How to DIY DJ?

bgfst1

Hi! I've spent a TON of time reading through all the old posts on this site, THANKS everyone!

My fiance and I are getting married March 17, 2012. We're having a very small, immediate family only ceremony at the Hartwood Acres Mansion, and then a large, fun, party-type reception at The Mattress Factory.

My wedding is going to have no cake caking, no first dance/dollar dance/father and daughter dance, no bridal party, no announcing of the bride and groom - anything. So because of this, and the fact that I really really hate cheesy DJs and would probably punch one if they even dared said anything into a mic to try and MC my wedding, I want to do a DIY DJ using a laptop.

While I have a million songs and I'm not worried about that, I'm more worried about what equipment I am going to need to make the sound loud enough in the lobby area of the Mattress Factory. Has anyone done a DIY DJ before? Exactly what kind of speakers did you use - brand, watts, etc? Did you use any other equipment? Someone suggested that I need a mixer, but since I'm not having a mic or anything, I feel like I just need good quality speaks to hook up to the laptop.

Anything ideas/suggestions would be great!

jlbaxter33

I don't know how to do this at all, but I was thinking the Mattress Factory may have speakers already installed and you could hook up your laptop.

bgfst1

I wish When I asked, I was told that they are not wired for sound, and that there was only a PA system we could use if we needed to make announcements.

gmc22

FWIW not all DJs are cheesy - there are many very classy, very professional DJs around Pittsburgh that won't try to MC if you do not want them to. Being that your reception is at the Mattress Factory, you may have some acoustic issues that only professional DJs are equipped to deal with.... not entirely sure on this but thought I'd add my thoughts.

bgfst1

Haha! Funny you suggest that - I've contacted multiple DJs, and every single one has come back to me and said something along the lines of "Oh, I don't think I would be a good fit for your wedding. I consider myself to be an 'entertainer'". PLEASE! And the few that are willing to just play music are trying to charge 1500 for 5 hours, which just seems insane.

mm4662

I can't give you any DIY advice but maybe you can contact a bar and ask them about the DJ that works there. They don't seem as "entertainer" as wedding DJs.

That way, it's the way you want and you don't have to worry about taking care of the equipment.

I bet you could also ask your venue because I'm sure they have had DJs that aren't wedding DJs.

carcrashheart

my opinion of laptop receptions are this: the music is nothing more than background noise. it creates more of a mingling, cocktail party atmosphere. so if you're looking for a big dancing reception..it doesn't tend to have that kind of vibe. i didn't feel like we were at a wedding at all, which was fine, but i also didn't feel like staying either. some people tried to dance, but the music just wasn't loud enough through the speakers to really create an energetic vibe to it. come to think of it, we've been to a few weddings that were laptop/ipod weddings and they were all like that.

JennyBee1018

I considered doing a iPod reception, but I am SO glad I didn't. My DJ kept the dance floor packed all night, and was good at creating a flow. (Does that make sense)

He is a good friend of mine, and he was totally behind the scenes. He only made announcements when necessary, and he was not expensive at all.

Email me at jennybee1018 at gmail dot come if you want his info.