Well, That was another 12+ hour day. I may have to start leaving for Virginia weddings 5 hours before start time instead of of 4 hours. Had bad traffic most of the 65 mile drive I had today. ...I actually left 3 hours 40 minutes early, not a full 4, but I got there 30 minutes later than I wanted to. I certainly hustled to set everything up including 2 sound systems. Wedding ceremony and reception went well. A pretty good amount of dancing considering half the crowd were old folks age 70+.
5 p.m. ceremony. - It turns out that the officiant was the same guy I worked with on the 13th. Two weddings in a row. Older officiant in his 60s. Pretty good at ceremonies. Been doing it a lot of years. Shure BLX Lavalier mic worked GREAT.
As for what I did during Meatloaf. I actually did not play it until after 10 p.m. One of the guests requested it, so I assume it was a song her and the bride and a few others liked, or it was a important song from the past. About 6 people were really into it on the dance floor. ...I went ahead, and got a glass of Ice Tea, ate a cookie, and went to the restroom. Came back with over a minute left to go still.
The photographer told me that he does not see any large weddings any more. It's rare for him to see them in the DC area. He actually told me that elopements are up. Classic, Traditional weddings seem to be less popular. He has shot elopements with couples and 10 or so close family and friends. He said last couple years it has gotten more popular. The photographer who is Asian told me outside of a couple of Asian weddings in the past few years that were 200 or more guests, all the other ones are any where from 30 to 90, maybe 100 guests. He hasn't done a 120 to 200 guest wedding in at least 3 years. He said that with what he is experiencing the typical wedding tops out at like 120 guests these days. ...I would have to agree with him for the most part. I am seeing weddings shrinking
Last week was 60 guests. This one was 80 guests.
It's nice to hear the insight of another mobile wedding vendor in the area.
I was loaded out in 43 minutes. I hustled tonight. Back was achy. I'm not getting any younger. ...I wore black Reebok Sneakers today. I am finding that my dress shoes are just destroying my legs by the end of the night. I can't wear them at these long weddings any more. Suit with Black Sneakers with memory foam built in is my new look unless I find an awesome pair of dress shoes that are super comfy.
I can without a doubt say that generally speaking MOST of the venues I work in, I have about 40 minutes to load out before someone there is waiting on me so they can turn the lights off and lock the doors. Staff at these country clubs are pretty efficient in cleaning up, and tearing everything down. ...Last week they were turning the lights off on me as I was carting my stuff to the vehicle. Had to load my vehicle in the pitch black pretty much. Venue manager said he was heading out the front door, locking up, and to have a good night...And that was barely 40 minutes after I played the last song. ...It seems these venues don't give a hoot about the DJ getting an hour for load out any more. When they are done, they are done, and you better be done too, or you will be tearing down in the dark. ...Kinda irritating. ...and I know I'm FAST when it comes to tearing down, and loading out.
It took me like 1 hour 50 minutes to get down to the venue today with 3 big traffic jams, and 2 mild ones. It only took me 1 hour 9 minutes to get home. ...I was also driving 85 mph the entire time driving up 95 tonight.
Will attempt to sleep in, but my son has swimming practice at 10:30, so I am sure I will be up by 9. I get to unload the SUV back into storage on my "Day Off"