When the planning is done and the day is complete, your wedding will be a moment in time that hopefully captures your personalities and your style. It will be full of nuances that make it like no other. Your reception entertainment is one area that will greatly influence the atmosphere and tone of your wedding. Should you choose live entertainment, a DJ service or simply use an iPod? 
I think most of us understand the inherent differences in live entertainment (i.e. musicians/vocalists) and a DJ. However, with today's technology the lines begin to blur when it comes to DJ service vs.the D-I-Y iPod version. Your choice really depends on the type of reception you are planning.
If you plan to have a reception that involves a meal, dancing, and bridal traditions (such as a first dance, and toasts) then a DJ service is for you. A professional DJ will provide more than just music for your guests. One of the most important roles of a DJ is to act as the Master of Ceremony. As a professional, he will keep the flow of the event moving according to your planned timeline. The DJ will make formal introductions when the bridal party arrives, announce any special activities such as the cake cutting and bouquet toss, and provide a cue for toasts. One of the most special moments of a reception is the couple's first dance and the father/daughter dance that follows. Ideally, you want these to be seamless and flow naturally in the evening and a DJ will make sure that it is effortless.
A professional DJ will also keep your guests involved in the party and can easily modify the evening's playlist depending on the mood of your guests and any special requests. This is especially important if you have a long wait between the guests' arrival and the bride and groom's arrival. There's nothing worse than having your guests arrive at the reception site to the sound of silence. Music will greatly influence the atmosphere of your reception making your guests feel comfortable and keeping their interest in your celebration.
And, perhaps most importantly, a qualified DJ will have professional-grade equipment and the knowledge to go with it. You won't be worrying about why only one side of the room can hear the music or about what cable goes where.
Now, all of that said, there is a time and place for an iPod reception. Yes, I'm going out on a planning limb and endorsing the use of an mp3 for a very specific type of reception. Some couples aren't interested in dancing or formal introductions or toasts. If you are planning a reception that will be more intimate without the formalities, then you may be able to use an iPod for background music. Yes, just background music. This plan works best when you don't need to play specific songs at designated times. It's best when you just need to fill the space with lovely sounds to accent your celebration. Create a playlist of your favorite music (enough for at least an hour) and set it to play on a continuous loop for the duration of your reception.
Also, if you choose to DIY and use an iPod, ask a friend or relative to be in charge of set-up and operation of the sound system. Of course, you want someone who is comfortable with electronics and is knowledgeable about the sound system you will be using. And, ALWAYS do a sound check early in the day to work out any glitches. Remember also to have the music playing well before your first guest arrives at the reception site.
Keep in mind that it is not always more affordable to use an iPod instead of a DJ. In most cases, you will need to rent sound equipment so that your music can be heard throughout the space. Add this to the time you will invest in selecting the playlist and finding rental equipment, and a DJ service may just be a better value.
Photo: iPod via apple.com
I'm Amy, and I love to plan and design events! Weddings, parties, corporate events - whatever the occasion, I love to make it fabulous. Thanks for stopping by! It's nice to meet you!
