Congratulations to PRO DJs’ own Steve Marker and his wife Angie who were married two weeks ago on Maui. The reception was held September 24, 2011 in Portland at the Embassy Suites Portland Airport Hotel and began with all guests having a chance to watch the ceremony on video before the newlyweds were introduced.
 
Rhett from PRO DJs was also there and former staffmember Rod was emcee. We all go way back to the mid-90’s and Steve and Angie’s wedding reception was also a chance at a DJ reunion 🙂
 
Wedding Reception Highlights:

• Grand Entrance: Israel Kamakawiwo’ole – Somewhere Over The Rainbow
• Cake Cutting: Bob Marley – Three Little Birds
• First Dance: Shania Twain – You’ve Got A Way
• Bride and Father Dance: Colin Raye – I Wish I Could
• Groom and Mother Dance: Boyz II Men – A Song For Mama
• Bouquet Toss: Beyonce – Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)
• Garter Toss: Yello – Oh Yeah

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With summer drawing to a close, I guess it’s not surprising we would see a rainy day in the Portland area. We lucked out though as all PRO DJs events this weekend were indoors, including Carla and Peter’s wedding held at The Old Church downtown on Saturday, September 17, 2011.
 
The ceremony took place in the church with the reception following in the ballroom next door. I provided music for both, moving my sound system after the ceremony. I also set-up my projector and screen for a slideshow the bride had produced by Revamp Video.
 
Wedding Highlights:
 
Ceremony

• Bridal Party Entrance: Bach – Jesu, Joe of Man’s Desiring
• Bride Entrance: Jeremiah Clarke – Trumpet Voluntary
• Unity Candle: Bach – Air on the G String
• Bride/Groom Exit: Richard Clayderman – Souvenir d’enfance

Reception

• Cocktail/Dinner Music: Piano de Bossa / Ela É Carioca
• Grand Entrance: Uncle Kracker – Smile
• Cake Cutting: Israel Kamakawiwo’ole – Somewhere Over The Rainbow
• First Dance: Andrea Bocelli – Por ti Volare
• Bride and Father Dance: Louis Armstrong – What A Wonderful World
• Groom and Mother Dance: Jim Brickman f/Mark Masri – A Mother’s Love
• Bouquet Toss: Beyonce – Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)
• Garter Toss: Marvin Gaye – Let’s Get It On

For the Father/Daughter Dance, Carla and her dad wanted only about a minute of ‘What A Wonderful World’ and asked me to then segue to the ‘Electric Slide’. As expected, the guests loved it, especially since Carla’s dad appeared to have just learned the dance earlier that day. For the Garter Toss, not one single guy was available. Peter didn’t care though and randomly tossed the garter to the seating area. It landed on the head of the oldest person in the room and his reaction was shock – very amusing 🙂
 
A variety of hit songs kept the dance floor movin’ and guests had a great time, even running an impromtu train around the room at one point. With about 50 guests in attendance, at least half were a part of that train. The party really blew up when we got to the current music. Back-to-back Usher went over really well, as well as ‘Party Rock Anthem’ and ‘Moves Like Jagger’.
 
Congratulations Carla and Peter. Thank you for choosing PRO DJs. -Rich
 
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The venue that Chrissy and Rich chose for their wedding reception was absolutely beautiful. A classy gem located in rustic Dallas, Oregon about 90 minutes south of Portland. It was also another hot day in Oregon with temperatures in the mid-90’s so the air-conditioned room kept everyone comfortable.
 
The ceremony took place just a couple blocks from the reception venue so most guests walked over as soon as it was over. For the cocktail hour, guests mingled with music from the 40’s and 50’s with artists including Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and Tony Bennett. I announced the Bridal Party and Bride and Groom grand entrance as they made their way down the main staircase. Appetizers were served and the drinks were flowing. Right before dinner, Chrissy’s sister played a surprise slideshow complete with soundtrack that we played through our sound system. It was moving and put several guests to tears including the bride and groom. Dinner was served family style at the tables and as soon as dinner was done we were ready for toasts.
 
After the toasts, we went straight into the first dance, followed by a dance with Chrissy and her father and Rich with his step-mom and birth mom. Right after, we opened up the dance floor and the celebration was underway right away. Guests danced to everything from the Beatles to Black Eyed Peas. Some other requests that got the dance floor packed were music from Shania Twain, Backstreet Boys, Will Smith…and even the Hokey Pokey was a requested hit! The party was so fun, we kept it going for an extra hour.
 
Time flies when you’re having fun and Chrissy and Rich’s wedding celebration went fast. Thank you for choosing PRO DJs to be a part of your special day.
 
