Rich Ellis
October Wedding At Charbonneau Country Club
Kim and Keith’s wedding and reception at Charbonneau Country Club in Wilsonville, Oregon was held on Friday, October 21, 2016.
With the rain pouring outside, everyone was comfortable inside for the ceremony that began at 6pm
Charbonneau Country Club Wedding Ceremony Highlights:
- Wedding Party Entrance: Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes – I’ve Had the Time Of My Life
- Bride Entrance: Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes – I’ve Had the Time Of My Life
- Bride/Groom Exit: John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John – You’re the One That I Want
Background music for cocktails and dinner featured a variety of classic hits that included Stevie Wonder, Coldplay, OneRepublic and Motown favorites.
Charbonneau Country Club Wedding Reception Highlights:
- Grand Entrance: Pharrell Williams – Happy
- Cake Cutting: Maroon 5 – Sugar
- First Dance: Michael Buble – Everything
- Bride and Father Dance: Stevie Wonder – Isn’t She Lovely
- Bouquet Toss: Cyndi Lauper – Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
There were a few people dancing during the background music (always a good sign) and from the opening slow dance to uptempo songs that followed, many of the 120 guests were on the giant dance floor for the entire first hour.
I received requests for 70’s and 80’s hit songs, including Neil Diamond’s ‘Sweet Caroline’ and AC/DC ‘You Shook Me All Night Long’ plus plenty of hits from the past decade, such as ‘Dynamite,’ ‘Cupid Shuffle’ and the new track from Bruno Mars ’24K Magic’.
Congratulations Kim and Keith and thank you for choosing PRO DJs.
Post Event Satisfaction Survey:
“All was perfect. There was nothing that needed improvement.” -Gloria Schwindt (Mother of the Bride)
- Event Date: Friday, October 21, 2016
- Event Type: Wedding & Reception
- Event Location: Charbonneau Country Club
- 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
Oregon Wedding DJ At Gray Gables Estate
Oregon Wedding DJ Rich Ellis had the opportunity to perform at Krystin and Joel’s wedding and reception on Sunday, October 2, 2016 at Gray Gables Estate in Milwaukie, Oregon.
Rain fell most of the day, but cleared up in time for the 6pm ceremony held outside near the Koi Pond where I setup a second sound system.
Oregon Wedding DJ Ceremony Highlights:
- Wedding Party Entrance: Beatles – Here Comes the Sun
- Bride Entrance: Ben E. King – Stand By Me
- Bride/Groom Exit: Ray LaMontagne – You Are the Best Thing
The original plan was to also hold the reception outside in the Large Garden, but with the threat of an occasional shower, the newlyweds decided to move the celebration inside. Krystin and Joel were very involved in the music selection. In fact, they chose all songs played during cocktails and dinner… an eclectic mix that included music from Van Morrison, Lincoln Durham, Ella Fitzgerald, Alabama Shakes and more.
Oregon Wedding DJ Reception Highlights:
- Grand Entrance: Mumford and Sons – I Will Wait
- Cake Cutting: Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong – Our Love Is Here To Stay
- First Dance: White Buffalo – Love Song #1
- Bride and Father Dance: Fleetwood Mac – Landslide (Live, “This is for you, daddy” said at start)
- Groom and Mother Dance: Tom Petty – Wildflowers
- Last Dance: Billy Idol – White Wedding
Following the formal dances, I opened the dance floor to all guests with ‘At Last’ from Etta James. It was a great turnout.
Everyone appeared to have a lot of fun dancing to the classic hits and current favorites, including ‘December 1963 (Oh, What A Night) from the Four Seasons, Walk the Moon’s ‘Shut Up and Dance’, and the newlywed’s requests for AC/DC and Queen.
After all these years as a DJ, it’s still nice to hear “you’re doing a great job,” and Krystin and Joel said they had a great time. Best wishes to you both as you travel the world together. Thank you for choosing PRO DJs.
Exciting Night At Boring Backyard Wedding
As the calendar flipped to October, the temperature dropped and rain fell off and on outside, but nothing could dampen the love and joy inside the tent at Lora and Leslie’s Boring backyard wedding and reception held on Saturday, October, 1 2016.
There were lots of nerves leading up to the ceremony, but those nerves were channeled to positive energy that set the tone for a fun and exciting night to follow.
Boring Backyard Wedding Ceremony Highlights:
- Wedding Party Entrance: Rainbow Connection
- Bride & Bride Entrance: Rainbow Connection
- Bride & Bride Exit: Brooke Hogan – About Us
Decorations featured hanging scarves and other props of the newlyweds beloved Portland Thorns and Timbers soccer teams. As guests ate and drank, I played a variety of background music selections that included requests from Lora and Leslie for Melissa Ethridge, Indigo Girls, Beach Boys and Sara Bareilles.
