I tried to search and really couldn't find anything similar, so I thought Id start a new thread.

I'm getting married in a couple months, and it doesn't look like were getting a DJ or anything. It kind of works out anyway because the reception location encourages people walk around and explore anyway rather than staying in one room/area. I think we're just going to have some background music playing the whole time, somethign to create a good atmosphere, but not really try to get people dancing and stuff like wedding DJ's sometimes do. I'd really like to play some older stuff too that will get my parents generation and grandparents generation smiling and enjoying the atmosphere. Considering the event, wedding or marriage themed songs might have their place, but I'm really hoping to just have memorable stuff from past decades too.

Anyway, I figured that some of you guys have done this or might have some suggestions about what to play. I figured you guys could think of some really good stuff, or think of songs you've heard at receptions that seemed to really create a good atmosphere. Any suggestions?

2/21/2008 2:53:55 PM

what type of venue is the wedding at? a museum?

2/21/2008 3:54:16 PM

we're doing the same thing for our wedding in July, but mostly because my fiancee and i both refuse to dance under any circumstances. we're just gonna load up an mp3 player with like 6 hours of music and put it on shuffle.

she said something like 20% 80s music, 20% 90s music, and 60% somewhat current music.

since it is mainly just background music, i don't really need the music to be incredibly memorable and/or stand out. so long as it's not too loud and not depressing or something, it's fine with me.

2/21/2008 4:02:34 PM

its at the aquarium

i feel like a lot of people are going to walk around and not necessarily be in the big room, which is cool, I just think it would be nice to bring some diversity in the music

2/21/2008 4:02:35 PM

typed this up before i read it was at the aquarium - that might be an exception because there is stuff to walk around and look at and everyone won't be in the same room/space

i've only been to one wedding that didn't have a band/dj and it was the most boring wedding i've been to

i'd expect people under 30 to leave pretty soon after the events (cake cutting/toast-speech/garter toss/etc) unless the alcohol is flowing very well

2/21/2008 4:13:21 PM

we've already talked about this ourselves. we were going to pay a couple softer/acoustic acts that we like to play some covers and some originals (chris kincaid from one amazin' kid is one) and then the rest was going to be an Ipod on random since, for us personally, our music collection is much more enjoyable and diverse than any random DJs would be.

[Edited on February 21, 2008 at 4:27 PM. Reason : ]

2/21/2008 4:25:27 PM

No super loud music at the aquarium. We looked into having prom there one year and got shot down. The music scares the fish. I went to a dinner there once and it was AWESOME.

I like the idea of acoustic covers.

2/21/2008 5:19:59 PM

Oh cool. where is this aquarium?

2/21/2008 5:25:52 PM

I'm guessing Fort Fisher, but he might not be local...

2/21/2008 6:50:41 PM

Can they play music over the loud speaker?

2/21/2008 7:52:04 PM

Quote :

"i'd expect people under 30 to leave pretty soon after the events (cake cutting/toast-speech/garter toss/etc) unless the alcohol is flowing very well"

our wedding is probably only going to have like 20 people who are 21-30... but there will be a hefty amount of drinking.

i was toying with the idea of bringing in a big projector+screen and my Wii. seems pretty dorky, but i think people would dig it. we're already going to have a big photo booth thing.

2/21/2008 8:14:48 PM

I would play some Chet Baker/Frank Sinatra type of stuff.

Quote :

"we're doing the same thing for our wedding in July, but mostly because my fiancee and i both refuse to dance under any circumstances. we're just gonna load up an mp3 player with like 6 hours of music and put it on shuffle."

We are doing something similar but not because we don't want to dance, but because I don't trust any DJ to not play cheesy music! Why not hear EXACTLY what you want to hear, right?

2/21/2008 9:01:09 PM

get me to be your DJ

great price, great service, you wont have to worry with the music and I will play whatever it is you request, whatever style

no stupid stuff

its the easiest and satisfactory way to go

2/21/2008 9:07:20 PM

sorry about the delayed response, but its actually at the NC Aquarium in Manteo at the Outer Banks.
We really like that area a lot and have some good memories from there, so we wanted to have it there.

