DJ vs. Playlist: The Great Debate of 2023 Weddings
Should I hire a DJ or should I DIY a playlist?
Almost all our Chattanooga brides ask this question.
Opting for a self-made playlist over a DJ is a great way to make room in your budget. But many DIY couples assume creating a playlist and pairing a phone to a Bluetooth speaker is the end of their responsibilities. Making this assumption can cause a lot of micro-stressors throughout your wedding day.
It’s our job to make sure we help you avoid wedding day stress. So we decided it was important to thoroughly explain the pros and cons of each option. No matter what you decide, you should be fully prepared for how your choice will impact your wedding day.
Pros of hiring a DJ for your Chattanooga Wedding:
They guide the flow of your event
In the world of Spotify, the real value of hiring a DJ isn’t in their ability to curate music. They work alongside your wedding coordinator to guide the natural flow of your event.
They’ll serve as an MC
It’s hard to corral a large group of people into the correct spaces and activities. Your DJ will let people know when it's time to eat, listen to toasts, or begin winding down for the evening. It can be a big relief not to worry about making these announcements on your own.
DJs bring the hype.
If you want your wedding reception to be a giant, fun dance party a DJ is a great way to get people excited to move and groove. If the dance floor starts to get stale, they’ll bring it to life again. Our favorite hype motivator in town is Million Dolla Man. He's been known to adorn the dance floor and show off some pretty impressive moves of his own.
Seamless Transitions
A guaranteed way to make sure your guests are happy is by playing songs they love. A DJ can seamlessly transition your tunes from Uncle Bob’s Jimmy Buffett to your BFF's Cardi B.
Perfectly timed ceremony music
Never underestimate the power of perfectly timed ceremony music. Abrupt starts and stops to ceremony music can feel clunky and jarring. A DJ has the equipment to fade in and fade out your aisle tunes. And it’s their dedicated job to make sure the timing is precise. This is invaluable to any bride who is stressed about all the logistics of the day.
They’ll do all the heavy lifting and set-up.
Professional speakers and PA systems are HEAVY. DJs will do all the setup and heavy lifting themselves so your groomsmen won’t show up to the ceremony sweaty. (no pit-stain pictures, please!).
Everything to consider before opting to use a Spotify playlist for your Chattanooga wedding day:
Using your favorite portable Bluetooth speaker isn’t going to cut it.
Your music needs to fill the room. Imagine trying to encourage people to dance with only faint background music. If you have your heart set on creating your playlist for the day, we highly recommend carefully booking a venue with its own PA system or speaker wiring. Otherwise, you’ll have to rent a PA system (which negates the biggest pro of curating your own playlist— affordability!). The average cost of a PA sound system rental in Chattanooga is ~$300. This is still much cheaper than booking a DJ, but there are more logistics involved. You’ll need to make a plan for both your ceremony and reception audio. Your guests want to hear your vows! Don’t forget to rent a microphone as well.
PA systems are heavy.
They can be a bit of a pain to transport and set up. Most audio rental companies don’t deliver or charge a hefty delivery fee. You’ll need to delegate someone to pick up and return the equipment. And if the equipment isn’t returned on time, you risk late fees.
You’ll need to assign someone to play the ceremony music, first dances, etc.
It can be tough to get people to pay attention and take this responsibility seriously. Bridal party participants are typically happy to volunteer for this job. But after a few cocktails, it can be difficult to count on anyone to take this responsibility seriously.
Make sure you use Spotify premium to avoid ads.
Don't rely on your venue's cell service or wifi. Download the playlist ahead of time. Create separate playlists for the ceremony, reception, and first dances to make it easier on whoever is controlling the device.
Keep the playlist phone plugged in and on airplane mode.
Do Not Disturb Mode can malfunction, and the last thing you’d want is for a spam call to come through the phone while you’re walking down the aisle.
Security risks
Make sure that whoever owns the phone that’s controlling the music is comfortable with disabling their passcode for the day.
Questions?
Heart Pine Planning is always here to help!
Music means much more to your wedding than mere dancing fuel. It guides the tone of your event. The next time you’re watching your favorite rom-com, imagine all the swoony scenes without music. I’d bet they become weird and kinda awkward. It’s like that in real life too. You deserve a wedding day that’s brimming with romance and good vibes. Music is crucial for making your wedding the vision of romance you deserve. Make sure you weigh all the pros and cons before making a decision.