It was a hot one for Megan and Michael’s wedding and reception on Friday, September 7, 2012 at the Jenkins Estate in Aloha, Oregon. As the ceremony began around 6:30pm, the temperature was at it’s peak of 95 degrees. Fortunately, the meadow was completely shaded by trees, allowing everyone a comfortable seat. I set-up an alternate sound system near the stable and the brown siding provided a nice backdrop to hide my speakers a little.
 
Ceremony Highlights:

• Bridal Party Entrance: Colbie Callait – I Do
• Bride Entrance: Jason Mraz – I Won’t Give Up
• Sand Ceremony: Explosions In The Sky – Your Hand In Mine
• Bride/Groom Exit: Montell Jordan – This Is How We Do It

I used my main sound system for the reception held behind the main house. However, most guests were seated for dinner on the front porch, so I ran a third speaker out front. It didn’t take long though for guests to permanently relocate when they realized most of the action later on would be happening out back.
 
Certainly, they didn’t want to miss Megan’s surprise for Michael. Little did he know that she had been taking singing lessons and before their first dance, she serenaded him with Adele’s ‘Lovesong’. Michael was taken aback, but caught up in the moment. I think all guests were moved by Megan’s performance. She admitted to being nervous, but I admired her courage.
 
Reception Highlights:

• Grand Entrance: OneRepublic – Good Life
• Cake Cutting: Jack Johnson – Better Together
• First Dance: Incubus – Friends and Lovers
• Bride and Father Dance: Moody Blues – Nights In White Satin
• Groom and Mother Dance: Rascal Flatts – My Wish
• Bouquet Toss: Spice Girls – Wannabe
• Garter Toss: LMFAO – Sexy & I Know It
• Last Song: Journey – Don’t Stop Believin’

Shortly after 9pm, the night air was a little cooler as the dance floor was opened to everyone. It was a perfect evening to celebrate the newlyweds and everyone joined in quickly to make it a raging party. All the fun songs from the past along with the smash hits of today, including Megan’s current favorite ‘What Makes You Beautiful’ from One Direction, kept the dancers in high gear as they grooved and sometimes cheered a good time.
 
Congratulations Megan and Michael!

[print_gllr id=2466]

 
Over the last five years, Labor Day Weekend has become an increasingly popular time for weddings. And why not, the weather is normally great and with Monday off, Saturday or Sunday will work just fine. Erin and Edward chose to have their reception at the upscale The Nines in downtown Portland, Oregon on Sunday, September 2, 2012.
 
Guests arrived for cocktails in the foyer on the 6th floor around 6:30pm before being seated in the main ballroom for dinner. After introducing the wedding party and the newlyweds, I played a variety of soft background music for the dinner hour. One of the guests in attendance came up to me during dinner. I was the DJ at her daughter’s Bat Mitzvah in 2007… wow, time flies.
 
Reception Highlights:

• Grand Entrance: Breathe Carolina – Blackout
• Cake Cutting: Akon – I Can’t Wait
• First Dance: Alicia Keys – Un-thinkable (I’m Ready)
• Bride and Mother Dance: Jackson Browne – Somebody’s Baby
• Groom and Mother Dance: Boyz II Men – A Song For Mama
• Bouquet Toss: Tom Petty – American Girl
• Garter Toss: Justin Timberlake – Sexy Back
• Last Song: Justin Bieber – As Long As You Love Me

This group must have been really enjoying the long weekend because they were excited to dance from the opening number. We had some great energy the first few songs, but really cranked it up a notch when I played ‘The Hora’. Erin and Edward flew high in the chair raising and their parents (to their surprise) also took a ride 🙂

[print_gllr id=2199]

 
With the sound of river water lapping the shore below and the occasional speed boat racing by, Julie and Brian were married on Saturday, September 1, 2012 at The Foundry at Oswego Pointe in Lake Oswego, Oregon.
 
You couldn’t ask for better weather (although Brian noted he wished it was 10 degrees cooler than the high of 75) and shade covered the entire promenade right before the start of their wedding. The ceremony included the unplanned sound of rumbling engines and one boat stereo blasting ‘Call Me Maybe’, but everyone smiled and took in the scene with amusement, yet still tuned into the reason they were all here 🙂
 
Ceremony Highlights:

• Bridal Party Entrance: Matthew Lister – Storybook Love (Princess Bride)
• Bride Entrance: Hanna, Boyd & Hummon – Bless the Broken Road
• Bride/Groom Exit: Katrina & The Waves – Walking On Sunshine

The Foundry has a built-in sound system I was able to tap into to provide music in the ballroom and the deck outside, where guests gathered for the entire cocktail hour before moving inside for dinner. With the dance floor in the center of the room and speakers hanging from the ceiling, this is the rare venue where it works not to have the DJ set-up on one side of the dance floor.
 