Boring Backyard Wedding Reception Highlights:
- Grand Entrance: Gwen Stefani – Hollaback Girl
- Cake Cutting: Little Mermaid Sound Track “Kiss The Girl”
- First Dance: Louis Armstrong – LIVE from friends Tracy & Crystal “Rainbow Connection”
- Friend Dance: Theme from Golden Girls
After the ‘Friend Dance,’ Lora and Leslie wanted me to open the dance floor with Miley Cyrus’ ‘Party In The USA’. This group was fired up and this was the perfect choice to really start the party.
From the classic hits, such as ‘Respect,’ and ‘Billie Jean’ to recent favorites, ‘Shut Up and Dance’ and ‘Uptown Funk,’ this very large dance floor was filled to capcity most of the evening. 98 percent of songs chosen were uptempo. Once slow dance though was played in the tradition of the 80th minute at Portland Thorns games, ‘Keep On Lovin’ You’ from REO Speedwagon.
Congratulations Lora and Leslie and thank you for choosing PRO DJs.
Eleanor’s Bat Mitzvah Party At Kennedy School
Eleanor’s memorable Bat Mitzvah party took place at McMenamins Kennedy School in Northeast Portland, Oregon on Saturday, September 10, 2016.
When looking for a DJ for her daughter’s big night, her mom noted the following: “Must engage all the kids so they all feel included; must have “Jewish” feel with The Hora. I’m not interested in a DJ who just blasts music – the DJ must engage directly with the kids and get camp friends interacting with school friends, etc.” I appreciate that I was chosen for this event and it was a pleasure performing for Eleanor and her friends and family.
For arriving guests I played a variety of background music that included requests for ‘Best Day of My Life’ from American Authors, Train’s ‘Hey, Soul Sister’, ‘Graduation (Friends Forever)’ from Vitamin C and the appropriately titled, ‘I Love Eleanor’ by Wes Cunningham.
After the kids had a chance to eat, they had a great time playing games, including a scavenger hunt, Coke & Pepsi and the limbo. Eleanor’s mom Amy was insistent The Hora be danced correctly, so she took a few minutes to demonstrate for everyone before I started the music.
There was a lot of energy and the dance floor was hoppin’ all evening to hot hits such as ‘Uptown Funk’, ‘Billie Jean’, ‘Shut Up and Dance’ and more.
Mazel Tov Eleanor and thank you mom Amy for choosing PRO DJs.
Post Event Satisfaction Survey:
“Rich Ellis was amazing both before the event with all the planning and during the event. He did a fabulous job getting the kids playing games and dancing. They were on the dance floor the entire evening and everyone (kids and adults) had a wonderful time. Rich really made the party a huge success!!!” -Amy Blumenberg (Eleanor’s Bat Mitzvah)
- Event Date: Saturday, September 10, 2016
- Event Type: Bat Mitzvah
- Event Location: Kennedy School, Portland, OR
- 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
Hot Sherwood Wedding at Country View Events
Our moderate Northwest summer came to an end this week as the hottest temperatures of the year settled in for Emily and Scott’s Sherwood wedding on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Mt. Hood normally looks spectacular from Country View Events in Sherwood, Oregon, but at 99 degrees, a persistent haze made it seem distant. With traffic delays, many guests were not able to arrive on time and the wedding start time of 6pm was pushed back 30 minutes, but no worries, when we did start, everything went smoothly.
Sherwood Wedding Ceremony Highlights:
- Wedding Party Entrance: Train – Marry Me
- Bride Entrance: Train – Marry Me
- Bride/Groom Exit: Meghan Trainor – Dear Future Husband
Fortunately, a slight breeze moved in to provide some comfort for the nearly 200 people in attendance as the reception got under way. Background music for cocktails and dinner featured a variety of artists, including OneRepublic, Jimmy Buffet and Marvin Gaye.
Sherwood Wedding Reception Highlights:
- Grand Entrance: Bruno Mars – Marry You
- First Dance: Landon Austin – Once In A Lifetime
- Groom and Mother Dance: Elvis Presley – The Wonder of You
- Last Dance: Meghan Trainor – Like I’m Gonna Lose You
When the dance floor opened, we had only a few couples and their kids interested in cutting a rug, but eventually everyone else got going and we had a good hour plus long run of dancing fun to hits from Outkast, Michael Jackson, Bruno Mars and more.
Congratulations Emily and Scott and thank you for choosing PRO DJs.
