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Weddings are expensive affairs. After the initial engagement exception, couples are suddenly faced with planning an event that involves venue hire, catering, entertainment, bridal wear, flower arrangements – all of them offering 'bargains' and 'limited special offers'. Daunting at best, the combined costs of these wedding 'necessities' can be immensely challenging for an already stretched wedding budget.

So when confronted with the overwhelming costs of throwing a wedding, the do-it-yourself option can suddenly appear incredibly appealing.

One of the latest trends in the DIY wedding planning is the iPod wedding. This involves couples choosing to skip the live band or the DJ altogether, instead opting to run the music themselves. It's understandable – after all, your laptop is not going to demand money, and you're guaranteed to hear all your favorite songs. Finally, if your guests have last-minuet music requests, it's as easy as clicking a button. Sounds like a win, right?

But before you jump onto the iPod bandwagon, it's important you know what you're up against.

To start with, how big are your computer speakers? Big enough to fill a room with over a hundred people? For the music to be at a reasonable level through the room, you'll require at least two 400 watt speakers, paired with a mixer. Not only that, but microphones also come into the equation. After all, you're going to want to make announcements and speeches and shouting on your wedding day does not make for a great look.

Then come the playlists. Generally, wedding receptions last from four to seven hours, and music, even if it's in the background, is hugely important in creating the right atmosphere. So to start with, you have to make sure you have enough music in your library to last for your entire reception.

Then factor in the type of music you want, and how it will change over the night. If you do not want to be listening to the same three CD's on repeat, you have to allocate several days to putting the playlists together, then listening to them to make sure they flow well. Consider the structure of your reception and what people will want. Do you want dancing after dinner? Specific songs for bridal party entry? Will the songs included appeal to the tastes of all your guests? And who will operate the music for your bridal waltz, and when you want it to pause for speeches?

The advantage of hiring a professional is that everything is taken care of for you. Experienced wedding bands will come with their own PA system, and hundreds of popular songs on their books. Many bands, such as The Usual Suspects, encourage brides and grooms to request songs, which they will learn specifically for their wedding day.

Professional wedding bands or DJ's are also experts at 'reading the room' – after all, it's their job! A live band can pick up on what your guests want to hear, and adjust their sets accordingly, as well as interact with the crowd to ensure everyone has a good time. They provide structure for the evening, performing laidback, background music earlier in the night, then performing dance-floor favorites later on to bring the celebration to a climax.

Going down the DIY route at weddings can be tempting – it certainly will save you money. Just make sure that you and your partner are properly prepared for it. You do not want to get so wrapped up in sticking to budget that you forget to enjoy yourself!

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Source by Caitlin Gordon