Evening Entertainment - iPod vs DJ

Im having the same thoughts. I really dont like the thought of having a DJ, but on the other hand would it go smoothly just with an ipod? and would i have to arrange the sound system? lots of things to think about.

I only want 1940's and 50's songs so maybe it would be better for me to do it with my fiancee! argh confusing....

I'd want a DJ but can appreciate that if you are having a band as well that could be a bit pricey. Any decent DJ will happily accept a playlist from you. I'd also want the music to be mixed and not have gaps between the songs.
Some band will supply music to be played when they are not, a lot of it is premixed stuff although I guess you wouldn't have much choice over what songs.

Hmmm hadn't thought about gaps! And an iPod might be a bit of a faff I'm sure it won't be a case of pressing play and that is it.

Speaking as what seems to be a dreaded DJ, ?, if you need to cut costs and think this is the way to go then it's totally doable.

For a reception venue and assuming the venue doesn't have one of their own, I'd say you still need to hire a decent PA system to give the ipod any chance of being at a decent volume. So you're looking at around £150 without anyone to operate it. BUT you are hiring a swing band who will have their own PA system so I can forsee a lot of faffing about while they strip their gear and the other PA system is set up.

Why don't you ask whether they can provide a disco as part of their package and give them a disc of all the songs you want? OR ask if you can pay extra to play your ipod through their system until the end of the night? They'll already be set up, no fussy change overs, lighting will be provided already.

Alternatively, ask whether your venue has their own DJ. You should get a decent price as they're not having to do the whole evening and should also be cheaper through the venue.

CJinWonderland - there are some fantastic 40's/50's DJ's out there. I would so look at hiring someone who specialised in this era as it would add a certain something. I don't know where you're based but check out this link for some seriously cool stuff (gotta love the The Bees Knees girls!)

http://www.tiger-rag.co.uk/

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You can set it to autofade which gives you a mix of sorts. It's not ideal but certainly an option. I'd also have a second ipod or cd player as back up just in case.

x

BWC - brilliant options - I hadn't thought of asking to use the bands PA system or even trying to find a band / DJ combo!

There is no DJ at the venue but they have recommended 2. They do have a PA system onsite but like you say it might be rubbish...

As for back ups - when I've done this for parties - I have taken 2 iPods and all the songs burnt onto CDs too as back up.

If we were getting married in Scotland - I'd ask you for a quote!

We had the same idea and spent HOURS putting tunes on our IPOD We have a big band for the main bit of the evening but for the buffet and the end of the night we needed tunes.

The hotel didn't have a sound system and the stuff you can buy wouldn't be any good without spending a fortune. We looked at hiring but that was quite spensive too. In the end we have (at the very last minute - wedding is tomorrow) opted for the hotels DJ. They will have all the equipment, are reasonably priced and to be honest I wishes we'd just opted for them in the first place. They were only £150.

I reckon DJ with specified playlist is the way to go.

We were going to have an ipod, except it seemed like too much hassle organising a playlist, only for it not to be the right sort of music for the mood IYSWIM. plus my h2b's taste in music is quite particular, so music would have caused more arguments than it would be worth!

so we've gone for a DJ who can worry about it all!

We were going to have an ipod, except it seemed like too much hassle organising a playlist, only for it not to be the right sort of music for the mood IYSWIM. plus my h2b's taste in music is quite particular, so music would have caused more arguments than it would be worth!

so we've gone for a DJ who can worry about it all!

We had a singer who we know socially anyway, he let us use his PA for playing music from our ipod before and after he played. We put another musician friend in charge of meeting up with our singer and checking he knew how it was all set up and worked etc, then he was in charge of the ipod for the day.

We had organised songs into about 5 or 6 playlists with different 'moods', so quieter for while people were eating, more upbeat for later on etc, and he just changed it as appropriate.

Our function room held 150 people and we had no problems with volume or quality of music.

Lots of points here.

