cancelling dj :(

I've heard of people doing this before. I've also seen these threads where DJs will come and tell you all the things that can go wrong when you go this route. But the reality is #1 anything can go wrong anytime even with having a professional dj. #2 if you can't afford it then you just can't. So I wouldn't stress about it. Make do with what you have. Your family/friends are not coming to your wedding to see how good your dj is lol.

Just make sure to choose someone ahead of time and let them know they're responsible for the ipod. I knew someone who went to his friends parents vow renewal and somehow became responsible for the cd player and he was pissed.

Cabel did it and she is always helpful so I'm sure if you send her a e-mail she'll reply... At the end of the day what matters is that you are getting the things you really can't live without, that your getting married, and your getting married without going into dept.

If you have someone who can MC (I mean really MC, not just hand them a mic and they talk), then cut the DJ.

I do think the music can make or break the party- so spend alot of time putting together a good playlist and be very thoughtful in your selections and the order of music. It's not as easy as it sounds- but you can do it.

Be careful. I'm assuming you've already booked the DJ and you've paid a deposit/retainer.

If you cancel, you might lose your deposit/retainer/booking fee . Granted, it's better to lose half than to lose the whole thing, but make sure you read your contract before you make the decision.

If you've already paid a booking/retainer fee (deposit), you might be able to work something out with your DJ. Perhaps he can refer a less experienced DJ that he trusts.

As a last resort, consider hiring one of the cheap DJ's from craigslist. By the time you pay for a PA to handle the necessary sound for a reception, you might be close enough to afford one of them.

Dj Carlos, i am losing my depoist but its better tolose 75.oo then to have him show and me not be able to pay the remainder.

If you can't afford it you can't afford it. Simple as that! We didn't have a dj. I have yet to find a dj I've liked (no offense to vendors on here..I haven't "met" you ;-) ). I had a friend of mine from college be the guy behind the laptop and it worked out amazing! My DH's cousin had all the stereo system we needed and all that stuff so we got off easy there. Then we made a playlist and he was friends with all the people dancing (all of my college friends and some family since DH's family cared more about being outside smoking then inside partaking in anything wedding related *breathes*) so he was able to assess the crowd and play what the moment welcomed. It was perfect. I'm glad I had him and not a dj! Good luck to you!

My husband's brother had pro speakers because he plays in a band. They mounted those on the walls in our reception room, and we played CDs. It sounded great, but would have been fine with just regular stereo speakers too. In fact when I walked into the room and heard the music, I actually thought "I really like music they are playing here", before I remembered that it was my own music! We had a bunch of big band CDs, plus a CD of kid songs like chicken dance and monster mash type stuff. Everyone enjoyed the music and danced. And I didn't have to worry about a DJ playing stuff I couldn't stand or that was completely inappropriate.

You might need a sound system depending on what the venue has. But don't use the overhead, in ceiling speakers. They're ok for voice (and barely that) but no good for music. Rent a sound system. Not that complicated to set up. Some places even have a system that includes a microphone. And there are systems which allow cds and ipods to be mixed together http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=ipod dj system&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&cid=14420399113105263047&ei=TCuGTLygJ5rOMqbPzb8G&sa=title&ved=0CAcQ8wIwADgA#p They're not the best quality ever, but will get you through. You might even be able to rent something acceptable. All this, of course, depends on your budget.