Rich Ellis
Union/Pine Portland Wedding And Reception
Hosia and Andy’s Union/Pine Portland wedding and reception was held on Friday, September 7, 2018. This venue features a sunken ballroom that serves primarily as the dance floor. However, in this case, it was also used for the ceremony. With my table located near the main pathway, between the bar and overlooking the ballroom, the setup for a DJ is a little awkward, but everything worked out fine.
Union/Pine Portland Wedding Ceremony Highlights:
- Wedding Party and Bride Entrance: Stringspace – In My Life
- Bride & Groom Exit: The Cookies – I Never Dreamed
Just under 100 guests were in attendance and following the wedding, most gathered near the bar for cocktails before moving to an adjacent room for dinner, where I set-up a wireless speaker for dinner music and the toast. Background music requested by the newlyweds was a mix of 20’s, 30’s, 40’s (big band, crooners, etc.), such as Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and their personal favorite, Billie Holliday.
Union/Pine Portland Wedding Reception Highlights:
- First Dance: The Ronettes – When I Saw You
- Bride and Father Dance: The Beatles – Something
- Last Dance: Crystal Fighters – At Home
Shortly after starting the music for the father/daughter dance, Hosia asked me to invite everyone out to join them. This was followed by “The Hora” and a chair raising for the just married couple.
From there, guests had a great time dancing to music from The Beatles, Temptations, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Hosia’s favorite pop girl groups from the 50’s and 60’s. The newlyweds also requested some 90’s hip hop, Spice Girls, Backstreet Boys and recent hits from Justin Timberlake
Best wishes Hosia and Andy and thank you mother of the bride, Vicki for choosing PRO DJs.
Post Event Satisfaction Survey:
- Event Date: Saturday, September 7, 2018
- Event Type: Wedding Reception
- Event Location: Union/Pine
- Event Staff: Rich Ellis
- Quality of Customer Service via Telephone: N/A
- Quality of Customer Service via Internet: Excellent
- Quality of Customer Service at Event: Excellent
- Friendliness of your Entertainer: Excellent
- Promptness of your Entertainer: Excellent
- Professionalism of your Entertainer: Excellent
- Entertainer’s Performance: Excellent
- Entertainer’s Appearance: Excellent
- System Appearance: Excellent
- Sound Quality: Excellent
- Overall Volume Levels: Excellent
- Music Selection: Excellent
- Incorporation of Your Requests: Excellent
- Lighting Effects: N/A
- Equipment Appearance: Excellent
- Overall Customer Service: Excellent
- Planning Assistance: Excellent
- Entertainer’s Cooperation with Other Vendors: Excellent
- Overall Performance Rating: Excellent
- Would you recommend this service to others? Yes
Summer Wedding Camas Meadows Golf Club
It has been one hot summer in the Pacific Northwest with a record 30 days at 90 degrees or warmer and smoke from nearby wildfires making outdoor events not as pleasant as we normally expect this time of year, but for the last week of August into September, the smoke has cleared and temperatures moderated.
The best weather of the year so far landed just in time for Aimee and Zach’s wedding and reception held at Camas Meadows Golf Club on Sunday, September 2, 2018.
It was picture perfect and a comfortable 78 degrees for the 50+ guests attending when the ceremony began at 5pm in the gazebo on the golf course. With my main sound system set-up for the reception, I used a second mixer and cordless lapel microphone to provide music and sound for the wedding.
Summer Wedding Camas Meadows Golf Club Ceremony Highlights:
- Parents Seating and Wedding Party Entrance: Josh Groban – You Raise Me Up
- Bridal Party and Bride Entrance: Train – Marry Me
- Bride & Groom Exit: Ellie Goulding – Your Song
The reception followed immediately in the tent above near the parking lot. As guests walked up the hill, I greeted them with a set of oldies as requested by the newlyweds, including music from the Beatles, Four Tops, Beach Boys and more. Immediate family, the wedding party and bride and groom stayed in the gazebo area for photos.
Around 6:40, I cued up their entrance music and announced Aimee and Zach’s arrival. The dinner buffet was opened right away and for background music, I played a set of classic jazz selections as requested by the groom. Champagne was served for the toast about an hour later.
Summer Wedding Camas Meadows Golf Club Reception Highlights:
- Grand Entrance: Bebe Rexha f/Florida Georgia Line – Meant To Be
- Cake Cutting: Isley Brothers – Shout
- First Dance: Boyce Avenue – All Of Me
- Bride/Father Dance: Tim McGraw – My Little Girl
- Groom/Mother Dance: Israel Kamakawiwo’ole – Somewhere Over The Rainbow
- Money Dance: Ludacris f/Pharrell – Money Maker
- Bride/Son Dance: Lee Brice- Boy
- Bouquet Toss: Cyndi Lauper – Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
- Garter Toss: Deniece Williams – Let’s Hear It for the Boy
- Last Dance: Blake Shelton – Who Are You When I’m Not Looking
The money dance got this group going and served as the official opening of the dance floor. From there, the classic oldies were especially popular early on, including “Twist & Shout” and “In The Mood.” There were still a few guests that needed a warm-up, so I managed to squeeze in a slow dance before things got too crazy.
