Wedding Blog
There was much debate whether or not we should have a band, DJ, or an iPod playing our music for the reception. My fiance’s mom liked the idea of having a band. The look of having a band at your reception is very classy and the sound is so much better live. The cons for having a band is that it’s very expensive and you really have a limited song list collection to choose from. I contacted most bands in the Philly/South NJ area and the minimum cost to book one was about $2000, which is way out of our price range.
So I looked at our other options and we decided to check out some DJs in the area. One thing I definitely did not want for our wedding is a DJ who love to play terribly cheesy 80’s or disco music. We went to several weddings where the DJ pretty much dictated the whole song list, playing only a few recently popular songs and mostly songs from the past that are overplayed at weddings. Being the control freak that I am, I wanted to select all the songs for our reception. We booked DJs Available because they allow us to choose every song that will be played throughout the night. Since our guest list consists mostly of friends/coworkers around our age range, I included a lot of popular songs that they might like to dance to at the reception. My fiance’s parents and friends love to dance so I also included a few big band jazz selections. I met with our DJ yesterday and we worked on the introduction songs and the first dance selections:
Chinese Tea Ceremony: Selections from Hero Soundtrack ~ Tan Dun
Intro song for parents of the bride & groom: In the Mood ~ Glenn Miller’s Orchestra
Intro song for the bridal party: Starry Eyed Surprise ~ Paul Oakenfold
Intro song for bride & groom: Tonight, Tonight ~ Smashing Pumpkins (I know this is kind of an unusual entrance song choice but the instrumental part of the song goes really well with the stye of our venue!)
We decided not to take dancing lessons and went with slow and easy song to dance to.
Our first dance: This Year’s Love ~ David Gray
Father and daughter dance: Unforgettable ~ Nat & Natalie King Cole Duet
Mother and son dance: ? ~ My fiance wanted Fields of Gold by Sting but I told him the tempo might be too difficult for them to dance to. The DJ agreed with me and so we’re still trying to figure out what they should dance to. Any suggestions would be helpful!
Cake cutting ceremony: L-O-V-E by Nat King Cole
To add a little french theme, I added some songs from french artists such as Daft Punk and In-Grid into the mix~!
This is our song list for the rest of the night. There’s a lot of techno-ish music but I think it will be okay because most of our guests are young and prefer this type of music.
Other than hiring a DJ, we also thought about using an iPod because the idea seemed pretty cool and totally affordable. The only problem is where would we get the speakers and who would set it all up? What about an MC to conduct the reception? I have no clue where to get the equipment and we really needed someone to announce and organize the events of the night. Is anyone planning an iPod reception?
|
Share this post: Dance All Night To This DJ…
This entry is so timely (and a bit freaky). The Mr. and I were just discussing this last night at 11:30 p.m. We are definitely going for the ipod reception because our venue is on a ship with very limited space. We are going to review the wedding playlists that are located on the ipod web site and gather a couple lists: the cocktail hour playlist–the entrance of the wedding party playlist–dinner playlist–and the rest of the night playlist including the special songs.
We plan to have the BM and MOH keep time and run the short list of events that require a microphone.
A venue on a ship! Wow. It’s a good idea to have someone in charge of MCing in the event like our BM MOH, good idea!
I’m doing the ipod thing. Our wedding venue recommended a company that sets up the speakers for the ipod and also provides a microphone for the toasts, ceremony, etc. The venue is pretty small so a band would make things more crowded and would have been SO expensive! The ipod option was cheap and easy, plus it’s been really fun to pick out all the music - it’s definitely something my fiance has enjoyed planning. I can totally understand getting a DJ if you need some kind of MC.
I’m going with a string ensemble for the ceremony and an ipod for the reception. I may bring a laptop just in case anything happens. Our venue is divided into sections and we’re having an intimate event, so we don’t need the sound to carry very far. I’ve been to a party with an ipod boombox and it sounded great, so we’ll borrow FFIL’s Bose version.
AND… it’s a good way to get a NEW SHINY iPod if you don’t already have one!!
C’mon, was I the only one trying to sneak that expense in the budget some how?! How do you think I got the cowboy boots for my reception? “It’s a wedding cost, honey. I need it/them.” LOL!!
