iPod DJ?

mzamanda1

My fiance really wants to use our ipod for the wedding music.  A friend of his did this for his wedding and he said it worked really well.  He said we can even have a request station for our guests.  I know we could save about $500 doing this..which sounds great, but im still nervous about it.  Has anyone used their iPod/computer for the music, or been to a wedding that has done this?  I would love some feedback!

aligross

I was at a wedding that did this and it really was a complete disaster - nobody knew what to do as far as dancing was concerned. The "party" was supposed to go until midnight and I don't think anyone stayed after 9pm. The bride was constantly going up to the Ipod and changing things or managing it - there wasn't the feeling of "hey, let's go dance" with it because there were no lights, excitement from a DJ etc. In the end I guess you get what you pay for and I know this particular bride was extremely disapointed! HTH

EmilyW416

Yeah I went to a wedding with a computer and it ended at like 9 pm. No one really danced and everyone just sat around tables and chated. It was kinda akward...but also thee wasn't that much booze there either

MrsBassPlaya

Bummer.  FI and I were seriously considering this to save some $$ at our venue as well.  Looks like it might not be the best place to cut back, cause I definitely want a party.

Wiscisbliss

I have seen it done well, and poorly.  Mostly poorly.

The time it was done well a friend of the groom managed it and acted as a DJ. 

mzamanda1

Thank you for all of the feedback! 

jentaberson

Most DJ's will let you pick the music, so that really shouldn't be a concern. FI also wanted to do this for the same reason, until our DJ pointed out that most of your guests won't remember what the chair covers look like or even the flowers. So there are definitely better places to save some money. I-pods are great if you have less than 50 people, but if you are inviting more, you should hire a professional.

kellyfranks

My friend did this at her wedding and it was really fun!  They chose the order for the music so it didn't get boring.  I think you have to have a wedding party and guest list that like to dance for this to work, people who don't need a DJ pumping up the crowd.
We are also using our IPod for music because it worked so well for them.  That way we get to hear the music we want.  I have been to so many weddings where the DJ plays things that are on the do not play list or doesn't play something specifically requested.  AND we can change the music if we have something specifically requested.

ceciliarunge

We are also using our Ipod rather than having a DJ.  We personally do not like DJs and look foward to using our own playlist.  Can't wait!

graysquirrel

We were going to do this before we found Neon Express. I would suggest putting everything together on a laptop vs an ipod. It is easier to control and set up with sound equipment. 

wittyschaffy

For those of you who are doing it so you can use your own playlist, I can vouch for Midwest Sound and Light sticking to our list.  We gave them 6 hours of dance music to select from and specified that they needed to stay within the boundaries of that list.  I even wrote it into the contract.  They absolutely stuck to it without question and we had a packed dance floor the ENTIRE night.  One of my good friends from college declared them "the best freaking DJ EVER" because it was song after song of good stuff.  We asked for our DJ to be minimally involved, major announcements only, turn down the sound when someone was using the mic, and arrange the tunes.  They did a fabulous job.

My other food for thought question for the folks interested in doing it to save money - are you really?  Don't you have to rent the sound equipment, find someone to set it up, appoint someone to run it (and presumably get them a thank you gift for their troubles), tear it down at the end of the night, and hope like heck everything works OK since you don't have backup?  I guess I'm with the pp who said that people won't remember the table settings, the silverware or the flowers - but they will remember if you had a good party.  I personally would find somewhere else to cut back if cost is a factor for you.