I kindof understand what youre saying about wanting it to be out music, no cheesy stuff. To be honest, I dont think a lot of people will be dancing and really having a "good time". I think it will be more the environment where people eat, talk, walk around and look at the aquarium, get a chance to see each other. A lot of the people there will have not seen each other in a long time, so I think they'll be getting to spend that time together (various friends/family), if that makes any sense. The people coming just don't seem like dancing celebratory people and the location itself doesnt really encourage it (by design, not vocally). Besides, we only have the aquarium for a couple hours after the wedding (and thats about all I want). I'm considering having a post-reception party kind of thing for my friends on the beach where we build a bonfire and take a keg and some music and hang out on the beach for a few hours. Omar, this leads into what you're saying. Some people will be leaving anyway, simply because they have to drive home. However, some of our younger friends will possibly leave after a little while to get ready for the thing afterwards that actually involves drinking and having a good time.

Meat, they do have a satellite speaker system throughout the aquarium which I had considered, but I know we would much rather have our own music. Also, the control station for the speakers is remote, so it would be really difficult if we wanted to set up special music for first dance, cake cutting, etc.

Empty, we had toyed with the idea of setting Guitar Hero/Rock band up somewhere too, like in one corner or something, but then we decided that really wouldn't be the time or place. They did have a big theater though, like with a massive projection screen for showing movies... and I've always wanted to play Rock Band on a movie screen.

And finally, JT3, I can't promise we'de use you, but considering the location and knowing its in June on a Sat, shoot me a PM with a price you'd be looking for and if you have equipment and stuff. I can run it by my fiance and see what her opinion is.

2/22/2008 12:00:30 AM

I've worked a lot of weddings and I think dj'd ones are the best

2/22/2008 12:29:19 AM

You really should contact Musicians Booking Agency in Raleigh--off Avent Ferry Road. They can hook you up with whatever you need from a DJ to strings to a Celtic band--and the prices are quite reasonable.

http://www.musiciansbooking.com/

2/22/2008 1:52:37 AM

Lord of the rings. that's the only wedding music i've remembered.

otherwise, no one gives a fuck

[Edited on February 22, 2008 at 1:56 AM. Reason : .]

2/22/2008 1:54:55 AM

Are you sure you don't want a DJ? There's some pretty good ones out here and I've worked with all of them multiple times. John Harper is the best at knowing what kind of music to play at what time to get people involved. He used to work on the radio and does an amazing job.

2/22/2008 8:04:49 AM

for me, im looking forward to doing our music when the time comes. its going to be a little/big project for me to go through and select all the songs I want. so by the time im finished there really wouldnt be a need for a dj

2/22/2008 8:15:50 AM

I once went to a Titanic themed wedding. I wanted to find an ice pick to gouge out my ears.

Maybe just use TV theme songs, that'd be different. Needless to say you must have Knight Rider and Airwolf on heavy rotation.

2/22/2008 8:36:21 AM

Wedding DJs are the worst part about weddings. I've never been to a wedding that had a DJ that didn't annoy the hell out of me, so when I got married, we took our laptop, set up some playlists, hooked it into the hall's sound system and it worked excellently.

if you do it yourself,

-make sure you get a chance to set up and test in advance if at all possible.
-make sure you have time to deal with sound system problems or have someone who can on the day of.

one thing we did discover was that you're going to get the chance to play about half of what you want to.

2/22/2008 9:09:54 AM

Not all DJ's are terrible. The one I'm using is like 30 (he wore pumas and nice slacks to our meeting, lol). I picked out every song I wanted and submitted it on his website along with an itinerary for the evening.

2/22/2008 11:08:02 AM

I think whether or not you like/want a DJ at a wedding just boils down to personal preference. In all honesty, I know what kind of music I would like, I was just looking for filler suggestions. Some other songs I may not have thought of. I think the real convenience of a DJ is (a) not having to deal with sound setup yourself, and (b) having someone else worry about song selection if you're one of those people dont really care about music or know how to pick out music for occasions.

Personally, I feel like I'm decent at the music selection part, and I would have like to have had a DJ to take care of things, but any of them that are reasonably priced and near where the wedding is taking place are booked up. I dont think I want to pay someone $2000 to play music I ask them too. When I could set up something myself, having that person there just isn't worth that to me.

(Note, if money werent an issue, it may be different. But it is...)

2/22/2008 4:14:36 PM

If you are looking for a cover band / wedding band I play in one that plays everything from 50's through current stuff. PM me if you would like to get a cd or want to come to a rehearsal to check us out.

2/22/2008 4:26:06 PM