To Dj or not to DJ.. that is the question

[MINE!!]

See, we are round and round with this dilemma. DH thinks that a Dj is frivolous. Yet we need the music at the reception. We are going to have 20 some kids there for pete''s sake!! So we were looking to String Quartets and pianist and violinist... But then I called a highly recommended J and he was very very reasonable.

Here is the deal. I do not feel that it is nessacary to have a big dance. I do not care about the bouquet toss or all that stuff and I think at my age and with my kids.. I do not need to act like I am young and giddy either... So I just debate the DJ.. but it would be so convient...

What do you think?

 

[Tacori E-ring]

I know one bride on here mentioned that they used her ipod so there are cheaper alternatives. I do think DJs make things easier and can problem solve if something DOES happen. Sometimes I like DJs better than bands because of the variety of music they can play.

 

[E B]

We''re using our iPod and choosing our own songs. I think DJs can be a bit cheesy in their selections, and this way, with a playlist and some rented speakers, we can personalize our music the way we''d like. We like that we''ll be saving a lot of money.

 

[monarch64]

We just made our DJ conform to everything we wanted him to play. We told him "no chicken dance, no Macarena, no stupid songs, etc." We had him for the ceremony as well, which was held right outside our reception site, and he played (on our instruction) traditional processional and recessional music. We chose a song for our entrance, our first dance, and the father/daughter dance, and then gave hime the style of music we were looking for to go with the feeling we wanted to project for the rest of the reception, which was a lot of Sinatra/classic oldies, etc. He was great, and threw in a couple fun songs for the young''uns, but that was it. I think most good DJ''s who know what they''re doing and have been in business for more than a couple years will work with you and get a good feel of what you want pre-wedding. Our guy had his BBB report printed out for us the day we came to see him first, and we checked him out online as well. As far as paying for live music, we didn''t have the budget for it, but it would''ve been lovely to have a pianist for cocktail hour...we don''t regret just having a DJ though. He took care of all aspects of background music and everything and we had no complaints.

 

[qtiekiki]

We had two DJs (one for each of our receptions). One of DJ was great and guests loved him; the other was a horror. I wished that we had more options for DJ, but we needed bilingual DJ/emcee. So we took what we can get and was I wrong. The second DJ was a horror because I told her that the type of musics we wanted which were oldies, R&B and hip hop and gave her a list of the songs we wanted, but she hardly played any of the listed songs and she played songs like the macarena, YMCA, and We are family (I was thinking oh no she didn''t - I don''t think those songs fits in any of my category). It was so not a appropriate. I wanted to scream at her because she promised a lot of things and didn''t come through (didn''t make announcements, didn''t keep guests entertained or get them on the dance floor, she would play a song, sit down to eat and just let the song played, and she was wearing a t-shirt and jeans.) OMIGOD, I thought she was ruining the reception. If I were to do it again, I would definitely asked her for references and go to one of her events (if you don''t know anyone who used the DJ before). The first DJ was great and he was referred to us by our friends, and everyone had fun and he played good music even without us giving him a list. So to answer your question, I would say TO DJ but make sure you get a good DJ because it makes a difference.

 

[jcrow]

we went back and forth with this question too. we ended up going with a band. i wanted music to dance too, but wanted to hear songs i knew. we could have done our own music on an ipod, but i thought we needed someone to announce things- like the first dance, the new couple...etc.

our band is to take two 20 minute breaks during which we will burn a cd for them to play. that way it''s best of both worlds.

i also thought of a quartet or something- but i didn''t think it''d be the atmosphere for dancing. which- i am not even sure people will be doing much dancing. but I WILL.

 

[Caribou]

We aren''t having a DJ, we will probably pipe in music at the reception but fiance and I aren''t much of dancers and when we went to his cousins wedding hardly anyone danced. So we decided to for go that expense. I''d rather use that money towards a photographer.

 

[flutterby]

We are going through the same thing. Our wedding is at the four seasons in vegas and we are only have 50-60 guests. But if there is no music, it seems your day is over pretty quick. The IPOD seems like a good idea but they charge a ton of money for what their sound ''requirements'' (speakers, and other equiptment I know nothing about). DJ''s can be fun or cheesy......and bands are out of our price range. Its a tough call!

 

[curlygirl]

We're having a dj but we have given very strict rules as to what we want: NO talking, NO cheesy music, NO bouquet or garter toss, ONLY the songs that we have selected. We prefer to hear music as we know it, that's why we went with a dj. He will also be doing the music for the cocktail hour--not sure how that part works, I think it's just a cd or something but FI is in charge of music so I don't know the specifics!

 

[njc]

If i remember correctly, JCJD used an iPod and had DH''s either friend or little brother be the "DJ". Basicly they stood there and made sure everything worked... Maybe she will chime in and give the real details!