The Bride and Groom enter the reception with no music playing and no advance announcement to the guests.
The Bride wanted to have her first dance with her groom immediately following the Grand Entrance, but the guests weren’t even aware that she was entering the reception area, and there is no MC.
The First Dance is awkward, the song wasn’t cued up properly, there was dead silence for over a minute as the Bride and Groom stood nervously in the center of the dance floor waiting for someone, anyone, to help.
When the music finally played, it sounded terrible.
Does this sound like a reception that went according to plan? It’s even more painful to watch! Check out this video of an iPod wedding disaster:
As a wedding DJ, I know it doesn’t have to be this way. I have other thoughts about the iPod wedding disaster, but I wanted to link up the video first. I’ll address some of the other problems of an iPod wedding in a future article. If you know of any additional videos that show iPod wedding disasters, please email me – we’re looking for more.
You guys have called my attention to this iPod wedding phenomenon. I think it boils down to many who want to save some money but aren’t aware of the level of service they are trading away by not having a DJ.
The debate is pretty divided over on About.com with many other horror stories and some who insist on the iPod anyway.
Here’s my favorite quote from the comments over there: “We now have a video of my wife standing in the middle of the dance floor with her Dad for 5 minutes waiting for the father daughter song to start up. I looked like a fool.” Ouch.
Ipods & Receptions for weddings don’t mix! Period.. A “DJ ” is not a DJ for a wedding – yes they do play music … but they also plan the wedding, and more importantly keep the flow of the wedding & MC all the Intros and other Bridal formalities! Yes an ipod can work the cocktail hour perfectly but beyond that hire a professional – it will be the best money you invested in your wedding! Read this Article on Vendors and good questions to Ask! http://www.perfectweddings.us/2009/04/getting-the-wedding-reception-youve-always-dreamed-of.html
Ahh, whatever DJ company is behind this debate please stage another “wedding disaster” moment. That video has been strewn all over the internet. And please make this next one not look so staged this time alright. Ipod rocks spread t he word
Hi James,
I’m sorry it has taken me a long time to respond. It has been a very busy summer.
I won’t deny that Ipods rock…when I listen to my personal collection of music, I can’t think of a better way to do it. However, I haven’t met an Ipod yet that could do the numerous tasks that an MC of a Wedding or large Event is charged with. Even the most menial task, like introducing the Bridal Party, organizing the Toasts, and maintaining the line of communication between Event Staff and the Guests, which helps keep the event flowing smoothly, I doubt any Ipod could do that. And why would a guest of Honor, like a Bride and Groom, choose to leave those important tasks in the hands of an inexperienced person or a family member who no doubt will not have a chance to truly enjoy themselves at the Wedding or Event, because they have been given a job. More importantly, the Event itself is perhaps the most special day in a person’s life, why leave the entertainment and MC tasks to an Ipod or preset playlist on autopilot. Now obviously, if you have a friend or family member who is a professional MC or DJ, let them run the show along with the use of an Ipod.
And to address this video, please understand that our company did not produce it. Sure, it’s quality and validity is questionable. However, it makes a point by exaggerating the truth behind what can and often does happen when clients, particularly Brides and Grooms, use an Ipod in place of a Professional DJ or Band at their Wedding.
If saving money is the ultimate goal, most clients are quite surprised at how inexpensive a good DJ is, versus the other massive costs of a Wedding or Party. A DJ’s experience will almost always add a huge value to your event or Wedding Reception, and in the case of our clients reviews and testimonials, you’ll see that the Ipod is no match for a great Wedding or Party DJ.
I’ll continue using my Ipod at home, in the car, and even as a last resort backup should my 3 computers fail me at an Event, but I won’t let it take my job without a good fight.
Thanks again for your comment!
Great article and interesting discussion. I would love to share with you a related article, and welcome your comments:
http://www.aflairforaffairs.com/blog/2009/03/15/whose-your-deejay-thoughts-on-weddings-and-dj-entertainment/
Thanks!
Good article. I’ve favorited this page so I can follow your updates. Thanks for taking the energy to share this.