Sione's Wedding: bad boys know how to party © 2005 South Pacific Pictures, photographer Kirsty Griffin
There’s a trend in the US and Australia for some couples to choose an iPod loaded with their favourite music rather than a DJ for their wedding reception.
At least one Kiwi bride has made this choice, on the grounds of cost.
But it isn’t just about saving money, as one then bride-to-be, Jessica Spence, noted while at a friend’s wedding. She thought the DJ very idle-looking, saying all he seemed to do was push a few buttons on his laptop and then take the rest of the night off.
Of course the trick here, if you do want a DJ, is to pick wisely. But, if you want to use an iPod, even if for only part of the night, it can be a way for a couple to express themselves. It can also make the evening less staged and more relaxed. There are some pitfalls though.
First, not everyone will like your music. Your Nan, for instance, probably isn’t a big hip-hop fan. You need to beware of being musically selfish. You want people to get up and dance and this is what a good DJ can do and is why they play those oldie-but-goldies.
As one DJ said: “From a DJ’s perspective, the music is not for you…You are playing songs people want to hear and that people want to dance to.”
There’s also sound quality and lights to think of if you the DIY route. You may have to arrange much of this yourself, depending on the venue. And then there’s the new husband as DJ. Some grooms love the idea of this, but it is not something a man should be spending the whole of his wedding reception doing.
Which brings us to the other part of the DJ’s job: he or she often acts as MC too, helping with the transition from wedding meal to dancing; rounding up everyone for the cutting of the cake, and introducing the first dance. The Best Man can take on some of these duties, and some will love it, but not everyone is a born showman and can find it a strain.
Wedding music – compromise with both
The real answer, whether you choose an iPod or a DJ, is to think carefully about why you’re choosing what you are and why, and plan accordingly.
One bride suggested having a band for early in the evening, to get everyone going, and then switching to an iPod later on. This helps keep costs down, but ensures everyone has fun, without putting to much strain on the DIY helpers.
iPod wedding music or DJ – which is best?
There’s a trend in the US and Australia for some couples to choose an iPod loaded with their favourite music rather than a DJ for their wedding reception.
At least one Kiwi bride has made this choice, on the grounds of cost.
But it isn’t just about saving money, as one then bride-to-be, Jessica Spence, noted while at a friend’s wedding. She thought the DJ very idle-looking, saying all he seemed to do was push a few buttons on his laptop and then take the rest of the night off.
Of course the trick here, if you do want a DJ, is to pick wisely. But, if you want to use an iPod, even if for only part of the night, it can be a way for a couple to express themselves. It can also make the evening less staged and more relaxed. There are some pitfalls though.
First, not everyone will like your music. Your Nan, for instance, probably isn’t a big hip-hop fan. You need to beware of being musically selfish. You want people to get up and dance and this is what a good DJ can do and is why they play those oldie-but-goldies.
As one DJ said: “From a DJ’s perspective, the music is not for you…You are playing songs people want to hear and that people want to dance to.”
There’s also sound quality and lights to think of if you the DIY route. You may have to arrange much of this yourself, depending on the venue. And then there’s the new husband as DJ. Some grooms love the idea of this, but it is not something a man should be spending the whole of his wedding reception doing.
Which brings us to the other part of the DJ’s job: he or she often acts as MC too, helping with the transition from wedding meal to dancing; rounding up everyone for the cutting of the cake, and introducing the first dance. The Best Man can take on some of these duties, and some will love it, but not everyone is a born showman and can find it a strain.
Wedding music – compromise with both
The real answer, whether you choose an iPod or a DJ, is to think carefully about why you’re choosing what you are and why, and plan accordingly.
One bride suggested having a band for early in the evening, to get everyone going, and then switching to an iPod later on. This helps keep costs down, but ensures everyone has fun, without putting to much strain on the DIY helpers.
Couldnt agree more with that, very attractive article
Sadly the observation Jessica Spence made in 2005 is still very relevant. There are DJs worldwide who still haven’t figured out that they need to offer more than just press play if they feel they are competing with an iPod.
Anybody can press play, and with cheap or free DJ software, illegally downloaded music collections and a basic laptop, anybody can say they’re a DJ. However, worldwide there are plenty of true professionals who have figured out how to deliver a service that’s actually worth having.
Here in New Zealand, I regularly hear stories from wedding venues, photographers, and celebrants about other DJs at weddings. They’re not always bad stories, but many are quite embarrassing.
I hear about DJs coming late, getting drunk, bare foot (?!?!?!), taking more photos than playing songs, getting drunk, inappropriately presented (no suit, just sneakers, jeans, t-shirt etc), getting drunk, very untidy and cumbersome equipment, and bringing an entourage of helpers who eat and drink at the client’s expense. Yes, drinking appears to be quite a popular thing to do between pressing play on the songs.
I take some of those stories and present them in a seminar at The Grand Wedding Show aimed at helping brides understand how much a DJ could cost, and what some DJs have done to set themselves apart from iPods and the “press play” crowd.
In my experience, many brides look at an iPod option not necessarily to cut costs, but because they have no compelling reason to hire a professional. And based on the descriptions and examples above, DJs simply don’t know how to be better. They’re doing what they’ve always done, just the way they were trained by some other DJ that did the same thing.
Until brides see any difference, there will be no difference.
To give a glimpse into the service that is possible and is available from a few of the wedding entertainment specialists in New Zealand, I put hours into the preparation of each wedding. Typically before the even the first guest arrives, I know the names of the couple (many vendors call them the bride and groom, not Bob and Sally etc). I’ll know how they met, the names of the wedding party members, the couple’s parents, the first dance, how they want to be introduced for the first dance, how long they want that first dance to play before others are invited to join them. And of course, I’ll know what songs to play, and what NOT to play.
Quite simply, if you are looking to cut a few costs then going with an iPod is an option. It won’t save you any time because of the prep involved, but it does save money. If you’re looking at an iPod because you think it’s the same as every DJ you’ve ever seen, broaden your search. Meet a few DJs and see if they consider your wedding their profession, or just a hobby.
Just a few thoughts!
Regards
Nick Logan
Auckland DJ and Wedding MC