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IPOD vs. DJ
Hi everyone...we are getting married on New Years Eve and are on a strict budget. The place we are having our reception has a 25K sound system that is brand new. Has anyone ever done their own play list and done their music through a computer or IPOD?

Shannon p.
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Married: 12/31/2009
Posted On: Nov 6, 2009 at 4:20 PM | Vendors are allowed | Add to My Watchlist | Flag As Inappropriate

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Jrsgirl1
Community Superstar

Married: 04/10/2010
Posted On: Nov 06, 2009 at 4:22 PM | Flag As Inappropriate
No, but with the budget Im on, I did think about it. At least I know whats being played. Im just confused as to how to do it. Good Luck. Keep me posted

Nathalie D.
Community Superstar

Married: Recently Married
Posted On: Nov 06, 2009 at 4:24 PM | Flag As Inappropriate
A friend of mine had her ipod playing. It went very well and she had a great mix of music. It sounded great.

FutureMrsH
Community Headliner

Married: 01/02/2010
Reviews: 5
Posted On: Nov 06, 2009 at 4:25 PM | Flag As Inappropriate
Personally, I think it would make me nervous in case the iPod broke or froze. A DJ has backups and can make it work no matter what, and also can MC the evening which an iPod can't. But I have heard that other people have made it work.

Fernnie
Community Superstar

Married: 06/12/2010
Reviews: 5
Posted On: Nov 06, 2009 at 4:28 PM | Flag As Inappropriate
I am using my ipod because of my budget. I have playlist labled for what event is going to take place.

happybride1022
Community Superstar

Married: 05/01/2010
Reviews: 9
Posted On: Nov 06, 2009 at 4:30 PM | Flag As Inappropriate
This is what we are planning to do. We are creating a play list on itunes and then hooking the laptop into the sound system. We are haveing FH 16 tech-savy nephew run the system and trouble shoot any problems(he's a good kid and we trust him) Also, we have asked one of the groomsman to serve as MC for the evening.

Laura K.
Community Megastar

Married: 05/15/2009
Reviews: 7
Posted On: Nov 06, 2009 at 4:34 PM | Flag As Inappropriate
check out this previous thread on this topic, there are a lot of really good points in it. One of the lasts posts has a link to a video which REALLY illustrates the situation well.
http://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-forums/is-this-tacky/1cc45f6a16b8ecfe.html

Shannon p.
Community Headliner

Married: 12/31/2009
Posted On: Nov 06, 2009 at 4:39 PM | Flag As Inappropriate
Thank you for all the input! I have a lot to think about!

MEG
Community Megastar

Married: 06/12/2010
Posted On: Nov 06, 2009 at 4:52 PM | Flag As Inappropriate
http://www.quebbie.com/
You may want to try renting "Quebbie DJ in a Box." It has thousands of different songs in different genres. You can make your own playlists. It has standard wedding MC announcements. I was considering this for my wedding (now my FH uncles band is going to play.) I have not heard of anyone using it so I dont know if it is worth it or not.
Posted On: Nov 06, 2009 at 5:14 PM | Flag As Inappropriate
Depending on the sound system at the venue, you may find a DJ who is willing to bring his coffin case (turntables, mixer, and possibly computer) and plug into their system. That would cut _way_ down on the amount of work the DJ had to do and could save you a bunch of cash.

If you don't have a wedding planner, I'd very much recommend having a professional DJ to keep things moving along smoothly. If you do have a wedding planner, ask her what she recommends.


SuchaDiva
Community Megastar

Married: 06/03/2011
Posted On: Nov 06, 2009 at 5:34 PM | Flag As Inappropriate
I have never seen it done. But I am hearing that it's very popular. I think it can work. Just make sure you have someone in charge of controling the playlist

Nda_ r.
Community Superstar

Married: 06/05/2010
Posted On: Nov 06, 2009 at 5:35 PM | Flag As Inappropriate
I would recommend using iTunes on a laptop instead as iPods are known to malfunction

Kristina G.
Community Superstar

Married: 05/30/2010
Posted On: Nov 06, 2009 at 8:29 PM | Flag As Inappropriate
I'm using my laptop. Idk if you know this already, but if you set up your wedding website there's a section where you can have ppl request music they'd like to hear at your wedding. I plan on using that, one of my fears w/ using my laptop is that ppl won't like the music, but that way we can get a lot of variety if everyone's giving input.

