Post # 1
Member
19 posts
Newbee
My fiance and I have decided not to have music or a DJ at our reception. Neither of us are dancers, and we don’t think a lot of our guests are either. We are only having about 40 people total, including ourselves, the bridal party, and our guests.
I just recently started taking a wedding planner course. I love the planning so much I just can’t get enough; so at my fiance’s suggestion, I decided to make a career out of it! The course states that the reception should be fun, there should be music & dancing… our wedding is at noon, on a Thursday. We just planned on having an elegant buffet lunch after our ceremony.
Any thoughts on this?
Post # 3
Member
2292 posts
Buzzing bee
I would at least consider having some background music. Does your venue have the capability for satellite radio, stereo w/cd-changed, or an iPod ready system? Both our reception site and our Rehearsal Dinner site have at least one of these capabilities. For a lunch reception I don’t think you need a DJ and dancing – that’s more of an evening thing, IMO. Most restaurants (listen next time you go out) have some kind of background music playing – not necessarily so loud that you notice, but so that’s it’s not dead quiet, and so that you don’t hear so much of the people at the next table.
Post # 4
Member
19 posts
Newbee
I spoke with a DJ today. He was absolutely wonderful. I told him our situation. We talked about the background music. He pointed out the same thing you did – no matter where you go, even Starbucks – they’ve got music playing.
He also said that he helps things go smoothly between the catering department and other vendors and also makes all of the announcements and things like that. I guess if there is no DJ, I could appoint someone to do those things… but I still am liking the idea of a DJ. The only problem now, is convincing my fiance of that. He likes the fact that we don’t have that expense right now. Speaking of expenses, this DJ agreed to go from his usual price of $1149 down to $749 – since it’s on a Thursday, and he also gave us a military discount…
Post # 5
Member
378 posts
Helper bee
Tell him to suck it up – and that it’s fault. He’s the one that suggested you make it into a career!
Post # 6
Member
297 posts
Helper bee
I think since you’re mostly just having music for background effects, it would be okay to go the ipod route (especially if the budget can’t really be stretched for a DJ). It is possible to get a friend to MC the event so that things are announced and run smoothly. I think it would be a bit more personal to have your friend MC than someone who doesn’t really know you.
Post # 7
Member
2434 posts
Buzzing bee
I do think background music is a good idea. However, I think $749 is a little pricey for a Thursday afternoon- it’s not like he’s got clients lining up for Thursday lunch receptions. If I were you I would tell him, "Since we didn’t budget for this we can really only afford $500" and see if he’ll come down.
Otherwise, I would just make up a few mix CDs or an iPod playlist and ask a friend to set it up.
Also talk to your venue. They probably have a Maitre D who is responsible for introductions and all of that.
Post # 8
Member
5 posts
Newbee
If I were you, and you were just doing background music, I would totally just go for a DIY sort of thing! Save yourselves that money girl! Spend it elsewhere if you have it! I’d say, make a cd of nice, background…ish songs and find a decent stereo. It doesn’t need to be loud, you want your guests to be able to hear each other anyway!
Post # 9
Member
180 posts
Blushing bee
we’re going the ipod route – we just want swing/big band music playing during dinner, with the more lively stuff at the end in case people want to dance. given that, and given the small size of our guest list, it’s not a big deal to have a techno savvy friend in charge of the ipod (who’s hoping her role will get her out of any dancing!) and do the few announcements.
Post # 10
Member
2292 posts
Buzzing bee
Depending on how your venue’s sound system is set up, there might not be a lot of coordinating to do. For a lot of systems, the music cuts out when you key the microphone. So you can have whoever is starting the toasts wait until the end of the song, and then just start. Somebody else can be standing by to pause the cd or iPod at that point, and then you just restart it when you’re done. As long as you streamline your schedule (rather than having somebody get up every 15 minutes to talk again, which is just annoying anyway) it’s not a big deal. See if your venue will let you come out sometime off hours and play with the system a little, just to get familiar with how it works.
Post # 11
Member
187 posts
Blushing bee
Thats really expensive for a Thursday DJ.. Just put a bunch of songs on an Ipod and call it a day. Proceed with your reception as originally planned just have soft flowing music from the ipod in the background.
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