No DJ?

We're doing live music, just a local musician with a guitar and a great voice. It's very personal for an intimate wedding if you're just wanting background noise and not a huge party. You can find local musicians for a variety of costs- especially musicians just starting up. I found mine through a Google search! Just look up "wedding musicians in (your area)"

I'm not getting a DJ. I did splurge on a musician for the ceremony (because ipod + ceremony =bad idea) so after the ceremony I'll put the ipod on and let it be for the night.

Also. Reminds me. Need a play list. Ugh.

I have my sister was married on the beach it was about 30-40 people after the ceremony we back to the hotel had dinner and played music on an iPod. No BP intro though so it didn't really seem like a "reception" but it was nice and just right for the crowd that she had.

I have been contemplating this as well and would love to hear what others have to say. We are having an outdoor ceremony. A couple of years ago, i bought my dad these rock looking speakers that you can hook an ipod up to and place in a hidden area. They get super loud so i thought about doing that. I think youll still want some kind of music. Maybe you can have an uncle with a loud speaking voice introduce the BP since it is small you might not require a microphone.

The only wedding I have been to that did not have a dj was hosted at a restaurant. The bride and groom were given a private room and allowed to hook up their Ipod to play ambiance music to their liking.

I think it really all depends on the feel that you are going for. If you cannot imagine your wedding without one, then figure out how to afford one in your budget. If you are going for casual then I think IPod should work just fine.

We are not having a DJ. Our venue has an amazing sound/media system that we can hook up an ipod/phone to. The only dancing that will occur is the first dance, father/daughter, and mother/son. Neither our families nor our friends are dancers. We 'll have music playing for background noise. The venue coordinator will be in charge of the music for the dances.

Thanks everyone! We definitely want music and want to have a first dance (but I think that's the only titled dance). I was wondering how an ipod reception would sound, but I think my venue does have a sound system, so I'll have to talk to them about that. We're getting married on the beach and the reception venue is a hall with the private beach directly out back.

I'm just nervous that it won't feel like a reception without a DJ. Does anyone know if you can rent microphones from somewhere? Then like SoonToBeMrsS said I could have someone announce.

We viewed the DJ/MC as our "reception insurance." We poured all this money into the reception and bad music or a bad flow of events could drive everyone home early. A DJ is able to actively read the crowd and has experience controlling the flow of events. These are important to absolutely ensure that the vybe we wanted lasted all night. It's definitely possible to go without a DJ, but I definitely do not recommend it.

I don't think ipod = casual. I'm having a pretty formal event.

I personally don't need an announcement to walk into my own party of 30 family members.

I think it's intimate and a totally different feeling but it's not necessarily casual.

If you really think you need a DJ, shop around and make cuts elsewhere. You don't need programs, fancy invites, favors, etc.

@Nicole that's a really interesting point of view, I hadn't thought about it like that.

@JoRocka that's interesting too. I suppose I don't NEED an announcement for such a small event.

FH and I have some thinking to do!

I was a bridesmaid at a wedding without a DJ at the reception. The bride put together playlists for cocktail hour, dinner, etc and had one of their friends in charge of the iPod. They asked two of their friends to be the MC for the evening so they did the BP intro, introduced the individuals for the speeches, announced bouquet toss, etc.

I thought about doing this for awhile, but I'm personally glad we didn't. Our DJ was able to add so much more to the reception than just good songs.

We aren't having one ourselves. We booked a musician for the ceremony and cocktail hour but are just playing CDs during our reception. It works for us but it might not work for everyone. Our venue's CD player will shuffle through 5 CDs before needing to be changed so I think it will work out ok. If you don't want to cut it, look for other ways to save. Skip STDs, skip favours, skip fancy invites (DIY something) etc.

Guys, you were all supposed to tell me the same thing and make this decision easy lol.

I can see the pros and cons to both sides now - Making my own playlists and getting someone to announce would essentially cover what I want and save money. But what about "setting the mood".

Lol thanks everyone! I appreciate the advice!

No DJ here! We're having a 30-40 person brunch wedding so we actually felt that a DJ was not only not necessary but would actually be out of place.

I think for a small destination wedding, the ipod reception is fine. We are hooking our playlist up to a sound system for background music and we have a dance play list as well in case the mimosas kick in and people wanna get funkay.

As for the announcements, I think they're totally unnecessary for such a small wedding. I don't recommend asking friends or family to do this..... or MC... or run the iPod. Let them be guests.

Also I'm super lucky that my sister (and BM) is a stationery designer She does AMAZING work and is gifting me my stationery package. So no cost to cut there

So here's the thing I think you need to think about.

Do you want a party? Like a party party? Or just a nice dinner out party?

Because odds are you're not going to get a party party with no DJ.

I have almost no friends coming, and it's all older family. They aren't much for dancing. Soooooooo really what am I going to paying a DJ for.. Announcements. I don't need that.

Does it make me a little sad? Yep. I'd have a kick ass parry with Mt actually friends. But well. Can't afford it. So super expensive dance but low key dinner party it is.

Think about the reception and how you would describe it and go from there.

Thanks JoRocka, I agree with you