Is a DJ Worth It For Wedding with 40 guests?

We are in the same boat. We are doing a destination wedding with about 35 people. We are going with a dj. The reason is the dj will keep things going during the party. But I do get your delemia.

Same! We have decided NOT to get a DJ. We actually bought the new Bose speaker and we are going to have our Brice run the music for us. Not worth the extra money. We are getting married on a beach in Florida.

I think you're probably fine and I would feel the same way about paying so much for a DJ if I was having a small reception. Just keep in mind that a DJ does more than just hit the play button at the beginning of a of the night. Be organized about how you will handle fading in and out of music transitioning between cake cutting, speeches, and dances and stuff. Also will you need someone to announce those things? Is the reception place small enough that speech givers won't need mics? It's totally doable, just don't forget the small stuff is all. (And to have a playlist that gives you the feel you want for your reception!)

^^^total high five @Beutivant. You hit the nail on the head

I'm having roughly around 35 people and we have a DJ. We aren't paying nearly as much as the one you we're quoted for though.

It's not about how many guests....it's about the experience you want to provide for them, yourselves, and the structure / mood you want to keep for the event. If you want dancing and a longer reception / open bar....you need a DJ or band. If a simple reception, you can get along without.

^^^Spot on Jay Farrell Photog!

We opted to have a DJ for our smaller destination wedding because they are the ones that can keep the party going. I'd rather not have to worry about making a playlist and directing people where to go and what's happening next.

I think maybe just shop around for another DJ and at least price compare! I think we are paying around $600 for our 3 hour reception.

My goddaughter's christening had 40 guests and they hired an acoustical guitarist/vocalist. If it was my wedding I would hire a trio, that is part of a larger band, that I've seen play.

I'm having a wedding of 10 and I heavily considered a string duo. But for logistical reasons it wasn't going to work (time between ceremony and reception, and reception space)

We are having about 40 guests as well and not going with a DJ. However this works particularly well for our timeline and venue. Our venue has sound systems installed already so we only need to make a playlist and plug our phone in for the night. We are cutting the cake right after dinner, then going straight into our special dances after that, then no more special events for the night (we are forgoing the bouquet and garter toss).

I'd definitely have a DJ still. It will make your day so much less stressful for all the reasons @Beautivant mentioned.

I didn't have a DJ.

But as pointed out up thread- the type of wedding you are having will help drive this decision.

Do you want a party? speeches? toasts? specific dances- then dancing after?

Then hire a DJ.

If you want a dinner party as your reception- and that is IT- an iPod/Spotify playlist CAN work.

I hired musicians for my ceremony- and did specific playlists for cocktail/dinner.

It worked extremely well for me. but it certainly isn't for everyone.

I had a smaller (60-70 guests) wedding too. We went with a string quartet for the ceremony and reception, and when they were taking breaks and left near the end of the night we had an iPod that played a playlist of music we chose. For announcements, our pastor did all that. And we had a wedding coordinator moving things along behind the scenes as well. We didn't do speeches.

The string quartet was amazing. They played songs like Bohemian Rhapsody, I Choose You by Sara Bareilles, etc.

Surprisingly the quartet only charged us like $400, so we just tipped them really awesome. They play for Transiberian Orchestra when they are in town and were just.. to die for!

We are having about 45 adults plus 10 children ages newborns to 12. We went back and forth on a DJ and in our area of CA they were all around 1,000 dollars. We are having the ceremony and reception in a private wooded garden on my future in law's property, they have it wired for sound already we are renting a sound system from our rental company and it comes with a microphone. We are not doing a cake cutting, garter/bouquet toss, only my FH is giving a speech. The rest of the time we will eat, drink, talk, have background music, there will be a supervised kids area.

Know your crowd and the feel you want for your wedding. None of us are huge dancers, most of our guests are bringing their kids, and we want to be able to spend time talking with our guests that are flying in from all over the country.

My wedding will be around 40 guests too....I'm going with a DJ. Knowing my family, we'll be dancing.

A great dj is more than a person who plays music. They are really the concierge for the evening.

If that is important to you, then get one.