ever choose something because it's cheap?

So, I'm having a dilemma and FH doesn't care either way, so I need your help.

When we got engaged, we talked a lot about how much we dislike djs.

Our wedding is in the afternoon, has a garden-party kind of vibe, and will mostly have older relatives - a bunch of our friends are coming, but probably no more than 20 (max!) out of 110. we don't want or like light shows. i don't want to be introduced. i really don't want someone yelling into a mic all afternoon.

Our idea was to create a whole series of playlists, for the CH and reception, with music we want, guests' suggestions, and traditional tunes. Then my brother would put it all together and be in charge of dj-ing from our laptop or ipod.

We have a lot of friends in bands who own music equipment, so it would actually eb through high quality stereo systems. We've also been to weddings where this has been done, and know it works really well.

BUT (there's always a but! ) I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing an opportunity and asked for some quotes.

I got one for $900 for the reception....and now I don't know what to do.

help!

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Posted by torresm

it would be one less thing me or my friends/family would have to worry about DIY'ing.

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those are the thoughts that are starting to creep up...I'm doing a lot of DIY, and I want to make sure we get the kind of music we enjoy. I don't want to hire a dj, give him a list of some very indie music and then hear none of it. I also don't want to run around crazy worrying about the music being taken care of, even though my brother is more than capable.

thanks!

I would maybe recommend going with the DJ, only b/c if your brother is in charge of the music all night, then he might not get to really let loose and enjoy himself.
Why not get the basic package, no lighting, minimal booth, etc. My brother & SIL had a really low-key DJ. His boooth was super tiny and he just played music all night. Wasn't in your face or making tons of announcements. It was great!

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Posted by Rivera2be

I would maybe recommend going with the DJ, only b/c if your brother is in charge of the music all night, then he might not get to really let loose and enjoy himself.
Why not get the basic package, no lighting, minimal booth, etc. My brother & SIL had a really low-key DJ. His boooth was super tiny and he just played music all night. Wasn't in your face or making tons of announcements. It was great!

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haha i should have explained! my brother is NOT a family-function kind of person :) He likes to hang out in the background, not to be antisocial, but because he gets really antsy around everyone. One of the biggest reasons we thought our own itunes dj would work so well is because we knew my brother would LOVE being in charge of it....this way, he doesn't have to be introduced to all of kevin's family, or have very long convos with family members we haven't seen for 15 years lol

I think I'm going to do some more research on the quote we got. If people seem to think after hours is capable of low key events with nothing crazy, then we may go for it.

The only thing he actually would have to do is make sure the right playlists are on at the right times. It's fairly foolproof once they're all made. It just gives him the option to kind of say he's 'busy' because big family stuff stresses him out.

I love to dance, as long as there is music. CH music can be anything, but for the reception there's really a specific type of music/certain songs & artists we want that most 'top 40' djs won't have.

Our families do not dance. Nothing against it, we just have very old families. It will be FH, myself, and our small group of friends who are actually going to be dancing.

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Posted by teacherteacher


Our wedding is in the afternoon, has a garden-party kind of vibe, and will mostly have older relatives - a bunch of our friends are coming, but probably no more than 20 (max!) out of 110. we don't want or like light shows. i don't want to be introduced. i really don't want someone yelling into a mic all afternoon.

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You wouldn't need lights bc you are in the afternoon especially in the Winter Garden room. I do believe that most DJ's offer a DJ/MC package where you don't have to get the MC. If you DO opt for an MC, they also have options for 'light MC' 'Party MC' and 'High Energy' or at least thats what mine is done.

My friend used after hours. I have no idea if they paid for them to be 'High Energy' or that is just Phil. He was dancing all night with the crowd and at one point was on the floor dancing. They played great music and EVERYONE was dancing all night.

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Posted by pinkbunny

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Posted by teacherteacher


Our wedding is in the afternoon, has a garden-party kind of vibe, and will mostly have older relatives - a bunch of our friends are coming, but probably no more than 20 (max!) out of 110. we don't want or like light shows. i don't want to be introduced. i really don't want someone yelling into a mic all afternoon.

