Wedding

Small Group Big Fun At Vancouver Wedding

Published September 14, 2015 | By Rich Ellis

Ingrid and Mark’s Vancouver wedding reception was held on Saturday, September 12, 2015 at Royal Oaks Country Club, following their ceremony at the University of Portland chapel.

I set-up my main sound system inside for dinner and the reception, but also brought a wireless speaker for the back deck and arriving guests. It was a perfect late summer evening and the requested background music that featured happy, light jazz and a tropical, Bossa Nova sound provided a relaxing, laid back feel for the cocktail hour.

Around 6pm, everyone moved inside for a sit-down dinner in the upper dining area. Background music for dinner was easy listening set with the volume “low enough for conversation for us middle agers” as noted by the mother of the bride.

Vancouver Wedding Reception Highlights:

Cake Cutting: Nat King Cole – L.O.V.E.
First Dance: Frank Sinatra – Cheek to Cheek
Groom and Mother Dance: James Taylor – How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)
Bouquet Toss: Michael Bublé – Haven’t Met You Yet
Last Dance: Frank Sinatra – Fly Me To The Moon

In many settings, the large dance floor may have been overwhelming to a small group of only 43 guests, but they were not shy and had a great time from the first slow dance to the famous fast songs that played throughout the night.

It was a memorable bouquet toss as Ingrid threw it perfectly into the chandelier above that broke the bouquet into many pieces. I joked that “for anyone hoping to catch the bouquet but didn’t, there is plenty to go around.” 🙂 From the Four Seasons to Michael Jackson, Black Eyed Peas to the groom’s favorite, Journey, the dancing fun lasted over two hours.

Best wishes Ingrid and Mark and thank you mother of the bride, Debra for choosing PRO DJs.

Post Event Satisfaction Survey:

Event Date: Saturday, September 12, 2015
Event Type: Wedding Reception
Event Location: Royal Oaks 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: Good
Sound Quality: Good
Overall Volume Levels: Good
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

Posted in Events, Wedding

Smoke From A Distant Fire At Mt. Hood Wedding

Published August 25, 2015 | By Rich Ellis

It was a smoky celebration at Lindsay and Kevin’s Mt. Hood Wedding on Sunday, August 23, 2015 as Northwest wildfires in Oregon and Washington brought a haze that made Mt. Hood in the background appear as a silhouette.

It was a comfortable day though with a high temperature in the low 80’s at Mt. Hood B & B in Parkdale, Oregon… my third trip to this fabulous venue this Summer.

Mt. Hood Wedding Ceremony Highlights:

Wedding Party Entrance: Lumineers – Ho Hey!
Flower Girl/Ring Bearer Entrance: House of Pain – Jump Around
Bride Entrance: Adele – Make You Feel My Love (Acoustic Piano Version)
Bride/Groom Exit: Bruno Mars – Marry You

Following the wedding ceremony, guests relaxed with a cocktail on the lawn or enjoyed a cup of gelato from a special stand setup nearby. I played a mix of background music that included a casual mix of popular and folky songs from artists loved by the bride and groom, such as Mumford & Sons, Michael Buble, Of Monsters & Men and more.

For the reception, my main sound system was set-up earlier in the dining area located behind the house. After I introduced Lindsay and Kevin, the buffet was opened for dinner. Background music was a softer variety of alternative favorites that included Jason Mraz, Norah Jones and Dave Matthews Band.

Mt. Hood Wedding Reception Highlights:

Grand Entrance: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis f/Ray Dalron – Can’t Hold Us
Cake Cutting: Jack Johnson – Better Together
First Dance: Ray Lamontagne – You Are The Best Thing
Bride and Father Dance: Tim McGraw – My Little Girl
Groom and Mother Dance: Boyz II Men – A Song For Mama
Last Dance: Whitney Houston – I Will Always Love You

I played a few older songs at the beginning, including an opening slow dance that packed the dance floor, but this group really responded to the recent hits like ‘Happy’ from Pharrell Williams that featured the groom’s family passing out the big brown hats that Pharrell wore in the video.

The rest of the night everyone enjoyed getting down to ‘Uptown Funk,’ ‘Blurred Lines,’ and even some Taylor Swift, as requested by the bride.

Best wishes Lindsay and Kevin!

Post Event Satisfaction Survey:

“Rich really made the audio & music elements of our wedding so easy because we knew he had every aspect covered. The event planner tool on the website made song selection very easy and helped with ceremony and reception structure. In speaking with Rich the week before the wedding, he took the time to understand our wants and he “got our vision” instantly. He is very personable and provided some excellent recommendations based on his extensive experience. It translated into a perfectly seamless event. Some of our favorite memories from the wedding were on the dance floor, so thanks to Rich for reading the crowd well and bringing out everyone’s dance moves. We received compliments several friends and family members on our DJ after the wedding!”
-Lindsay Pearce & Kevin Rogers

Event Date: Saturday, August 23, 2015
Event Type: Wedding & Reception
Event Location: Mt. Hood Bed and Breakfast
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

Posted in Events, Wedding, Wedding DJ

Horning’s Hideout Wedding In North Plains

Published August 17, 2015 | By Rich Ellis

Cecelia and Steven held their Horning’s Hideout wedding in North Plains, Oregon on Saturday, August 15, 2015.

There was competition with another wedding that featured a Mariachi band, happening at the same time across the lake, but it was a perfect day with a high temperature in the mid 70’s.

Horning’s Hideout Wedding Ceremony Highlights:

Wedding Party Entrance: Tyrone Wells – Happy As The Sun
Bride Entrance: Piano Guys – A Thousand Years
Bride/Groom Exit: Norah Jones – Come Away With Me

The reception followed with tables arranged for dinner in the grass where the ceremony had just taken place. There was a lot of room to roam and you could hear the background music I was playing that featured a mix of jazz favorites, nearly everywhere.

