It was a beautiful and warm Spring day that felt more like mid-Summer for Francine and David’s wedding and reception held at McMenamins Grand Lodge in Forest Grove, Oregon on Saturday, May 31, 2014.
 

 
The reception took place inside the Children’s Cottage following the ceremony held right outside under the big tree between the cottage and Grand Lodge.
 

 
Despite the great weather outside, most guests hung out in the main room where I was setup. The room has an intimate feel and the background music that featured a variety of artists, such as Jack Johnson, The Beales, Jimmy Buffet and more, put everyone at ease. Francine also wanted to make sure I played ‘Kind & Generous’ by Natalie Merchant as a “thank you, thank you” to her friends and family for attending.
 

 
Grand Lodge Wedding Reception Highlights:

• First Dance: Keith Urban – Without You

Francine and David had expected around 70 guests, but a family emergency dropped that number to around 40. Still, those in attendance had a great time dancing with the bride to hit songs from a variety of genres.
 

 

 
Connie and Kal’s Classic Portland Wedding Reception featured everything from fun, familiar oldies to Greek and Hungarian favorites.
 
The reception was held on Sunday, May 25, 2014 at Legends Condominiums in Southwest Portland, a few blocks from Providence Park.
 
After a cocktail hour with a live pianist in an adjacent room, guests moved to the dining room across the hall. I was set-up in the Atrium and moved a speaker close to the entrance to provide a mix of background music that included soft big band (1940’s style, such as Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller and Frank Sinatra).
 
Classic Portland Wedding Reception Highlights:

• First Dance: Righteous Brothers – Unchained Melody
• Groom and Daughters Dance: Louis Armstrong – What A Wonderful World
• Bride and Cousins Dance: Champs – Tequila
• Last Dance: Donna Summer – Last Dance

There were only 45 guests in attendance, but they brought the energy… dancing to mostly golden oldies and classic hits from the 50’s and 60’s, including The Glenn Miller Orchestra, The Beatles and more. I also played many Greek and Hungarian songs that were well received by guests visiting from all over the world.
 
Post Event Satisfaction Survey:
 
“Rich Ellis was wonderful to work with! Upbeat, professional and polished. He provided us with all the pre-preparation materials that made our event run smoothly. He was prompt and accessible to us, the bride and groom, prior to the wedding and throughout our evening. He also exhibited warmth, a welcoming approach to our guests, and did so with style and flair. In addition, we chose to adjust some music mid-reception and Rich did this seamlessly. We highly recommend Rich Ellis at ProDJs.”  -Connie Kirk and Kal Toth

• Event Date: Sunday, May 25, 2014
• Event Type: Wedding Reception
• Event Location: 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: 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

 
Glenda and Ken were married last November in a helicopter above Las Vegas.
 
Before that, Ken, a former firefighter, also proposed to Glenda in a different helicopter over New York City. That was Glenda’s first time and both rides turned out to be major milestones.
 
As residents of the area, they decided to hold their Vancouver reception when they knew their kids would be in town visiting from Montana and that turned out to be on Saturday, March 29, 2014 at Royal Oaks Country Club.
 
Following a champagne toast, Glenda and Ken danced their first dance to ‘I’ll Be Waiting’ from Portland artist Linda Hornbuckle and after about a minute, began encouraging their guests to join them.
 

 
Friends and family quickly filled the floor for the rest of that first dance and kept going strong for the next 90 minutes, keeping the beat to classic oldies and today’s best music, including Glenda’s request for current number one song ‘Happy’ by Pharrell Williams.
 



 
Post Event Satisfaction Survey:
 
“Rich was great at playing to the crowd and the floor was packed all night long.”  -Ken & Glenda Hill

• Event Date: Saturday, March 29, 2014
• 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: 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