iPOD weddings

Not to say that there are no instances where an ipod would work, but if you are trying to have a great party with lots of dancing-it won't work. An ipod can work for cocktail music if you have downloaded low-key music that will not interfere with people trying to talk. The cocktail hour is the time for people to re-connect, be introduced to people they have never met-and lots of chatting goes on. The music should be conducive to that atmosphere. Dinner hour is the same drill; the music should be background so that everyone can talk without shouting across the table. I might add here that a professional band or DJ who knows how to play weddings would know these rules as well, and would follow them if you have chosen correctly. Now.....here comes the dancing!! Now it is time to separate the real professionals from the ipod. What the ipod can't do is watch the dancers and see what type of music the guests are reacting and dancing to. This is the art of a true professional. If you don't care whether people dance or not, then the ipod can certainly work. Generally you have quite a large age range at a wedding, and if you are trying to get everyone on the floor, it takes a lot of knowledge of music to cover that great diversity of tastes. Having been a bandleader for 20 years of my life, I can tell you that it is a constant thought process when you are on the stage-watching your audience to figure out what song to play next -to keep that floor full! Also, there are announcements that need to be made at most weddings. If you don't need them made-then this of course is not an issue. If you need to announce special dances, cake cutting-or any special part of the reception, it is best to have a professional (bandleader or DJ) on the microphone.