Hilary and Brian were married and celebrated their reception at the Grand Ballroom in downtown Salem, Oregon on Sunday, May 18, 2013.
 
Salem Wedding DJ Ceremony Highlights:

• Parents/Family Entrance: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons – Winter, Movement #2
• Bridal Party Entrance: Bach – Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring
• Bride Entrance: Jason Mraz – I Won’t Give Up (Instrumental Piano Version)
• Bride/Groom Exit: Coldplay – Strawberry Swing

The ceremony took place in the main ballroom, which also served as the dance floor later on. Cocktails were served and guests dined in a large adjacent to the ballroom. I had to turn up the music in the ballroom so it could be heard at background level in the dining area, but once the dancing started, it provided a nice refuge for some guests when they took a break.
 
Salem Wedding DJ Reception Highlights:

• Grand Entrance: Black Eyed Peas – I Gotta Feeling
• Cake Cutting: Hall and Oates – You Make My Dreams
• First Dance: Snow Patrol – Chasing Cars
• Bride and Father Dance: Sting – Fields of Gold
• Groom and Mother Dance: Beatles – In My Life
• Last Dance: Michael Bublé – The Way You Look Tonight

Guests danced to a little bit of everything from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s and the newlyweds requested songs from Earth, Wind & Fire, Michael Jackson, Queen, Will Smith and more. Sunday afternoon really got going though when I spun the big hits from the last few years… ‘Party Rock Anthem’, ‘Dynamite’ and ‘Gangham Style’, plus the hot track of the moment from Macklemore and Ryan Lewis ‘Can’t Hold Us Down.’

Hilary and Brian chose to finish their reception with Neil Diamond’s ‘Sweet Caroline’ and most of their guests joined them in a circle for a group dance.

Big thanks to the bride’s brother Philip for referring PRO DJs (we performed at his wedding in July 2010) and best wishes to Hilary and Brian.
 

 
PRO DJs Weddings normally make up the majority of our events and this year was no exception.
 
As 2012 comes to a close, we have put together video slideshows of the many events we have performed over the past year.
 
This video covers PRO DJs weddings from January through June and features photos taken by PRO DJs along some local area photographers at the following celebrations:

• Jason & Lora (2/4/12 at Abernethy Center & Gardens in Oregon City, Oregon)
• Rachel & Chris (5/5/12 at Red Lion Hotel at the Quay in Vancouver, Washington)
• Katie & Blaine (6/9/12 at the Aerie at Eagle Landing in Happy Valley, Oregon)
• Shawnna & Robert (6/10/12 at McMenamins Edgefield in Troutdale, Oregon)
• Kathleen & Ondra (6/23/12 at the Crowne Plaza Portland in Portland, Oregon)
• Katie & Jim (6/30/12 at Mt. Hood Bed & Breakfast in Parkdale, Oregon).

 
The last time I performed at this venue, the Portland-area was in the middle of a long streak of dry, sunny weather, allowing the ceremony to be held outside (Julie & Brian 9/1/12). The October rain has arrived though, forcing everyone inside and the large ballroom at The Foundry at Oswego Pointe in Lake Oswego, Oregon became an intimate scene for Lisa and Guy’s wedding and the reception that followed on Friday, October 19, 2012.
 
Background music for the reception was a mix of big band and crooner hits from the 40’s and 50’s, such as Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and Nat King Cole. Following dinner was the toast and then Lisa surprised Guy by singing the Motown classic ‘My Guy’ (see photo below).
 
Reception Highlights:

• Grand Entrance: Frank Sinatra – Fly Me To The Moon
• Cake Cutting: Adam Sandler – Grow Old With You
• Bride’s Grandmother and Groom Dance: Louis Armstrong – What A Wonderful World
• First Dance: Etta James – At Last
• Groom and Mother Dance: (Live Performance) Bride’s Daughter – Dancing In The Moonlight
• Last Song: Rascal Flatts – Bless the Broken Road

Over 200 guests packed the room and I was told this was the largest event at The Foundary this year. I say, the more the merrier means less inhibition and we had a good run on the dance floor with smash hits from the Bee Gees, Maroon 5, Beyonce and more.
 
Congratulations Lisa and Guy and thank you for choosing PRO DJs.
 
Post Event Satisfaction Survey:
 
“Rich was amazing. He was prompt, kind, sincere, and honest. He made several very last minute changes for us. Including, making the first dance with my new husband and my 89 year old grandmother. It was very touching. Everyone should get to have the experience with a DJ the way we did.”  -Lisa and Guy Belfiore

• Event Date: Friday, October 19, 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

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The first day of Fall offered the perfect summer weather for Jessi and Dan’s wedding held in the Shakespeare Garden at Washington Park in Portland, Oregon on Saturday, September 22, 2012.
 
The reception followed at Bridgeport Brewpub in the Pearl District in Northwest Portland, where I had my sound system set-up and playing a variety of popular background music as guests arrived, including a few Country selections requested by the bride.
 
Wedding Reception Highlights:

• Grand Entrance: David Guetta f/Usher – Without You
• Cake Cutting: Cake – Short Skirt, Long Jacket
• First Dance: Ray LaMontagne – You Are The Best Thing
• Parent’s Dance: Bruno Mars – Count On Me
• Last Dance Song: Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes – I’ve Had the Time Of My Life

I have witnessed many energetic starts to the dance floor at past events, but this one took the cake. It seemed like everyone just exploded out of their seats for that first uptempo song and they never let up. The fun and excitement increased with every cut… hot tracks like ‘Moves Like Jagger’, ‘Party Rock Anthem’, ‘Stayin’ Alive’ and a last minute request from Jessi for the new smash hit ‘Gangnam Style’ were well received.
 
No more than 75 guests were in attendance, but they really rocked it and made a great party for Jessi and Dan. Congratulations!
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