Jen and Justin’s Willamette Valley Vineyards Wedding was held on Saturday, May 14, 2011. With nearly 300 guests in attendance, the visitors center at this winery in Turner, Oregon was the perfect venue to seat everyone comfortably with plenty of room to roam around and dance. Of course, the wine here is fantastic and the guests got right to it at the reception.
 
The newlyweds requested a mix of lounge music featuring artists such as Dean Martin, Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra during the cocktail hour and I suggested a Classic Jazz set for dinner that included Miles Davis, Stan Getz and others.
 
Following the toast and cutting of the cake, Jen and Justin chose ‘Crash Into Me’ from the Dave Matthews Band for their First Dance. Jen then danced with her dad to Rascal Flatts ‘My Wish’ and Justin with his mom to ‘Unforgettable’ from Natalie and Nat King Cole.
 
After opening the dance floor to all guests, momentum built quickly with the B-52’s ‘Love Shack’ and ‘I Gotta Feeling’ from the Black Eyed Peas that led to a request from the Bridesmaids for Pink’s ‘Raise Your Glass.’ Maybe it was all those wine glasses in use, but this song took the celebration to a fever pitch that never let up for the next two hours.
 
From 80’s classics that included Michael Jackson and plenty of hair band hits to current Top 40 and Country music, there was something for everyone and they seemed to enjoy it all. As we neared the end, Justin and his friends gathered together to sing along to Hank Williams Jr.’s classic ‘Family Tradition’. The bride and groom chose to finish their special night with ‘Don’t Stop Believin’ from Journey.
 
Best wishes Jennifer and Justin and thank you for the opportunity. -Rich
 
Thank you Yasmin Khajavi at Yasmin Khajavi Photography for sharing photos from this event.
 
[print_gllr id=1571]

 
Already married two weeks earlier in Canby, Jessica and Jonah wanted the opportunity to celebrate their reception with friends and family in a relaxed, informal setting. With about 65 guests attending, they chose the Attic at McMenamins Edgefield in Troutdale.
 
Located on the third floor, there is no elevator to the attic, so a DJ must load-in his sound and lighting equipment, one piece at a time, up two flights of stairs. It’s a workout, but I enjoy playing this unique and intimate room… perfect for a small party.
 
For background music, Jessica and Jonah requested calm and chill music (not pretentious), so for cocktails and dinner, I chose a mix of alternative and acoustic rock, along with classics from Al Green, Lauryn Hill, U2 and others.
 
Following dinner, the bride and groom thanked their guests for coming. A short time later, I opened the dance floor with ‘At Last’ from Etta James, which turned out to be an impromptu First Dance… they were not planning on anything traditional for their reception, but it sort of happened anyway and their guests enjoyed it.
 
Jessica and Jonah really love the Black Eyed Peas and they requested nearly every one of their hit songs. I think I played them all too and the guests packed the floor the final 90 minutes to a heavy dose of current favorites from Usher, Enrique Iglesias, Lady Gaga and more.
 
Best wishes Jessica and Jonah and thank you for the opportunity. -Rich
 

 
The Urban Studio in Northwest Portland provides an intimate setting for a wedding and reception. With the rain starting to fall outside and about 60 guests in attendance, it felt very comfortable inside… almost like being in somebody’s living room for Jennifer and Jeremy’s ceremony.
 
The bridesmaids and flower girls entered to Ben Harper’s ‘Happily Everafter’ and the bride to a guitar version of ‘Canon In D’ from Jonathan Firey. The newlyweds chose Ray LaMontange’s ‘You Are The Best Thing’ as their exit song.
 
Cocktails and dinner followed with a mix of acoustic rock and chill music, that included Jennifer’s favorites Zero 7 and Norah Jones. The maitron of honor and best man delivered heartfelt toasts and the bride and groom cut the cake to Harry Connick, Jr.’s ‘Recipe of Love.’
 
Music originality was the order of the evening for their formal dances and Jennifer and Jeremy chose ‘New Love’ from Josh Heinrichs f/Clear Conscience as their first dance. That was followed by ‘Daughter’ from Loudon Wainwright for the Father/Daughter dance and Sarah McLachlan’s ‘Blackbird’ for Jeremy’s dance with his mom.
 
All married guests were invited out for an anniversary dance. There were quite a few and after narrowing the dance floor down in 10 year increments, it was revealed that Jennifer’s aunt and uncle, Gloria and Jim had been married the longest at 51 years.
 
With a little bit of everything, including bride favorites Prince and Michael Jackson, plus a heavy dose of current music from Usher, Black Eyed Peas and more, it was an enjoyable evening. Best wishes Jennifer and Jeremy and thank you for the opportunity. -Rich
 

• In 2010, the average cost of a wedding was $23,867.
• The average cost of wedding food was $4,000.
• The average cost of wedding flowers was $750.
• The average cost of a wedding DJ was $741.
• The average cost of a wedding limousine was $504.
• The average cost of a wedding cake was $500.

These are just a few categories of the main items and services needed at most wedding receptions, but which of these has the most impact on the outcome of your wedding?
 
When it’s all over, what will you and your guests be talking about? If the food or cake is just okay, the flowers a little wilted, or the limousine a little late, will the success of your wedding be in doubt? Probably not.
 
However, our memories are emotional, so most likely, you and your guests will remember how much fun you had, or hopefully not, but maybe the fun you didn’t have.
 
This places more importance on the DJ. Yet, the average cost of a wedding DJ in 2010 was $741. That’s just a little over three percent of the total average cost of a wedding.
 
Something to consider as you begin planning for your 2011 wedding… only three percent of the average budget in 2010 went to the one person most responsible for the success of your wedding.
 
People will forget what you say, they will forget what you do, but they will NEVER forget how you make them feel. -Dr. Maya Angelou
 

 
Thank you Marilyn Affolter at True Image Photography for sharing photos from Dominique & Anthony’s wedding held September 25th at Lakeside Gardens in Portland.
 
I had the opportunity to perform at their reception in the main ballroom following their ceremony held outside.  From their grand entrance to the theme from Monday Night Football, to their first dance selection of ‘What A Wonderful World’ from Louis Armstrong, it was a classy and fun evening.  I really enjoyed these two and judging by the many heartfelt toasts that were given, it was obvious they were adored by their friends and family.
 
Thanks again Marilyn for the great pictures and congratulations to Dominique & Anthony!
 
“I just want to thank Rich Ellis for the wonderful work he did. Everything; from the song choices, to his professionalism, to the entertainment, was beyond perfect! I would recommend him to everyone! Thank you so much for making our wedding day special!” -Dominique & Anthony
 
[print_gllr id=1498]