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You wouldn't need lights bc you are in the afternoon especially in the Winter Garden room. I do believe that most DJ's offer a DJ/MC package where you don't have to get the MC. If you DO opt for an MC, they also have options for 'light MC' 'Party MC' and 'High Energy' or at least thats what mine is done.

My friend used after hours. I have no idea if they paid for them to be 'High Energy' or that is just Phil. He was dancing all night with the crowd and at one point was on the floor dancing. They played great music and EVERYONE was dancing all night.

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Right, taking out the lights and a second person to work as mc is why they have us the quote for $900. The point I tried to make is I have to do more research into them...someone who's on the floor with my friends and I is not what I'm looking for. I promise you it's not a question of getting EVERYONE to dance because they don't.

I want to hear Okkervil River, Decemberists, Tegan and Sarah, Feist, Modest Mouse, Tool, Edward Sharpe, Ratatat, Raconteurs, the faint, etc. 'Great music' is not necessarily our music.

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Posted by Rivera2be

I would maybe recommend going with the DJ, only b/c if your brother is in charge of the music all night, then he might not get to really let loose and enjoy himself.
Why not get the basic package, no lighting, minimal booth, etc. My brother & SIL had a really low-key DJ. His boooth was super tiny and he just played music all night. Wasn't in your face or making tons of announcements. It was great!

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ITA with this

you want your brother to enjoy your wedding, no? my friend did this for her wedding and she had a good friend who would have been invited to the wedding be the dj and he worked his butt off all night (and it was the same situation, not actual djing just like a playlist)

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Posted by teacherteacher

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Posted by pinkbunny

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Posted by teacherteacher


Our wedding is in the afternoon, has a garden-party kind of vibe, and will mostly have older relatives - a bunch of our friends are coming, but probably no more than 20 (max!) out of 110. we don't want or like light shows. i don't want to be introduced. i really don't want someone yelling into a mic all afternoon.

---

You wouldn't need lights bc you are in the afternoon especially in the Winter Garden room. I do believe that most DJ's offer a DJ/MC package where you don't have to get the MC. If you DO opt for an MC, they also have options for 'light MC' 'Party MC' and 'High Energy' or at least thats what mine is done.

My friend used after hours. I have no idea if they paid for them to be 'High Energy' or that is just Phil. He was dancing all night with the crowd and at one point was on the floor dancing. They played great music and EVERYONE was dancing all night.

---

Right, taking out the lights and a second person to work as mc is why they have us the quote for $900. The point I tried to make is I have to do more research into them...someone who's on the floor with my friends and I is not what I'm looking for. I promise you it's not a question of getting EVERYONE to dance because they don't.

I want to hear Okkervil River, Decemberists, Tegan and Sarah, Feist, Modest Mouse, Tool, Edward Sharpe, Ratatat, Raconteurs, the faint, etc. 'Great music' is not necessarily our music.

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i hear ya with your song selection - if money is your concern, why not see if tehre is a local cover band that can play instead? if they're young and starting out, they might not charge much $$

I know them all, they are artists/bands my FH listens to.

And... I was just raving about After Hours. They do a good job, I am sure they can do what you want. Not everyone wants a top40 playlist for their wedding, which I don't necessarily consider 'great music.'

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Posted by leesah85

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Posted by teacherteacher

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Posted by pinkbunny

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Posted by teacherteacher


Our wedding is in the afternoon, has a garden-party kind of vibe, and will mostly have older relatives - a bunch of our friends are coming, but probably no more than 20 (max!) out of 110. we don't want or like light shows. i don't want to be introduced. i really don't want someone yelling into a mic all afternoon.

---

You wouldn't need lights bc you are in the afternoon especially in the Winter Garden room. I do believe that most DJ's offer a DJ/MC package where you don't have to get the MC. If you DO opt for an MC, they also have options for 'light MC' 'Party MC' and 'High Energy' or at least thats what mine is done.

My friend used after hours. I have no idea if they paid for them to be 'High Energy' or that is just Phil. He was dancing all night with the crowd and at one point was on the floor dancing. They played great music and EVERYONE was dancing all night.

