Do you really need to hire a DJ at your wedding? How important is a DJ at a wedding, and can’t you just do it yourself?
We’re tackling this very interesting question we received from bride-to-be, Melissa, to let you know proper etiquette about hiring a DJ or band at your wedding.
She writes,
“Hi Emmaline Bride, I am wondering if I can DJ my own wedding with a playlist and a speaker, or something similar, and have it play during the reception. Do you really need to hire a DJ at a wedding? Thanks for your input.”
Great question, Melissa! And before we get started, thanks so much for writing. This is a great question that many couples wonder and ask regularly, especially when they’re trying to stay on budget or cut costs somewhere… they wonder, how important is a DJ at a wedding? Here’s a quick vlog on the topic:
As a rule of thumb, a wedding DJ is one of the best investments you will make.
Guests remember great music and dancing; they also remember poor music and an empty dance floor.
Plan accordingly!
Can You Have a Wedding Without a DJ?
Yes, you can have a wedding without a DJ. However, I’m not sure you would want to! To me, the cost of hiring a DJ or band is priceless; it is singlehandedly one of the biggest things that can make or break a wedding.
The DJ does more than play music. He or she acts as a the emcee and keeps the evening flowing well. The DJ encourages guests to dance; they know what songs will get guests movin’ and groovin’, which tunes to skip, and when to change a song when it’s not getting the attention on the dance floor.
Furthermore, the DJ acts as your master of ceremonies throughout the wedding. He or she will keep the timeline flowing smoothly. They’ll know when the bouquet toss is happening and announce it, let guests know when dinner will begin, offers a microphone and speakers to properly have toasts heard before dinner, and offers the ability for guests to request songs.
I mean, how else can you request The Cupid Shuffle?!
The DJ is one of the most important parts of the wedding day and I would 100% recommend you consider hiring one. Look in your local area and find one that fits into your budget. There are many varied price ranges depending on how many hours you’d like them to be there and what “extras” you’d like to include (like uplighting, specialty tracks, and more).
So, to conclude: do you really need to hire a DJ? Yes. It’s the best, most stress-free decision you’ll make for wedding entertainment.
I hope it helps!
xo
Emma
