What are some ways we can cut down on the cost of professional musicians?    
       
    The most obvious solution, of course, is to use all the amateur talent available from your friends and relatives, even if it means substituting a flute solo in place of a stringed  trio, for example. The next best thing is to supplement any donated talent with a professional, such as the church organist. College and university music departments are also sources of excellent musical talent; call the chairman of the departments to ask for recommendations. Then, of course, there is the simplicity of using pretaped music, especially during the reception. You can actually load up a couple tapes with your favorite music, starting with "your song" for your first dance, followed by others you have personally selected to play throughout the reception. Then, there is also the popular fad of hiring a DJ to play CDs or tapes during the reception; there may even be a teenager in your family who would be thrilled to DJ your reception for free. Note of caution here: Be sure to monitor the selections and the volume of the music.    
       
    We think we would like to hire a disc jockey for our reception, instead of a band. Is it possible to find a "classy" DJ, one who will wear a tux and act as a master of ceremonies as well?    
       
    Yes, they are out there; the trick is to find a good one. The first thing you should do is ask around; talk to everyone you can find who has recently been married or attended a wedding. Once you've found a couple possibilities, conduct a personal interview so you can get an idea of the person's stage presence, how he will come across to your guests. Also, you will need to explain what you expect in the way of his dress (offer to rent him a tux, if necessary), demeanor, choice of musical selections to be played, volume of the music and his ability to keep things running smoothly in a "classy" way, as you call it.