Gay Wedding
LOVE at McMinnville Hotel Oregon Wedding
After all the planning, there were lots of nerves leading up to the ceremony for Michelle and Heather, but everything went smoothly as they exchanged custom, heart-felt vows on Saturday, April, 14 2018 at McMenamins Hotel Oregon in McMinnville, Oregon.
McMinnville Hotel Oregon Wedding Ceremony Highlights:
- Wedding Party Entrance: The Piano Guys – A Thousand Years
- Bride & Bride Entrance: The Piano Guys – A Thousand Years
- Bride & Bride Exit: Israel Kamakawiwo’ole – Somewhere Over The Rainbow
The wedding and reception were held in Mattie’s Room on the second floor of the hotel. Following the ceremony, guests went downstairs to the Paragon lounge for drinks and appetizers. This allowed the McMenamins staff to setup the room and me to move my sound system to the dance floor area. Guests then returned about 45 minutes later and I played a variety of background music selections from artists such as Marvin Gaye, Jack Johnson, Norah Jones and Heather and Michelle’s request for Stevie Wonder.
McMinnville Hotel Oregon Wedding Reception Highlights:
- Grand Entrance: Kool & the Gang – Celebration
- Cake Cutting: James Taylor – How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)”
- First Dance: Echosmith – Bright
During dinner, Michelle mentioned the song they chose for their first dance was a little fast and she wanted to know if I could slow it down. I have pitch control on my audio player and I had her listen in my headphones as I adjusted the pitch to make sure it was to her liking and she approved. After their first dance, Michelle and Heather suggested I open the dance floor to all guests with “The Way You Look Tonight” by Michael BublĂ©.
From there, I played a mix of classic hits like ‘September’ and ‘P.Y.T.’ to recent favorites, ‘Can’t Stop the Feeling’ and ‘Uptown Funk.’
There was a lot of daylight left when this event ended and we had a good run of fun on the floor that wrapped with ‘My Girl’ from the Tempations.
Congratulations Heather and Michelle and thank you for choosing PRO DJs. I appreciate their friend and best man Sandy for referring us to DJ their big day.
Post Event Satisfaction Survey:
“Rich was amazing from start to finish. He helped plan, answered our questions whenever we had them and coordinated with other vendors the day of the wedding. The music was great and exactly what we asked for. I will be recommending Pro DJs to everyone I know who needs a great DJ. Very professional and organized. Made our wedding day that much better!”
-Michelle Love (Michelle & Heather’s Wedding) – Salem, OR
- Event Date: Saturday, April 14, 2018
- Event Type: Wedding & Reception
- Event Location: Hotel Oregon McMinnville
- 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
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.
Special Night At Portland Backyard Wedding
Each Summer I perform at many weddings held outside. The Northwest sunshine in the summertime provides multiple opportunities between July and September and there are many open air venues or places with outdoor space for private events to meet demand.
On Saturday, July 26, 2014, Gary and Michael held their wedding and reception in their own backyard in Southwest Portland and let me tell you, this place could rival any professional venue in the area.
Shortly after my arrival, I learned that the backyard looked nothing like it does now, so it was an amazing transformation in a short period of time, but they were motivated to have everything perfect for their big day.
Gary and Michael also wanted this be a big party for their guests, so they scheduled the cocktail hour before the ceremony and asked me to play a selection of music from the Rat Pack era, noting “Lounge kind of stuff. We love standards and there will be a very mid-century modern vibe to our decor to go with our home.” I played songs from Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Dean Martin and other artists popular in the 40’s and 50’s.
The ceremony began about an hour later and as they noted in their program, “odds are that you just sat through a very short ceremony. Rest assured, unless one of the grooms ran away sobbing, the ceremony went according to plan.” 🙂
Portland Backyard Wedding Ceremony Highlights:
- Wedding Processional: Michael BublĂ© – Everything
- Wedding Recessional: American Authors – Best Day of My Life
Following the ceremony, the newlyweds moved to the front yard with their families to take photos, returning about 30 minutes later for their grand entrance and dinner with their guests. During this time, I played a variety of contemporary soft rock favorites from artists such as, Jack Johnson, Norah Jones and Israel Kamakawiwo’ole.
