Hi! So I had my DJ back out kind of last minute for our wedding (who had gifted his services - a family member) and we are not really able to add the money for a DJ into our budget. My fiance has audio/video background but never really worked with DJ software/programs. Since we do have some comfort level with technology, and equipment for the speakers/sound board, we were actually thinking of doing our own music - but we do not want it to be a rough transition from song to song, which is exactly what it would be if we used a playlist from itunes, or whatever.
My question is, what would be a good software or program (that won't break the bank) that would be good for adding songs and setting a playlist before hand, hitting play (having someone watch it but not necessarily sit with the computer) and have the transitions be smooth between songs? I have been googling information but it's an overload and I don't want to purchase something and it not be what we want or need... Also, if you can suggest any music database websites where we could pay for a subscription of some kind! Thanks in advanced for any advice you could give!
My question is, what would be a good software or program (that won't break the bank) that would be good for adding songs and setting a playlist before hand, hitting play (having someone watch it but not necessarily sit with the computer) and have the transitions be smooth between songs? I have been googling information but it's an overload and I don't want to purchase something and it not be what we want or need... Also, if you can suggest any music database websites where we could pay for a subscription of some kind! Thanks in advanced for any advice you could give!
Posted Sun 17 Jan 16 @ 12:25 am
blckjck
Virtual DJ is able to fulfill the requirements you are giving. However, there are many more things the DJ will do besides just playing music.
Have you thought about a PA system?
Microphones for speeches?
Introductions and announcements?
Starting the music at the right time for special dances as well as getting the right people in place?
There is a whole lot more I can keep going on. What it comes down to is, you may think your saving money by purchasing software and renting sound equipment. Do you have the time to go through the computer and make sure it will run without any issues. Do you have the time to sign up for a music service, download music, and set up playlists that will cater to all of your guests at one point or another?
Do you want to be worrying about all of this on your wedding day?
EDIT: I realized you had mentioned you have speakers and a mixer. Is this a professional PA system that can handle the size crowd you will have, or is it a home stereo system?
Have you thought about a PA system?
Microphones for speeches?
Introductions and announcements?
Starting the music at the right time for special dances as well as getting the right people in place?
There is a whole lot more I can keep going on. What it comes down to is, you may think your saving money by purchasing software and renting sound equipment. Do you have the time to go through the computer and make sure it will run without any issues. Do you have the time to sign up for a music service, download music, and set up playlists that will cater to all of your guests at one point or another?
Do you want to be worrying about all of this on your wedding day?
EDIT: I realized you had mentioned you have speakers and a mixer. Is this a professional PA system that can handle the size crowd you will have, or is it a home stereo system?
Posted Sun 17 Jan 16 @ 8:44 am
DJECoast
I'm curious why anyone would get married if you don't even have $500 for a DJ? Do it right or don't do it. Is there even a ring? Where are you living, with parents? Do you both even have jobs?
And the nerve to ask on a DJ forum the best way to perform a budget wedding just shows your level of class. Wedding DJ's spend tens of thousands on equipment and you want it for nothing.
We get your point, without the extra verbal beating AMAHM
And the nerve to ask on a DJ forum the best way to perform a budget wedding just shows your level of class. Wedding DJ's spend tens of thousands on equipment and you want it for nothing.
We get your point, without the extra verbal beating AMAHM
Posted Sun 17 Jan 16 @ 3:31 pm
DHoude
DJECoast, Little harsh dude. When have you seen a DJ do a wedding for $500. In my area (East coast) it is $900-$1500
I think what blckjck said is really the right approach. To just rent all the gear, hook it up and get the basics is a small part of the puzzle. Transitioning of songs is also relatively unimportant to the overall event. Out of a 5 hr event, the dancing portion is only about 20 songs tops! (usually less than 2 hours)
Your announcements are key to you audience feeling included in your day. Who will do that when it is you to be introduced? Then you announce your dance and play a song and then run to the floor to participate?
What happens if your guests are not dancing, how would you fix that? Song transitions won't fix or mask the fact of bad song selection. These are things that a professional comes equipped for that you may not have considered.
