after party help... X

My ticker lies... Just over 2 months until the BIG day and 3 months until the home party x

I've been to a wedding held in a back garden. They hired some bigger speakers and lighting for the dance floor and made their music lists, including guests requests and just left the iPod on, it was fab! Everyone was up dancing all night! X

That's reassuring to hear, thank you... X

Hello stranger! Our party was in a garden and there was plenty of dancing! We had a dj after the live music but it was literally just a guy on a lap top, but they supplied disco lights etc .. I think yeah, some big speakers, and get some coloured uplighters to put around the edges of the garden, or to light up trees, to give a bit of atmosphere. If also start earlier, tell people to arrive from 2.30 - 4?

I would defo go with iPod but hire speakers and lighting and create a 'dance floor' that way you have control, you can have background music during the day whilst guests mingle and then disco tunes later on, you can also ask for requests on your rsvp's and add these into your playlist.

The only issue with an iPod is that you or the groom wouldn't want to be in charge of sorting out if something went wrong etc, if you had a DJ you wouldn't need to worry. I don't think it would be odd at all to have a DJ set up halfway through, after a few drinks ppl will likely be happy to see a DJ as they know they can have a boogie.

good luck

Hey,

As a musician I've played at garden parties like what you've described before. An iPod stacked with yours and your guests favorite tracks will probably get people up and dancing. However, a DJ would probably do a better job and would likely provide the equipment that you'd have to hire anyway.

In terms of someone showing up halfway through your event its not entirely unreasonable for bands/DJs to set up prior to your event starting as long as there isn't an insane amount of hanging around and somewhere to remain out of the way.

To take it one step further, live musicians playing alongside DJ's to create a summery, Ibiza nightclub vibe has been very successful at garden parties that I've played at. If you'd like to find out more or have any questions I'd be happy to help.

www.davesandersmusic.com

Are you having any kind of enclosure like marquee or smaller version?

I wouldn't worry about anyone thinking it was odd for someone to be setting up equipment later on, no one will notice! I'm guessing if you are booking a DJ then they would want booking for the whole night anyway, unless you are getting a friend to do it. I'm sure whoever did would be able to go with the flow and see what is needed at the time. However if you are keeping with a casual theme then an ipod would be fine. How about asking friends and family to suggest songs they would dance to for a play list?

Thanks for all of your input guys. Silly wrong, I logged in ages ago and read your report.. Loved it! X