A little info about professional DJs might help. Firstly....you can submit a playlist to most. I once had a playlist of over 50 songs....and i got everyone even the obscure ones. You can specify exact genres and decades. The big thumbs down to the i-pod on this point is that a DJ, even with a substantial playlist, will use their experience to judge when best to play which song, which means guaging reaction of the dance floor.....an i-pod can't do this. Beat matching songs makes a huge difference to whether the dance floor clears or not.

Also...if you load up an i-pod...there is a chance you may get it wrong and only cater for a small number of guests. Prime example.....I was given a list of pure R&B. I questioned the groom and he assured me all his guests even the aging aunties loved R&B. After an hour or so of an empty dance floor he came to me smiling and said scrap the playlist and do your stuff. The party then rocked (but i still managed to slip in a few of his favourites off the playlist.

It annoys me that people think a DJ just plays music. Knowing what to play and when is essential. Also the human factor. I walk round and talk to guests and ask them what they want to dance to, I have a joke or too so get folks in the party spirit. I ask them if its too loud etc. There's also the other things that DJs offer such as use of radio mics or other things.

Also.....if you hire kit in, use an i=pod etc....what will you do if there is a technical hitch? And yes....professional DJs have technical hitches.....but you might never realise because they carry spare kit and know how to fix things.

Then there is the sound quality!

Most DJs know how to get the crowd partying....playing music from an i-pod will give you some background music that a few people may get up and dance too.

Right time to get off my soap boxes.

(this thread stung a little as I've just spent the last two days preparing for my wedding tomorrow, connecting my lights up in a different way to suit the strange shaped room and the fact the bride quite sensibly wanted to avoid flashing lights in peoples faces when they were sat and tables. And the extensive playlist.....some tunes i've had to source specially. I would love to see your i-pod do that.)

Come up for air there Ss!

The poor ipod isn't here to defend itself.

Of course it's better to have a professional take care of this stuff, I'm with you there. But you know, plenty of people go the DIY route on many aspects of a wedding for whatever reason - budget etc. Sometimes just for the challenge of it.

Whilst I don't think using an ipod on autofade or even a premixed CD (though you and I both know there are plenty of DJs out there who do exactly this) is going to provide the best level of entertainment, expertise and atmosphere, I also think it's important to take into account why a bride/groom is considering this as an option. If you're passionately against this sort of thing I think it's better to give the facts of what is required to carry it out and the end result is it'll be clear that it's far less hassle and sometimes cheaper to just hire someone else to take care of it for you.

Yes it's annoying that people think a DJ just presses play, then disappears for a fag and a pint of bitter but the OP didn't suggest she thought this. She's enjoyed organising the music for other events and was wondering how she'd go about doing this for her own wedding.

I'll reiterate, I agree with you but you don't have to beat anyone over the head to get your point across. Now grab yourself a cuppa and congratulate yourself for a job well done, I'm sure your clients this weekend will be over the moon with the hard work you've put into their wedding. ?

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Sorry... cuppa firmly in hand....deep breaths....

there.....all better now!

Phew! I think I'll join you actually. ️☕️

Amethyst, I wish you were in Scotland too.. I reckon you wedding is going to be pretty fantastic going by some of the planning pics I've seen!

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Why thank you BWC! I certainly hope so.

SandySounds you have made a lot of valid points! I think we may well decide to leave this to the experts.

Am liking the suggestion earlier of a band / DJ combo!

A very wise choice if I do say so.

A lot of bands offer this sort of service or at the very least can organise a DJ to team up with. It keeps cost down as the band and DJ will usually knock something off their individual fees. Both will be playing for a shorter time and likely sharing a PA.

Where are you based Amethyst?

