DJ or IPod?

I'm doing an Ipod wedding. Our reception is going to be on a riverboat, with 66 total people. They can pipe it in through the loudspeakers, and its not like there's a lot of room for a DJ and their equipment.

VM- How does that work? is there a list of songs on there? or it just picks it??

IPods can't steer the crowd or help set the mood, and pilot the event. A DJ can, it's a worthy investment and helps the overall energy. Plus guests better understand what's going on, overall I think the presence of a good DJ makes people want to stay longer.

In my experience as bridesmaid I felt like the DJ kind of coordinated us when we came to reception venue, they do so much more than just play music. I agree with Jay, it help the overall energy. Plus, it's one less thing to worry about.

I've been wondering the same thing. I found this article online that was very helpful but I think each person is different. My family is the life of the party; we've been to parties with DJ's and my family would be the ones to get everyone up and dance, not the DJ so for me I am kind of leaning towards no DJ. My only issue is the ceremony but I am sure I can figure it out.

http://apracticalwedding.com/2009/09/djing-your-wedding-with-ipod/

It depends on if you're looking for background music or someone to concierge your night. Background? Ipod fine. Announcements, keeping the party moving? Dj.

A friend performing your ceremony doesn't really impact the ceremony music. YOu still need some.

Our DJ was the best money we spent IMO. We didn't have a coordinator and he fulfilled that function in some ways, making announcements and directing the flow of the evening.

iPod probably works for smaller receptions though.

I have been to 2 weddings with Ipod dj's and one was fine and one SUCKED. The one that sucked sucked because they played music that no one in he crowed liked. They were playing to a early 20's crowd and the B/G were late 30's so no one danced besides 5 yr olds. The bride had to go change the music herself after about a half hour of no one dancing and it was still crap music.

After the amazing experience I had with our DJ, I only suggest having a DJ. He did everything. He got me drinks, hunted down people for special dances, he helped me get the blood out of my dress, and he did all that while playing amazing music. Our dance floor was so packed the entire night, It was amazing!!!

We're all for having a DJ. He created a timeline for us, he will make all the announcements, keep track of the timeline so we don't have to keep looking at the clock, let people know when the last call is, when the dances are to begin, the sparkler exit, announce the after party, etc. Our DJ is going to keep the flow of the wedding going. He'll be able to read what gets people up and dancing and adjust the music to what our crowd likes. A DJ should be taking work and stress off of you. An iPod can't really do that, but it also depends on what kind of wedding you're having. Ours is on a ranch, but we still want the structure and formality of a typical wedding.

For a small wedding it might work (yours is on the smaller side). I just know I don't want to deal with it or have one of my guests deal with it. I went to a wedding that had a computer set up to play the music...and the music was great, but seeing one of the guests kind of stuck there in a way to monitor everything...I just don't want to take guests to have to deal with that, I'd rather them enjoy the party (only one possible reason I wanted a DJ)

@Kathryn... Blood out of your dress?!?!!? Who did you kill LOL

I've heard that my DJ has helped the staff and to hunt people down too. We paid $500 for him because we booked him really early and paid in full. I almost forgot he gave us a discount too!

Let me first off by saying, I work directly with BMI, ASCAP, and SESAC. It is extremely illegal to use an Ipod or a consumer music product like Spotify for a wedding. The proper royalties are not covered for a wedding. That's why DJs carry royalty agreements and what not for all music. You would have to have the worst luck in the world to get caught though.. but still illegal

I also do not like Ipods because people have to mess with them through out. Vmdizzle said she had to fix the music DURING her ceremony. That sounds awful. Our Dj also helped with the flow of music, but also requests... He really made the night memorable. I do not care how great your Ipod track is, a DJ feels the room better. Plus he announced random things through the wedding night. "Shot out to little Johnny busting a move on the dance floor". I'm proDJ even if I didn't work with people who violated music copy-writes every day. lol

DJ!!! Our DJ was one of my favorite vendors, and honestly, he wasn't THAT expensive. I just think I would stress out too much over an Ipod. Plus, depending on your venue, the acoustics might not work well with regular speakers versus a DJ set up.

It all depends on what you prefer and your venue. We want a DJ for announcements, and to keep the flow and gauge the guests participation and keep people dancing and entertained. I like him too because he comes with a light display. If we were going to do the ipod thing, we would have needed to rent speakers and do the set up ourselves which won't work for us. Also, our venue needs us to have a licensed DJ with the proper documentation of royalties (SOCAN fees or something).

We're doing an iPod.

I wouldn't be, except that one of my BMs did it for her wedding last year and it was a blast. Nonstop dancing, great flow to the reception... honestly, it never crossed my mind that a DJ was needed.

I booked a DJ because I felt that it is a must for my wedding. Neither of us would have the patience to put together a legitimate wedding playlist LOL

We aren't allowed to use a DJ because our reception is at a park. So we have no choice but to use a Ipod. ~ we did however give the option of our guests to pick the music with us. Each one can request a song they would like to hear so you don't have to worry if they will like it or not. I feel all of that is up in the air. Some weddings I went to no one danced and only drank, others no one drank and only danced. You can't predict these things. Just remember to have fun no matter what your choice.

DJ. They help moving things along, can bring the party up or down, and it would really suck for your friends to have to babysit the ipod or for someone to just go up and change the music.

@ Alexis My the wires wrapped around my bouquet holding the stems together were not all the way covered in ribbon and the wire sliced my palm open. I didn't notice until we were standing in line to walk into the reception and I saw my palm. but it was too late, I got a smudge of it on my dress and the ribbon on the bouquet was covered in blood. Luckily a BM had tissues in her clutch so I held on to that until the dj helped me haha.

My DJ was the only reason my wedding stayed on schedule. He would come up to me and say "Time to cut the cake" and then go make the announcement. It would've been a mess without him so keep that in mind along with the comments about the DJ being the party starter.