Best SLR camera for beginners to shoot portraits, partys and weddings?

I want to become a portrait and party photographer. I have great images in my head and want to make them real. I want a SLR camera for very amateur photographer, that will be perfect for theatrical ( very bright and colorful), staged shots and bright food shots. Also I want a camera that will work with alot of lenses. Because I'm planning to buy those.
Anyway, I'm just internet searching for last weeks. And I'm looking between canon and nikon. Since they are main manufactures and will work with plenty of lenses.
I just need an advice. I have a great eye and artistic side. I want my pictures be anything but boring and average. And I know that brand and price of a camera is just 30% of success. But I want something to begin with ( i never had an experience with SLR before, but so looking forward to it)
Price I'm looking for is $700- $1000.in best case scenario, this price will also include extra set of lenses, if not its still good!

Canon EOS Rebel is best $ for $ and more extensive and affordable accessories than Nikon. Try one of those kits from Amazon.

For a beginner? Any camera with an AUTO setting! You need to read up on the reviews but the Pentax is rated #1 for entry-level DSLRs. However, decide what lenses you want to use and that will make the decision for you. For me it is primarily Nikon so that's what I will get first.

I would go for a Nikon D5000. Its simple to use and it comes in kits that include extra lenses. The flip out LCD will help you get those angles you might miss on a standard screen. The D5000 is Nikon's middle entry level dSLR so it still has the auto features that can help you when you really need it.

I found a kit on B&H that is a pretty good deal if it comes back in stock soon.

You need to learn how to use your camera before any of what you just said happens. Don't be frightened away from a DSLR but don't think it's magic in a young girls heart; no matter how groovy the music is. How exactly is a D3 going to make pictures less boring vs a D5000? The camera is only 2% of what makes a picture successful. I can bribe some over eager kid to hold the reflectors for me and my old rangefinder, or I can set up a tripod and use commander mode on a 2 group, 3 channel strobe system on a DSLR. The picture doesn't become more creative or better with the strobes, but I have more precise control and I'm not yelling at some kid.

A camera outfit costs about $500. But you will need extra lenses someday. Budget that in. Spend the $500 on a Canon XS or Nikon D3000 kit and practice with it. Learn it and have fun. Know what depth of filed is and aperture and shutter speed and all that stuff. Don't just blast away on auto. Not only because that will make you a huge knob, but you will never be able to "get what your mind sees" if you don't take control of the camera.

Photography is an art of what was in one's mind. We just fight against dumb machines so that we can prove it to other people.

Sad Dan is the only one not plugging someone's product (read: making sense).It's not the camera that makes the image blah blah blah (dang, I get tired of having to repeat that). The "best" camera is the one you can use with ease, and has the features you need (forget menu-driven controls… Too time consuming). And AUTO mode sucks. Been there done that.

http://www.dpreview.com/...review.com

I had used Canon Rebel XS 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera as my first DSLR which is really good.

* 10.1-megapixel CMOS sensor captures enough detail for poster-size, photo-quality prints
* Large 2.5-inch LCD display;
* DIGIC III image processor provides fast,
* Accurate image processing; Live View Function
* EOS Integrated Cleaning system and Canon-designed Self Cleaning Sensor Unit,
* Dust Delete Data Detection in included software

http://www.amazon.com/...001CBKJGG/