Wedding Forum

[WallyC]

I am thinking of using an iPod too. I am pretty technical and so is the person I am putting on. Just have to find a good app that has cross fade function and maybe dynamic song list based on moods etc. Anyone know a good app out there that have both features?

[markyp]

Owning a sound and lighting hiring business and dj company i can honestly say there is advantages of both I pod and dj.If you are on a tight budget then I pod is the way to go and if done properly can work.If you hire quality speakers have a good play list and are prepared to set up pack up,operate throughout the night,pick up equipment,return equipment ,have a good play list and know what your guests like it can work.If you want to make this option work for you my suggestion is dont use an I pod use I tunes on a laptop as it will give you alot more flexability.You can set up different play lists for different times of the night and if you use I tunes auto dj function it will blend the music for you where as an i pod wont.
Another advantage of having your play lists is you know that the music played is going to be what you want.This may not necessarily make for a great party but at least you will like the music.In alot of cases a I pod will do a better job than a dj as there are alot of poor quality djs around and this is where homework into the dj company before you book will save you alot of pain if they dont do a good job.
The advantages of a dj however can be alot more than an i pod.Yes a dj will cost you more but he will deliver set up,operate,pack up all the equipment which can save you alot of time.A good dj will play music to suit the crowd and if it isnt working can mix it up to keep the dancefloor going.An i pod cant see that the song it has just put on has cleared the dance floor and everyone hates the music.A dj in most cases will also have alot more music than you will and will have a better idea of what people will and wont dance to.A good dj can mix the music better and can adjust the volume at the right times so you dont need to keep running over to the equipment to adjust volume.
There are adavantages and disadvantages of both but what amazes me is that people will spend 20 to $30,000 or more on a wedding and yet the entertainment is one of the things that people spend the least on or try to cut corners.If the enteratinment is bad whether it is a dj or i pod it can ruin the whole night.Your guests are there for a celebration and yet for most weddings it just ends up being a dinner if the music is bad and no one dances.If the entertainment is good and suitable to your event your guests will walk away having a good night with lasting memories.As a bride you will remember how good the night was alot more than how good the cars were or how good the cake was.
In my opinion the best weddings and functions we dj at is where we are allowed to play music that the couple has given in put into what music they like but ultimatley want everyone to enjoy the music and the guests able to make requests.I have seen brides and grooms ruin there own wedding as they only wanted to here there type of music and nobody else liked what they liked.
Hope this helps in your decision over i pod vs dj.
Marcus - Feel Good Events

[DJEasi]

I'm obviously a bit one sided as I run a professional Dj Service - however it really depends on your wants and requirements (and when I say 'your' I mean the Brides - right fellas lol). I have seen weddings and events that have run great from a laptop or ipod, and I have seen weddings fail with a DJ. It comes down to the experience and planning of the person running the show - and it is a show. It's not just music believe me.

If you have a cousin who you honestly believe has the ability to control the atmosphere of your wedding then get them to use an ipod and it should work great. If you honestly dont trust that then look around for established professional DJ services with testimonials and meet with them - but make sure the person you meet with is the DJ who will be at your wedding otherwise you may get the professional salesman who talks the talk but isnt even at your wedding on the day. In the end it's the personality and experience of the DJ on the day that shines through.

Also Perth has many great professional mobile Dj's. Unfortunately like any industry there are just as many unprofessional cowboys who have the word 'cheap' in their advertising. You get what you pay for.

[Bren]

If you having a Event such as a wedding you need a good DJ or band, connecting an Ipod to a speakers is cheap and leaving it up to an device to play the music at your wedding or event is not good as that is not a DJ. You will kick yourself when looking back at the event.

A wedding should have a DJ or a band an Ipod cant interact your guests, what if no one is dancing or the Ipod breaks down? A Good DJ can make changes instantly and interacts with your guests also some can make annoucements.

Possibly for a backyard party I would use an Ipod/Mp3 player but not at a Professional Event no way.

[cutiemeags]

I had an itunes via laptop plugged into speaker system, was easier to see playlists on the screen i thought.
I had a playlist for back ground music, the one for each part of night, entry, garter toss, cake cutting, first dance, goodbye circle ect and then a party style playlist for the dancing after the formalities. The mc played each playlist at the time rq, it worked well and towards the end of the night guests were going up and searcing for songs and putting requests on too. it worked really well for us and saved us a forturne as DJ's on hamilton island dont come cheap.

I really like the idea of having a laptop rather than just the IPod, what a great way to get your guests to select songs - just like they would request by a DJ

[DJ BigKev]

For all you brides & grooms to be check out this link of what happened at an actual wedding in the USA using an Ipod as their source of music.
http://www.djbigkev.com.au/movie.html

Remember if you are going to use an Ipod have you music list reflect what your guests like and not just the music you like.
and you'll also need to Hire some sort of gear to amplify the music to a level everyone can hear and last piece of advice , select 1 person to be in charge of your Ipod, stops others from playing with it and choosing their songs over and over.

Otherwise leave it to a professional DJ who knows what they are doing.