I had not played “YMCA” in a while, but it was requested by the bride and well-received by friends and family.
There was one more showcase dance for Aimee and her young son Aiden, which she asked to have all the other mothers and sons in attendance participate.
For the final hour, we had a great run on the dance floor with most everyone having a fun time dancing to “Can’t Stop The Feeling,” “Uptown Funk,” the “Cupid Shuffle,” “Footloose” and more. The bride’s grandmother also requested “The Hokey Pokey” which I played right before the final slow dance.
Congratulations Aimee and Zach and thank you for choosing PRO DJs.
Post Event Satisfaction Survey:
“Thank you for helping to make our wedding the special day that it was.”
-Aimee B (Aimee Boyd & Zachary Zandt Wedding) – Washougal, WA
- Event Date: Saturday, September 2, 2018
- Event Type: Wedding & Reception
- Event Location: Camas Meadows Golf Club, Camas, Washington
- Event Staff: Rich Ellis
- Quality of Customer Service via Telephone: Excellent
- Quality of Customer Service via Internet: Excellent
- Quality of Customer Service at Event: Excellent
- Friendliness of your Entertainer: Excellent
- Promptness of your Entertainer: Excellent
- Professionalism of your Entertainer: Excellent
- Entertainer’s Performance: Excellent
- Entertainer’s Appearance: Excellent
- System Appearance: Excellent
- Sound Quality: Excellent
- Overall Volume Levels: Excellent
- Music Selection: Excellent
- Incorporation of Your Requests: Excellent
- Lighting Effects: Excellent
- Equipment Appearance: Excellent
- Overall Customer Service: Excellent
- Planning Assistance: Excellent
- Entertainer’s Cooperation with Other Vendors: Excellent
- Overall Performance Rating: Excellent
- Would you recommend this service to others? Yes
Jordan’s Portland Bar Mitzvah Hotel Eastlund
Jordan was fired up and looking sharp in his watermelon covered shirt for his Portland Bar Mitzvah party held on Saturday, August 25, 2018 at Hotel Eastlund in SE Portland, Oregon.
His friends seemed to match his energy and it wasn’t long before most were participating in the games I had planned including Coke & Pepsi and the Limbo, as well as Basketball vs. Lacrosse (Jordan’s two favorite sports).
The kids sat at one long table and following the games, were served dinner around 6:30pm while the adults enjoyed cocktails and conversation until they were seated for dinner about 15 minutes later. Background music for dinner featured artists: OneRepublic, Marvin Gaye and a request for Rod Stewart’s “You’re In My Heart” from Jordan’s parents.
As dinner was winding down, our guest of honor’s dad, Bob welcomed guests visiting from all over the U.S. before starting a slideshow that ended with Jordan on video singing Justin Beiber’s “Baby” at a Hillsboro Hops baseball game recently. Bob wanted to re-create this live, so as soon as the video ended, I started the song and handed off microphones to Jordan and his friends.
Next up was an appearance by Portland Trailblazers mascot “Blaze” who danced with the kids to a recording of Blazers’ star Damian Lillard’s hit song “Run It Up.” I then invited all of the adults out for “The Hora” and chair raising.
Guests had a great time dancing to everything from “Stayin’ Alive” and Jordan’s family requests for “Dancing Queen” and “PYT” to “Uptown Funk”, “September” and more.
Mazel Tov Jordan and thank you mom Anna and dad Bob for choosing PRO DJs.
Post Event Satisfaction Survey:
“Rich did a great job at my son’s Bar Mitzvah. He kept the energy at the right level throughout the evening. He kept the kids entertained during cocktail hour with games, which allowed the adults to mingle without a lot of distraction. Then, when it was time to focus on dancing, he played a great mix of music that had young and old alike dancing. We requested a couple slow dances and those were added in at just the right time. Great, memorable evening.” -Anna Winthrop
- Event Date: Saturday, August 25, 2018
- Event Type: Bar Mitzvah
- Event Location: Hotel Eastlund, Portland
- Event Staff: Rich Ellis
- Quality of Customer Service via Telephone: Excellent
- Quality of Customer Service via Internet: Excellent
- Quality of Customer Service at Event: Excellent
- Friendliness of your Entertainer: Excellent
- Promptness of your Entertainer: Excellent
- Professionalism of your Entertainer: Excellent
- Entertainer’s Performance: Excellent
- Entertainer’s Appearance: Excellent
- System Appearance: Excellent
- Sound Quality: Excellent
- Overall Volume Levels: Excellent
- Music Selection: Excellent
- Incorporation of Your Requests: Excellent
- Lighting Effects: Excellent
- Equipment Appearance: Excellent
- Overall Customer Service: Excellent
- Planning Assistance: Excellent
- Entertainer’s Cooperation with Other Vendors: Excellent
- Overall Performance Rating: Excellent
- Would you recommend this service to others? Yes
Karaoke Wedding McMenamins Kennedy School
Andrea and Marshall’s karaoke wedding was held Friday, August 24, 2018 at McMenamins Kennedy School in Portland, Oregon.
