No DJ/iPod Playlist

We have a small budget and I shopped around until I found a recommended DJ in our budget. I really think you should do it for peace of mind, not any other reason. I believe in a technology curse--when you need things to work, they don't.

My brother and his wife did not have a DJ and I'm not either. Don't worry. Everything for my brothers wedding was perfect.

I've been to so many events with awful DJs that I'm sort of cold to their whole profession now. I don't think your plan is the worst. We're using Spotify (but also not having dancing).

I'd cut back somewhere and hire a DJ. Don't put a friend or family to work for your reception. At least hire an MC. I went to a wedding in April where the music was played from an iPad and sound system. It was a mess. Volume varying each song, repeat songs, mic issues. They had their friend make announcements which no one could hear and they were practically begging people to come up and dance. I couldn't even hear the speach and I was sitting within 15 feet of the people speaking. I know not all circumstances are like this but why role the dic.

Hire a DJ

I think this can work ONLY if your entire crowd likes the same type of music and you know exactly what that music is. However, as others have said the DJ does much more than play music. Who will be your MC? What will you do if the crowd isnt feeling the music?

You're a troll right? Are you serious?! Please tell me you are a troll...

He can make a good playlist and knows what to do (crossfade, get good equipment...)

Look at my username and tell me why I am so irritated by this?!

If you have this attitude about what a dj does, you're in for a lot of shock at your reception. Hope everyone enjoys your iPod wedding!!!

A good dj is worth their money in gold. They will set the tone for your wedding. I would definitely consider hiring one.

@FutureMrsDJTimmy, I never thought I'd jump on here and "white knight", but you actually are being kind of rude to this OP. I know it's an unpopular opinion, so I've been smart enough not to mention it on this forum, but I'm not using a DJ either. I can afford one, and am choosing not to have one, based on knowing my crowd and the size. "Hope everyone enjoys your iPod wedding" is unprovoked snark.

I am not having a DJ and am using the WeddingDJ app too. It's great! However, we have an A/V technician set to run it, monitor sound, etc. I have been to iPod weddings before where everyone danced, and I have been to DJ-ed weddings before where no one danced. I am only having 50 people so I have a very strong opinion on what songs we'd want to play. The app takes care of the fades in-between songs and we will have the entire thing arranged in the order we want everything played.

However, I will say if I was getting married in the states I would be using a DJ. We're getting married in Mexico, where the cost for their in-house DJ is out of our budget, it costs $800 to bring in outside vendors, pretty much negating any savings we might find, and the language barrier makes things difficult.

Regarding the parents, my mom questioned how we planned to go about it but didn't fight me on it. It's a LOT more work, but we're attacking it a little at a time all the way up to the big day.

I went to a smaller wedding with 50ish guests that used an iPod for music. It worked because of the smaller crowd. They also requested songs on the RSVP card to make sure they played music people would like. I think if you have a larger wedding, it may not work as well.

Thanks for all the feedback. I was looking more for people who have experienced an iPod wedding to see how it went in a real life situation but you all definitely gave me some things to think about. Happy planning to you all!

FutureMrsNerd... Typically I'm a white night as well, however saying things like future husband has it under control really rubs the wrong way when your fh is in the industry. People really discount what a dj does for a wedding. I thought it was ok to be snarky... Guess not. I'll flounce now

I'll let you know how mine goes next month!

@futuremrsnerd: Thanks for helping me out! Please let me know how yours goes. Enjoy!

@futuremrsdjtimmy: I'm not discounting what your FH does, but I'm also sure a DJ wouldn't want his clients controlling most of the playlist, which is what my FH and I would probably end up doing.

Yikes. What kinds of weddings have you guys been to where the DJ sucked?

I find sometimes that a lot of couples just look for any old DJ. No, you need a DJ that has experience doing weddings - and not one or two weddings either.

@LelaD - what IS all that stuff? It looks like something out of a carnival.

@meg0029 - I've never been to a wedding where the DJ takes requests - at least not from anyone other than the bride and groom.

We are also not doing a DJ, however, dancing is not a big part of our wedding. Most of our guests are not dance party people, so is important to keep your guests in mind.

However, it seems like you definitely want dancing at your wedding for the two of you.

The last two weddings I've been to, the DJ was horribly awkward and didn't do a great job at getting to crowd into it.

My future father-in-law had no DJ or MC at his wedding, but they had a Spotify Playlist that did go over really well.

Truthfully I'm not much of a dancer so I rarely notice the DJ at weddings. If you just want background noise I think ipod and speakers are fine. But if you actively want someone to announce dances, entrances etc. with a dance atmosphere, a DJ might be a better option.

We did a string quartet before, during, and right after the ceremony. We did an iPod during their breaks (think Frank Sinatra music and Colbie Caillait). Then after they left, we just had the iPod playing.

We had a small group of 60ish guests and we didn't do first dance, bouquet toss etc, and just had a cocktail reception. So it was fine for our event. Our pastor announced us with the microphone and he announced the cake cutting. Our wedding coordinator walked around and handed out wedding wands and encouraged guests to be outside at 10 for our exit.

It was fine! It just depends on what kind of vibe/event you are wanting.

I'd say it depends on your guests. A smaller wedding where you know you have guests who will easily want to dance--I really don't see it being a problem, any technical issues aside. We are having around 50 guests at our wedding, a lot of whom will dance to ANYTHING, so I feel comfortable savings $800 on a DJ and using a giant Spotify playlist I am already working on. I am also going to ask guests for song requests in the invitation and on our website so I can make sure any favorites of the guests will be on the list. I have a friend who is a performer who has volunteered to do announcements--first dance, cake, etc. I am not worried in the slightest. I have also been to a DJd wedding where almost no one danced, he screwed up the announcements, and this guy was supposedly the top DJ in town. And I have been to a spotify wedding where everyone dance and had a blast!