We’re doing the iPod thing. Or more likely, running the music off my fiance’s laptop. Our venue includes a PA system in the venue rental pricing, and my fiance’s in a band so any additional equipment is stuff that they have on hand. I was reluctant to DIY the music specifically because I was worried about who would make sure the right song is playing at the right time? I’ve told my fiance that is his responsibility to find someone who can do that *properly and reliably* and he’s in big trouble if he messes it up!! Lol, no, but really I think it will be fine. We’ll probably get my brother or his brother to do it, and my uncle is likely going to emcee.
i think i’m going to end up opting for the ipod idea b/c it’s so cost effective (save having to rent equipment). but re: the MC…even if BM/MOH are put in charge of keeping track of the ipod/mic for the rest of the evening, i don’t think i’d want to make him/her in charge of introducing themselves to begin the reception. who are the possible stand-ins to introduce the bridal party?
p.s. i like your song selections Miss BP!
tto–
SEE?! THIS is why I love the ‘bee. Umm, stand-ins. Shoot. Hadn’t gotten that far. Will add it to my list… where is my list? Have you seen my list? It’s about 18 pages long (”FRONT & BACK” in that Ross Gellar tone from FRIENDS).
Thnx for the tip!
Where do you guys get the speakers if your venue doesn’t provide them? I was really thinking about doing an ipod reception but I had no clue where to get a really good sound system. I’ve seen a lot of ipods with speakers used in the operating room and the sound quality is very weak. My friend has a Bose and that looks to be the best, but is it enough for a wedding?
hehe, love your 80’s music comment….my FI and I love cheesy 80’s music so we’re actually gonna play our favorites during the reception, ipod of course (speakers provided by venue).
Wow I’m impressed by all the ipod receptions. I was having the exact same problem as you…didn’ t want the cheesey dj mc so I was hoping my cousin will mc since he is always the life of the party anyway…
Well, you only need a stand-in if you are having the big bridal party introduction. Tons of people don’t.
oooh i love the songs you chose especially your first dance, maybe an elton john song would work for the mother/son dance, he is almost always easy to dance to!
Love your first dance song selection. I thought it sounded familiar so I looked it up and found out the song was featured in The Girl Next Door.
I rented speakers and a microphone, etc from a local Audio/Visual equipment rental place for $125 for the weekend. I told the guy what I was doing and he knew exactly what equipment I need. We do have to set it up ourselves but I was assured it is very simple. Check the google yellow pages for your area.
there is another rendition of sting’s “fields of gold” that can be used for the mother/son dance. it’s by eva cassidy - it’s slower, mellower, and in my opinion, a beautiful, beautiful song. you can definitely slow dance to it.
Definitely find someone who can talk to crowds well and perhaps have been to several weddings to at LEAST know what to say and when. I’ve been to a few ipod weddings, and there was one particular one where it was a friend who ipod/mc’d, and he does usually dj, but for clubs, and that’s TOTALLY DIFFERENT. Make SURE they are confident in speaking/working a crowd! It takes away long awful pauses.
Hey, I just wanted to let you know that Eva Cassidy has a beautiful version of “Fields of Gold” that would be easier to dance to.
We’re actually doing the live band, two live bands to be exact and both bands are related to my fiance. The last band playing is only charging us $700 because they owed a favor to my dad but that was before we found out the lead is my fiance’s cousin.
The first band will play during dinner and they’ll probably play more contemporary Hawaiian music while the second band is a reggae band. I think it’s going to be awesome.
You people are awesome! I want to do exactly this, too. My fiance is a music-freak, and already has about every MP3 in the *world*, so I told him he’s in charge of music. Glad to see others are doing it…I was thinking I would get weird looks from the hotel people…
Man, I know my wedding site (Cape Cod) is automatically more expensive than other places, but now it looks like my local area (Maryland) is just as bad. You found bands for $2000? I could only get a trio for $1500 for four hours, and that’s the discount I got because I knew them all and didn’t go through their agent. Needless to say, that particular event will be ipodded. Which is a new and very useful word I just made up.
I cut corners in other areas specifically so I could have a live band. We had seen them play at another wedding a few years prior and they were awesome. We took my parents to see them play a few months before the wedding and they loved them too. They charged us $1500 ($300/band member) and brought all their own sound equipment. I did have to rent out the lighting. They were a Cajun/Zydeco band who played their own stuff plus some covers. They only request I had was no Chicken Dance! They even let my neighbor and my husband get onstage and sing with them!
As far as mother/son dance songs, I agree with the Eva Cassidy suggestion. (That’s the song I’m using for the highlights on my video.) But it’s really long, so you might want to either edit it down or have the DJ fade it out. Also, you might try “Love and Happiness” by Emmylou Harris (it’s a duet with some other guy).
Luckily, our venue has a phenomenal sound system! Yeah! Our I-POD reception is one of the funnest parts of the planning. We keep finding a new song we like and we add it. We’ll make the final decisions a couple of weeks before the wedding in December!
