Intimate celebrations have certain advantages...a smaller wedding gives brides and grooms more options to include the special details they may not have been able to do with a large crowd. The amazing team here at The Salem Convention Center has been praised numerous times for our abilities planning and hosting large events without a hitch, often with hundreds and even thousands of guests. However, we also specialize in hosting smaller, more intimate affairs including anniversary parties, celebration dinners, baby showers and of course weddings. Many couples are uncomfortable with the idea of inviting more than 100 people to their special day, and it's easy to understand why. Not only does a smaller guest list help control wedding costs and budget, it allows for a more personal experience for all in attendance. While it's nice to include everyone is your special day, it's not always practical. Intimate celebrations have certain advantages. For instance, a smaller wedding gives brides and grooms more options to include the special details they may not have been able to do with a large crowd. One of our go-to wedding resources, The Knot, offers this bit of wisdom: 'You might decide that a four-course dinner for 50 is better than cake and punch for 100....It becomes a choice between cutting corners in order to have 150 guests or cutting the list in half and having everything just the way you envision the day.' We also have noticed that smaller weddings tend to be more social. As we have stated in a previous post, 'there's nothing worse than a happy couple looking at an empty dance floor and a roomful of seated guests looking at their watches.' When there are fewer people involved, your event it's easier for your group to bond and socialize. Smaller weddings give you a better opportunity to make your loved ones a part of the celebration instead of a bystander. Intimate ceremonies and receptions also allow for more special touches and moments that make a wedding unique to the couple. We have seen couples involve their guests by allowing them to share a favorite memory, a prayer or do a special reading in honor of them. Hosting a small wedding at The Salem Convention Center gives couples all the advantages mentioned above, but you still have access to a full service facility that includes an event planning and banquet staff, exquisite catering services, a professional on-site AV technicians to handle unique touches like videos slideshows, music or more. Our facility-wide Wi-Fi network is open to guests so they can take advantage of numerous photo ops and share them online. If you think a more intimate atmosphere is the right fit for you, you may want to consider the following spaces: Croisan Creek Room This 3240 square foot room features a 15' Ceiling, stunning natural light and comfortably accommodates 40-80 people for a Ceremony & Reception. The Marion Room This flexible and comfortable space room inside the Grand Hotel in Salem can comfortably accommodate up to 75 people. It features beautiful details and natural light. The Marion room is often used for luncheons, receptions, hosted dinners and more. Board Room Don't let the name fool you. The Board Room is ideal for more than just meetings. This 1,204 square foot meeting room inside The Grand Hotel in Salem is another flexible, elegant space and can comfortably accommodate up to 75 people. It's ideal for reception dinners, cocktail receptions and more. If you're hosting a smaller wedding with us, we encourage you to use our professional event planning staff to go over every detail. Contact us today so we can help you begin planning the perfect wedding.
