No dj at our wedding

I know apple music has a wedding party playlist. ETA: The way my anxiety is set up I need a DJ

My fianee wants this. But I'm still unsure

We had an early afternoon wedding. I bought a Bose Bluetooth speaker and created a huge list off my Ipod. Just make sure you have a strong sound system that travels well so it can be heard all around without being too load in one area.

DJs are not a "ridiculous" amount of money. They are a huge part of ensuring that the reception runs smoothly and your guests have an amazing time. They can actually be the difference between a super fun party and a lousy one. It's money very well spent.

My brother did this. The venue had a dock to hook up whatever device was playing the music and it played through speakers throughout the reception site.

It worked out well and you couldn't even tell there wasn't a dj. It was a lot of work to create a playlist that flowed with the schedule of events and keep people dancing, so just know you can't just throw songs together and hope for the best, it takes a lot of time and research ETA there was also a microphone for when an announcement had to be made and the MOH and BestMan took care of that when need be, which was only a few times.

For my wedding though I already have a DJ booked, it's just easier for me than to do the DIY DJ.

If we didn't have a dance floor we would've gone with plugging in an ipod and calling it a night. But we do have a dance floor and our family and friends love to dance so we're going to book a dj.

There's no way I would go without a DJ. They make everything run smooth. They will know when it's time to announce things

We ended up booking a dj, only because they were so reasonably priced and came with so many extras (ceremony mic, etc) we figured it the cost was roughly worth what our time investment in making playlists, equipment etc would have been. But initially we were going to DIY music. Some tips I picked up: have a reliable friend guard it. Put music for different events in different playlists (ceremony, entrance, etc). Have a backup machine and backup power sources. Research how to build a playlist if you want dancing, it can't be randomized like Pandora does. But they're fine for background music only.

ETA - when I say 'reasonably priced' you should know that I got the basic package w/expo discount for the top DJ in my area for $700, which is a LOT less than you can get in most parts of the country. At that price point, our time was more valuable. If their basic package had started at $1500 it would have been a very different situation and we'd probably be DIYing.

I feel like one of the top things that aren't even negotiable to have is a DJ. They don't just stand around and play music for five hours, they keep the event running smoothly by making all announcements and what not. My sincere advice would be to skimp elsewhere, and hire a DJ.

I think this is a terrible idea, but you said you've already decided on this, so good luck.

(For the record, we built an iTunes playlist and brought out my MacBook. I had a casual backyard wedding without first dances or announcements. And I still wouldn't have used Pandora.)

Are you getting married at a church? We are getting married at the church we grew up in so it will be a dry wedding and since its baptist we can't dance :/ our wedding is starting at 2 pm. Anyway, we aren't doing a DJ, but we having the music coordinator from the church play our music and do the few announcements that need to be made.

Pandora is like the Russian roulette of music. I don't know about you but I wouldn't want to be sitting there worried some song with a bunch of profanities about hookers comes on. It might happen. Maybe. That's just where my mind goes. To each their own though.

^yeah, exactly. I had songs about hookers but I made sure they were played after the old people left!

Who will do the announcements?

A DJ is not a 'ridiculous' amount of money. They have tons of expensive equipment, the best ones have years of experience in guiding parties along, and they really set the tone for your day.

If you're doing a simple party with no announcements or no expectations of dancing, then go for it. If not, then you need one.

ETD; I love how people characterized pros who MAKE the wedding happen as 'ridiculously expensive". We're good. That's why we charge what we do.

Clearly there is a gross misunderstanding of what a DJ actually does. Celia and Emily put it in perspective nicely. It's your wedding, do what you will....I'd want a good DJ at my own.

@cats I'm with you. After grandma leaves give me all the hooker songs!

I am not having a dj but not because they are too much money but mostly because I am having a small wedding, 30 to 50 people, I just feel a dj would be out if place.

Yes, the ridiculous amount of money comment only means that it's an expense that's out of your reach -- it doesn't mean that DJs overcharge. DJs make what they make because they have a skill that many people don't have (and they make it look easy). Not many people have the confidence to stand up in a room full of strangers and merely talk, let alone having the skill to successfully navigate the interactive entertainment aspect of a four to six hour party.

I don't how big your guest list is, and I know some brides have done the Pandora thing successfully with a small wedding. I wouldn't risk it, but it's your decision.