The short answer
Most outdoor weddings need between 3,000 and 7,000 watts. String lights and a DJ run about 1,500W. Add a live band and you're near 3,500W. A caterer with warming equipment can push past 5,000W on its own. Below is a load table you can add up for your own setup.
Wedding equipment — watts to plan for
| Equipment | Typical continuous draw |
|---|---|
| String lights (100 ft LED) | 60–100W |
| DJ setup (controller + 2 powered speakers) | 800–1,500W |
| Live band PA (full) | 2,000–3,500W |
| Uplighting (12 fixtures) | 120–360W |
| Catering warming trays (each) | 800–1,200W |
| Commercial coffee urn | 1,000–1,500W |
| Bar blender / ice machine | 500–1,500W |
| Photo booth | 500–800W |
Add up the items you actually have. That's your continuous-draw number. Two things to know while you count:
- Heat is the enemy of runtime. Anything that converts electricity into heat — warming trays, coffee urns, commercial fryers — is a heavy, sustained draw. Two warming trays plus a coffee urn can push you past 3,500W on their own.
- Electronics and LED lighting. Sound systems, laptops, POS terminals, phone charging, and modern LED string lights — the light end of the list.
How our units compare
One of our units runs 7,200W continuous, 10,800W surge — enough for most weddings on its own. How many batteries a day needs comes down to what's plugged in and for how long, and that's what we size with you before the date.
You don't need to calculate any of this yourself. Tell us what you're plugging in and how long the event runs and we'll size it. If you're borderline, we'll say so.
Rough guide to configuration
| Situation | Typical shape |
|---|---|
| Backyard party — inflatable, speaker, lights | Backyard & Small Events package |
| Small ceremony — mics, speaker, light catering | Small: one inverter, one or two batteries |
| Wedding — DJ, lighting, bar, catering, full day | Mid: one inverter, more batteries |
| Vendor row / farmers market — several booths | Mid to large, depending on hot equipment |
| Live band with full PA + lighting | Full Event package |
| Festival stage + vendors, long day | Full Event package |
These are starting points, not promises. The variables that change everything: how many hours, and whether anything heats.
What draws the most (and what barely registers)
Heat is the enemy of runtime. Anything that converts electricity into heat is a heavy draw: commercial fryers, large flat-tops, full convection ovens, big resistive heaters. These are what push a setup up a package — or beyond what battery makes sense for.
Motors are moderate but constant. Refrigeration compressors, ice makers, and inflatable blowers don't spike hard, but they run continuously, which adds up across a long day.
Electronics and LED lighting are the light end. Sound systems, laptops, POS terminals, phone charging and modern LED lighting are the easy part of the list — heating is where the numbers move.
Where we're not the right answer: heavy continuous industrial loads, large commercial kitchen heating equipment, or big construction draw. We'll tell you honestly if that's your situation rather than sell you something that won't hold up.
The distribution unit is included
Every rental comes with a pro-grade power distribution unit — multiple independent 20-amp outlets with both 120V and 240V drops. Your vendors plug into that, not into the battery.
No daisy-chained power strips, no adapter stacks, no one circuit carrying everything. We bring the cords too.
Questions
How do I know what I need?
Send an inquiry describing what you're plugging in and how many hours. We'll recommend a configuration. If you're borderline, we'll say so.
What if we underestimate on the day?
That's exactly why we ask about your load in advance and build in headroom. Tell us if you think you'll add vendors or equipment.
Can several vendors share one unit?
Yes — that's what the distribution unit is for. How many depends on what each is drawing.
Can it run all day?
Runtime is a function of draw. Long days are a batteries question, and we size for it. Give us your hours.
Do you deliver and set it up?
Yes — always. Delivery, setup and pickup are included within 20 miles of Chevy Chase, DC. You never haul or fuel anything.