Check out our NEW Wedding Guide & Packages and Wedding Catering Menu for 2022! Did he or she pop the question on Valentine's Day? Congratulations to you! Weddings at the Salem Convention Center are always special to us, but this season is extra special now that we're learning to gather safely again. Many wedding couples were forced to pause their wedding plans in 2020 & 2021, but 2022 is expected to be THE year of weddings! Some call it “The Wedding Boom of 2022”. If you are planning a wedding in Salem, Oregon - or - even if you're simply thinking about tying-the-knot in 2022 or 2023, consider some of these trending ideas for your big day. 2022 Wedding Trend #1: Go Big & Bold! This has been an unprecedented time for weddings, and many couples have been patiently waiting a long time to say “I Do”. After years of isolation, many are eager to create a dazzling, memorable experience for their guests by going bigger and bolder than ever before! As we're looking towards the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel, we expect to see larger than usual wedding parties, bold catering choices, big statement floral arrangements, and mesmerizing decor with unexpected patterns and bold colors like jewel and metallic color-schemes. 2022 Wedding Trend #2: Hybrid Weddings Though we've gone to extraordinary lengths to keep our visitors and staff safe and healthy, we understand that not everyone is ready for a large gathering. Hybrid events, a combination of live and virtual components, are soaring in popularity at the moment because they allow in-person gatherings, while offering guests the option to participate virtually from the comfort of their home. We feel that weddings deserve a flawless attention to detail to give guests an elevated virtual experience one would expect from a grand milestone celebration. So we've partnered with Allied Video Productions to create one-of-a-kind hybrid events. When couples book a hybrid event package at The Salem Convention Center, they can relax knowing that a team of experienced streaming professionals will be tending to each detail to give friends and family who want to participate in your celebration virtually the best experience possible. You may download package pricing and more details here to click here for a free quote. 2022 Wedding Trend #3: Intimate Settings While many are opting to go big for their wedding this year, intimate and personalized wedding celebrations are also on trend this year. Smaller weddings are not only a great “post-pandemic” option, but they also give engaged couples more flexibility to add special touches they wish to have on their big day, and more opportunity to have meaningful interactions with close family and friends. If you think a more intimate atmosphere is the right fit for you, you may want to consider the Croisan Creek Room, The Marion Room or the Board Room. All three are flexible, elegant spaces ideal for reception dinners, cocktail receptions and more. Learn more. 2022 Wedding Trend #4: Feature Seasonal, Local Cuisine Wedding couples want to give their guests a truly unforgettable experience this season, and everyone knows that the quality of food and service plays a big role. Couples want food and beverage menus that offer local, seasonal food options unique to the region, while appealing to all tastes and dietary needs. If you're hosting a wedding in Salem, Oregon, you can't go wrong with the culinary treasures you can only find in the Willamette Valley, like fresh salmon, marionberries, hazelnuts and other local bounty. Our catering team is committed to supporting Oregon growers and farmers by bringing the Northwest's freshest bounty to your wedding reception. Click here to see our NEW wedding menu. 2022 Wedding Trend #5: “All-Under-One-Roof” Convenience Gone are the days of requiring wedding guests to drive to multiple locations while navigating a city they are unfamiliar with. Wedding planners and couples are looking for venues that offer “all-under-one-roof” service to make their guests more comfortable and keep budgets under control. Hosting your ceremony and reception in a single venue saves time and money, as guests and members of the wedding party effortlessly transition from ceremony to celebration. “All-Under-One-Roof” convenience is part of The Salem Convention Center's appeal. In addition to full catering services, couples have access to an on-site event coordinator, tables, chairs, centerpieces, linens, reliable staff to set up and tear down the room, large dance floors, entertainment staging, complete audio-visual services and more. This approach not only makes event logistics easier, but also saves wedding couples time and money (not to mention less stress!). In addition, having The Grand Hotel in Salem attached to our facility means out-of-town guests can move comfortably from their hotel room or suite without having to drive anywhere. 2022 Wedding Trend #6: Sustainability They say “green is the new white” when it comes to weddings. Eco-friendly weddings continue to be among the biggest growing trends we are seeing with couples. Fortunately, the Salem Convention Center is ahead of the curve when it comes to sustainable weddings and events. We are just one of two Salem, Oregon buildings to earn LEED-EB Silver Certification, and The Salem Convention Center and The Grand Hotel in Salem are the first hotel and convention center in Marion County to be certified by EarthWISE! Together, we make every effort to limit our carbon footprint by following green practices like responsible recycling and composting, using eco-friendly cleaning solutions, Energy Star appliances, LED lighting, wind power, utilizing recycled paper for all printed material, and by fostering a wonderful partnership with Clean the World Foundation, which has provided countless hygiene products for people in underdeveloped countries who do not have access to soap and water. Click here to read more about our sustainable practices and the amenities you can expect when hosting a “green” wedding at the Salem Convention Center. 2022 Wedding Trend #7: Feature the Best of Your City After nearly 2 years of lockdowns and travel restrictions, many out-of-town guests are eager to explore and discover new destinations. Showering out-of-town guests with thoughtful touches like welcome bags, itineraries, travel literature, and group tours is more on trend than ever! Couples who host their wedding in Salem, Oregon can reach out to organizations like Travel Salem to help guests find great restaurants, as well as coffee shops, boutiques, galleries, and local attractions like Salem's famous Riverfront Park, the State Capital Building and more. Salem, Oregon visitors may also want to embark on a special wine tour of the Willamette Valley. Click here to see local attractions and activities (perfect for groups) near The Salem Convention Center. Ready to get started? Whether you are newly engaged or have been waiting for the right time to set the date, we hope you will consider hosting your wedding with us. Availability is limited, so contact us sooner than later. Get started by completing the Request for Proposal, and we will respond back to you within 24 hours. You can also contact us at 1-866-614-1900.