---

Right, taking out the lights and a second person to work as mc is why they have us the quote for $900. The point I tried to make is I have to do more research into them...someone who's on the floor with my friends and I is not what I'm looking for. I promise you it's not a question of getting EVERYONE to dance because they don't.

I want to hear Okkervil River, Decemberists, Tegan and Sarah, Feist, Modest Mouse, Tool, Edward Sharpe, Ratatat, Raconteurs, the faint, etc. 'Great music' is not necessarily our music.

---

i hear ya with your song selection - if money is your concern, why not see if tehre is a local cover band that can play instead? if they're young and starting out, they might not charge much $$

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Money's not the concern. My heading is about choosing the DJ because he's cheap, not making our own playlists. I'm worried I'm only thinking of booking them because it seems like a great deal, instead of sticking with our initial plan. We're not paying for any part of the wedding so I'm free to choose.

I explained about my brother - I don't really know how else to say it lol, he doesn't enjoy or even really deal well with big parties. They make him very anxious and heighten some of his issues. Putting him in charge of our playlists actually made him really happy when he found out about our plans. Letting him do this would be the best way to make sure he has a great time.

I would be more inclined to say let the professionals take care of it. It's not just any party and how many parties do you have in your life? That's how I'm justifying it. Someone on here suggested DJ Gaza, and he's not super cheap but he does the whole day and I get the impression that he's the sort of guy that understands your taste in music. Also, Marc Baumann was recommended to me. I haven't met with anyone yet, but these seem like DJs to me who are not MCs that are in everyone's face, etc. I don't' want an MC either, but I really do think you need someone to do announcements. There will most likely be awkward moments when people don't know what's happening if there isn't someone to do that. I'm not super big into the entrance either, but I think without some sort of entrance, it can feel awkward.
It seems like a simple thing, but the music really makes or breaks the atmosphere. Also, four hours plus cocktail hour is a LOT of songs for you to pick by yourself. When I'm putting together concerts, recitals, etc, I'm always thrown off by the timing and it's either way more or less than I originally expected.

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Posted by teacherteacher

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Posted by leesah85

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Posted by teacherteacher

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Posted by pinkbunny

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Posted by teacherteacher


Our wedding is in the afternoon, has a garden-party kind of vibe, and will mostly have older relatives - a bunch of our friends are coming, but probably no more than 20 (max!) out of 110. we don't want or like light shows. i don't want to be introduced. i really don't want someone yelling into a mic all afternoon.

---

You wouldn't need lights bc you are in the afternoon especially in the Winter Garden room. I do believe that most DJ's offer a DJ/MC package where you don't have to get the MC. If you DO opt for an MC, they also have options for 'light MC' 'Party MC' and 'High Energy' or at least thats what mine is done.

My friend used after hours. I have no idea if they paid for them to be 'High Energy' or that is just Phil. He was dancing all night with the crowd and at one point was on the floor dancing. They played great music and EVERYONE was dancing all night.

---

Right, taking out the lights and a second person to work as mc is why they have us the quote for $900. The point I tried to make is I have to do more research into them...someone who's on the floor with my friends and I is not what I'm looking for. I promise you it's not a question of getting EVERYONE to dance because they don't.

I want to hear Okkervil River, Decemberists, Tegan and Sarah, Feist, Modest Mouse, Tool, Edward Sharpe, Ratatat, Raconteurs, the faint, etc. 'Great music' is not necessarily our music.

---

i hear ya with your song selection - if money is your concern, why not see if tehre is a local cover band that can play instead? if they're young and starting out, they might not charge much $$

---

Money's not the concern. My heading is about choosing the DJ because he's cheap, not making our own playlists. I'm worried I'm only thinking of booking them because it seems like a great deal, instead of sticking with our initial plan. We're not paying for any part of the wedding so I'm free to choose.

I explained about my brother - I don't really know how else to say it lol, he doesn't enjoy or even really deal well with big parties. They make him very anxious and heighten some of his issues. Putting him in charge of our playlists actually made him really happy when he found out about our plans. Letting him do this would be the best way to make sure he has a great time.

