Should I Substitute My Wedding DJ With An Ipod?

An iPod is a device that stores and plays music. If you think that an iPod (or other portable music player) is a viable, inexpensive alternative to hiring a professional wedding DJ, think again.

Music is merely one element used by a professional wedding DJ to entertain you and your guests. An iPod, or any other form of music media, is just a tool used by a professional wedding DJ like a camera is a tool used by your photographer. An iPod playing on its own without a professional at the controls will entertain as well as a camera set to auto will take great pictures. You may get lucky a few times, but overall your wedding day will suffer. A professional wedding DJ can use music to set a mood and change attitudes when appropriate during your wedding ceremony and wedding reception. A professional DJ is familiar with the music and knows when it is appropriate to play particular song selections. An iPod plays music without consideration for emotion or judgement. A professional DJ is as essential to entertaining your guests as your photographer is to taking quality photographs.

The iPod is less expensive than a DJ... or is it? You are still going to need a sound system to play the iPod through. You will need to rent a mixer, a power amplifier, speakers, speaker stands, cables, and possibly a table to set the mixer and iPod on. You will probably want to rent a microphone too. The clerk at the pro audio store will want to know what size system you need based on the shape of the venue and the number of guests. That's easy enough to determine, but do you know if the components you rented are compatible together? For instance, is the output on the mixer XLR or quarter inch. If it is quarter inch is it a balanced or unbalanced output? Will the inputs on the power amplifier match the outputs on the mixer? If they don't what type of adapter do you need. Are they in the boxes with all the other stuff the audio store gave you? By the way, how do you plug the iPod into the mixer anyway. The holes are different sizes!

At least you saved money right? The rent on the sound system is only $400.00 to $600.00. You should be able to set the sound system up after a few hours of trial and error. And, if you get stuck, the audio guy can send a technician out to do it for you for $75.00 an hour. Oh yeah, there's a delivery charge as well.

Now that you have your iPod system set up who is going to operate it? You will need to designate a guest to do this. He or she will need to cue the music for your special dances and make announcements for your other activities. Does he know how to use the microphone. Does it need phantom power? If its wireless does he know what batteries to use or how to turn it on and off? He will need to adjust the microphone signal on the mixer to avoid feedback. It's that annoying squeal. Does he know what the potentiometers and faders do? Does he even know what they are? Well at least you didn't have to pay someone that is a trained and experienced emcee. The guests won't mind. Will they?

Your "guest DJ" will be expected to coordinate with the other vendors at your event to ensure your event runs smoothly. Will he be able to cover if dinner is a little late? Will he be able to guide the bride and groom through the cake cutting? Will he be able to organize your wedding party for introductions and organize your guests for a grand exit all while making sure the music doesn't stop?

When all is said and done, iPod weddings don't come off looking frugal or inexpensive, they come off looking cheap. Is that the legacy you want your wedding day to leave?