Reception Highlights:

• Cake Cutting: James Taylor – How Sweet It Is
• First Dance: Straight No Chaser – I’m Yours-Somewhere Over the Rainbow
• Bride and Father Dance: Beatles – In My Life
• Groom and Mother Dance: Molly Pasutti – The Man You’ve Become
• Bouquet Toss: Belinda Carlisle – Heaven Is A Place On Earth
• Garter Toss: Brad Paisley – Camouflage
• Last Song: Journey – Don’t Stop Believin’

The bride loves to dance. I think I saw Julie on the dance floor nearly every song and everyone had a great time moving to the latest hits and singing the classics, including the last two songs requested by the newlyweds, Queen’s ‘Fat Bottomed Girls’ and ‘Don’t Stop Believin’ from Journey.
 
Post Event Satisfaction Survey:
 
“Thank you. Everyone was out on the dance floor having a wonderful time.”  -Julie Clay

• Event Date: Saturday, September 1, 2012
• Event Type: Wedding & Reception
• Event Location: The Foundry – Lake Oswego, 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

[print_gllr id=2192]

 
Delia’s Garden at McMenamins Grand Lodge in Forest Grove, Oregon was the site for Mackie and Robert’s wedding reception on Saturday, August 25, 2012.
 
As is normal for a Summer Saturday, there were multiple events taking place on the property and an outdoor restaurant open next door. I love the feel of it… everything out in the open like a big festival, brings extra energy to a special event.
 
Following the ceremony, all guests gathered on the front steps of the lodge for a group photo before returning to the reception tent for cocktails and dinner. For background music I played a variety of mostly classic hits that included requests from the newlyweds for the Beatles and Blues Traveler.
 
Wedding Reception Highlights:

• Grand Entrance: The Zombies – This Will Be Our Year
• Cake Cutting: Marvin Gaye – How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You
• First Dance: Jack Johnson – Angel
• Bride and Father Dance: Ray Charles – Georgia on My Mind
• Groom and Mother Dance: Beatles – In My Life
• Last Dance Song: Lynyrd Skynyrd – Sweet Home Alabama

It was a perfect evening to be outside and celebrating Mackie and Robbie’s big day. Guests kept the dance floor full and groovin’ to a mix of all the latest hits (‘Call Me Maybe’, ‘Good Feeling’, ‘Starships’, etc.) along with a few key feel good songs from the past (‘Thriller’, ‘Ice Ice Baby’). The groom is from Sweet Home, Oregon, so the night ended with ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ and everyone loved it.
 
Post Event Satisfaction Survey:
 
“Rich did an AMAZING job at our wedding. He made sure to keep true to our yes/no request list even when immediate family members requested songs on the ‘do not play’ list. He also helped us choose cocktail and dinner music and chose very appropriate songs. This was nice because it helped us check off a minor but still important thing on our list. I would highly recommend Pro DJs. He also drove out to Forest Grove from Portland for NO additional charge.”  -Robert Stock

• Event Date: Saturday, August 25, 2012
• Event Type: Wedding Reception
• Event Location: McMenamins Grand Lodge – Forest Grove, 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

[print_gllr id=2174]

 
There may have been no more obvious place for Shawnna and Rob to hold their Celtic-themed wedding than McMenamins Edgefield in Troutdale, Oregon. With the sun shining and a few unicorns on the guest list, the surrounding yard of the Administrator’s House was the perfect site for their ceremony and reception on Sunday, June 10, 2012.
 
Wedding Highlights:
 
Ceremony

• Bridal Party Entrance: Enya – The Memory of Trees
• Bride Entrance: Loreena McKennitt – Prologue
• Bride/Groom Exit: Black Eyed Peas – I Gotta Feeling

Reception

• Cake Cutting: James Taylor – How Sweet It Is
• First Dance: Beyonce – At Last
• Bouquet Toss: Beyonce – Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)
• Garter Toss: ZZ Top – Leggs

Shawnna dedicated Maroon 5 ‘Moves Like Jagger’ to her bridesmaids and best girlfriends and we were off to partyville. The unicorns and fairies had an especially good time (see photos).
 
I played a few oldies, but current music ruled the dancefloor. The bride is a big fan of Rihanna and Kings of Leon. The groom threw in a last second request for Michael Jackson’s ‘Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ and it was a fun finish to an amazing day.
 
Best wishes Shawnna and Rob!

[print_gllr id=2089]