at me. It took almost 45 minutes. I would not use a bubble machine, either. Makes the floor wet. Ask me how I know. Can you say "Talk to my attorney".
 
Basically keep it plain and simple for a wedding. You don't wanna go blazing the biggest dance show with the works. Its a family thing and people are just looking for a good time.

Most of the venues don't allow smoke machines, you could cop a fine if you set one off. Strobe lights are mostly a waste of time, its not worth the hassle or risk if someone goes epileptic on the dance floor.

I keep my setup standard with only two 300w rated lights moving to the sound of the music. I have mine sitting on top of my floor standing speakers. Much easier than carrying a set of lights with stands. Its always best to leave that decision upto the person paying for it, more equipment means more setup time = more money.
 
only use fog at the wedding if the bride is really ugly......at the reception, don't use fog until you've checked w/ the hall.......
 
The only way i would possibly use a smoke machine on a wedding is when the opening dance starts. AND i'd only use smoke that's heavier then air, so it stays on the ground and you get a "dancing on clouds" effect.

Not necessary anytime other then that though.
 
Wow. Lots of good info here. I've seen those "low-lying fog" machines. That's pretty cool, but probably won't do much for enhancing lighting effects. I got my Oceana light yesterday. I'll probably use that, my color bank and my mini line dancer. No strobe, no fog.
 
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