IPOD vs. DJ

No, but with the budget Im on, I did think about it. At least I know whats being played. Im just confused as to how to do it. Good Luck. Keep me posted

A friend of mine had her ipod playing. It went very well and she had a great mix of music. It sounded great.

Personally, I think it would make me nervous in case the iPod broke or froze. A DJ has backups and can make it work no matter what, and also can MC the evening which an iPod can't. But I have heard that other people have made it work.

I am using my ipod because of my budget. I have playlist labled for what event is going to take place.

This is what we are planning to do. We are creating a play list on itunes and then hooking the laptop into the sound system. We are haveing FH 16 tech-savy nephew run the system and trouble shoot any problems(he's a good kid and we trust him) Also, we have asked one of the groomsman to serve as MC for the evening.

Check out this previous thread on this topic, there are a lot of really good points in it. One of the lasts posts has a link to a video which REALLY illustrates the situation well.

https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-forums/is-this-tacky/1cc45f6a16b8ecfe.html

Thank you for all the input! I have a lot to think about!

Http://www.quebbie.com/

You may want to try renting "Quebbie DJ in a Box." It has thousands of different songs in different genres. You can make your own playlists. It has standard wedding MC announcements. I was considering this for my wedding (now my FH uncles band is going to play.) I have not heard of anyone using it so I dont know if it is worth it or not.

Depending on the sound system at the venue, you may find a DJ who is willing to bring his coffin case (turntables, mixer, and possibly computer) and plug into their system. That would cut _way_ down on the amount of work the DJ had to do and could save you a bunch of cash.

If you don't have a wedding planner, I'd very much recommend having a professional DJ to keep things moving along smoothly. If you do have a wedding planner, ask her what she recommends.

I have never seen it done. But I am hearing that it's very popular. I think it can work. Just make sure you have someone in charge of controling the playlist

I would recommend using iTunes on a laptop instead as iPods are known to malfunction

I'm using my laptop. Idk if you know this already, but if you set up your wedding website there's a section where you can have ppl request music they'd like to hear at your wedding. I plan on using that, one of my fears w/ using my laptop is that ppl won't like the music, but that way we can get a lot of variety if everyone's giving input.

Like Laura said, it's not necessarily about the music. It's more about keeping the wedding moving and announcing things as they happen so the photographer or your Mom isn't in the ladies room while you're cutting the cake! I've got no problem with the I-pod for music. I've used a laptop for music at a small party. Just make sure you have someone with some personality and a timeline list for announcements. And, they shouldn't be drinking!

I looked into renting the sound equipment as our venue didn't have anything in place. We would have to pick up the equipment, return it, and find someone to man the laptop (or iPod) and it only saved us $150 for both the ceremony and reception - we went with a professional DJ. If your venue has the equipment already, you may ask for a less-experienced DJ and inform them of the equipment already in place - could save you money that way.

Honestly... it depends on what you want. If you are not planning on any dances, any announcements, and just want noise in the background then I would go with the ipod. I definitely think that the video is a great example of what can go wrong. Think about it this way--the average reception can be up to 5 hours long (many go over this). You are hiring this person not only to sit and play music but to ENTERTAIN your guests. This doesn't mean you have to have some loud obnoxious DJ but someone who knows how to read a crowd and see what will get them moving-- young and old. An ipod/laptop can't do that and neither can an inexperienced DJ/relative. I know budget is tight but I think there are some things you shouldn't cut out of your wedding and this is one of them.. JMHO

It's nice that the place has a $25,000 sound system. I wonder whether the venue will commit to you contractually that someone who knows the sound system and how to operate it and control the volume and trouble-shoot will be on the premises and available to work the sound throughout your reception. (I'm not referring here to who operates your iPod; I'm talking about who's responsible to the rest of the sound system!).

Even if the $25,000 sound system works flawlessly that night, isn't your idea like saying "Our reception site has a $100,000 state-of-the-art kitchen, so don't need a caterer -- We'll just have one of our friends bring some raw food, and we'll have another friend cook the food, and we'll have a third friend act as banquet captain, and get some other friends to be the waiters"?????

Here's another point. Let's assume the site's sound system really is as good as they claim, and let's assume it is operating trouble-free that night.

Do you really want to the source of the music coming out of that $25,000 sound system to be mp3's from an iPod??? Do you realize that most mp3's are very compressed -- at 128kps or 192kps, they contain much less "data" than a CD track? So playing an mp3 track through a great sound system is kinda like playing a YouTube video through a high-def TV. Just doesn't make sense to me.

I'm using either an ipod or my laptop. My wedding is very small and I just really want background music. We are having a luncheon in a private room at a restaurant and then having a catered after party later that evening.

Hello we are using an ipod to walk down the isle. My sisters friend used her's and it was perfect!!! hope this helps

GoodNote - I know that you're a vendor, so you may be a bit biased, but most people can't discern or care about the minor differences between mp3 (even at 128kps) and CD quality.

See: http://www.lincomatic.com/mp3/mp3quality.html

Your youtube analogy is also mute. Technology is ever changing - even now youtube has high quality video.

The OP is looking to have a good time while trying to keep costs down. Why spend 1 to 5k on a DJ, when that money could be used more effectively (especially if you can't afford it) on something that is an life time investment versus a night of fun? Not everyone can afford a 10k plus wedding or the finest quality of everything.

A wedding is about sharing a bond. Not about music, cake, party favors, or decorations.