Who will pick up all the gear and set it up? Tear it down and bring it back? Generally you are going through the ceremony when this happens. Then enjoying your wedding night, one would hope..
In the digital age, everybody thinks we just press play and it does everything for us. Here is where I get serious. This is not iTunes or you iPod... This is software that is used for live performance, it does not do everything for us. I sometimes do provide friends with music for parties. Every time I throw on one of my "universal playlists" people always make comments when a off selection for that crowd comes on. I always reply with "you didn't want me to dj..." People even expect that my equipment does my job! Electronics don't see the emotion of your guests, age or any other factor that we use to judge what to play next.
What my misguided colleague said is true. I do have a ton invested, but the hardware equipment itself is cheap (less than 10% of the total). The music, talent and experience ruining an event (that is not an over statement, WE run the event). I hire a dedicated MC because that is so important! The tech part that you are "comfortable" with is really very small.
Even it you pull off all that seamlessly, I don't think your special day will be all that much fun for you both.
I think what blckjck said is really the right approach. To just rent all the gear, hook it up and get the basics is a small part of the puzzle. Transitioning of songs is also relatively unimportant to the overall event. Out of a 5 hr event, the dancing portion is only about 20 songs tops! (usually less than 2 hours)
Your announcements are key to you audience feeling included in your day. Who will do that when it is you to be introduced? Then you announce your dance and play a song and then run to the floor to participate?
What happens if your guests are not dancing, how would you fix that? Song transitions won't fix or mask the fact of bad song selection. These are things that a professional comes equipped for that you may not have considered.
Who will pick up all the gear and set it up? Tear it down and bring it back? Generally you are going through the ceremony when this happens. Then enjoying your wedding night, one would hope..
In the digital age, everybody thinks we just press play and it does everything for us. Here is where I get serious. This is not iTunes or you iPod... This is software that is used for live performance, it does not do everything for us. I sometimes do provide friends with music for parties. Every time I throw on one of my "universal playlists" people always make comments when a off selection for that crowd comes on. I always reply with "you didn't want me to dj..." People even expect that my equipment does my job! Electronics don't see the emotion of your guests, age or any other factor that we use to judge what to play next.
What my misguided colleague said is true. I do have a ton invested, but the hardware equipment itself is cheap (less than 10% of the total). The music, talent and experience ruining an event (that is not an over statement, WE run the event). I hire a dedicated MC because that is so important! The tech part that you are "comfortable" with is really very small.
Even it you pull off all that seamlessly, I don't think your special day will be all that much fun for you both.
Posted Sun 17 Jan 16 @ 4:14 pm
DJECoast
You don't get married and attempt to have a wedding with no money.
I've seen Craigslist posts for $200 wedding DJ's because everyone is broke. If you are broke then you have no business getting married, period.
The hardware is cheap? I beg to differ, a mediocre set up is $5,000 before the cost of music.
Furthermore, these forums are for DJ's, not clients and I dont recall VDJ selling a DIY wedding kit.
I've seen Craigslist posts for $200 wedding DJ's because everyone is broke. If you are broke then you have no business getting married, period.
The hardware is cheap? I beg to differ, a mediocre set up is $5,000 before the cost of music.
Furthermore, these forums are for DJ's, not clients and I dont recall VDJ selling a DIY wedding kit.
Posted Sun 17 Jan 16 @ 6:19 pm
wickedmix
@DJECoast
careful what ideas your offer the software Devs before you know it we will all be out of work ..... sry i couldn't resist that
Not everyone can afford the gold package wedding give these folks a break.
it wont cut into your business not even a little bit they can't afford a dj so what does it really matter if they get some sound advice from professionals and if you read carefully you will see they are being directed in the right direction......
anyways good luck with the wedding these guys have given some great advice I think :-)
careful what ideas your offer the software Devs before you know it we will all be out of work ..... sry i couldn't resist that
Not everyone can afford the gold package wedding give these folks a break.
it wont cut into your business not even a little bit they can't afford a dj so what does it really matter if they get some sound advice from professionals and if you read carefully you will see they are being directed in the right direction......
anyways good luck with the wedding these guys have given some great advice I think :-)
Posted Sun 17 Jan 16 @ 7:25 pm
A Man and His Music
When your furnace needs to be repaired or replaced, do you hire a professional? Even if you don't have the money, you get the money or you freeze. Hired a professional DJ, and have a great day, which it will be when you don't have the extra stress of worrying about the music at the reception.