Congratulations to Christina and Richard Brunick! -Rhett
 
Post Event Satisfaction Survey:
 
“Very satisfied with Rhett’s customer service. I was two hours late for the wedding which pushed everything else back! Rhett was able to accomodate the time changes and allow the evening to flow gracefully. If it wasn’t for his help, I may have forgotten to cut the cake! I was too busy having a good time that I almost forgot! Thanks, Rhett :)” -Christina Brunick

• Event Date: Saturday, September 10, 2011
• Event Type: Wedding Reception
• Event Location: Dallas Event Center, Dallas, OR
• Event Staff: Rhett Acelar
• Quality of Customer Service via Telephone: Excellent
• Quality of Customer Service via Internet: Good
• 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

 
It is hot days like these that makes it nice to DJ inside in a cool, air conditioned room. However, by the end of the night we turned up the heat inside with music and dancing for a wedding celebration to remember.
 
The ceremony got finished a little early at another location and guests started to arrive about 30 minutes earlier than expected. Good thing I came early and got set up fast. I had the cocktail music ready to greet them at the door. Music as requested from the 40’s and 50’s included some Motown, Jazz, Blues and Soul. When Jim and Nicole finally arrived for their grand entrance, there were loud cheers from guests. They are loved. Caterers opened up the buffet soon after and we slowed the music down a bit for dinner. After toasts and cutting of the cake, everyone was ready to party.
 
Some highlights:
 
First Dance: Frank Sinatra – Fly Me to the Moon
Father/Daughter Dance: Louis Armstrong – What A Wonderful World
Mother/Son Dance: Ozzy Osborne – Mama, I’m Comin’ Home
 
Then it was time to dance and open up the dance floor to all. Requests for Michael Jackson, Digital Underground and Kool & the Gang kept the party jumping.
 
It was a fun celebration and we were honored to be a part of it. Congratulations Jim & Nicole!!! Rhett
 
Post Event Satisfaction Survey:
 
“You guys were awesome!!” -Nicole Dillon

• Event Date: Saturday, September 3, 2011
• Event Type: Wedding Reception
• Event Location: Holiday Inn Wilsonville, OR
• Event Staff: Rhett Acelar
• 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

 
The forecast called for hot East winds blowing out of the Columbia River Gorge and with forest fires on Mt. Hood, some of that smoke was expected in the Portland area. Hazy skies was an understatement though and it felt like we were in the thick of the fires all day Saturday, September 3, 2011.
 
This impacted the view a little from the scenic Meriwether’s Skyline Farm in Northwest Portland, but it didn’t damper the mood for Lauren and Jameson’s wedding. These two just wanted to enjoy their celebration, no matter the weather or anything else that may occur. They were a real pleasure.
 
For the ceremony, there were no attendants. The groom was escorted by his parents, followed by the bride with her parents. After they were introduced by the officiant (Reverend Clara Alexander) at the end of the ceremony, the newlyweds had a champagne toast. I then played their exit song, while guests assembled for a group photo.
 
Wedding Highlights:
 
Ceremony

• Bride/Groom Entrance Song: Tracy Chapman – The Promise
• Bride/Groom Exit Song: Paul McCartney – Maybe I’m Amazed

Reception

• Cocktail/Dinner Music: Variety with some Country
• Cake (Cobbler) Cutting: James Taylor – How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)
• First Dance: Adele – To Make You Feel My Love
• Bride and Father Dance: Paul Simon – Father and Daughter
• Bouquet Toss: Flo Rida f/T-Pain – Low
• Last Dance: Bob Seger – We’ve Got Tonite

With the heavy smoke, I was somewhat concerned that guests may tire easily on the dance floor, but we caught a break and the air cleared a little. All that smoke moved to the horizon and provided a stellar sunset (see photo below). After the sun disappeared, we got it going and guests were fired up for a good time. I played a few classics and a lot of current hit songs, including crowd favorite and bride/groom request LMFAO’s ‘Party Rock Anthem.’ It was a great event and many guests let me know after how much they enjoyed the evening.
 
Big Congratulations to Lauren and Jameson. Thank you for choosing PRO DJs. -Rich
 
Post Event Satisfaction Survey:
 
“We could not have asked for a better DJ and music experience for our wedding! Rich provided an amazing array of music to keep our guests dancing the night away. He also gave much-appreciated advice along the way to ensure a smooth event. He is a true professional and I would highly recommend PRO DJs. Thank you for helping to create a perfect wedding celebration!” -Lauren Brouwer

• Event Date: Saturday, September 3, 2011
• Event Type: Wedding
• Event Location: Meriwether’s Skyline Farm/Portland, 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: 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

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