Post content has been hidden

To unblock this content, please click here

Savvy October 2020

dj For Dinner Reception?

Amanda, on November 19, 2019 at 9:23 AM Posted in Wedding Reception 0 7

Saved

Flag
Hide content

My fiance is not in the DJ camp and I can't decide if I that's a battle I want to choose for our wedding. I'm fairly ambivalent about it, but I have been reading a lot of discussion that it can make or break crowd control. We are getting married in a small, private ceremony (under 50 people) followed by a small/medium (up to 80 people) dinner reception. Our venue is a science center and due to the animals there are sound restrictions on heavy bass/dance music. So we've decided to have a dinner type reception, with a playlist of our favorite musical scores and soundtracks. We don't plan on doing a lot of the traditional activities, no dancing, no cake cutting, no garter toss, etc. Our venue includes an event coordinator who will shuffle people between the ceremony/reception area for the smaller group coming to the ceremony. The current plan is to wrangle a family member into hitting play/pause for the ceremony and then just letting the playlist run during the reception. Does it seem worth it to hire a DJ to play from our Spotify playlist and do the ceremony music at a glorified dinner party?

Flag
Hide content

7 Comments

Latest activity by Jocelyn, on November 19, 2019 at 3:54 PM

VIP October 2019
Ivy ORP · on November 19, 2019 at 9:37 AM
Flag

Hide content
Just by the sound of the reception you're planning, I personally would not spend money on a DJ. We chose to have a cocktail reception with heavy apps and hors d'oeurves for less than 50 people. We had separate playlists for the ceremony, cocktail/dinner, and the reception that started with our first dance song. Guests that wanted to dance did, and we had no trouble getting people together for cake cutting and speeches. You can set any tone you want with the playlist and since you're not planning a raucous dance party, you don't need the DJ to "read the room" and change the playlist.
- Reply
Expert May 2021
Danielle · on November 19, 2019 at 9:39 AM
Flag

Hide content
No dancing. You have a playlist. No dj needed.
- Reply
VIP October 2021
Jennifer · on November 19, 2019 at 9:55 AM
Flag

Hide content
Have a DJ.
TRUST ME! I was one for many years who specialized in weddings.

They not only get the music- background or dance- but they are the Master of Ceremonies- keeping you on track to get the first dance, cake cutting, etc done.
Then there is the added they take the heat off YOU for making sure the music is rolling. They take the requests so you can just enjoy your day. Yes it can be an expensive thing- but the memories are WELLLLLLLL worth it!
People remember:1) Brides dress2) Food/Bar/Cake3) MUSIC- party atmosphere or not.....
- Reply
Legend March 2017
Pirate & 60s Bride · on November 19, 2019 at 10:43 AM
Flag

Hide content
Nope, a playlist or live musicians (maybe a guitarist?) would be fine.
- Reply
Legend June 2019
Melle · on November 19, 2019 at 11:18 AM
Flag

Hide content
I wouldn't get a DJ based on the description of your reception
- Reply
Lady · on November 19, 2019 at 1:39 PM
Flag

Hide content
I think DJ's are way over-rated and there really is no need for an MC in most situations. A playlist with a sound system will be totally fine.
- Reply

Devoted December 2019
Jocelyn · on November 19, 2019 at 3:54 PM
Flag

Hide content
I'm having a small intimate dinner of 45 next month after the ceremony and do not have a dj for the dinner. I plan to use the sound system in the reception room to play music from my fiance spotify app, that I created. We do still plan to do our first dance, cake cutting and wedding shoe game but nothing else. I don't think with your type of wedding a dj is really needed and you can save some money. I do have a violinist for the ceremony though! Maybe ask the day of coordinator to handle the ceremony music ques, so you don't have your guests doing it.
- Reply