We’ve all read them, those well-written articles by well-intentioned authors extolling the virtues of using the latest gadget, now an iPod, for do-it-yourself wedding reception music. In theory, it sounds great -- but when was the last time those writers, or you, attended a reception that relied on entertainment shortcuts to create or enhance a party’s mood?

If you’ve attended one or more of these "automated music" receptions, with an unmanned tape or CD player blaring in the background, you know what I’m about to describe. If you’ve never experienced the monotony of pre-programmed music, count yourself lucky – and know that there are other excellent reasons why well-informed Brides and Grooms choose a DJ instead of a device to entertain guests on their Big Day. Read on!

Gotta love those gadgets

When cassette tape players were first introduced, everyone thought they could put their favorite music on several cassettes, take them to a party, and let the good times roll. Next came digital recording devices, CD burners for putting favorite tunes on disc and CD players to broadcast them. Trouble was, someone had to be designated, (usually a family member or member of the bridal party), to change cassettes or CDs, and to stop and start the player during announcements, special dances and traditional bridal party activities. This inconvenience to the person responsible was nothing compared to the silence that stopped a filled reception hall when a song ended, batteries died, electric cords shorted, speakers blew, and cassette players ate their tapes.

And guests with special music requests? They were out of luck, as compilations contained only the music favorites of the person recording them – usually the bride and/or groom.

So, while the latest and greatest of music gadgets, your nifty, personal iPod, may be able to store and play all of your favorites tunes, is it really a better choice than burning your own CDs? More importantly, is it a better choice than a DJ for your wedding reception?

Would you set up a video camera on a tripod in the corner and trust it to capture all of the moments, traditional and spontaneous, that make your party special?

As one bride who tried an iPod at her wedding puts it, "Better to hire a bad DJ than use an iPod." Still not convinced? Keep reading!

Here’s what a DJ can do that an iPod cannot:

1) A DJ plays just the right song at just the right time. The goal of any good DJ is to play the very best song next – anticipating what will happen by reading the mood of the crowd. As the evening progresses, unplanned events occur. The crowd’s mood or the dance floor’s energy level may change moment-by-moment. If your guests spontaneously begin doing the hustle, for example, a savvy DJ will roll right into Stevie Wonder’s "My Eyes Don’t Cry" (The Detroit Hustle). Appropriate selections like this capture the mood of your guests and ride on the energy they’ve created. Playing the right song is a matter of observing and reacting to moments the DJ knows are memorable. An iPod filled with downloaded music won’t respond to the moment and create a memory.

Page 1 of 3 :: First | Last :: Prev | 1 2 3 | Next