Posted Sun 17 Jan 16 @ 8:27 pm
blckjck
DJECoast wrote :
You don't get married and attempt to have a wedding with no money.
I've seen Craigslist posts for $200 wedding DJ's because everyone is broke. If you are broke then you have no business getting married, period.
I've seen Craigslist posts for $200 wedding DJ's because everyone is broke. If you are broke then you have no business getting married, period.
Ouch, that seems pretty harsh.
People have been getting married for hundreds of years without money. Why does someone's happiness have to be about the money? I would much rather help someone achieve happiness, even if I'm not making money from it.
My wedding averages are not as low as $500. However, I've gotten quite a few referrals from couples that couldn't afford me but appreciated my advice. Gaining 3 wedding gigs because I was honest, freindly, open, and truly wanted to help them.
Please understand that, as I was suggesting in my first post, I believe they will have a much better event with a professional DJ. But, I would much rather give them information then shut them out.
Posted Sun 17 Jan 16 @ 8:28 pm
DJECoast
I don't see anyone stepping up to DJ this wedding pro bono. Over 500 views, surely theres a mobile DJ who's willing to work for free. Its not like its hard work, you just stand there and push a button.
Posted Mon 18 Jan 16 @ 1:01 am
the SOUND INSURGENT
He's probably been hit up multiple times but after reading this thread do you really think anybody is gonna admit to doing it, lmmfao!!
Posted Mon 18 Jan 16 @ 1:11 am
Warakurna
As I never did/do weddings, a couple I know from my daily work asked me advice about a wedding dj. I didn't know who I could recommend, but I told them not to save on the dj, take a good one, because he makes the party, you only marry once.
Turns out it was the second marriage for both of them ;-)
Turns out it was the second marriage for both of them ;-)
Posted Mon 18 Jan 16 @ 12:40 pm
DJingMinds
DJCoast said
"I don't see anyone stepping up to DJ this wedding pro bono. Over 500 views, surely theres a mobile DJ who's willing to work for free. Its not like its hard work, you just stand there and push a button. "
Well you seem to be very skilled for this wedding case.
maybe you should offer your services, its easy ! just stand there and push a button.
Im just trying to be as rude as you. :)
"I don't see anyone stepping up to DJ this wedding pro bono. Over 500 views, surely theres a mobile DJ who's willing to work for free. Its not like its hard work, you just stand there and push a button. "
Well you seem to be very skilled for this wedding case.
maybe you should offer your services, its easy ! just stand there and push a button.
Im just trying to be as rude as you. :)
Posted Mon 18 Jan 16 @ 1:00 pm
VDJ Ron
One of my cousins is a quite well off medical practitioner, and he got married recently.
I don't really get on with that side of our family, my sister does, and she went to the wedding.
They chose an exclusive venue, but for the music they used some sort of machine which they could program.
I then thought about AMAHM's comment about all of us being made redundant in 20 year.
It's really just simply about what people want, it's up to them.
There are no rule books.
We are entertainers, if we fail in this task then we don't deserve to work.
Do whatever it takes to succeed.
Just mixing two tracks is often no longer good enough, maybe it never has been.
I don't really get on with that side of our family, my sister does, and she went to the wedding.
They chose an exclusive venue, but for the music they used some sort of machine which they could program.
I then thought about AMAHM's comment about all of us being made redundant in 20 year.
It's really just simply about what people want, it's up to them.
There are no rule books.
We are entertainers, if we fail in this task then we don't deserve to work.
Do whatever it takes to succeed.
Just mixing two tracks is often no longer good enough, maybe it never has been.
Posted Mon 18 Jan 16 @ 4:44 pm