What kind of sound system should I have if we are using an ipod for our reception music?

Question

I'm planning not to have a band or dj and to use an ipod for the music at my wedding reception. There is no sound system in place at the venue. It is a 80' x 40' building where I expect the acoustics are not that great. What kind of sound system do I need to use? And where would I be able to get that and how much should I expect to pay to rent it?
Also, if anyone else has done this, what did you do for things like announcing the wedding party and toasts and such? Did you have a microphone to do that? And who did you have make announcements when things were happening like the first dance and cake cutting and that sort of thing?

Answer 1

Honestly, by the time you BUY (?!) or RENT the needed equipment, wouldn't it be the same amount as if you were to hire an actual DJ (unless you live in NYC)? Are you really going to use the stuff again?

So many couples lose their mind with the do-it-yourself ideas that they end up spending more money, effort, and time than they ever though possible. And with questionable results.

An iPod is NOT always a good solution. If you have a DJ, they would take care of ALL of your MCing and music needs.

I personally would not have chosen a venue without sound equipment if I were using an iPod.

You will have to bring in the needed equipment from an outside source, and find a friend who will be willing to take over DJ and MC duties for the night. They'll have to avoid alcohol for the night, or that could be a disaster.

You may not like my answer, but I urge you to reconsider, or at least sit down and compare the numbers.

You may be able to hire a DJ from the local high school or college for $300 OR LESS for the night. My DJ is from one of the best companies in the city, and we are paying $500 for the entire night for a complete sound and light sytstem. I live in a mid size (Canadian) city.

With your lack of venue resources, I would NOT nix the DJ just yet.

Answer 2

We bought a dj system from Sam Ash. It was just the modest set. It had a mic, amp and 2 speakers included. I asked a friend to do the introductions of parents, groomsmen and bridesmaids but I had them introduced as a group instead of individually ("the groomsmen" "the bridesmaids").

We rented a 15" JBL subwoofer.

We used our laptop filled with mp3s. OTS turntables was the program we used. It's worth the money to register it, b/c whoever is controlling the system to cue on headphone. That way you can preplan the next song.

That way whoever was nearest could grab the mic and announce the couple will now cut the cake or it's time for the bouquet and garter toss.

Right now they have an i-pod mixer. Numark is the brand and it's only about $150. They are slick. Lots of extra features.

Answer 3

Talk with the venue. They will be able to coordinate the acoustics for you and reccomend someone to bring in the speakers.

It's not enough to know how big the site is. You also need to account for the shape, where your tables will be (you don't want speakers in anybody's ears), what materials the room is made out of.....blah, blah, blah. At the most basic you will need a speaker at each end of the room probably. More importantly make sure that whoever you rent them from gives you a through lesson or easy to read diagrams on HOW TO SET THESE UP!

As far as announcements just appoint a bridesmaid or someone to do them. Set up a mic or people in the back won't hear.

Answer 4

I settle for as authentic with the 1st poster. My first husband improve acceptable right into a guitarist and he performed via our wedding ceremony ceremony reception - i did now no longer even get to bounce the 1st dance with him. That exchange into undesirable. even regardless of the shown fact that - acceptable right this is a compromise - that I want I had performed. hire his band quite of a DJ. Have a exchange drummer play the gig so your new husband can dance and social accumulating with you as a pair. THEN, enable him the privilege of appearing 2 numbers speedier or later interior the social accumulating so he can prepare off - with the stipulation that he will play those 2 numbers and in ordinary words those 2 numbers. some thing of the time, he's at your ingredient. yet another musician acquaintances did this (he performs keyboards and he or she or he's a astounding tenor sax participant) at their wedding ceremony ceremony. That way they have been given to play - yet they additionally danced and partied as a pair. purely bear in mind - 2 numbers in ordinary words.