Djing Your Own Wedding: A Good Idea?

There are many reasons why couples may choose to DJ their own wedding. For example, it can save a lot of money, gives you ultimate control over your playlists, and allows you to control the mood and vibe of the event. However, there are also some potential downsides to consider, such as having to work at your own wedding, dealing with poor sound quality or lack of amplification, and not having a professional to handle technical difficulties.

If you're thinking about DJing your own wedding, it's important to keep in mind that you'll need more than just a phone and a speaker. You'll also want to make sure you have a reliable setup, equipment, and audio amplification. This may include items such as a digital music player, a good speaker system, cables, a mixer, and a microphone. It's also a good idea to have a backup plan in case of any technical difficulties.

Overall, DJing your own wedding can be a great way to save money and curate the perfect soundtrack for your special day. With careful planning and the right equipment, you can create an unforgettable experience for you and your guests.

Advantages and disadvantages of DJing your own wedding

Advantages

• Save money: Hiring a professional DJ can be expensive, so doing it yourself can be a good way to cut costs.
• Total control: You have complete control over the music played at your wedding, from the ceremony to the cocktail hour to the dance floor. This means you can avoid the "cheesy DJ antics" and cringy DJ comments that some people associate with hired DJs.
• Customisation: You can create a unique playlist that reflects your and your partner's musical tastes, including songs that are special to you as a couple.
• Equipment access: Music-streaming services and affordable speakers are now widely available, making it easier than ever to DIY your wedding music.
• No awkwardness: You can avoid any potential awkwardness that may come with having a stranger (the DJ) at your wedding.
• No limitations: You are not limited to a particular genre of music, and you can include songs that might not be in a professional DJ's repertoire.

Disadvantages

• Time and effort: DIY-ing your wedding music takes a lot of time and effort, from creating the playlists to setting up and testing the equipment.
• Technical issues: If you DJ your own wedding, you are responsible for dealing with any technical issues that may arise.
• No host: You will need to assign someone to act as the host or emcee for the evening, making announcements and ensuring the event flows smoothly. This person will need to be reliable and tech-savvy.
• Sound quality: You may encounter issues with sound quality or lack of amplification, especially if you are unfamiliar with the equipment.
• Limited volume: Bluetooth speakers might not be loud enough for a large wedding, and you may need to rent amplification equipment.
• Distraction: You or your assigned DJ might feel like you have to "work" at your own wedding, taking away from your enjoyment of the day.
• Guest interference: Guests may want to interfere with the playlist or offer feedback, and you will need to guard the playing device from rogue guest DJs.
• Lack of experience: A professional DJ knows how to read the flow of the party and choose appropriate songs to get people on the dance floor, whereas you might accidentally clear the dance floor with the wrong song choices.
• Equipment cost: If your venue doesn't have the necessary equipment, you may need to rent or buy it, which can be expensive.
• Stress: The pressure of wanting everything to be perfect on your wedding day might add to your stress levels.

Ultimately, the decision to DJ your own wedding depends on your budget, the size and style of your wedding, and how important music is to you and your partner. While DIY-ing your wedding music can be a great way to save money and personalise your celebration, it also requires a significant amount of time and effort.

Choosing and preparing your equipment

• Decide on your setup: Choose between a DJ controller setup or a turntable and mixer setup. A DJ controller is used for DJing with a laptop and digital music, while a turntable and mixer are needed for DJing with vinyl records.
• Laptop and software: If you opt for a DJ controller setup, you'll need a laptop with DJ software. Popular software options include Serato DJ Pro, Rekordbox, and Native Instruments Traktor Pro 4.
• DJ controller: If you go with a DJ controller, look for one with features like two decks, a mixer, performance pads, mic inputs, and built-in effects. Some controllers also come with DJ software included.
• Turntables and mixer: If you choose the turntable and mixer setup, you'll need two turntables and a mixer. Turntables come in various shapes and sizes, offering different features. Look for features like short audio routing, USB connectivity, and a detachable dust cover.
• Speakers: Invest in a good speaker system to ensure your music can be heard by all your guests. Consider renting professional-quality speakers, or purchasing a set of 12-15" speakers with stands and a subwoofer.
• Cables and mixer: You'll need a cable to connect your music player to the mixer (usually a mini-stereo to male dual RCA cable). A mixing console will allow you to adjust volumes and equalization.
• Microphone: Include a microphone, either wireless or with a long cable, for announcements and speeches.
• Headphones: A good pair of DJ headphones are essential for monitoring and cueing your music. Look for headphones with accurate low-end reproduction, rotating ear cups, and good noise isolation.
• Power sources: Ensure you have access to power outlets or extension cords to power your equipment.
• Backup plan: Always have a backup plan in case of equipment failure. Consider having a local professional's number on hand or writing down nearby electronic stores for emergency purchases.

