To iPod or Not to iPod

Sam says he's gonna get me an iPod for Christmas. Yay!

iPods are so popular nowadays that I heard of a recent trend with budget-bound brides. They're using iPods to "DJ" their weddings! And I think it's a pretty good idea. A common complaint about weddings is that the music's always really bad. Or that the DJs are too cheesy. But if we were to create our own playlists, at least we could be sure that we like the music. Wouldn't it be horrible if they played rap followed by Britney Spears followed by Cher? *shudder*

So I'm kinda considering having an iPod reception. It's much cheaper than a DJ. It's way cheaper than a band, and with more music variety. Sam and I could buy one of those iPod-compatible stereo/speaker sets for still less than a DJ, and we'd have something to keep for ourselves. Guests could occasionally go to the iPod to pick a song they like. I even read a cool idea online: with the RSVP, guests could write in their favorite song so we could download it and put it on the playlist. And it's all pre-approved by us, so we won't get any songs we hate or possibly vulgar songs or whatever else.

Really, the only thing that I'd want a DJ for is to read the mood of the party. You know, if people wanted to dance all fast and crazy for a good long while, he'd keep that up, but if people suddenly wanted a slow song, he could accomodate that too. He could also catch people's attention for cake cutting, toasts, special dances, bouquet tosses, etc. And I had thought that maybe people wouldn't dance if there wasn't that party energy that people get from DJs and live performers...

Still, I've been to enough house parties (well, okay, only at Sam's house) to know that you don't need a DJ to get people to dance. And sometimes even if there is a DJ or band, sometimes people don't dance. Like at the Cage in Iowa City. Or really any non-clubby bar in Iowa City. And DJs who double as MC can be annoying. I could get one of the bridal party to announce toasts and bouquet tosses. I think my mom has a karaoke machine we could use for a microphone. I've heard that some people have done that. And I'm trying to get out of the mindset that getting a professional to do something means it'll be classy. Cuz that's not necessarily the case.

I guess I really am leaning toward having an iPod reception. I think even if money wasn't an issue, I'd lean toward it. It makes a little more sense to me than a DJ, and it's more personalized. But I think if I didn't have to budget so much, I'd like to have a band. An Irish band would be so much fun.

There are too many choices in wedding planning! Doesn't bode well for an indecisive person like me... =P