I received a few comments yesterday regarding using an iPod versus hiring a professional wedding DJ for your reception. You can see two of the comments in the comment section of yesterday’s post. Below are a couple that I received on Facebook.

Good Blog. Equipment is just a small piece of a DJ experience. Schuyler Osborne, Wedding Videographer, Orlando, Florida

Nicely written piece Susan. As you know and eloquently wrote, a “wedding” DJ does so much more than playing music. A wedding DJ is the music player, emcee, host, etc etc etc. Thank you for explaining ALL the things a “Professional Wedding DJ” does! Wendy Goelz Kopasz, Wedding DJ, Orlando, Florida

Please keep the comments coming here, or email me at Susan.Southerland@pwg.com.

Hello all. Once again I have been MIA for a few days. It is definitely wedding-planning season and I am grateful to say that many brides have been calling for assistance in planning their special days.

I received an early-morning Facebook posting yesterday that made me stop in my tracks. A national wedding show was advising couples that a good way to save money on their wedding day is to use an iPod rather than hiring a DJ.

Well, I cannot argue that an iPod is a wonderful piece of technology and it can certainly play any music you may want to hear, but before you scrap the professional, let me share with you a few thoughts on why my preference still lies with hiring a pro.

1. While the iPod itself may cost less than a professional wedding DJ, the equipment you need to amplify the music in the room may cost as much, if not more, to rent than the DJ’s fee.
2. If you want to have a blessing and/or toasts, you will also need to rent a microphone. That will add yet another cost.
3. A professional wedding DJ is more than someone who just plays music, he is an emcee, he reads the crowd and adjusts music to get or keep people dancing and he coordinates with other vendors to make sure the events of the evening, like the first dance, cake cutting and bouquet toss get photographed and recorded.
4. The professional wedding DJ will help you organize your reception so you know when is the best time to dance, toast, eat, cut the cake, etc. He will also help you plan introductions and special announcements.
5. An iPod offers no interaction. If you don’t have a crowd that will jump up and dance on their own, you may have a boring reception.
6. Finally, who wants to be responsible for setting up equipment and making sure it runs smoothly throughout the evening? More importantly, what happens if the equipment fails. Do you want to have a backup system on hand?

If you are having a very small group and a laid back reception with only dining and socializing, you may be able to get away with an iPod for background music, but if you are planning a fun party with lots of dancing and excitement, no technological wonder can replace the talent and skill of a professional wedding DJ.

I would love to hear your thoughts and comments on this topic. It is definitely a hot subject! Please post for me here, or send me an email at susan.southerland@pwg.com.

Your partner in perfect planning,

Susan Southerland

With wedding budgets decreasing, I have noticed anxiety increasing over things to cut from the wedding. Many think that cutting the wedding favors is a good way to help maintain the bottom line, but before you strike them from your budget, here are ten inexpensive options you may want to think about for your wedding favors.

1. Find a cookie cutter that matches your theme. Print your favorite cookie recipe on a nice card and attach it to the cutter with a ribbon that matches your wedding colors.
    
2. Purchase a packet of seedlings from your local nursery or hardware store, put the envelope in a terra cotta pot, wrap in tulle and tie with a ribbon that matches your wedding colors. Enclose a nice thank you note for attending the wedding.
    
3. Go to a dollar store, purchase little class containers and fill the jars with candies that match your wedding colors.
    
4. Purchase a little container of bath salts from the dollar store and attach a card with five romantic/relaxing ideas for an evening at home.
    
5. Donate $1.00 per guest to your favorite charity and put a note on each table explaining why you made the donation to that particular cause.
    
6. Build your centerpiece out of potted plants (one per couple seated at the table) and have the DJ announce that guests should take the plants home and plant in their gardens. You will save money on your centerpieces and favors!
    
7. Personalize a Christmas ornament to match your wedding theme and give to each guest.
    
8. Present each guest with a slice of wedding cake in a box to take home.
    
9. Purchase romantic movies off the discount movie rack, tie a package of microwave popcorn to the movie. Put it at every other place setting with instructions to have a relaxing/romantic evening at home.
    
10. Purchase inexpensive tea cups and put tea bags in each cup, wrap with tulle and a ribbon.

If you would like more information on choosing your wedding favors go to: http://www.perfectweddingguide.com/planning/invitations-gifts/wedding-favors/9-tips-for-selecting-wedding-favors/ As always, if you have comments or questions on ordering wedding favors or on anything wedding related, please leave a comment here or email me at susan.southerland@pwg.com.

Your partner in perfect planning,

Susan Southerland