Ceremony Music- Professional or DIY?

My DJ is setting up another set of equipment for the ceremony music, i wouldnt pay $800 for a violinist even though i am sure that it would be really nice

We used our DJ, but we only had to pay $50 extra.

Who would do it? I mean, you will be busy getting married.

And what will you play it on? Do you have access to sound equipment?

Our DJ did the music and provided a sound system including mics. I would recommend hiring someone. You don't want to make one of your guests work during your ceremony and you will need someone to switch the songs and hit the play button.

If you go DIY make sure the person who is pressing play practices, especially if you have multiple songs.... Usually the song changes in the processional between the wedding party/groom and the bride and her parent(s). I'd suggest actually stitching the two songs together. I thought this was too complicated and we ended up finding a family friend that would do it for us. We gave them a gift card to a restaurant as a thanks.

OH, and have the hitting play person go to the rehearsal.

^^^^ excellent question

We are having a string trio. They are contracted for 2.5 hours so will play during the prelude, processional, recessional for the ceremony and during cocktail hour. It costs $675. Our venue is a historic mansion and I love the classiness of a string trio! I think having them stay for cocktail hour will really set the tone we want. Our DJ is providing the sound equipment for the ceremony ($100) and then will DJ our reception. Our DJ costs just over $1200 for 4.5 hours, which includes the ceremony sound equipment and uplighting.

A wedding I was in in March created and downloaded a playlist from Spotify. They found a lot of instrumental versions of pop love songs that were actually VERY pretty. And you should DEFINITELY have them attend rehearsal-their cousin was pressing play and changing and such and the first run-thru was completely off but he got the hang of it and it went off without a hitch on the day!

O geesh. Now I am stressing. We don't have a rehearsal. I only have two girls in the bridal party and one is coming back 2 days before the wedding from her own honeymoon. I don't even know how to put a rehearsal together.

I think I may suck it up and pay the DJ.

The guests that I trust to work the music out correctly are the ones I want to sit back and enjoy the wedding.

Thanks everyone