DIY DJ?

"Typical 800 guest venue" where do you live that typical venues hold 800 people???

Also you asked...people told you that going without a DJ is a bad idea. So if you don't think it matters why did you ask?

Seriously, we're having 130 people. I would NEVER consider not having a DJ. Even with your *small* number, you will need a DJ to keep this flow. This is a bad idea. Save up or cut other places for a DJ.

$800 is not a small amount of money for everyone. I have already planned out the budget with my fiance and $800 is simply not going to make it. I have other things in my budget that are more important than a DJ. That is why I am asking for opinions on DIY DJ's. I have seen it happen at weddings before so I know it can be done. I was hoping for tips from other brides that have done or are doing the same. Not criticism from people who are disagreeing with me.

DJs do so much to run the schedule of the wedding - way more than just play music. My ex is a DJ and he "DJ'd" our wedding but only with help from his business partner. I could not imagine not having a DJ or MC! And we only had 60 guests! For this wedding, my FH and I are having a big band, but we made sure that the band leader acts as MC throughout the event as well. Weddings need organization and a flow through crowd-pleasing music appropriate for the time of night and well-timed announcements. Otherwise, guests mill around looking lost or just leave.

Well, this is the Internet and we don't typically validate bad ideas.

But it will break your wedding..... who is going to announce you in? Who will coordinate when your first dance is played? What's going to happen if there's a connection problem with your crappy iPod? This is just an all around terrible idea but if you clearly don't care, I don't know why you came to this forum and asked.

Doing music ourselves and renting speaker and a mic. Don't need a dj. Pandora has a wedding radio and downloading music we all like is cheaper. I just pick one song a day. Plan to put it on a loop or let people make a request and I'll search for the song. I could even download it that night n play it.

How can you post in a public forum and not expect criticism? I'm having a 75 or under wedding and we're having a DJ. No one in my family are dancers but we still need one because they're professionals. I found one for $75 an hour. Cut your guest list, budget, or don't spend the gobs of money on decor like most people (myself included).

I asked for tips for a DIY DJ. Not for advice about not hiring one. I've already decided not to hire a professional and my wedding will be fine. My phone has never failed me before with playlists and I don't need anyone to announce me in. Again, I am not having a typical traditional wedding so I will be fine without one. I didn't need anyone's opinions on whether a DIY DJ was a bad idea or not. I just asked for tips from anyone who has had a DIY DJ. I've seen it done before and I know it will be fine.

Kelsie I'm sorry you're not getting the answer you're looking for. That can be frustrating I know. Can I please just share my personal experience with you? I'm a 2nd time bride. For my first wedding I didn't hire a DJ . I let a "friend" play music through a system. Very similar to what you are describing. I had 150 people there and not one person danced. Not one! They were bored to tears and most left early. It's the honest truth. This time around I set my date and my DJ was the first call I made. The DJ is the life of the party. I promise you, you will regret not having one. Take it from someone who knows.

ETA: you aren't getting the answer you're looking for because I don't think there is one person in this community that has or would ever do a "diy DJ". Except me lol

FB99 let's hope

Please don't do this to your guests. 150 is too big a wedding to not have a DJ. @futuremrswhite said it perfectly. People will be BORED.

You're not going to get validation or feedback about bad ideas around here. We are honest and giving good advice. Just because it's not what you wanted to hear doesn't mean we are criticizing you. We are trying to help you have the best wedding possible. That means you should get a DJ and not try to DIY.

I'm not a fan of most things DIY for a wedding but this is one of the LAST things you should DIY!

Waiting for the other shoe to drop like no seating chart, dry wedding, the use of the word "rustic" somewhere...

What happens when your playlist isn't getting people on the dance floor? Or it has 4 painfully slow songs in a row and people are bored out of their minds? You're going to stand there finding songs instead of spending time with your guests??

What if a guest wants to request a song and it's not in your playlist?

Also Pandora sucks. Unless you're paying for a membership, your guests will have to listen to commercials

We went to a wedding that had a terrible DJ- he was streaming the music through the venue's wifi and it kept skipping and turning off. It stopped during the processional. It was so awkward. And then during the reception every time people would get out to the dance floor and start getting into it the music would stop.

What parts of your budget (except food and alcohol) are more important than having fun at your wedding?

The DJ does more than just plays music. They pretty much run the reception by keeping on track with the timeline of events and if there is a lull, they can get people moving again. (A quality DJ does this, anyway) If you were to use an iPod and DIY, if things for wrong people are going straight to you and FH. That's exactly what happened to my parents at their wedding and they went without a DJ. Having a professional takes a lot of pressure off of you and I would strongly advise you to reconsider going without.