The reception was in the Gym with the ceremony outside in the adjacent courtyard. I setup my sound system in the corner so I could provide music and sound for both, including a microphone on a stand for two readings and a lapel microphone for the officiant.
Karaoke Wedding Ceremony Highlights:
- Wedding Party and Bride/Groom Entrance: The Pretenders – Message of Love
- Bride & Groom Exit: Gin Wigmore – I Do
Following the ceremony, everyone made their way inside for drinks and refreshments as the newlyweds posed for additional photos. Background music was a mix of Rock and R&B selections as requested by the bride and groom, including artists such as Stevie Wonder, Beach Boys, Childish Gambino, Alabama Shakes and more.
Karaoke Wedding Reception Highlights:
- Grand Entrance: Abba – I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do
- First Dance: Alabama Shakes – I Found You
- Cake Cutting: Folk Uke – In Case We Die
- Last Dance: Beatles – When I’m 64
After the cake cutting, Andrea opened the karaoke by singing “I’ll Stand By You” (Pretenders). She was then joined by her father to perform “Proud Mary” (CCR). As expected, and maybe because it was still early (7pm), we didn’t have many ready to keep the karaoke going, but that would certainly change later on. I opened the dance floor with a slow song and then played a variety of hits, including “Hey Ya”, “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg”, “Jailhouse Rock” and more.
The karaoke picked up about an hour later as guests signed up to sing everything from “Keeping The Faith” and “Careless Whisper” to “Super Bass” and “I Want It That Way”. Then came a heavy set of 90’s hip hop for the dance floor pulled from the newlywed’s request list… “California Love”, “Hypnotize”, “No Diggity”, “Humpty Dance” and more. We finished the night with more karaoke performances, including Andrea singing the finale, “Dream A Little Dream of Me” (Mama Cass).
Congratulations Andrea and Marshall and thank you for choosing PRO DJs.
50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration
Mary and Dave celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary with family and friends at Madeleine Parish Hall in Portland, Oregon on Sunday, August 19, 2018.
Background music was a mix of their favorites from the past such as “(Theme From A) Summer Place” from Percy Faith, “The Wonder of You” by Elvis Presley and selections from the Beatles.
Shortly after their guests arrived and before the buffet opened, Mary and Dave renewed their vows. A little later, as everyone was finishing their meal, a slide show was presented. As you can imagine, this featured many photos from 50 years of marriage. As this was happening, I played some of their favorite songs in the background.
50th Wedding Anniversary Slideshow Music Selections:
- Barbara Streisand – People Who Need People
- Ella Fitzgerald – Someone To Watch Over Me
- Nat King Cole – When I Fall In Love
- Elvis Presley – Can’t Help Falling In Love
- Bette Midler – Wind Beneath My Wings
- Billy Joel – Lullabye
- Elton John – Circle of Life
Following the slideshow, Mary and Dave danced their first dance to “Some Enchanted Evening” by Perry Como, inviting their guests to join them about half way through the song. Many then stuck around for “Unchained Melody” by the Righteous Brothers and then some more uptempo music from the Beatles and swing dances, “In The Mood” and “Jailhouse Rock.” The “Hokey Pokey” was also requested.
Congratulations Mary and Dave and thank you for choosing PRO DJs.
Post Event Satisfaction Survey:
“Thank you so much for the wonderful job you did with the music. Everyone had a wonderful time. Rich Ellis provided a marvelous service. We had a slide show of our lives together and Rich coordinated song selections that were beautifully suited to the mood of the slides. I was so delighted!” -Mary Krug – Portland, OR
- Event Date: Sunday, August 19, 2018
- Event Type: 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration
- Event Location: Madeleine Parish Hall, Portland, Oregon
- Event Staff: Rich Ellis
- Quality of Customer Service via Telephone: Excellent
- Quality of Customer Service via Internet: Excellent
- Quality of Customer Service at Event: Excellent
- Friendliness of your Entertainer: Excellent
- Promptness of your Entertainer: Excellent
- Professionalism of your Entertainer: Excellent
- Entertainer’s Performance: Excellent
- Entertainer’s Appearance: Excellent
- System Appearance: Excellent
- Sound Quality: Excellent
- Overall Volume Levels: Excellent
- Music Selection: Excellent
- Incorporation of Your Requests: Excellent
- Lighting Effects: N/A
- Equipment Appearance: Excellent
- Overall Customer Service: Excellent
- Planning Assistance: Excellent
- Entertainer’s Cooperation with Other Vendors: Excellent
- Overall Performance Rating: Excellent
- Would you recommend this service to others? Yes
