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?

Wedding Planning Season In Central Virginia

Wedding planning season in Lynchburg and the rest of Central Virginia has certainly gotten off to a great start. I have talked to many Brides and Grooms in the last few days on the phone and via Email. I have noticed that more Grooms seem to be more involved in the planning this year. I think that is absolutely wonderful. I look forward to meeting all of you that I have had contact with in the last couple days.

Our dates are booking quickly for 2009. We have a lot of services available to help you make your wedding an event your family and friends will talk about for years to come. If you have been proposed to, but haven't started making arrangements yet we would love to hear from you to talk about your wedding. If you need vendor referrals such as a referral for a photographer, videographer, cake baker, caterer or for a place to have your wedding ceremony or wedding reception give us a call or Email us. If you are not sure where to shop for a wedding dress or wedding invitations, or wedding rentals such as tables, chairs, tents or linens give us a call or Email us. If you need a wedding planner, a "day of" director, a Marriage Celebrant, or if you are looking for DJs call or Email us. We are here to serve you and would be happy to help you with your search.

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Mother / Son Dance Song Suggestions For Your Wedding

There are several songs you can use for a Mother/Son dance. These are just a few suggestions. Contact us for more. If you know of a song that is not listed send it to us so that we can make sure we have it listed in our music library.

A Song for Mama by Boyz II Men
A Song for My Son by Mikki Viereck
Because You Loved Me by Celine Dion
Have I Told U Lately by Van Morrison
I Am Your Child" by Barry Manilow
I Will Always Love You
Memories by Elvis
Sunrise Sunset from Fiddler On The Roof Soundtrack
The Dance by Garth Brooks,
The Perfect Fan by Backstreet Boys
The Greatest Love Of All
The Times of Your Life" by Paul Anka.
The Way You Look Tonight by Frank Sinatra
The Wonder of You" by Elvis
The Man You've Become - Molly Pasutti
My Wish - Rascal Flatts
Remember When - Alan Jackson
Blessed - Elton John
Book of Love - Peter Gabriel
Do I Make You Proud - Taylor Hicks
I Hope You Dance - Leann Womack
I Wish You Love - Rod Stewart
What A Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong
You Raise Me Up - Josh Groban
There You'll Be - Faith Hill
Unforgettable - Nat King Cole & Natalie Cole
I Wish You Love - Natalie Cole
In Your Eyes - David Chamberlain
I'll Stand By You
Just The Way You Are - Billy Joel
You Are The Sunshine Of My Life - Stevie Wonder
You Needed Me - Anne Murray
How Sweet It Is James Taylor

The Benefit of Hiring A Wedding Director For Your Rehearsal & Ceremony

The Benefit of Hiring A Wedding Director For Your Rehearsal & Ceremony

When you think of a wedding director, think of a famous Hollywood director whose job is to have all the actors in place when he or she shouts "Action." The wedding director is there to orchestrate the event. Armistead Events wedding directors are trained, experienced and have directed hundreds of weddings. The director is there to make sure flowers get distributed to attendants and family and to cue the guest book and program attendants when it is time for them to be in place. He or she makes sure the photographer and/or videographer are ready, the ushers are ready to escort the guests to their seats and that the musician or musicians are cued when it is time to start the prelude. The director will make sure the grandparents and parents are seated at the appropriate time, that the celebrant, groom and ushers are ready and in place, that the flower girl and ring bearer are in place and that the bride and bridesmaids are ready to stroll down the aisle with their beautiful bouquets held just right. The director will make sure that any special traditions the bride and groom wish to observe happen at the appropriate time.
Great weddings don't just happen. Guests don't notice when timing is working well; they only notice when it is not. The director meets with the bride and groom prior to the rehearsal to make sure all the details for the rehearsal and ceremony are covered and a schedule has been created. There are direction and entertainment packages available for the reception too. The director will conduct the rehearsal. Having a non-family member conduct the rehearsal is a great bonus. There may be attendants or family coming that have not seen each other for quite some time. If they know you have hired a director they will be more willing to cooperate and not treat the rehearsal as a family reunion or time to catch up on the latest news. They will know it is serious and the faster everyone is confident with what they need to do for the ceremony the quicker everyone gets to the rehearsal dinner where there will be plenty of time to enjoy the company of those you have chosen to be a part of your ceremony.
The wedding director gives the bride and her family the chance to really enjoy the wedding without worry. It is the director who is there to handle any unforeseen crises that may arise. Many recent brides would assure you that a wedding director is essential and well-worth the price.
Finding qualified and experienced wedding directors can be a challenge. Armistead Events has certified wedding directors on staff. An Armistead Events wedding director will make sure the bride's wishes are executed on her wedding day.