No Dj?

Been to an event where it was a playlist and I never noticed until they received a phone call. They forgot to turn off alerts for that lol.

If you have a very small wedding then it might work. We had 17 guests and didn’t use one, especially because we weren’t allow to dance because of Covid.
What I didn’t like, although I’m sure I’m the only one that was bothered by it, is that during the ceremony there wasn’t a nice flow from one song to the other as I had just had someone skip to the next song. I feel like a DJ would have make it a more seamless change of songs.
If you have a lot of guests and will have dancing, I think a DJ is best as they will know when to play fast or slow songs and will see which songs people respond to better.

This could work! I do suggest making sure alerts are turned off on the device being used. Anais also made a great point about making sure the songs had a nice flow, that way you won't have songs being skipped and ruining the flow of dancing etc.

Def. practice the set up as well! Have the playlist going along with the friend that will act as MC to make sure you're all on the same page.

I went to a wedding without a DJ and it felt more like a casual party. The couple was more laid-back and casual. I had a great time but no one danced.

I have seen the playlist only route turn out badly whenever guests are expected to dance. If it's instrumental background only then it works, otherwise it does not. If you have a playlist only, then there is no one skilled at reading the crowd with what music works and what doesn't and how to switch without anyone noticing. That is what a dj does. The constant announcements through the night can be skipped. Most people don't care about those. But the transition of music is not something an amateur can do.

I think it’s fine for smaller weddings! I went to one that didn’t have a dj or a dance floor so there wasn’t a real need for a dj

I went to a wedding with no DJ, just a play list hooked up to a speaker. It wasn’t very loud and didn’t encourage anyone to dance. If this is what you’re going for I don’t see an issue with it, but if your are expecting people to dance and party I’d go a different route.
I used my iPad and a speaker during cocktail hr. Who ever hooked it up put the volume on low so you couldn’t hear it unless you were standing next to it. I was upset when we walked in that there was no music. First thing I did was go turn it up, lol. It worked out ok i guess 🤷‍♀️ We used a DJ for the reception part. Our set up was weird and there was no way for the DJ to be set up in cocktail hr.

View Quoted Comment The size is irrelevant. The last wedding I went to was on the medium side (100 guests?) with a dj and there were 5 people on the dance floor nonstop from the time it started and the rest chose to mingle. If there had been no dj or a preset playlist, no one would have danced no matter how many or few guests were there. At the same time Ive been to very small weddings where the bride chose a playlist but it wasn't anything that you could dance to and she got upset because no one danced. It's all about priorities.

DJ's do much more than just press buttons and play music. If you want a party atmosphere at your reception, and you want a lot of dancing, hire a DJ!

We were looking for more of a garden party feel for our wedding, so we forewent a DJ and did a playlist. It was a great time! People mingled, ate, and drank - and most stayed until we had to shut it down (some did leave because of the giant thunderstorm that blew in). PPs are correct - you won't have too many people dancing/a big party-type atmosphere if you do a playlist.

I agree with PP, if you want a party vibe and you want people on the dance floor, definitely hire a DJ! If you are looking for a more casual atmosphere with no dancing where people can just sit and converse (ie, Music is more background music) then creating a playlist should be just fine.

Besides being a bride I’m also a wedding planner and have been for 12 years I can honestly tell you the DJ makes the party when you skimp out on proper DJ services you regret it 100% of the time!


The DJ does so much more than play music they MC your event they keep things on schedule with your planner or venue host

We had a playlist but no dancing. For dancing, party vibe and to “work” the event, absolutely get a DJ. A playlist is fine for a dinner-only event.

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I would say it just depends on what you want for the atmosphere to your wedding.
Ours was really laid back and I wasn’t preoccupied with anyone dancing. Considering half my guests went back to the hotel to sleep off their hangover from the wedding, I don’t think it was worth the expense. And it was outside at my parents beach house in the back yard and that was an after party anyway. There was no dancing at the restaurant bar, everyone was perfectly happy to mingle and eat and drink.
If you want to have a dancing atmosphere, I say yes, hire the DJ. But if you are just doing a laid back party and you just feel so great that everyone is there, then I’d say skip the DJ.
But NO, the DJ does not “make” the party. I think I would only ask your friend if he WANTS to be your MC. Don’t make people work when they should be guests at the wedding.
The DJ will probably make the dancing, but not the party.
Your wedding should be what you and your fiancé want. Not what other people think you should do. If it’s in an arboretum or something or backyard or lawn of some sort, I don’t know that it’s necessary but if it is more formal and at a hall of some sort, I say get the DJ.

I went to a wedding without a DJ and I’ll have to say it seemed pretty chaotic for the bride. The bride ended up having to control the first dance, line up other events like the speeches, toasts etc. The DJ is really the schedule maker if you don’t have a day of coordinator in my mind. A wedding dj knows how to make your wedding run smoothly along according to your timeline. I personally would have a dj and try to find another way to save some money. However, if you have a friend that’s a coordinator a playlist is definitely doable. Just keep in mind you won’t have that professional voice announcing your events i between songs, like sitting for dinner, bar announcements, first dance, garter toss etc. you would have to dedicate somebody else to run the mic.