[help] Juke Box? To Have Or Not To Have?

My OH really wanted to do this too, but I had other ideas! I just wasn't sure it would fit our wedding theme. I've not seen it at any weddings we have been to but it's definitely different. If you like it, do it ?

It sounds fab to me. I've never heard of it before but I'd love to try and find one near us.

Whereabouts is yours based?

I'm having one ? so yeh i think it is a good idea. My wedding is a house party so fairly intimate anyway.

The place i have found has the 50s style jukeboxes but they are digital and have every top 10 song on from 1952 to the present month so loads to chose from!

Never been to a wedding with a juke box but I think it sounds like a great idea x

Hey!

He is Based in Nottinghamshire but will cover all surrounding areas for the same price but they company do cover the whole country!

Have!

We had one at our reception and it was great! We also had a digital one which had every top 40 song since time began (or almost!), so there was guaranteed to be something for everyone. I can highly recommend it.

Try a comparison:

Play the music you want

JB - yes DJ - yes

Take requests

JB - yes DJ - yes

Supply lights

JB - costs extra DJ - yes

Creates an atmosphere

JB - no DJ - yes

Personalises the evening

JB - no DJ - yes

Includes your guests in the evening

JB -no DJ - yes

Solve any problems or issues that may occur during the night

JB - no DJ - yes

Make announcements and keep things flowing

JB - no DJ - yes

There is a big misconception that all a DJ does is play music so can be replaced with a jukebox. Yes we do play music, but there is skill in playing the right tune at the right time. If a guest requests a song that fills the dancefloor, a DJ can come up with similar songs to complete the set and keep everyone going. The biggest difference is the personalisation and keeping things flowing, dealing with all eventualities etc.

Hope that gives you food for thought.

To a degree, I thinks its a fun idea, esp as I love 50's rock n roll.

What happens during speeches and meal times when you want quiet, ambient music or none at all? Does a family member 'control' the jute box at such times? Is there a volume control & can you programme in a selection of ambient, eating music? Our DJ is also the MC so if we had a jute box, I'd nominate a friend or relative to announe dinner, speeches etc.

If you can control the jute box, & lower the volume for meals, then yes, I'd go for it. (Is there much saving just having a jute box as opposed to a DJ?)

I thought it would be something a little bit different and fun!

I have been to alot of weddings and parties where the DJ's make the guests cringe! Others have been fantastic in fact we have two close friends who both are DJ's but we want them to be guests relaxing at our wedding not working.

We will have an MC anyway so we wouldn't require a DJ for that.

We won't be having a first dance so won't need introductions!

You can set the ambient music for dinner yes so that we won't have any party tunes blasting then.

The venue provide you with a wedding coordinator who will control the music when it comes to speeches etc.

It works out about the same as a DJ the deal I have got has made it less and the lights are included in that price!

Still not 100% sure what to do we are going to speak to some of our close family and friends and get their thoughts, I just wanted to see if anyone had seen one in action at this kind of function!

Thank you all for your help so far!

We're having a Juke box!!!! I'm so excited, its going to be fabulous! We've told a few of our guests that we have one and they were beside themselves with excitement that they can pick their own songs. We are surprising everyone with goody bags filled with silly wigs and glasses and inflatable musical instruments! Thems gonna be some funny photos! Here is it...so cool

I've not seen one in action but give it a go.

1000 songs might seem a lot but thats about 3 years worth of chart releases - I believe you can choose the different genres of music you like disco, motown. indie etc so there should be some thing for eveyone hopefully.

My worry would be your guests selection of music - Aunty Ethel may well like 'Old Shep' by Elvis but would you want it played at your wedding? Similarly do you want little Nephew Johnny to put on DJ Aligator Project - The Whistle Song straight after Abba - Dancing Queen?

Its use needs a bit of thought.

It sounds a great idea but like Wedding DJ said I would be worried about people playing such varitiy of music that the dancing doesn't really get going.

Having said that, I am going to keep this idea for when I finally do book and give it lots of thought.

It's very different which is always a big plus for me.?

A jukebox is a fine machine - I'd love one at home! ?

One of the hidden skills of a DJ is to try to please the majority of guests. Without someone running this side of things, its easy for a vocal majority to pick the songs they want to hear.

If they are considerate, then this can work well, but I think we've all been to house parties (many years ago haha!) where the music has been all over the place.

So.. this can easily mean a fast modern track, followed by a 50's swing, then into some 70s Rock. Having someone in charge of the music can help the night flow much better.

I think Sandy sums up the differences very well, and it really depends on what the requirements are and also the size of the party.

This doesn't mean a jukebox is a bad idea, and it can be a focal point, its simply a different way to entertain guests and possibly suitable for a smaller number of guests.

Jason

Wow! That's a stroke of luck! I live in Notts (although the wedding's about 50 miles away)

I tend to disagree .....

I think it is a nice touch to have a juke box, yes it wouldnt suit every wedding but it has its place. Our wedding is really a house party so it fits in really well . I want everything to be very relaxed and laid back. The benefits of a juke box to me are that people will get involved in using it and it means i dont have to have someone there to play the music. With a small house party wedding i felt odd thinking of a DJ stood in the corner playing tunes.

I think if it suits you and your style wedding go for it - people will enjoy it!

So...what if people start arguing over what song goes on. Its not unusual for someone to come up to me and tell me its a rubbish song and get it off (even after i explain its the brides choice). I'd love to see a juke box dealing with those types of situations.

And what are you going to do if the equipment plays up??????? I've taken brand new equipment out and its had an hiccup...but noone has noticed because i've got the experience to put it right and also carry a backup for every piece of my rig. I even have a spare sound system sitting in the van! I don't believe the juke box has the ability to fix itself or comes with spares.

As for personalisation...its more than just the music....its including those special moments like letting the brides daughter sing on the mic or announce a song, or getting great auntie ethel who's travelled all the way from new zealand to be there on the dance floor for her favourite song, or accomodating the groom doing something quirky like riding into the room on a bicycle to the tune from an officer and a gentleman .... I could write a book about personalising a wedding.

Having a juke box may be right for you....but i have heard so many horror stories about them at weddings (mostly from the togs i work with and venue staff)

Thank you all for your comments, it really has helped us make our decision.

We are going to have the Jukebox! ?

We have heard fantastic reports about them and with everything in this world there is a risk!

xx

? good choice , hope it goes really well. I am sure everyone will enjoy it!