DJ / No DJ ?

Eggers3547

Our venue supplies a sound system for iPods and such for our reception music.  They said people go this route all of the time and forego hiring a DJ.  We have someone lined up to be "in charge"  of the microphone during the reception,  introducing the bridal party,  beginning the speeches,  introducing the first dance,  dollar dance,  etc.  This person is comfortable in front of a crowd and agreed if we go this route,  he will follow a set guideline of what things to introduce/say and at what rough time.  I'm not concerned if this will work or not...  what I am concerned about is as the night goes on,  will our guests enjoy the dance portion with no DJ on hand?  We will make it clear that our "announcer"  is the person to talk to if they request a song,  etc...  but has anyone ever been to a reception where they have been without a DJ?  Or had no DJ at their own wedding reception?

Is it really worth saving the money on a DJ or are they absolutely necessary?
Any suggestions?  Thanks!

JadziaDax

I say hire the DJ, if it's in your budget. I've never attended a wedding without one, but I remember a few posts on here a couple of months ago (i'm not good at finding these things) that showed videos of weddings with no DJ's and it turned out to be a disaster.
If it's not in your budget, then i'd just make sure the person in charge of the microphone is reliable and someone you trust.

TiffannieF

One of the reasons why our reception was such a success was because of our DJ. He was amazing! He played GREAT music we constantly were receiving compliments. Plus he really kept everything going and kept us to our time line. Depending on what kind of wedding you are having I would say hire a DJ (ours was $500 for 5 hours) included the microphone and lighting. Professional DJs have also been to far more weddings than you and the person you would designate in charge of an iPod so they can help with coordination (will also be able to answer questions you may have). My brother had a backyard wedding and we did the iPod thing, saves him $$$. There were a couple of issues but for the most part it went fine (no open dancing tho).

SCogs18

I have never been to a wedding without a band/DJ, but I would be a little nervous about having a guest fill in as the emcee.  What if he has a little too much fun at the party?  You don't want an intoxicated master of ceremonies.  It also might be hard to adjust the music if the party isn't going well.  A DJ can judge the mood of the room and choose the music accordingly or ramp the party up if it needs it.  With a play list, you have to make the music order ahead of time.  If you can afford it, get a DJ.

HobokensFury

I think a DJ keeps the party going.  If it's in your budget hire one.  Also unless it's a cultural or family thing please skip the dollar dance.  It's greedy.

Wiscisbliss

I've been to a few weddings w/o DJs and most of them had a hard time keeping the dance floor occupied. 

DJs can end songs early if no one is dancing, they can adapt to what people are dancing to, etc. 

If it is in your budget, I would get a DJ. 

jessicabessica

Echoing PPs, if you want open dancing, hire a DJ if you can afford it.  

thousandtrees

We're exploring the no-DJ option, but what I'm worried about is that my FI and I have very diverse tastes in music and I don't want people to flee the floor because there's nothing they like (we have literally no idea of what's generally popular at any given time), so I am starting to lean towards an inexpensive DJ if we can find the money, but one who doesn't resist us having a fairly rigid playlist (or rather, a very rigid list of things not to play). I am leery of putting any of our boozey friends in charge of an ipod, but also leery of crap DJs, and I mean, we've all experienced those.

adktd2boots

I know it's not the norm, but if there is no one "manning" the music, it could happen where a guest just goes and switches songs.  Kinda like the bottom of thousand's post...

TiffannieF

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_dj-dj-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:1eb3d155-d25b-44cf-a592-9f979d7254f3Post:91113e1b-196e-46f5-bf96-71a79a2cf96e">Re: DJ / No DJ ?</a>:
[QUOTE]We're exploring the no-DJ option, but what I'm worried about is that my FI and I have very diverse tastes in music and I don't want people to flee the floor because there's nothing they like (we have literally no idea of what's generally popular at any given time), so I am starting to lean towards an inexpensive DJ if we can find the money, but one who doesn't resist us having a fairly rigid playlist (or rather, a very rigid list of things not to play). I am leery of putting any of our boozey friends in charge of an ipod, but also leery of crap DJs, and I mean, we've all experienced those.
Posted by thousandtrees[/QUOTE]

My husband and I listen to completely different music.  I listen to classical/jazz and he listens to heavy metal....neither was played at the wedding.  When we met with the DJ he had a list of the top 100 songs played at weddings and we went from there.  Open dancing has to appease to the majority of people not represent the bride and groom's favorite music in order for people to want to dance.  Although you don't want a DJ to play music you absolutely hate (we cannot stand country so we specifically said no country, also no rap or Lady Ga-ga music).

StephBeanWed61502

I went to an iPod wedding a few years ago, and there was almost no dancing at all.  Unless your crowd happens to be the dance-all-night-with-no-encouragement type, I would definitely try to fit a DJ into the budget.