Replacing Your Wedding DJ with an iPod

With so many expenses associated with planning a wedding, it is very common for couples to attempt to cut costs in virtually every corner possible. One of the first areas that come to mind for many couples is their wedding DJ. Wedding DJs can be rather expensive, and most people own some sort of MP3 player that is already loaded with all the songs they like. Because of the new technology available, replacing your wedding DJ with an iPod or other MP3 player is at the top of the list for many couples looking to pinch a few pennies.

The Benefits

The biggest benefit of choosing a device over a human is obvious, and that’s the cost. Most people already own a device that can play a preset song list, but even if you don’t you can buy one for less than $200. The cheapest DJ will likely cost at least double that, and when they pack up and go home you don’t have a nifty little device to play music with on your honeymoon. Also, nobody knows your taste in music better than you, so taking the guesswork out of the song list by programming it yourself is a sure-fire way to have a great mix.

The Drawbacks

One of the biggest drawbacks of providing the music at your reception yourself is that most people don’t have the large speakers and lighting equipment that come as part of the package with most DJs. Your guests will be expecting a first-rate dancing experience, and that can only be achieved with really great equipment. Also, since an iPod will only play a preset song list, your reception will lack the flexibility to have song requests in any semblance of a simple fashion. While this may not be a big issue for some couples, it can certainly detract from the experience of your guests while they dance.

Pulling It Off

If you decide to go forward with replacing your wedding DJ with an iPod or similar device, there are a few key things to keep in mind. First, you’ll want to make sure that you are mixing in music that is appropriate for a wedding. You may like a certain genre of music, but playing just that genre can get a little old at a wedding. Also, you’ll want to make sure you’re playing some songs that other people will enjoy; especially the kids. If the kids who are at your wedding get bored, the whole party will suffer and people may end up leaving early.

Regardless of how you choose to play dance music at your wedding, variety is the key to everything. As long as you put together a good mix of tunes that are appropriate for a wedding and have a decent set of speaker to play them out of, you can get around the expenses of paying a wedding DJ.