Horning’s Hideout Wedding Reception Highlights:

Cake Cutting: Brad Paisley – She’s Everything
First Dance: John Legend – All of Me
Groom and Mother Dance: Beatles – In My Life
Bouquet Toss: Iggy Azalea f/Charli XCX – Fancy
Garter Toss: Jimi Hendrix – Foxy Lady
Last Dance: Marvin Gaye & Tami Terrell – Ain’t No Mountain High Enough

There were about 50 guests in attendance and that was down to 30 after the first dance. We had a few takers early, but this small, yet spirited group, really picked it up as twilight set in.

The big hits were ‘Gold Digger,’ ‘Watch Me Whip,’ ‘Blurred Lines’ and the best man’s request for ‘Cupid Shuffle.’ The bride spontaneously led a conga line during ‘Party Rock Anthem.’

Congratulations CeCe and Steve and thank you Steve’s dad Darren for choosing PRO DJs.

Post Event Satisfaction Survey:

“Rich was the ultimate professional. He was prompt, courteous and played even the obscure requests. I would highly recommend him for ANY event, but especially wedding dance!”
-Darren Martin (Ce Ce McLain & Steven Martin Wedding)

Event Date: Saturday, August 15, 2015
Event Type: Wedding & Reception
Event Location: Horning’s Hideout
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

Posted in Events, Wedding

Portland Wedding Reception At Kennedy School

Published August 12, 2015 | By Rich Ellis

Brittany and Kelly’s Portland wedding reception was held on Tuesday, August 11, 2015 at McMenamins Kennedy School in Portland, Oregon.

With a 10am start, a former school building may have been the perfect venue for a weekday reception and nearly 30 years as a DJ, I think I have now performed at a wedding every day of the week.

About 50 guests made up of family and close friends attended. The newlyweds wanted the feel of the post World War II era and requested 1940’s/early 1950’s selections for background music. Artists included the Glenn Miller Orchestra, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra.

Portland Wedding Reception Highlights:

Grand Entrance: Dean Martin – Ain’t That A Kick In the Head
Cake Cutting: John Legend – All of Me
First Dance: Death Cab for Cutie – Follow You Into The Dark
Bride and Father Dance: Temptations – My Girl
Groom and Mother Dance: Israel Kamakawiwo’ole – Somewhere Over The Rainbow
Bridal Party Dance: Will Smith – Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It
Last Dance: Percy Sledge – When A Man Loves A Woman

1pm on a Tuesday doesn’t normally scream party, but don’t tell these people. The dance floor almost felt like a Saturday night as nearly all 50 guests turned out for the opening slow dance, ‘At Last’ and then got down to ‘Hey Ya,’ ‘Gettin’ Jiggy With It,’ ‘YMCA’ and more.

Congratulations Brittany and Kelly and thank you for choosing PRO DJs.

Post Event Satisfaction Survey:

Event Date: Tuesday, August 11, 2015
Event Type: Wedding & Reception
Event Location: McMenamins Kennedy School
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

Posted in Events, Wedding

Wedding Reception At Stonehedge Gardens

Published August 9, 2015 | By Rich Ellis

Dayna and Thomas’ Wedding Reception at Stonehedge Gardens in Hood River, Oregon was held on Saturday, August 8, 2015.

With beautiful tall trees, plants, waterfalls, and lights shining in the tree-canopy, plus a perfect temperature of no more than 80 degrees, it was a magical night to celebrate.

Background music for cocktails and dinner featured a variety of styles as requested by the groom, including Big Band, Gentle Jazz, Classic Rock, Easy Listening, and Country. Both Dayna and Thomas are in the Marines and just arrived in Oregon the week before from being stationed in Hawaii and Georgia. They cut the cake with an officer sword.

Wedding Reception At Stonehedge Gardens Hood River Highlights:

Grand Entrance: Frank Sinatra – Love & Marriage
Cake Cutting: Godfather Soundtrack – Tarantella Napolitana
First Dance: Billy Joel – Just the Way You Are
Bride and Father Dance: Tim McGraw – My Little Girl
Groom and Mother Dance: Jason Mraz – 93 Million Miles
Anniversary Dance: Frank Sinatra – The Way You Look Tonight
Bouquet Toss: Survivor – Eye of the Tiger
Last Dance: Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes – I’ve Had the Time Of My Life

The anniversary dance was a great lead for opening the dance floor with an impressive eight couples married longer than 30 years and the longest 57 years.

During the first fast dance, the newlyweds led almost everyone on the packed dance floor up the stairs to the open area next to where I was setup and before long there were two packed dance floors for the songs that followed… that was certainly a first in my DJ career and a lot of fun 🙂

A hot set of recent hit songs, such as ‘Uptown Funk,’ ‘Treasure’ and ‘Happy’ kept up a fast pace for almost 90 minutes before the guests were ready for the next slow dance.

Congratulations Dayna and Thomas and thank you for choosing PRO DJs.

Post Event Satisfaction Survey:

“Extremely professional, from the moment I spoke to Rich on the phone during booking, through the ceremony itself, I cannot express how happy I was with the service. Every single guest I spoke to complimented us on how great the music selection was. I continually told them that except for the “big moment songs…”the selection was all Rich. Honestly, that was always the most important thing to me. I didn’t want to spend time worrying about the details of the music… I preferred giving a description of the crowd, a few music styles that we liked, and letting the DJ read the crowd. Thats exactly what I got and I couldn’t be happier.” -Dayna Riise & Thomas Comer