Tonight I joined a Wedding group on Facebook and as I was reading through the posts the iPod DJ question reared it's ugly head. Here's the question...I have heard a lot of couples which are trying to save money using ipod, other mp3 players and laptops to play music during their wedding instead of hiring a professional band or Dj. Is this true? Does it make sense? What about the quality of the sound?
...and here was my reply...
I am a professional wedding entertainer, what many people call a "Wedding DJ"
If all I did was play music then an iPod & a full-time iPod attendant, might be able to do my job, but I am asked by my brides & grooms to do so much more than that.
I am...
- Wedding "Day of" coordinator
- Master of ceremonies
- Personal Advocate(Remembering what you've forgotten/making guests happy with your choice of music, etc)
- Professional Advocate (working with other vendors)
- Sound Technician
- Equipment Rental Company
- Music Programmer
- Personal Music Shopper(this music isn't free!)
- and oh yeah Disc Jockey (physically mixing music that guests will enjoy from those songs you've chosen from my library/"Reading" the dance floor/adjusting to keep the party going)....
But let's assume that all I "did" was play music. Here my experience allows me to "read" the dance floor and know not just "what" to play but probably even more importantly "when" to play it. No one can dance all night. Very few people want to at a wedding. They visit the bar, the restroom, and socialize. Programming a night of music for a wedding should consider all of these activities and allow for them all. That is what "reading" the dance floor is really all about. Let some people off so others can come back on. Let your friends join you for a special toast at the bar, while your older relatives dance to music they enjoy for a few minutes before we get everyone together for a great song enjoyed by all ages. Many brides & grooms are choosing the entire nights music. I think that's great. It makes the night very personal. It also challenges me to make sure that they get the reception they want and to find ways to present that music to their guests that doesn't make them feel left out. An iPod can't do that. Most novice dj's can't do that. I'd wager to say the friend or relative you're planning to ask to "man the iPod" won't be able to pull it off either.
Weddings are not precisely timed events either. Some activities take longer than you thought, others fly by in no time at all. So creating a fixed play list and "going with it" won't really do the trick.
If all I did was play music I'd still charge what I charge now because unless you plan on illegally downloading the music for your event you will not be enjoying the benefits of my 15 years of methodically, professionally and legally building my library. Not to mention the subscription services I belong to because I am a professional, which give me the hottest songs months before they hit the radio ensuring that I can play that "new song by what's his name" that your best friend/MOH is "just soooo into" right this minute.
And go ahead and rent all the gear you want. You could even duplicate my system, have it delivered and set-up but what happens if something goes wrong? Who's going to fix it? Oh and I suggest you rent a back-up system to be safe, that's what I do. I own a whole second set of equipment that I have on-site just in case. This is electronic equipment and things stop working for all kinds of different reasons. You see my experience with electronic gear says that Murphy...the guy with the law...He loves weddings and special events and if you're not prepared well....Oh and make sure to distribute those power amps over the correct number of circuits and with the proper Ohm load for the amp you rent. Ahh never mind I am sure that guy at the rental place, he was an experienced sound technician. He knows how to calculate the loads correctly to make sure that when you turn the system on it will all be fine.
If you're renting this system make sure you get some good public liability insurance. Even if you tape down the cords, and place the system carefully well I'd hate to see you get sued by a drunken guest who tripped on something. I pay for this insurance year round so for me it's pretty reasonable, for a one off event with the basic $1M/$2M Public Liability shouldn't be anymore than $2k or $3k dollars. Or you could just cross your fingers.
Can you save money by using an iPod instead of a DJ? YES! You'll only need 2 hours at your reception. Most guests will be ready to split as soon as the cake is cut. Provided they know its happening because the iPod didn't let them know and your cousin isn't really as good on the mic as you thought he would be. It's not really his fault he only had one or two drinks hey it's an open bar and it's your wedding he just wanted to celebrate.
I don't expect that my brides & grooms are aware of all these things. I'm sure there are a couple things that you may not have been aware of here. I want you to keep in mind that all of the above apply only to the playing of music. Item #9 on the list above. I haven't delved in to any of those other 8 responsibilities I am expected to take care of.
An iPod is great for listening to your favorite songs, watching a movie, catching up on a podcast. I doubt however any of us would want to spend an entire night listening to someone else's iPod locked into their "favorites" playlist. What an iPod is not? It is not a DJ. It is not a replacement for a Full-time professional wedding entertainer. It's not even a question of cheaper or not cheaper. It won't give you the experience you are looking for. Unless a cocktail reception is what you had in mind. If that's the case, call me I've got some great music suggestions for you.
It is time for the myth of the iPod DJ to die. I am not saying that you can't do it but you must realize that it is not DJ'ing your wedding. It is playing music, canned music, in a predetermined order by an individual who in all likelihood has never programmed a night of music before this time. The most important thing I can stress to anyone who is worried about getting a "bad DJ" is to simply get a Full-time Professional who has been in business for at least 5 years. Why? Because if they have been doing nothing but DJ'ing for 5 years and they are still working and still satisfying clients then you just need to make sure they understand WHAT you want and that they have the MEANS and DEMEANOR to pull off your wedding, YOUR way!
Just for fun, once again here's an iPod wedding for your evaluation.
Quick Stat:
www.jhatchdj.com
www.cnyphotobooth.com
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