DJ or no DJ

Music is a requirement for me. I also would like it as a guest. Dj is cheaper than a band, so I booked a DJ.

A recorded playlist is an option.

I have heard success stories. But who would manage it?

If you're gonna go without a dj, I would suggest putting a family member or member of the bridal party in charge of the ipod. Nothing's a bigger buzz kill than a slow ballad coming on just when everyone's getting pumped up.

DJ. I'm not asking my friends or family to babysit an iPod because I'm too cheap to hire a DJ.

I had a DJ. I needed someone to professionally emcee the event. I really wanted my processional/recessional music to be taken care of without one of the guests stressing. I really wanted a fun dance style reception because so many members of my family are very into dancing. I also love when a DJ can read a room. My cousin had a "newer" DJ who was horrible. He played from a Spotify playlist and didn't take requests. He couldn't read the room when everyone got up and left the dance floor. He didn't do the announcements with any gusto and overall gave a very "lame" performance.

We are hiring a DJ. What if your phone/ipod dies, or there are technical difficulties? I absolutely despise wasting time fiddling with technology when I'm supposed to be having fun and DJs do this for a living, I want them to bring the party and to just be able to dance, enjoy myself and let others do the same.

I went to a wedding where they tried to use an iPod after the band was done, it didnt work and everyone left and drank in their cabins.

My brother had about 40 people at his wedding last year and hooked up his computer to the speakers of the restaurant and played a Spotify playlist they created. Everyone danced ALL night. It went off without a hitch. I could see having some technical difficulties or some other glitch. But I have seen it pulled off beautifully

We're not having a DJ. It would be completely out of place for the size of our guest list and our choice of venue.

I have very carefully created appropriate playlists for the cocktail hour, dinner, and post-dinner portions of the evening. There will really be no need for anyone to "baby-sit" the iPod beyond plugging it in and making sure I get it back at the end of the night, which I'm sure my wedding planner will handle.

Now, if we were having a bigger party in a space that lent itself to loud music and lots of dancing, sure. A DJ or a band would be essential. But we're having an intimate destination wedding. We went all out on the food and the bar, and we paid our wedding party's travel and lodging expenses because that made more sense for us.

If you want a conventional dance party, hire a DJ. The only types of receptions that flow beautifully with playlists are non-dancing, four hour restaurant receptions with full top shelf open bars.

I just went to a wedding yesterday with no DJ and it was fine but the intention was to have brunch and relax so there was no dancing. If you want people to get up and dance then hire a DJ. If it's just background music then get a good speaker and plug in an iPod

I honestly think a DJ is as necessary as a photographer! They are the ones who keep your guests occupied & entertained and can make or break your reception. If money is an issue, try hiring a DJ who's just starting out, they normally do it for a fraction of the price of a seasoned DJ. If you don't have one who's going to announce the bridal party and you and your FH into the reception? Who's going to announce cake cutting time? First dance times, etc.?

DJ!

Do a DJ. Guests will not want to be in charge of music and a lot can go wrong with playlists.

Cousins wedding was a playlist and it took them 20 minutes to find,load and play mother son song,it was very awkward .

I just went to a wedding with a "friend" as a dj. It was awful. The dj runs the reception and the timing of everything. The bride became very stressed because she was trying to figure out what to do next. Someone needs to be in charge. If not the dj, designate someone else.

I would try cutting back elsewhere

DJ's do ALOT, they usher guests around, make announcements, get people dancing. Play the right songs at the right time.

I can't imagine having to deal with an ipod and speakers on the day of my wedding.

Geez, HisBeauty...harsh much? She never mentioned her budget or that she was too cheap to hire a professional. She's looking for feedback -- feedback that might end with hiring a DJ (which she should). She's probably read BS blogs (and posts on this forum) that told her it can still be a dance party even if the DJ is absent. She read, she believed, and there are better ways of making your point than calling her cheap.

I would like to know why you would consider not having a DJ? Small crowd? No dancing? Budget? You may get more targeted advice if you provide a little context and info.

I'm not doing a DJ, but we are doing a small reception (20 people) at a restaurant and going for more of a dinner party vibe. If you want a dance atmosphere hire the DJ!

You can't just create a playlist and let it roll because you need to ensure smooth transitions. If you don't hire a DJ (which is totally fine as long as you aren't trying to go ultimate dance party on everybody), you will have to do all of the song selection and find the right program to play the music with those smooth transitions. Some people use Spotify Premium, but they don't have half of the music I want played at my wedding and that may ring true for you too.

Just to clarify* its not a budget issue. We can hire one if we want to but my hesitation is because We are having a church ceremony and reception and I feel like it would be out of place a little bit and some reviews i have read say the same. I am open to suggestions on how to make it flow if anyone has any respectable comments I would love to hear your input on ideas!

If you were to not hire a DJ, take into consideration the speaker system (whether or not it's compatible with whatever you're hooking it up to), the person who you will put in charge of it (can you trust them to have the non-explicit songs downloaded), and whether or not that person will be your MC who will be moving the program along. If not, then they would have to be in sync as to what's coming up in your program and what to play.

In my opinion, if you're not planning on any dancing because you feel it would be inappropriate, then get a DJ without all the bells and whistles and lights and someone to just play the music and keep you on your timeline.