Spotify DJ

Kit, it was actually suggested in a thread yesterday. Except it was in December, not January.

OP, we're not trying to be judgmental at all. Most are offering good advice. I'm sorry you feel they're being judgmental. There's pros and cons to doing it each way.

I am am doing a Spotify playlist. My DOC said she will announce us, cake cutting, etc. There are a TON of pre made playlists on there. I found an amazing one that is eight hours long created by a wedding photographer who has excellent taste in music. I also bought premium so I can play the playlist offline and not have ads. That being said, i will have 30 guests and there will be no dancing, so no one will need to man the list or worry about the vibe of the room.

Hire a dj. Simple as that.

No. A DJ is so important. They don't just push play. Mine set the whole timeline for the reception during our meeting! They are vital to making everything run smoothly. I went to a wedding and the DJ was awful and they DID hire someone. It's the thing that sticks out the most about that wedding... if the dj was Spotify...no thanks.

Also if you want anyone to dance.....typically goes better if someone is surveying the crowd and making the music choices. They don't just play something, they take into account the entire mood of the room when to play the slow songs, etc.

Pssst you can't tell people how to post on a public forum good luck.

My Dj is $695 for 5 hours... super affordable. He puts HOURS of work in before the wedding. He has a 5 page work sheet of information I need to fill out. He wants to personally get to know the bridal party. He is not simply there to press play. There are so many little things that need to be facilitated during the time the ceremony ends and the reception begins. He is incredibly organized and will keep the evening running smoothly.

Dj's specialize in getting the party going. Do not make your loved ones work. I guarantee that even if they say yes, they would much rather be able to enjoy the day with you!

I've been to a wedding that had a Spotify backing track. It wasn't the worst thing; though perhaps the squadrons of mosquitoes, the unlit outhouse as the only toilet facility and the inedible gluten-free vegan cupcake obfuscated it.

My DJ is costing us $900, including equipment rental and insurance, for five hours. And this is in NYC. He can read the crowd and tailor accordingly.

Spotify/iTunes is okay if you're having zero dancing and just need background music. Otherwise, hire help.

I thought this was a good, cost savings idea years ago because I had a great time at my friend's wedding 10 years ago when she did this (note - no one danced). However, I am now strongly team DJ. I recently went to a wedding where the couple asked a friend (who traveled from out of state) to run their playlist and an aunt to make announcements. There was a LOT of disorganization and awkward downtime at the wedding. There also was an issue with the music for the couple's first dance. They were literally standing up on the dance floor for 10 minutes while their friend (and additional people) tried to figure out what was wrong. It was so awkward for them and their friend. Plus, the friend felt HORRIBLE about it. During the "party" part of the reception, the only people dancing were my fiancé and me (because I love to dance and an empty dance floor makes me sad) and some of the bridesmaids (who were clearly making an effort to create a dance party where none existed). Just wanted to share what could happen, and how unfair it is to put that kind of pressure on a friend.

Sorry about that Wendy, lol! I didn't mean to regionally insult you.....I think we all have 'that period' when wev

We have actually been very, very busy in recent Januaries as well. Our venues discount, it's a nice way to enter into the new year after a busy holiday season, kind of extending it.

There's so many different ways to cut costs for a wedding, and not having a DJ is NOT one of them. Spotify doesn't create a fun party.

When people come here with an unworkable idea, wouldn't it be kinder to offer them other ways of acomplishing their project instead of just saying, "yeah, go ahead and do it; you're so radical; it'll be fine"?

Sure you can use spotify and have something playing at all times, charge your cousin with pushing the buttons and it'll be background music. If you want someone to concierge the night? You need a DJ. It's not that mysterious, is it?

Same thing with food, officiants, photographers,....anyone who does their craft enough to be good at it. If it doesn't matter if it's good? Then go explore alternatives. It's all a matter of expectations.

There's so many "my way is the only good way - if you do it differently, your wedding will suck" opinions on these forums, it's sad.

I think by this point, you've got the Spotify advice covered, so I won't repeat what was already said.

But just please remember that this is YOUR wedding. YOU know your guests and what they want as well. If you don't wanna splurge for a DJ, you don't have to. Where I'm from, most of these woman on these forums would have heart attacks because weddings just simply aren't done the way they think weddings should have to be. It's normal for guests to buy their own alcohol, most weddings are really small and informal, etc.

Take advice from friends and previous weddings you've attended with them to see what they expect

Hanna, if are inviting 100 people do you REALLY think you know what they want? Do you REALLY know that they're okay with a cash bar?

I doubt it.

Do open your minds a little, ladies.for instance, my wedding will be a big Mexican party. Cutting the guest list isn't a great option since we are blessed with big families and good friends, and as long as a good Cumbia is being played,you can count on people being on the dance floor. Not all weddings have to follow a formula. That is why I was asking advice on a particular element, and I appreciate y'all 's input!

Ask your friends and family which songs they like. Put the playlist together like pp previously mentioned. Ad a playlist for different moods as well so in case people don't dance to a certain type of music you can respond to it quickly. Have a backup Laptop for it.

In case you don't want to use Spotify in the end, you could advertise in some music schools. Maybe you find a cheap DJ there. Good luck

Thanks, Sam! That's a great idea.

We went to one where they did this, the music was good, people danced and his friend mc'ed. However, the downside to this was it played the whole song (so you had the lag at the end and beginning). They would have a great dancing atmosphere and then the song would end and people would be standing around for 20-30 seconds waiting for the next one to start. Just something to think about...

DJs are definitely not a MUST for good hosting in every situation... I've only been to a couple weddings with a DJ and I didn't notice the music being better then any of the others weddings I've been to. I'm having live music from our ceremony and reception and a friend of our family will be doing the MC (all the announcement, etc.) for the reception. She was a BM in my moms wedding and my mom in her wedding and we are close, she is so excited about being a part of the reception and I know she will be perfect for it because of her personality- she never skips a beat!

We picked all the music that's going to be played and it wasn't anymore work then telling a "professional" and meeting with a DJ and it is saving us money. Not really any advice here for the Spotify, just encouragement lol. As long as you are prepared and know your situation then you'll be fine.

If it is a little wedding you'll be fine! I did an iTunes playlist and speakers for my first wedding in 2008. My friend's very responsible teenage son manned it & it worked beautifully for our small group. My best friend just had a small reception with her DW and had a Spotify Premium list that worked great. A family member sat near it to be in charge, but not much effort was needed. I am 100% planning on doing this same thing for our small reception next year.

I'm also considering not getting a DJ (I have one booked but if the RSVPs dip below 50, I'm doing Spotify). Spotify offers a free month membership. I was going to sign up for it about 3 weeks before the wedding. There are pre-existing playlists available on the internet plus I was going to ask those that RSVP yes what type of songs they would like to hear. Make sure to have a charger and a designated person to man the playlist. I've been to weddings with DJs and sometimes they were not worth the money. You do what is best for you and your wedding. Not everyone has a ton of familial help or a large budget. If you cannot afford or want to spend money on a DJ don't let strangers on a forum dissuade you from using Spotify!

You might want to check out "Thumbtack".. website where you post what service you're looking for and people submit quotes to you.. It goes without saying, but please DO THE RESEARCH before hiring anyone. I was able to find/book my amazing makeup artist.

Happy hunting!!