My first WR post ::squeeee!!!::

PrettyInPearls23 · January 2012

Did anyone have (or has been to) a wedding with an ipod or other type of music player in lieu of a DJ? Thoughts? Pros? Cons? How was the sound projected?

Obviously we're on a tight budget for this wedding and I just don't see the need for a DJ at an outdoor event. I do want to have at least our first dance, but the rest of the night will be open dancing (no other special dances or "events"). My first idea is to do an ipod or something like that, but I've never seen it done and am not just how it works.

Feedback ladies... Smile

MrsT2008 · January 2012

I've never seen it in person, but honestly, I think it's a great idea - especially with a more casual event.

I say go for it!

crystal1026 · January 2012

If you do the ipod, have someone that is going to "man" the station. The wedding we went to that did this, it was the grooms ipod, and he was the one that started their first dance song, it was honestly, pretty awful. All they had was the ipod and the docking station, several times he took the ipod off and had to scroll through to find the songs.

I would say, have someone there with a computer and itunes. You can hook speakers up to the computer, this way the music can play from different list and you could have guest request or chose songs. I coordinated a wedding used itunes and a computer rather than the ipod. (The DJ was going to charge an additional $300 to do the ceremony, when all she needed was background music then processional, solo, etc.) Went very smooth with the computer. You can also fade out and in on itunes which is what I did, rather than an abrupt stop in the music.

MrsAD · January 2012

First of all, YAY!

Secondly, I have been to a wedding that hand a band for part of it, and an iPod for the second half. I don't think it was as organized as it could/should have been. They didn't really have a playlist/mix, so it was just shuffling through whatever was randomly on this iPod. Then people started going up and turning off/changing the songs and it was really annoying. I think if you have a playlist with more than enough songs ahead of time and put it where people won't be tempted to go up and change it, it could go very well.

xojo1 · January 2012

I haven't seen it for a wedding, but we would do it for events for my sorority in college. I think for the feel that you are going for, it would work. You should still have someone to kind of "man" the iPod/computer (having iTunes open with some playlists would be easier to switch things up if you need to, I think) and also rent a decent sound/speaker system. It will still be cheaper than a DJ.

wrldtravler2525@yahoo.com · January 2012

I would agree with Jo and Crystal to have the iTunes up and playlists created as opposed to just an iPod and definitely have someone man the station. I think it would fit with your more casual feel for your wedding.

PrettyInPearls23 · January 2012

Oooh, yes, I didn't even think of the iTunes/computer thing. I like that idea. Especially since I don't even own an iPod lol. Now the problem will be coming up with songs for the different playlists....

I'm completely unfamiliar with iTunes...how much do the songs costs?! If I already have songs on my computer can I import them into iTunes?

crystal1026 · January 2012

Songs are either .99 or $1.29. You can buy whole albums for cheaper too.

You can import all of your music in as well.

cookiemonster03 · January 2012

We used an iPod and it was fine (of course, we had 36 people on a patio...full table/placesettings etc). We made 2 playlists in advance (really really long) and someone hit play as we walked in. After dinner we switched to the "fun" list. It worked just fine.

PBJ63010 · January 2012

My cousin who just got married in FL did this. They used an iPod but I like the computer/iTunes idea better. I think the sound will be a bit more clear.

My other cousin (bride's sister) manned the iPod and it was all sort of a last minute thing as the bride could have cared less about music and didn't even want a first dance we had to talk her into it. The night before the wedding we sat around coming up with a play list. It was kinda crazy.

So all that being said... I do think it is a good idea as long as you actually prepare in advance. You can set your playlist in the order you want it to play and just let it go. (Have someone there to change things up if need be though!)

jaimebeth9 · January 2012

We went to one this summer that wasn't great and one of our friends ended up taking over the computer and doing it for them.

It failed because they didn't have set playlists and they didn't have anyone that was in charge of it. I know they felt like they could do it themselves, but as the bride and groom you're not going to be able to leave a conversation you're having to run and change the song.

So just make sure you're organized and have someone that knows what they're doing manning it!

rbagsgirl · January 2012

We went to a wedding this summer where they used the laptop/itunes option...The bride got together with our DJ friend and he helped her set up playlists and stuff and you would have never known that there wasn't a DJ...It was a relaxed setting (we were playing flipcup and beer di) and was perfect!

Jules08 · January 2012

I have been to two weddings where this has been done. It worked for both, but i agree that the one who had their playlists set up ahead of time and someone to "man" the computer was the most seamless.

With how organizedwe were with our playlists for our DJ we could have done this too. I did want the emcee aspect of the DJ though since we had so many people.

We had a playlist for cocktail hour, for dinner music, entrance - 1st dances - cake cutting - etc, and for the reception. If you know your guests and organize your songs that fit you and fit them (playing types of music at certain points of the night to hit the various generations), you'll have no problem keeping everyone happy and entertained!

mainezilla · January 2012

I think it could work if you have an adequate sound system (bose makes nice ones and you can keep it afterwards:) And if you have a dedicated person to the music, pay someone $100 to ensure its always going and your playlists are being used vs a friend going over and hijacking the playlist to songs that aren't your style... Music, food, drinks make a party the rest is trivial:)

PrettyInPearls23 · January 2012

Thanks ladies, I appreciate all the insight!

xojo1 · January 2012

mainezilla:
Music, food, drinks make a party the rest is trivial:)

I definitely agree with this!

cherrys · January 2012

If you have a laptop, check out Pandora.

You can make a playlist with certain songs or you can add stations. Mine has a Toby Keith station, Kenny Chesney station, etc...and you can shuffle through that.

That's a free version, instead of having to pay for music through itunes.

marytini · January 2012

We had one. I recommend having the computer set up with playlists. We had a playlist for the meal, one for the special dances, then the regular music after that. Designate someone in charge beforehand, and make sure they are familiar with iTunes, and your computer.

jujubaybee · January 2012

I've been to 2 weddings like this. 1 was done by the bride's brother who has dj'd for weddings before, so he made the playlist. They did have father/daughter, first, mother/son dances, but the rest was just a playlist. The other wedding was also the bride's brother that did the iPod/laptop/music, there were a couple of specialty dances then just a play list. It seemed to work well at both weddings. I would make sure that you have someone that you trust do the music, and not plan to do it yourself.

My first WR post ::squeeee!!!::

Re: My first WR post ::squeeee!!!::

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