The iPod Wedding?

Every now and then, I enjoy flipping through bridal magazines to see their latest scoops on DJ services. Recently, one in particular caught my eye: the November-December 2005 issue of Brides. The front cover read, “DJ, Band, or iPod – What’s the Best for Your Wedding?”

No one would disagree that a wedding is an incredibly sacred and important event, and should be treated as such. Thus, my curiosity was piqued as I read this particular headline. I immediately opened the magazine – I had to get the latest buzz, that is, how to replace a DJ with an iPod. As I began perusing the article, I grew progressively more bewildered at Brides’ claims. I understand that iPods can hold a large number of songs and can be used as a jukebox, but really, is a jukebox appropriate for a wedding? I will admit, I have on occasion used a guest’s iPod at a wedding to play a certain song they wanted played. Even so, I was still acting as the event’s MC, and I was directing the course of the evening through my music selection and crowd interaction.

Still, a couple on an extremely tight budget – and I do mean extremely – could understandably attempt to find a way to circumvent the necessity of a professional DJ service in the interest of cutting costs. That is the topic on which this article attempted to focus. The advice of the article went above and beyond the iPod. The article outlined how to be the “DIY” DJ. It described everything from obtaining iTunes, to renting speakers, to bringing a back-up system (a boombox) in case the primary setup failed.

But after adding up all the expenses of this do-it-yourself method, it does not seem to be anymore cost effective than hiring a professional DJ. In fact, it appears only to add more stress to the already overburdened couple planning their upcoming wedding. This becomes clear when the cost is broken down. For starters, if a couple does not already own an iPod, one must be purchased, approximately $250 for a suitable model. Now that our hypothetical couple has an iPod, they will need some songs to put on it. At about a dollar a song, this will easily run $100 on even the most conservative playlist. Lastly, our couple needs to have a PA system on which to use their new iPod. After taking into account speakers, amplifiers, and a converter for the iPod, the rental cost on such equipment will come with a $200 price tag. Now that our couple has their equipment, they will need an MC – because last time I checked, the bride is usually a little too preoccupied to introduce her own first dance. The article recommends keeping costs down by asking a good friend to perform this “honor,” but even after assuming the MC will be free, our couple’s total cost on music/entertainment comes to about $550.

Even without taking into account the intangibles such as time investment and lost sleep, the cost of a professional DJ is not substantially higher than the cost of the DIY method. The average DJ service will entertain a wedding for $600-$1,000, and remember, the DJ service also provides their own equipment, often provides extras like lights for little or no charge, and lest we forget, the DJ service will provide a DJ – a built-in professional MC and expert entertainer, with all the necessary tools, bundled into a warm, fuzzy package for the wedding’s enjoyment. Given that the savings provided by the iPod-entertained wedding are not there, a couple clearly should not risk their wedding day on such a ludicrous – albeit well-intentioned – idea from the minds behind Brides.

By Marc Summersett, CE Entertainment & Clint Walls, C & D DJ’s

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