Are DJ services really necessary?

Hire a dj!

I think it totally depends. We're having a daytime wedding, and our reception is going to be shorter, not the all night dance party common today, because it will be mostly families, not many young adults at all. We're not having a DJ, instead we're going to make sure we have playlists downloaded on to CDs or an iPod that won't fail us if the internet connection is bad. For our guests and our reception, it just makes sense. I think it depends on how you're envisioning the reception. If we were having a "dance party" for 2-3 hours, I would have felt more comfortable with a DJ.

Ive never been to a wedding without a DJ!

Our DJ created our timeline and kept everything flowing. I was able to email the timeline to the photographer and caterers. Without him our wedding would have been a hot mess. Totally worth the money.

This is why you create a budget, you list everything you need and allocate money appropriately, this list should include a DJ

Hire a DJ

$100/hour for a DJ is actually pretty cheap, in my area at least.

Don't ask someone to work your wedding just to save money...

Definitely recommend hiring a DJ, they can read the crowd and play music suitable for all parts of the night, like when you really need background music versus dance floor time. A good DJ also knows how to mix things up and play music you like but also a few selections sprinkled in that are generally accepted by everyone including older generations. Get some recommendations from vendors that you've already booked and WW vendor tab. Our photographer recommended our DJ who she has also used for her own events and events that she worked for clients.

Spotify bride here!!!

I hired live musicians for the ceremony and used a Samsung tablet 4 with spotify premium for cocktail, dinner and "after dinner" music. i made each play list as a separate play list and had my bestie swap them between each aspect of the night. Was that ideal? nope. But it was okay.

So- I absolutely would not recommend this to everyone- or many. But it was absolutely suitable for MY venue- and MY event.

I had less than 30 guests.

I DID have live music for the ceremony- so no "on/off" while people were talking. It was NOT cheap. But I prefer live music- and I really felt it was worth the investment over having a DJ.

We had no dances.

No speeches.

No toasts.

My wedding was an upgraded "officiant take your family to dinner" event. (which was the original intent)

But instead of going to a restaurant- we had a venue and a catering company. The location had sound system already in place for the whole venue and aux hook ups.

This worked- because we were 100% a "none dancing" event. And no speeches- no "flow" really to keep track of through the night that couldn't have been handled by the Matre D'.

And I had live musicians for the ceremony so no one need to be fussing through the ceremony with "on off" issues.

Not ideal.

But It CAN work. But it is 100% not for everyone.

Putting together a play list is time consuming- easily a 3-5 hour process (I had 3 playlists) so keep that in mind as well.

Hire a DJ. I feel like DJ's are always overlooked as an "important" part of the wedding but they really really are important. Trust me. They do more than press play on a computer. They do announcements, feel the energy of the crowd, work with you on play/do not play lists, make sure the correct songs are played at the correct times and ensure that the guests are all on the dance floor. That's why a lot of them are $100/an hour. We have our DJ for 8 hours which includes a mini DJ station set up by our ceremony site to play our ceremony music while the main DJ station is set up 300 ft away where our reception is located playing music while guests arrive. Basically music is playing everywhere. We are paying $830. That is a steal of a deal in our eyes for what we are getting.

Hire one forsure. They are in charge of so much more than you realize

If you want speeches and announcements, you should hire one.

Your DJ and photographer can make or break your wedding. A DJ is not that expensive if you shop around.

Same thoughts-- let your guests be guests, pay a professional to set the done-- a good DJ is worth every penny!

I guarantee you if you DIY your own music, it will feel less like a wedding and more like a house party.

Spend the money.

No not necessary

Leah- mine did not feel like a house party at all.

It felt like an elegant dinner with family.

The music was important but not pivotal. We had a great time at dinner picking out the sound track music from the different shows I played and different instrumental music I added.

It was actually a really fun talking point around each table as it generated conversation.

I'll be the odd one out. A DJ is not necessary. You can easily hook up an iPod to your venue's sound system with your chosen playlist if you don't have the $$$ for a DJ. It's just as nice, and if your guests aren't huge party-goers (like mine. My cousins like to dance but the rest of my family does not. The cousins are young and will be just as happy dancing to some iPod music). Plus DJs can be loud and overwhelming if you or your guests don't like "noisy" atmospheres.

Also to those worried about a "pause" between music- it takes 2 seconds to adjust that setting in iTunes so you don't get that pause

Spend your money on what YOU think matters most! Personally, I would rather have photos than a dance hall, but that's just me and the fact that my guests (99% family) don't dance or party

Hire a DJ. Don't ask friends to work your wedding. They should enjoy the day just as much as you are. Professional djs help keep the flow of your wedding rather than awkward moments