Ditchin' the band

Mrs. Tickle

Me and the hubby to be are considering ditching the band and having just a dj as entertainment at our wedding reception. I'd love to hear from anyone who's gone this route and how it worked out for you.

Thanks

JohnBoy

My sister did this at her wedding over christmas.

To be honest I was a bit sceptical but in reality if you've a good dj it really doesnt matter all that much.

her's was a smaller wedding, 50 people or so, and i think that helped.

dlambirl

you need to be 100% confident that your dj is up to the job and can adapt to the crowd and has a wide range a music catalogue.

warrenaldo

I did it in summer 2008. And I have been at a couple of others that have done it. I dont think you need a band if you have got a half decent DJ. If I could do it again no way I would have a band - waste of money. And they cost a bomb.

DaBreno

We went down and this route and wholeheartedly recommend it.

Neither of us wanted the wedding bands. Weve been to a few weddings in our time and were just getting tired of em. So we got the idea of a DJ for the night and it worked out great. Everything from Davey Arthur to AC/DC was belted out. "You'll never walk alone" got a special airing too. *Sniff* Really good mix throughout the night.

We hunted around for a DJ with a huge catalouge and a good personailty. Our lad was well able to keep things moving, read out messages etc. You can personalise the experience as much as you want. Any special songs we wanted played, we told him a few weeks in advance so he had time to track them down.

No one had a bad word to say about it. The floor was always full, plenty of oul wans included ! Waaaay better than the pedistrian, tired wedding band IMO.

Mrs. Tickle

Thanks for your feedback!! Glad to see that people have been happy to go down this route.

I've been to a few weddings where the band have been poor and people not only abandoned the dancefloor but also the function room. Not great for getting the party started

EcoBrats

I'm so relieved to see this thread!

I'm actually from the UK, marrying my Irish hubby-to-be this June in Cornwall (UK).

We've been debating what to do about a wedding band for months. From the out-set I didn't want a band as I thought it would be a complete waste of money, plus in the UK its not really a big issues, hardly anyone has a band anymore. But since I moved to Ireland (a little over a year ago), we have been to 3 weddings each of which has had a band followed by a DJ.

I hadn't realised it was such a big thing over here and I've since had comments from the future-mother-in-law like "make sure you get a good band - the whole day will be ruined otherwise!".

Still undecided what to do. I hate feeling so influenced by what everyone else (outside of me and partner) want/expect for our wedding day.

mikekerry

dabreno,
can you send me the contact of your dj or email.
am thinking of just having a dj for my wedding and that guy sounds good.
thanks

nlgbbbblth

We did it.

Got a friend who owned a record shop to DJ for most of the night.
I DJed for an hour - got a mosh going.

Most people there said it was the best reception they were ever at.

If you're both into music, consider making a compilation CD and leaving copies for the guests on their tables before the meal. We did that and it went down well.

macho_man

I went to wedding last year and the band did the 'DJ' bit afterwards. Thing was they used a laptop balanced on a chair using media player. A couple of times the music stopped as they were at the barr, in the loo, talking or whatever. I am a DJ and have done a fair few weddings, I always make sure the music is playing and even allow people to ask for songs and do dedications or annoucements. (the bar is closing etc!)

I agree with EcoBrats, in the UK they tend to have a disco instead of a band. I think people prefer the songs they know and love by the original artists. Also you can make sure the songs you use for the special moments are just right.

nlgbbbblth

As someone who has DJed on and off for almost 20 years, I would not recommend anybody who DJs using a laptop. It's lazy and a disaster if something goes wrong.

Someone who plays a mixture of vinyl and CDs is your best bet.

macho_man

But if you have a reliable system then what is the differance? I can mix, scratch as well as a turntablist. (well I don't coz I'm ****e at it!) I have over 45,000 songs so I can't see someone lugging that many CDs or vinyl. They get scratched more easily anyway.

nlgbbbblth

macho_man wrote: »

They get scratched more easily anyway.

I don't have that problem with mine. A load of songs on a laptop - to me - is soulless. Shelves bulging with 45s, 12"s, LPs and CDs are where it's at for me - always was and always will be.

macho_man

This discussion has been around for ages ! I think the general consensus is that there are good and bad points for both mediums. I must admit I do sometimes miss racks of CDs! used to have some really nice futuristic ones many years ago, looked really cool in my south london apartment!

So I think we shall agree to disagree nlgbbbblth! Enjoy your work!

rsom

Looking for a dj for a Dublin wedding in Sept.....can anyone pm me some recommendations?

Thanks!

Eoin

I've recommended them on another thread - we went with www.digitaldjs.ie - very happy with them. The dancefloor was full all night, and he was more than happy to have people come up and give requests.