My brother and mother danced to “You are the sunshine of my life” by Stevie Wonder at his weding! People loved it! But….it sounds like you aren’t really into that kind of music. I’m another lover of the 80’s music….if nothing other than to laugh and giggle our way into a roller skating memory! : )
For the BOSE questions….OMG! THEY CAN GET SO LOUD! They are perfect for a small venue! If our venue didn’t have a great sound system I would totally use my BOSE dock! I love it…and the sound is great!
[...] Weddingbee » Blog Archive » Dance All Night To This DJ… Dance All Night To This DJ… May 30th, 2007 @ 4:56 pm by Miss Bell Pepper [...]
I am trying to find a DJ as we speak and it is very difficult, they are not as inexpensive as I thought they would be. I also hate cheezy line dancing and bad disco, so I am having problems finding a good dj. How do I decide who is the one for me? Even meeting with all of them doesnt tell me how they are going to perform.
I love it when people just assume that getting a Ipod will work out great for thier Wedding. They don’t take into effect what a true Pro DJ does during his or her performance. Like reading the crowd, interact, Musical knowledge and Variety, Blend songs into each other, and most of all organize and become a technicion if needed. Brides and Groom spend so much money on Dinner, Booze, Limo, for god sakes Flowers, and when it comes to music they want to budget. Music is their when your guests arrive and when they leave. So go ahead and get the iPODS and maybe your reception will be good but very few are, now with a pro DJ you Wedding will be a lot better.
Freddy,
My fiance and I are wedding videographers on the side and we are currently planning our own wedding, considering the idea of an iPod for a variety of reasons, many of which have to do with what we have witnessed first hand from DJs. We’ve been doing videography for almost 4 years now and I can tell you that we have yet to come across a DJ/emcee that has blown us away. I’m not saying an iPod is right for every wedding - in the hands of those just willing to toss it on a dock and leave it, yeah it may create an awkward atmosphere. We always tell our future clients, your guests will be wherever you are. We’ve seen good DJ’s but the bride and groom were outside smoking an drinking and that’s where their guests went. We’ve seen late DJs, a DJ show up mid way through and take over for the original DJ, DJ’s royally screw up names of the bridal party, their equipment pops, is too quiet or speakers so loud people leave the room. I’m sure there are some pros out there….where are they - I don’t know. In my opinion what makes a memorable day is the food and the atmosphere and music is typically part of that atmosphere but I tend to lean more towards the idea that it’s really the bride and groom who MAKE the day - their attitude and mood . It’s their money, their day, their choice. Just like a videographer is not for everyone, so is a DJ. If you’re in the DJ business, and it sounds like you might be, then it might be time for you or the industry to try some new strategies.
@Becky: Tell me what town you are in and I will guide you to no more then 4 DJs that are great in your area.
The majority of the wedding the entertainment is what make or breaks your wedding! Say what you want but that is just the way it is. All weddings with good entertainment will be way better then one without it. The bad DJs you see is because Brides want to buget on what they should not “THE DJS”.
If they were to hire a Professional in the first place most of the things you mentioned will never happen. If the Bride n Groom go outside to smoke and Drink that is not the DJs fault! The Bride n Groom are the ones responsible for that and should have in mind that that is what will happen if they do that. Yes I am a DJ and a damn good one with refrences to back me up. I just want to let all the Brides know that if you are on a budget the last thing to do is cut the entertainment. Budget on the Flowers, booze limo, and other things but if you do it on the entertainment you will be sorry! Take my advice or not it does not matter to me, it is your wedding so roll the dice!
An iPod can’t determine what is most likely to get people dancing at any given point. It can’t beat mix a new song into an old favorite, change tempo at the right time to kick things up a notch or use musical contrast to create energy.
You may save some money though…
[...] great debate is over what to do for the music during the reception. I know many bees (Mrs. Bell Pepper and others) have pondered this same issue and I’ve seen it discussed on the boards. Even after [...]
| Visit our sister sites | Project Wedding Wedding Songs |
eHarmony Advice Dating Advice |
JustMommies Pregnancy Calendar |
Fertile Thoughts Infertility Support |
Mrs. Bell Pepper, Philadelphia
Age and Occupation: 28, Resident Physician
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 30, Resident Physician
Engagement Date: May 30, 2006
Wedding Date: June 2007
Venue: Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts
About Me: I love whimsical details and design, everything that *sparkles*, sipping on hazelnut lattes, pugs, shopping for antiques and second-hand goods, scenic photography, delicate flowers, and checking out new restaurants in the city with my fianc??. We are planning our wedding at a unique city venue for about 75 close family members and friends. I have a lot of DIY ideas and I like to blog about ways to save money on your wedding.
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |
| 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |
| 29 | 30 |
Latest Gallery Pics