It appears Mother Nature may be a fan of summer weddings in the Pacific Northwest. Another perfect day with the sun breaking right about the time of Carrie and Chris’ wedding the afternoon of Saturday, August 6, 2011. The ceremony was held in Canby, Oregon at 2:30pm with the reception following at Eastmoreland Golf Course in SE Portland. My original start-time for the reception was 4pm, but after talking with Carrie a week before to discuss and finalize the itinerary, it became clear to me that guests might arrive much sooner, so I suggested a 3:30pm start for me and she agreed. After a wedding ceremony, most guests make a bee line for the reception and sure enough, the first guests arrived right at 3:30.
 
And so did Carrie and Chris! I was not expecting them for their introduction until after everyone else had arrived, but they had a few more pictures to take, so we staged a grand entrance about 45 minutes later and they arrived to ‘Tom Sawyer’ from Rush… the first time in my long career that song has been chosen 🙂 For cocktails and dinner, I played a wide variety that included music from Jimmy Buffett, Jason Mraz and Marvin Gaye. After dinner and the toast, the newlyweds cut the cake to the Four Tops ‘I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch).’
 
For their First Dance, Carrie and Chris selected ‘Halo’ from Beyonce. The bride then danced with her father and the groom with his mother to Tom Petty’s ‘Wildflowers.’ I then opened the dance floor to everyone and they got right to it. From the first fast song, ‘Twist & Shout’ (see pictures below), they were fired up and ready to go. With the usual mix of classics and current songs, this celebration was similar to last night… this group was rockin’ for three straight hours. It was fun to spin some Sly & The Family Stone requested by the groom, who loves ‘Thank You (Falettin Me Be Mice Elf Agin).’ I took the opportunity to segue from that one into Stevie Wonder’s ‘Superstition’ and the packed dance floor was so full, it began to spill outside. Several of Carrie’s favorites included Dee-Lite’s ‘Groove Is In The Heart,’ Beastie Boys ‘Brass Monkey,’ and New Kids on the Block ‘You Got It (The Right Stuff)’… another track I haven’t played in many years… she couldn’t wait to hear that one.
 
Congratulations Carrie and Chris. Thank you for choosing PRO DJs. -Rich

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Weddings held outdoors in the summertime are normally quiet affairs and Cara & Joe’s ceremony held at Depot Park in Troutdale, Oregon on August 5th was no exception. Well, except for the occasional train passing by… really close by. The track was about 30 feet from where I was set-up (see picture below). As a train whizzed by before the ceremony, the photographer took pictures of the bride and groom, standing extremely close to the moving train, but it made for a great shot.
 
Upon arrival, I had learned from the officiant (Joe’s father Jerry) that Cara and Joe had actually gotten married at City Hall that morning, so this ceremony was a formality and it began a little after 5:30pm. The wedding attendants consisted of a ring bearer and several flower girls and they entered to Pachelbel ‘Canon In D’. Cara then made her entrance to ‘Beautiful In My Eyes’ from Joshua Kadison. A train passed by right before we began, but fortunately, not during the ceremony. Everything went smoothly and Cara & Joe were introduced and made their exit to Ray LaMontagne’s ‘You Are The Best Thing.’
 
Guests then walked up to the Troutdale House for the reception. I had a second sound system set-up inside and per the request of the bride and groom, played a mix of Grateful Dead music until dinner was ready. Without a natural place for a dance floor, I had set-up on one end of the bar and the main walkway became the dance floor later on. This worked out great and guests didn’t have to go far to get a drink 🙂
 
After the toast and cutting of the cake, Cara and Joe danced their First Dance to ‘You’re Still the One’ from Shania Twain. Joe then danced with his mom to ‘The Man You’ve Become’ from Molly Pasutti. The newlyweds chose to have a ‘Money Dance’ and their guests were excited to participate and contribute $$ for a chance to dance with them.
 
Shortly after 8pm, I opened the dance floor to everyone. We got off to a great start and I spun a variety of popular dance hits, including Michael Jackson’s ‘Billie Jean’, Van Morrison’s ‘Brown Eyed Girl’ and bride favorites ‘We Are Family’ from Sister Sledge and ‘Just Dance’ by Lady Gaga. Almost three hours later, we were still going strong and the evening ended with the bride and groom’s choice of ‘Ripple’ from the Grateful Dead.
 
Cara and Joe, it was a pleasure. Congratulations and thank you for the opportunity. -Rich
 
Post Event Satisfaction Survey:
 
“Rich did not try to be the center of attention. He was a great emcee and really kept the energy up the whole time.”  -Cara Hackenbruck

• Event Date: Friday, August 5, 2011
• Event Type: Wedding
• Event Location: The Troutdale House/Troutdale, 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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We love to help couples plan their wedding reception. Some couples prefer a traditional flow of ceremonies during their wedding celebration. Some prefer to be different. Annette and Jeff chose the latter and their wedding reception was custom-designed perfectly.
 