JulyBride
Community Megastar

Married: 07/25/2009
Reviews: 5
Posted On: Nov 06, 2009 at 9:41 PM
This post has been flagged by the WeddingWire Community and is now hidden.
Posted On: Nov 06, 2009 at 9:57 PM | Flag As Inappropriate
Like Laura said, it's not necessarily about the music. It's more about keeping the wedding moving and announcing things as they happen so the photographer or your Mom isn't in the ladies room while you're cutting the cake! I've got no problem with the I-pod for music. I've used a laptop for music at a small party. Just make sure you have someone with some personality and a timeline list for announcements. And, they shouldn't be drinking!

JulyBride
Community Megastar

Married: 07/25/2009
Reviews: 5
Posted On: Nov 06, 2009 at 10:00 PM
This post has been flagged by the WeddingWire Community and is now hidden.

CamoBride
Community Superstar

Married: 08/07/2010
Reviews: 4
Posted On: Nov 06, 2009 at 10:06 PM | Flag As Inappropriate
I looked into renting the sound equipment as our venue didn't have anything in place. We would have to pick up the equipment, return it, and find someone to man the laptop (or iPod) and it only saved us $150 for both the ceremony and reception - we went with a professional DJ. If your venue has the equipment already, you may ask for a less-experienced DJ and inform them of the equipment already in place - could save you money that way.

Not-A-Bridezilla
Community Megastar

Married: 05/15/2010
Reviews: 7
Posted On: Nov 06, 2009 at 10:51 PM | Flag As Inappropriate
Honestly... it depends on what you want. If you are not planning on any dances, any announcements, and just want noise in the background then I would go with the ipod. I definitely think that the video is a great example of what can go wrong. Think about it this way--the average reception can be up to 5 hours long (many go over this). You are hiring this person not only to sit and play music but to ENTERTAIN your guests. This doesn't mean you have to have some loud obnoxious DJ but someone who knows how to read a crowd and see what will get them moving-- young and old. An ipod/laptop can't do that and neither can an inexperienced DJ/relative. I know budget is tight but I think there are some things you shouldn't cut out of your wedding and this is one of them.. JMHO
Posted On: Nov 07, 2009 at 2:12 AM | Flag As Inappropriate
It's nice that the place has a $25,000 sound system. I wonder whether the venue will commit to you contractually that someone who knows the sound system and how to operate it and control the volume and trouble-shoot will be on the premises and available to work the sound throughout your reception. (I'm not referring here to who operates your iPod; I'm talking about who's responsible to the rest of the sound system!).


Even if the $25,000 sound system works flawlessly that night, isn't your idea like saying "Our reception site has a $100,000 state-of-the-art kitchen, so don't need a caterer -- We'll just have one of our friends bring some raw food, and we'll have another friend cook the food, and we'll have a third friend act as banquet captain, and get some other friends to be the waiters"?????


Posted On: Nov 07, 2009 at 2:15 AM | Flag As Inappropriate
Here's another point. Let's assume the site's sound system really is as good as they claim, and let's assume it is operating trouble-free that night.


Do you really want to the source of the music coming out of that $25,000 sound system to be mp3's from an iPod??? Do you realize that most mp3's are very compressed -- at 128kps or 192kps, they contain much less "data" than a CD track? So playing an mp3 track through a great sound system is kinda like playing a YouTube video through a high-def TV. Just doesn't make sense to me.


november bride
Community Superstar

Married: 11/20/2009
Posted On: Nov 07, 2009 at 5:35 AM | Flag As Inappropriate
I'm using either an ipod or my laptop. My wedding is very small and I just really want background music. We are having a luncheon in a private room at a restaurant and then having a catered after party later that evening.
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