A recent trend is for brides to avoid the expensive costs of hiring a professional DJ with an iPod playlist instead. This can save couples a significant amount of money and also means that the music really reflects your tastes. But brides need to understand that planning is required more than just pressing play. Here are some helpful tips on how to make the wedding reception of DIY iPod.
The first thing we need is obviously an iPod or MP3 player. The second thing you need to carry it out successfully is a laptop. It’s easier to switch between playlists on a laptop than it is on an iPod. It is very important to use the right equipment.
The next thing we will need to supply two large speakers, a mixer and a microphone (preferably mobile). These can be rented at stores and audio equipment stores, but be sure to find out what their hours of operation, when the team has to be returned, if there is an additional fee if the equipment is damaged or returned late, call someone who will be responsible for collecting the equipment from the store on the day of the wedding and its implementation in the place of receipt.
When hiring speakers should ask the sales staff if the speakers are the right size to fill its place of receipt. There is nothing worse than a wedding where guests can either listen to the speeches, because the PA system is not powerful enough. If you know a friend or family member can borrow the equipment that is even better, and if you can configure the computer for the day that would be an even greater advantage and save money. They should arrive early at the reception to set up your computer and stay late after packing it all away. This can be a time consuming process so be sure to buy a nice gift of thanks!
In preparing the list of iPod make sure you have enough music to fill the entire length of reception, and have a good mix of different songs for different parts of the reception. For example, you might want slower, more relaxed music for canapés and fastest dance music for the end of the night. Try to select songs that most guests can enjoy a variety of different genres and decades. You want to make sure the playback settings in iTunes do not have breaks between songs. If there is a pause of 3 seconds between each song will be guests standing around the dance floor waiting for the music to start again. In iTunes go to Preferences> Playback> Cross fade to ensure that there is a continuous flow between songs.
It’s a really good idea to test the equipment before the actual wedding day. In this way you know you have all the right cables and adapters. And you might want to have a backup CD or a CD player if something goes wrong with your computer at night.
DIY iPod have a reception for the wedding, when done right, not only can save couples a considerable amount of money, but being a unique and memorable way to entertain the wedding guests. Scott Simpson is the musical director of Jazz Fever, Sydney’s most successful and sought after wedding band live.