Creating your playlists

• Start by deciding on the mood and vibe you want to set for each part of your wedding, such as the ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner, and dancing.
• Make separate playlists for each part of the day. This will make it easier for your DIY DJ or music captain to play the right songs at the right times.
• Include a mix of songs that are meaningful to you as a couple, songs that you love to dance to, and songs that will please your crowd.
• Consider the flow of your playlists. Arrange the songs in a way that creates a smooth transition between tracks and builds energy at the right moments.
• Edit and fine-tune your playlists. Listen to them carefully and make revisions as needed. Cut down songs to 2-4 minutes and use crossfade functionality to eliminate long transitions.
• Pad your playlists by 1-2 hours to avoid running out of music.
• Back up your playlists by downloading them to your device and creating multiple copies. This will ensure that you're not relying on a wifi connection or streaming services on your big day.
• Test your playlists on your equipment at the venue to check for any audio issues or poor sound quality.

Pre-Ceremony:

Play upbeat, light, and ambient music as guests arrive and find their seats.

Ceremony:

Choose songs without lyrics or potential processional songs. For example, cello solos or instrumental versions of popular love songs.

Cocktails:

Play ambient music that creates a relaxed and upbeat atmosphere. Genres like jazz, bluegrass, classical, standards, and folk work well.

Reception Introductions:

Fun and energetic music to escort you and your wedding party as you're introduced.

Dinner:

Focus on pleasant background music that's easy to talk over. Start building towards more upbeat, danceable tunes towards the end to get guests excited for the dance floor.

Special Dances:

Include specially chosen songs for the first dance, father/daughter dance, and mother/son dance. Clearly label and order each song according to the event timeline.

Dance Party:

Play a variety of songs that will please all of your wedding guests, from young to old. Include classic dance songs, slow-dance ballads, funk or Motown tunes, and contemporary pop hits.

After-Party:

Keep the party going with deep, dancing cuts. You can skew the playlist towards a younger crowd as most older guests will likely have left by this point.

Assigning a music captain

• Choose someone responsible and ideally both musically and technologically savvy. They should be familiar with sound equipment and comfortable troubleshooting any potential issues.
• The music captain will be responsible for ensuring that the sound equipment is set up and ready to go. They should also be prepared to relocate the equipment if needed throughout the event.
• They will be in charge of queueing up the various playlists, hitting play, stop, and skip as necessary to keep the event flowing.
• The music captain can also act as a guard for the playing device, preventing rogue guest DJs from taking over the music.
• Consider having the music captain act as the emcee for the night. This involves making announcements and introducing special dances, moments, or speeches. They should have a copy of the event timeline and be familiar with it ahead of time.
• If your music captain doesn't feel comfortable taking on the emcee role, you can assign two people to these roles. They will work together to ensure the music and announcements run smoothly.
• It's a good idea to choose someone who is tech-savvy and can handle any potential issues with the sound equipment. They should also be comfortable with public speaking if they will be making announcements.
• Communicate your expectations clearly with the music captain and provide them with a detailed timeline of the event. This will help them understand their responsibilities and ensure that they are prepared for their role.
• The music captain should be someone who is reliable and able to commit to being present throughout the event.
• Consider having a backup music captain in case of any last-minute changes or emergencies.

Testing and finalising your setup

Testing Your Setup

Before the big day, it's important to test your equipment and do a trial run of your playlists. This will help you identify any issues and make necessary adjustments. Test your setup at the venue to ensure the sound quality, volume, and overall setup are optimal. Pay attention to the following:

• Audio feedback
• Poor sound quality
• Overall volume
• Any technical difficulties

If you're having an outdoor wedding, test your setup in both the outdoor location and an indoor rain-plan location. This will ensure that you're prepared for any last-minute changes due to weather conditions.

Finalising Your Setup

Once you've tested your setup and made the necessary adjustments, there are a few final steps to complete your setup:

• Ensure you have all the required equipment, including power sources, audio devices, amplification equipment, cables, mixers, and microphones.
• Create a backup plan in case of any technical difficulties. This could include having backup batteries, extra cables, or a list of nearby stores to purchase any missing items.
• Do a final sound check on the day of the wedding, before the guests arrive. This will ensure that everything is functioning properly and allow you to make any last-minute adjustments.
• Assign a "music captain" or emcee to manage the sound equipment and playlists during the wedding. This person should be tech-savvy and able to troubleshoot any issues that may arise.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your DIY wedding music setup is well-tested and finalised, creating a seamless and enjoyable experience for you and your guests.

Frequently asked questions