I have 19 booked for next year so far I limit myself to 36-40 a year as I have a very intense full time job and a family. This year I have done 21 weddings so far and have 18 more on the books.
You answered your own question dude "I have thousands of dollars in pro gear, a legal music library and insurance all paid in full from earned profits"
They sure will when they can illegally stream music, illegally acquire music, not p;ay taxes, not pay insurance, and go to Best Buy and buy cheap ass equipment you bet...as much as the laptop made DJ's jobs easier it has hurt them as well because now any bozo w/ a laptop and a streaming music...
Say I'm booked 5pm-10pm I leave @2:30pm arrive around 3ish set up sound check, etc 30 minutes teardown/load up home by 10:45/11 so 8-1/2-9 maybe an extra 45 minutes if i'm on the beach
I have never in 22 years and over 700 weddings cut the cake right after intro's actually have never seen that done...Like I said it's very regional go with what flows best for you. I have always found the first dance right after the introductions is the best it is their moment but again...
On Saturday I had the honor to be the entertainment for Charles and Michelle Reimer on the #1 beach in the USA Siesta Key Beach. What a great wedding the couple and guests were all from the Mid-West and we had an eventful day. The Ceremony began at 6:30 and we had to due to the noise ordinance...
I love my Mackie but it has a bigger footprint. A good friend of mine loves these: http://www.samsontech.com/samson/products/pa-cabinets/auro/aurod1800/
It can vary by region as well my standard time line goes like this for the reception:
Cocktail Hour
Introductions
The First Dance
Parent Dances
Guests Seated
The Toast(s)
Blessing
Dinner
Longest Married Dance
Open Dancing
Cake Cutting
Bouquet/Garter
Open Dancing
That's a basic guideline for you
So I did a wedding 125 guests on Siesta Beach Saturday great crowd. One set that blew their socks off was:
Lean Wit It, Rock Wit It
Get Low
Thrift Shop
Big Pimpin'
Trap Queen
Huge reaction the groom in our planning meeting said he wanted a few good "dirty ass" hip hop sets he came over to me...
Last Saturday was my 17th wedding of the year and here are the Five Star Songs that have been my most requested/Best Reaction songs so far:
Currents:
Sugar/Maroon 5
Uptown Funk/Bruno Marrs
Thinking Out Loud/Ed Sheeran
GDFR/Flo-Rida
Play It Again/Luke Bryan
Shut Up And Dance/Walk The Moon
Shake...
Personally I would never put a banner up but hey I've only performed at 1000 or so weddings. It just looks cheap. Just my opinion everyone here knows what they are doing and what works for them. Important things to remember to be a success. Look professional, have everything neat and clean...
I have it on my planning form:
Suit and Tie
Beach Casual (Tommy Bahama Type Shirt and Khaki's)
Dressy Casual (Shirt, Tie, and Dress Pants)
I would feel uncomfortable wearing a polo shirt to a wedding. I guess in my 1000 weddings I have had the honor to DJ I never have even considered a Polo shirt.
Hope this helps:
Sabado en la Noche / Stefani
Bachata Rosa / Ramiro "Ram" Herrera
Lo Que Yo Tengo / Jay Perez
Amor Perdoname / Fama
Done Hubo Fueg / Shelly Lares
Corazón de Cristal / Los Palominos
Necesito / Eddie Gonzalez
Vida / La Mafia
Ya Robaron Al Ladron [Tejano Mix] / Gary...
Traktor will give you many things Soft Jock could not. Stay away from the thieves @ Virtual DJ who will probably be shut down after all the litigation is settled after they were giving DJ's Illegal music :-). For the $$$ Traktor or MixVibes is the way to go.