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As a radio producer I can certainly agree that an iPod and its heavily compressed sound just isn't good enough for a larger venue, never mind a wedding. And what a let-down; it could be a Saturday night at the pub! What both a DJ and a band offer is the experience, and hopefully the charisma, to make your wedding reception memorable for all the right reasons. The presentation; the interaction with the guests; the playing of the right tune at the right time; etc etc etc. Yes, bands and DJs, should you hire both, should be able to work together on the same PA system, and a quality DJ like Sandysounds would make this happen. But there are SO many DJs out there, and all of varything quality, and some with equipment that is in a bit of a parlous state, that would they allow it? There's also something about live music - provided by a real, live musician or band - that's really magical and lends a certain sophistication to the event.

HTH,

Simon

Very well put.

As well as bands, I've also had guests plumbing in through my system to do a special song for the bride and groom. Also, on many occasions I've provided the lighting for when the band has been playing too. If you think about it...the DJ has to set up at the same time as the band and is usually there when the band has finished and packed up.....so it makes a lot of sense (plus it makes me popular with all the guys in the band!!!!)

I want to pick up on simon's bit about varying quality of DJs..... thats why the WDJA was set up....to distinguish the professionals from the rest.

In terms of my post, I was referring specifically to a DJ the band already know and regularly 'team up with'. In which case they should know the condition of the DJs equipment and whether they'd be happy to allow them to use their PA. It's something I've done both as a band leader and a DJ.

Yes a live band provides and element that most DJs just can't but can a band play a very prescriptive set as required by the OP? Generally I'd say not, especially if they are genre specific i.e swing.

x

I discussed flying BWC down to DJ at ours, with OH the other day...(not that she knows this!)

Now look who is the stalker ?

Hi

I'm not sure of the advertising rules, so I'm not going to mention who I am (mysterious I know!)

Depending on your location/wedding date, we may be able to provide exactly what you seem to be looking for.

If you are interested, please feel free to message me...

If not, I hope you have a fantastic day.

"Yes a live band provides an element that most DJs just can't but can a band play a very prescriptive set as required by the OP? "

In my case I'd have to honestly say yes. A library of about 500 songs comes with me and many thousands more remain at home - and I work with the happy couple weeks before the event. Any band that turns up with it's own set just isn't worth the money, imho. It's YOUR day.

Wow, that's some sweeping generalism right there.

A library of thousands of songs? How many in the band? And presumably you mean sheet music? And all the lyrics can be learnt just weeks before the event? No music in sight and all played with total knowledge and feeling for each individual song? I think everyone should sack whatever band they have and hire yours.

x

? BWC !

Mmmm....and a DJ normally carries over 15,000 tunes and can source any at an instance..... and I have been known to buy downloads over the internet when on site too.

The bands I've worked with tend to work to genres/decades rather than promising to provide every song a client wants.

Now I'll shoot myself in the foot...... I do like live music....there is something special about it. But as with DJs you do have to sort the wheat from the chaff. I would be a bit cautious if the band provides the DJ in the package as there have been some cases where the band has stuck a CD on and called it DJing.....on the other hand I have some colleagues that have partnerships with bands. Its a case of doing your homework on whoever or whatever you choose. Professionals (band or DJ) will be more than happy to spend time talking about your event and, providing they are local, will meet up to discuss in detail.

Stop it you, I'm not kidding!

If anyone can find a full wedding/showband who can do all of that, book them now. Now I tell you!

Oh and what Sandy said. When a band says they provide a disco, make sure you know exactly what they mean by that. Ironically it mostly means an ipod or cd, which is fine if acceptable to you but don't assume it means a DJ.

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Ooh, I did this last weekend. It's brilliant when someone asks for a track and you can source it regardless of whether it's already in your catalogue.

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BWC, getting married next year and still not decided what to do. Any chance of a quote ? ?

Why of course! If you email me with the details (the PM functions on here don't work) at , I'll send a quote over today.

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Hi, the address doesnt seem to work, getting an error message ☹️

Sorry, I mistyped. Corrected it in my last post so you should be able to copy&paste.

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Hmmmm still getting an error message, invalid address....got another email address?