Gary and Michael had asked everyone to not bring a gift, but after the toast, they were surprised with a slide show. I was asked to play two songs live during the five minute presentation… ‘In My Life’ from the Beatles and Garth Brooks’ ‘Friends In Low Places’. The show went a little longer though, so good thing I had a few extra songs ready to go… ‘What A Wonderful World’ from Louis Armstrong and ‘Stand By Me’ by Ben E. King.
Portland Backyard Wedding Reception Highlights:
- Grand Entrance: American Authors – Best Day of My Life
- Cake Cutting: James Taylor – How Sweet It Is
- First Dance: Bette Midler – Do You Want To Dance
- Groom and Mother Dance: Queen – You’re My Best Friend
- Parents Dance: Any Williams – Moon River
On a perfect Summer evening, the stage was set for a special night and Gary, Michael and their families and friends wasted no time getting this party started.
With many family members visiting from the Midwest, they had warned their guests that there will be a mandatory ‘Chicken Dance.’ I spun this one early and it was clear they took the mandatory part seriously.
The newlyweds request list was heavy on disco and 80’s hits, including ‘YMCA,’ ‘Dancing Queen,’ and Madonna’s ‘Vogue.’
This party was non-stop until late Saturday night with big hits ‘Gangham Style,’ ‘Baby Got Back,’ ‘Blurred Lines’ and more.
Congratulations Gary and Michael. It was a pleasure performing for you and your guests and thank you for choosing PRO DJs.
Post Event Satisfaction Survey:
“Our family, friends and loved ones could not stop raving about how well done everything was with the music. Rich helped make a magical night even better and I know people will be telling stories for years to come about events that took place on our dance floor!” -Gary Boyer
- Event Date: Saturday, July 26, 2014
- Event Type: Wedding & Reception
- Event Location: Private Residence/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: Good
- Sound Quality: Excellent
- Overall Volume Levels: Excellent
- Music Selection: Excellent
- Incorporation of Your Requests: Excellent
- Lighting Effects: Excellent
- Equipment Appearance: Good
- 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
Renaissance-Themed Wedding At Kennedy School
On a cold, blustery day, a little clearing happened just in time for Mark and Ryan’s Commitment Ceremony held at McMenamins Kennedy School in Northeast Portland on Saturday, October 20, 2012.
Despite the forecast, they were determined to exchange vows outside in the courtyard next to the Gym where the reception took place and fortunately, it worked out perfectly.
Ceremony Highlights:
- Processional Entrance: Cirque du Soleil – O
- Recessional: Queen – You’re My Best Friend
Reception Highlights:
- Grand Entrance: Owl City – Shooting Star
- Cake Cutting: Plain White T’s – 1,2,3,4 (I Love You)
- First Dance: Stevie Nicks – Crystal
When I opened the dance floor to everyone, the just shy of 50 guests packed the floor right away for ‘At Last’ from Etta James, but after a few fast songs, most took a break to visit with friends before returning later to fill the floor for a good hour… getting down to the latest hits.
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Commitment Ceremony In Oregon Wine Country
It was a picture perfect day at Elk Cove Vineyards in Gaston, Oregon for David and Todd’s commitment ceremony on Saturday, October 6, 2012. With the warm summer-like weather, it sure didn’t feel like it was early October. The shuttle buses ferrying the majority of guests to this event were about 20 minutes behind schedule. As a result, the 5:30 start-time was pushed back 35 minutes. In that time, the sun had dropped behind the hill and cooled things a little, but it was still a pleasant evening.
Ceremony Highlights:
- Processional Entrance: Selena Gomez – Love You Like A Like Song
- David & Todd Entrance: Michael Buble – You and I
- Recessional: Colbie Callait & Jason Mraz – Lucky
The reception took place in the main ballroom located behind the tasting room at Elk Cove. David and Todd requested a mix of chill music for the cocktail hour, followed by a variety of standards and big band music from the 40’s and 50’s during dinner. They are also fans of Pink Martini and Broadway musicals and that influenced their choices for the traditional wedding events.
Reception Highlights:
- Grand Entrance: Beyonce, Jennifer Hudson & Anika Noni Rose – Dreamgirls
- Cake Cutting: Wicked – Popular
- First Dance: Pink Martini – Over The Valley
- Last Song: Donna Summer – Last Dance
Many of the guests in attendance had traveled from far away, including much of David’s family visiting from China. Hit music is universal though and the familiar dance tracks brought everyone together quickly… ‘Twist & Shout’, ‘We Are Family’, ‘Party Rock Anthem’, ‘Gangham Style’ and more packed the floor.
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