No DJ for our wedding?!

How big is your wedding? Do you want dancing? If so, how homogenous is your crowd in regarda to music taste?

This would be one of the last things I would. cut....

DJs keep the party going, helping people dance or have fun, they help curate the music list so it fits your wedding. They are also the MCs or Master of Ceremonies. They announce what is happening, keep you on track with the schedule etc.

Certainly you can have a wedding without a DJ but it's going to be less of a party. Someone else will need to help make announcements and they need to get paid for this.

I wouldn't cut a DJ because they do so much more than just music.

Could you get some people you know to maybe play a keyboard, violin etc?

My fiancé and I decided on no hiring a DJ as well. I don't think it will be a big deal. We plan on having our officiant do the announcing/directing and ceremony music. During the reception, we haven't decided exactly how it will go but we will put together a large playlist full of music to play on shuffle in different categories such as dancing/party music and a separate one for slow songs. They will play on their own and if someone wants to request a song they just go up and search and play it. We will use a tablet or laptop or iPod something with wifi capabilities so if there is a song we don't have people can play it too. They also have apps that are specifically for substituting a DJ. They organize your music, make it fade in and out, you can choose the part of songs you want for ceremony, create playlists, etc. which is something we are looking into too. Might be a little more effort but definitely worth the cost break I think.

Have you ever been to a supermarket and there was no music? or shopping in a big store where theres no music? or at a restaurant where there is no music... its eerie and very uncomfortable. There is a reason that DJs are needed, not just for dancing but for ambiance..

And Yasmin, do you really think, "do you, groom, take... wait I have to switch this song......." sounds like what you wanna remember on your wedding day.

Places not to skimp and def not skip.... Food, Photographer, officiant, Venue, and DJ. the rest is gravy.

We're having around 30 people or so. But most of our invites consist of older family members and it's a backyard wedding so we don't want anything too wild. We're another about to graduate from college so we want to cut down on as much as possible since we'll be paying out of pocket and we'll have student loans to worry about. We'll have to look into the MC idea. Thanks!

I would be nervous to only count on WiFi from my iPod/computer to play the music. What if WiFi disconnects, the battery dies or something?

My 2 cents ... save up money, get a 2nd job for even a few weeks, or cut costs elsewhere but please do not have a ceremony/reception without a pro DJ. Ceremony : they are responsible (most of the time) for sound, both for any music and the officiant and couple. Reception : they are responsible for setting the tone, keeping guests moving and being where they are supposed to be (seated for Grand March, dinner, etc), and they help keep the other vendors in check and ready to go with the night's events. A pro DJ/MC/Band leader is key to a successful reception experience for everyone; couple, guests, and vendors.

Natalie- you can do Spotify premium which allows you to down load the playlists to the app- for uninterrupted streaming. No wi-fi needed.

I did not have a DJ- worked fine.

I DID have live music for the ceremony though.

UO: If you're only having 30 people in a more casual setting such as a backyard, I don't think you need a DJ, especially if most of them are "older family members" and you don't anticipate "anything too wild" happening.

I recently went to a wedding without a DJ. Definitely a big mistake. We were all clueless to what was going on and when. They had a playlist for the reception.... But only about 6 adults and little kids danced. I think you definitely need A DJ to keep things moving.... To keep your guests informed and to get people on the dance floor. IMO

My brother in law did a backyard wedding last year without a DJ. People did dance and it was fun but his sons were consistently running to the Ipad to switch the song half way through or Spotify would play the same song right after or within a few songs. It turned out fine in the end but I just remember some awkward moments that made it important that I get a DJ even if they just organize the music

Never worth cutting. They do so much more than "pressing play". Reconsider!!

I don't see an issue not having a wedding if you're only having 30 people or so at the reception. DJ's are about bring fun and excitement and dancing. If all you're looking for is some background music as people socialize, i don't think a DJ is needed. But maybe a good idea to ask a friend to be the music curator. Someone that can just be there to make sure everything is going smooth.

Thirty people? I agree with a PP - no DJ needed.

I'm expecting 40 people and we aren't having a DJ. Reception is at a rented cabin with many levels and rooms for people to gather and mingle. We will have Bose wireless speakers set up with Spotify going. There will be old people and lots of kids. We don't expect any dancing or wild behavior. I think it's fine without a DJ.

You need a DJ. If they are experienced they do all that just fine!!

I think a DJ is an essential wedding vendor, unless your reception is at a restaurant.