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I think we have the same brother
Though mine always picked on me growing up so I'm not being a nice sister and he can just be a guest lol I'm a music snob so I want to make sure the DJ is really good ... my only concern like I said above is about announcements but otherwise your brother can hit play and walk around if he wants. If you go with a DJ maybe there is something else he can do? Hope we helped!

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Posted by Shanti12

I would be more inclined to say let the professionals take care of it. It's not just any party and how many parties do you have in your life? That's how I'm justifying it. Someone on here suggested DJ Gaza, and he's not super cheap but he does the whole day and I get the impression that he's the sort of guy that understands your taste in music. Also, Marc Baumann was recommended to me. I haven't met with anyone yet, but these seem like DJs to me who are not MCs that are in everyone's face, etc. I don't' want an MC either, but I really do think you need someone to do announcements. There will most likely be awkward moments when people don't know what's happening if there isn't someone to do that. I'm not super big into the entrance either, but I think without some sort of entrance, it can feel awkward.
It seems like a simple thing, but the music really makes or breaks the atmosphere. Also, four hours plus cocktail hour is a LOT of songs for you to pick by yourself. When I'm putting together concerts, recitals, etc, I'm always thrown off by the timing and it's either way more or less than I originally expected.

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Thanks, Shanti!

I have looked into DJ Gaza. He's not too bad, I think he sent us quotes for $1500.

We do definitely want some kind of announcements made to steer everyone in the right direction, but we definitely won't have intros. We're going to be at our cocktail hour, not hiding or taking pictures, and we both decided against it because we don't want to deal with his side of the family commenting about how i'm not changing my last name.

Cocktail hour we wouldn't have to pick; Fox Hollow has a selection of stuff we can play through the restaurant speakers - which works well, because then we can get the easy listening and standards played then.

I have a lot to think about, but you've certainly helped. I think I need to step away from LIW and get back to our original vision - afraid I'm getting too caught up in things I never wanted because I'm reading about them!

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Posted by teacherteacher

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Posted by pinkbunny

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Posted by teacherteacher


Our wedding is in the afternoon, has a garden-party kind of vibe, and will mostly have older relatives - a bunch of our friends are coming, but probably no more than 20 (max!) out of 110. we don't want or like light shows. i don't want to be introduced. i really don't want someone yelling into a mic all afternoon.

---

You wouldn't need lights bc you are in the afternoon especially in the Winter Garden room. I do believe that most DJ's offer a DJ/MC package where you don't have to get the MC. If you DO opt for an MC, they also have options for 'light MC' 'Party MC' and 'High Energy' or at least thats what mine is done.

My friend used after hours. I have no idea if they paid for them to be 'High Energy' or that is just Phil. He was dancing all night with the crowd and at one point was on the floor dancing. They played great music and EVERYONE was dancing all night.

---

Right, taking out the lights and a second person to work as mc is why they have us the quote for $900. The point I tried to make is I have to do more research into them...someone who's on the floor with my friends and I is not what I'm looking for. I promise you it's not a question of getting EVERYONE to dance because they don't.

I want to hear Okkervil River, Decemberists, Tegan and Sarah, Feist, Modest Mouse, Tool, Edward Sharpe, Ratatat, Raconteurs, the faint, etc. 'Great music' is not necessarily our music.

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It sounds like you have already made your decision so as long as your brother is OK with it, and making sure you go over everything you want beforehand so you aren't stuck without any music on your wedding day, go for it.

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Posted by teacherteacher


I have looked into DJ Gaza. He's not too bad, I think he sent us quotes for $1500.

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Whoa. He quoted us 2k. I think we'll have to have another talk with him! I know we're out east but an extra $500 for going out east??? Gas isn't that much! fishy... something stinks!!

REEEALLLY THANKS for this!!

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Posted by PSP

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Posted by teacherteacher


I have looked into DJ Gaza. He's not too bad, I think he sent us quotes for $1500.

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Whoa. He quoted us 2k. I think we'll have to have another talk with him! I know we're out east but an extra $500 for going out east??? Gas isn't that much! fishy... something stinks!!

REEEALLLY THANKS for this!!

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I got quoted 2K too! And I'll be right in Westbury! Maybe the time/date has something to do with it? I have a very late time. He would also do the ceremony through reception so that's a lot of time.