It was a hot one for Megan and Michael’s wedding and reception on Friday, September 7, 2012 at the Jenkins Estate in Aloha, Oregon. As the ceremony began around 6:30pm, the temperature was at it’s peak of 95 degrees. Fortunately, the meadow was completely shaded by trees, allowing everyone a comfortable seat. I set-up an alternate sound system near the stable and the brown siding provided a nice backdrop to hide my speakers a little.
 
Ceremony Highlights:

• Bridal Party Entrance: Colbie Callait – I Do
• Bride Entrance: Jason Mraz – I Won’t Give Up
• Sand Ceremony: Explosions In The Sky – Your Hand In Mine
• Bride/Groom Exit: Montell Jordan – This Is How We Do It

I used my main sound system for the reception held behind the main house. However, most guests were seated for dinner on the front porch, so I ran a third speaker out front. It didn’t take long though for guests to permanently relocate when they realized most of the action later on would be happening out back.
 
Certainly, they didn’t want to miss Megan’s surprise for Michael. Little did he know that she had been taking singing lessons and before their first dance, she serenaded him with Adele’s ‘Lovesong’. Michael was taken aback, but caught up in the moment. I think all guests were moved by Megan’s performance. She admitted to being nervous, but I admired her courage.
 
Reception Highlights:

• Grand Entrance: OneRepublic – Good Life
• Cake Cutting: Jack Johnson – Better Together
• First Dance: Incubus – Friends and Lovers
• Bride and Father Dance: Moody Blues – Nights In White Satin
• Groom and Mother Dance: Rascal Flatts – My Wish
• Bouquet Toss: Spice Girls – Wannabe
• Garter Toss: LMFAO – Sexy & I Know It
• Last Song: Journey – Don’t Stop Believin’

Shortly after 9pm, the night air was a little cooler as the dance floor was opened to everyone. It was a perfect evening to celebrate the newlyweds and everyone joined in quickly to make it a raging party. All the fun songs from the past along with the smash hits of today, including Megan’s current favorite ‘What Makes You Beautiful’ from One Direction, kept the dancers in high gear as they grooved and sometimes cheered a good time.
 
Congratulations Megan and Michael!

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Over the last five years, Labor Day Weekend has become an increasingly popular time for weddings. And why not, the weather is normally great and with Monday off, Saturday or Sunday will work just fine. Erin and Edward chose to have their reception at the upscale The Nines in downtown Portland, Oregon on Sunday, September 2, 2012.
 
Guests arrived for cocktails in the foyer on the 6th floor around 6:30pm before being seated in the main ballroom for dinner. After introducing the wedding party and the newlyweds, I played a variety of soft background music for the dinner hour. One of the guests in attendance came up to me during dinner. I was the DJ at her daughter’s Bat Mitzvah in 2007… wow, time flies.
 
Reception Highlights:

• Grand Entrance: Breathe Carolina – Blackout
• Cake Cutting: Akon – I Can’t Wait
• First Dance: Alicia Keys – Un-thinkable (I’m Ready)
• Bride and Mother Dance: Jackson Browne – Somebody’s Baby
• Groom and Mother Dance: Boyz II Men – A Song For Mama
• Bouquet Toss: Tom Petty – American Girl
• Garter Toss: Justin Timberlake – Sexy Back
• Last Song: Justin Bieber – As Long As You Love Me

This group must have been really enjoying the long weekend because they were excited to dance from the opening number. We had some great energy the first few songs, but really cranked it up a notch when I played ‘The Hora’. Erin and Edward flew high in the chair raising and their parents (to their surprise) also took a ride 🙂

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With the sound of river water lapping the shore below and the occasional speed boat racing by, Julie and Brian were married on Saturday, September 1, 2012 at The Foundry at Oswego Pointe in Lake Oswego, Oregon.
 
You couldn’t ask for better weather (although Brian noted he wished it was 10 degrees cooler than the high of 75) and shade covered the entire promenade right before the start of their wedding. The ceremony included the unplanned sound of rumbling engines and one boat stereo blasting ‘Call Me Maybe’, but everyone smiled and took in the scene with amusement, yet still tuned into the reason they were all here 🙂
 
Ceremony Highlights:

• Bridal Party Entrance: Matthew Lister – Storybook Love (Princess Bride)
• Bride Entrance: Hanna, Boyd & Hummon – Bless the Broken Road
• Bride/Groom Exit: Katrina & The Waves – Walking On Sunshine

The Foundry has a built-in sound system I was able to tap into to provide music in the ballroom and the deck outside, where guests gathered for the entire cocktail hour before moving inside for dinner. With the dance floor in the center of the room and speakers hanging from the ceiling, this is the rare venue where it works not to have the DJ set-up on one side of the dance floor.
 
Reception Highlights:

• Cake Cutting: James Taylor – How Sweet It Is
• First Dance: Straight No Chaser – I’m Yours-Somewhere Over the Rainbow
• Bride and Father Dance: Beatles – In My Life
• Groom and Mother Dance: Molly Pasutti – The Man You’ve Become
• Bouquet Toss: Belinda Carlisle – Heaven Is A Place On Earth
• Garter Toss: Brad Paisley – Camouflage
• Last Song: Journey – Don’t Stop Believin’

The bride loves to dance. I think I saw Julie on the dance floor nearly every song and everyone had a great time moving to the latest hits and singing the classics, including the last two songs requested by the newlyweds, Queen’s ‘Fat Bottomed Girls’ and ‘Don’t Stop Believin’ from Journey.
 
Post Event Satisfaction Survey:
 
“Thank you. Everyone was out on the dance floor having a wonderful time.”  -Julie Clay

• Event Date: Saturday, September 1, 2012
• Event Type: Wedding & Reception
• Event Location: The Foundry – Lake Oswego, 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

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