Save money on your wedding music ....

Eliminating the DJ and having an "iPod wedding reception" CAN save money, BUT it takes more than just cuing up a playlist to pull it off successfully. Here are a few tips to help you.

We are asked all the time, how couples can save money on their wedding and where they can SAFELY cut costs?

One way to save money on a wedding reception is do-it-yourself music using a laptop, iPod or mp3 player. This can save about $600-$900 on the wedding budget, and also guarantees that the music played is a true representation of the couple and their musical tastes.

“Music is the universal language of mankind”

However, eliminating the band or DJ and simply cuing up a playlist does not guarantee things will go smoothly. After considering if an iPod Wedding Reception will work for you, follow these steps to it pull off InStyle.

Selecting the Wedding Reception Music

Prepare enough music to fill the entire time of the reception, downloading songs for the different parts of the reception, like cocktail and dinner hours, and slow and fast dancing. Also make sure to download special songs for the spotlight dances.

Keep in mind that music played throughout the evening should appeal to most of the guests. Pick songs for the wedding reception from a variety of decades and genres, from slow to fast songs. It’s better to have too much than too little music prepared.

Setting up Playlists

Once downloaded, arrange the music into playlists, and listen to make sure they flow well. In iTunes, go to “Preferences,” select “Playback” and adjust “Crossfade” to make sure one song will seamlessly fade into the next. - This step is CRUCIAL otherwise all the levels will be off and some songs will be louder than others...Basically as the song ends the volume lowers, it's just a way to make things sound better and the transition to the next song smoother.


Suggested Songs for a Wedding Reception Playlist

Depending on what is planned, playlists for the following are needed:

• Cocktail hour

• Introduction of the wedding party

•Dinner hour

•First dance, bride & father, groom & mother

•Dance music that appeals to everyone – more slow songs, oldies &

classics

•Upbeat dance music for later in the evening 

•The last song

Introductions and Announcements

Ask a friend or family member in advance to fill the role of the “emcee.” Make sure this is someone who can be trusted. Depending on the formality and size of the wedding reception, this person’s duties would include any or all of the following:

• Introducing the wedding party and anyone giving a toast

• Announcing when it is time for dinner

• Announcing first dances

•Announcing the last song so guests are not caught off guard when the lights go up.

Be sure to give the emcee a script for the introductions, listing in order of introduction each person's role in the wedding, name and relations to the couple of each person.

In advance of the wedding day, create a timeline for the reception, and share this with the emcee, the wedding party and anyone giving a toast. During the reception, let these guests know at least a few minutes in advance when they need to line up for introductions, make their toast, gather for the wedding party dance, etc.

During the Reception

Select someone in advance to help keep an eye on the dance floor and rearrange songs if necessary to keep guests dancing. Having a designated person to do this should discourage other guests from tampering with the music.

Preparing for DIY wedding reception music can take a lot of time, effort and careful planning. However, if pulled off successfully, it can not only save some money but also create many memories for the bride, groom and their guests.

Don't forget the basket of flip flops to keep your guests comfortable AND dancing. 

See an earlier blog for some cute ideas on pulling this off InStyle

Happy Dancing!

Wedding Music

The soundtrack for your wedding is a big deal. It sets the mood (classical speaks to elegance and grace, while punk rock screams spunky and different), and can either make or break a party. Whether you’re hiring a six-piece string ensemble, a DJ, a rock band or are planning to load up an iPod with your fave MP3s, follow this handy checklist to make sure you have music in place for all the key moments.

Ceremony Music

Processional

Choose up to four songs or arrangements for your processional to play up to 45 minutes: seating of the parents and grandparents, entrance of the wedding party, and for the brides or grooms monumental walk down the aisle. 

Interlude

If you’re integrating ring warming, or unity candle lighting into your ceremony, you may want separate music to play during this silent moment.

Recessional

You’ve shared your first kiss as a married couple and turn to face the crowd. Your officiant announces you, and joyful, upbeat music commences for you to walk down the aisle.

Reception Music

Cocktail Hour

While you’re taking your family or couple photos, the rest of your guests are feeding their stomachs with passed hors d’oeuvres and partaking in your signature cocktail. This time traditionally lasts 45 minutes to an hour, so you’ll need to choose some tunes to get the party started, but not too crazy yet (after all, you two aren’t there, and the party doesn’t really get underway until you return and dinner’s finished).

Introductions

Your DJ or band will introduce you as you want to be known now that you’re married (if either or both of you have changed your names). Then they can introduce the rest of your wedding party. We like the idea of adding short bits of songs to surprise each person, like Fergie’s “Glamorous” for a diva maid of honor or the Pussycat Doll’s “When I grow up” for your flower girls.

First Dance

Your first dance as a married couple is likely one of the most fun songs to choose, as it says so much about you as a couple. It could be the song that you’ve identified as “our song” since the beginning of your relationship, your grandparent’s first dance song or something new you discover while you’re planning your wedding. There’s nothing wrong or right with this decision, but two things to think about: 1) It’s fun to have an original idea that not everyone else uses for their first dance song. 2) If you choose something at least slightly well known and not totally obscure, you can request it from bands and DJs for the rest of your lives on special occasions.

Dinner Music

If you are hosting your guests to dinner, come up with a genre that your band or DJ can select music from, like jazz or old-school country, that will play in the background while everyone dines, mingles and makes their toasts.

Cake-Cutting

Let them eat cake! There’s a host of songs themed to sugar and sweets for your cake-cutting. We like “Sugar, sugar” by the Archies.

Bouquet Toss

Tossing the bouquet music. This time-honored tradition works when there’s an actual bouquet involved—or two. As of late, Beyoncé’s “All the single ladies” song and Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls just want to have fun” have been making the rounds at weddings across the country.

Dance the Night Away

If you’re having a dancing portion of the evening (and we highly recommend you don’t miss out on this delight), you’ll need to make two lists for your DJ or band: “must play” and “We will be so upset if you play this.” Make sure you include all your songs that you identify with as a couple, but also think about songs for your parents or grandparents to enjoy (think about surprising them with their first-dance songs from their weddings), music you can dance to with your friends and songs that everyone of all ages can get out on the dance floor and get down to.

The Last Dance

The last song that wraps up the evening. In a blink of an eye, all that planning you worked on for months has come to the send-off (if you haven’t left earlier), and it’s time to go out with a bang. Make sure it’s a good one!