Jeff and Annette had an intimate wedding ceremony in April of 2011 then chose to have their wedding reception a few months later with a larger party of friends and family. It was another beautiful day in Portland with the reception at the Hayden Island Yacht Club next to the Columbia River. Annette and Jeff did not want a grand entrance. Instead they greeted their guests as they arrived. During the planning, Jeff and Annette decided not to have toasts but instead replaced with song dedications made by guests sent in with their RSVPs. We played those dedications throughout the night. Music including Al Green, Esperanza Spalding and Lauren Hill played as the guests arrived and during the cocktail hour. As dinner was served we slowed it down with song dedications from artists Luther Vandross, Lonestar and Joe.
 
As the last guests finished their dinner, a family member performed a spoken word poetry piece specifically made for the new couple. It was very sweet and entertaining for the guests. Next Annette and Jeff cut their wedding cake. Soon after, we opened the dance floor to all. The newlywed couple and guests wasted no time to start celebrating the wedding with dance. It was a funk and retro loving crowd and they loved it. We pulled out the old-school music for guests including the O’Jays, Parliment and Wild Cherry. It was a fun night all night long, custom-designed for Annette and Jeff.
 
Congratulations Jeff and Annette! Thank you for having PRO DJs be a part of your wedding celebration! -Rhett
 

 
My first indoor event in over a month took place Saturday, July 30th at Kelsey and Michael’s wedding and reception inside the Hotel Vintage Plaza in downtown Portland. It was a beautiful day outside and warm, but sometimes you can’t beat air conditioning, especially when setting up two sound systems on two different floors.
 
The ceremony was held in the basement wine cellar, a classy, intimate venue to exchange vows. The bride wanted the feel of Paris for her wedding and chose a mix of old French love songs for the prelude music and ‘La Mer’ from Charles Trénet for the processional. Kelsey selected ‘Dream A Little Dream of Me’ from Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald as her entrance song… a surprise selection for the groom. After being introduced by Pastor Aaron Couch, they exited to Ray LaMontagne’s ‘You Are The Best Thing.’
 
The guests made their way upstairs to the Tuscany Ballroom on the second floor of the hotel. I set-up my main sound system here earlier in the day and while everyone enjoyed cocktails and h’orderves, I played music from the crooner era, that included artists such as Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday and Nat King Cole. Kelsey and Michael arrived for the reception a short time later and I introduced them to Louis Armstrong’s ‘A Kiss To Build A Dream On.’ For dinner, I went with a setlist of Classic Jazz from Miles Davis, Stan Getz, Count Basie and others.
 
Champagne was served and the toast given by the Maid of Honor and Best Man. The Bride and Groom also spoke and thanked everyone for being a part of their big day. They then cut the cake to Dean Martin’s ‘Ain’t That A Kick In The Head.’ For their First Dance, Kelsey and Michael chose ‘Make Someone Happy’ from Bobby Darin and performed an old style routine to this uptempo classic. Next, the groom danced with his mother to ‘Moonglow’ from Benny Goodman. I then opened the dance floor to everyone. Maybe it was the multiple course dinner over 2+ hours, but guests were slow to participate initially on the dance floor. Eventually they got there though and most were out celebrating with the newlyweds to fun dance music that included current favorites and a run of late-80’s tracks popular with the bride and her friends, including ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ from Rick Astley… haven’t played that one in awhile 🙂
 
Kelsey and Michael chose to end the evening with Tony Bennett’s ‘The Best Is Yet To Come.’ Congratulations! -Rich
 
Post Event Satisfaction Survey:

• Event Date: Saturday, July 30, 2011
• Event Type: Wedding
• Event Location: Hotel Vintage Plaza/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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Last summer was my first opportunity to perform at this venue. The place is beautiful, but a bit of a challenge for a DJ/Emcee in that sound really travels, especially when talking on a microphone. As a result, rules are in place to limit microphone amplification. This is actually an improvement since last year I was instructed to not use my microphone at all. From announcing the cake cutting to the first dance and other formal dances, somehow I made it work and my clients were pleased with the outcome of their reception.
 
“Absolutely one of the best vendors we worked with during the entire process. Could not come more highly recommended or with higher praise. The definition of professionalism.” -Kalina & Jason
 
On Friday, July 29th, I performed at Enoy and Paul’s wedding at Garden Vineyards. It was a beautiful evening for an intimate gathering on the front lawn for their ceremony. Live music was provided by a string trio. Following the ceremony, I began playing background music for dinner, a variety of songs that included artists like Otis Redding and U2, plus favorites of the bride and groom, such as Michael Bublé and Israel Kamakawiwo’ole.
 
After the toast and cutting of the cake, Enoy and Paul took a break to have some photos taken as the sun was setting. They then returned for their First Dance… ‘Making Memories of Us’ from Keith Urban. The newlyweds then wanted me to dedicate the Beatles ‘In My Life’ to their guests and I invited everyone to join in on the dancefloor. We had some good energy right away and ‘I Gotta Feeling’ from the Black Eyed Peas proved to be a popular opener that led to other well received current hit music, plus some classics from Michael Jackson and the Sugarhill Gang.
 
Congratulations Enoy and Paul and thank you for the opportunity. -Rich
 
Post Event Satisfaction Survey:
 
“We truly enjoyed working with Rich. He was very professional and personable which made us feel at ease. We would highly recommend him to others.” -Enoy & Paul

• Event Date: Friday, July 29, 2011
• Event Type: Wedding
• Event Location: Garden Vineyards/Hillsboro, 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