Newly engaged? Congratulations! Our event planning experts are full of ideas to help you plan the most exciting day of your life and are always watching out for the latest wedding trends. Here are some of the top local wedding trends we are seeing this year: 1. Social Media Friendly Weddings Gone are the days of leaving disposable cameras at reception tables for guests to photograph your big day. In the age of smartphones, most social media savvy couples will create an event hashtag and encourage their guests to share their fabulous photos and videos on Instagram and Twitter. To ensure guests have plenty of juice in their phones, some receptions now include charging stations complete with a variety of chargers and other fun decorative elements. 2. Themed Weddings...Like The Great Gatsby What can we say, Gatsby is HOT right now! There is something undeniably romantic about the roaring 20s, and it's a natural fit for weddings. Says Azure Nelson, OneWed.com editorial director, ''The Great Gatsby' is huge right now. Even before the buzz of the movie, vintage and art deco styles were pretty popular. Or a speakeasy-type theme.' If the 20's aren't your thing, there are many other stylized themes for brides to choose from. According to Top 2014 Wedding Trends from Encore Events mid-century modern décor of the 50s and 60s are making a come back (think Mad Men) along with bold colors like mint, peach, blush, soft white, gold and glitter. 3. Brunch weddings Unique, chic, intimate, affordable and flexible...there are many advantages to hosting a daytime wedding and brunch reception. We are seeing more and more brides who are opting for Saturday/Sunday morning events that wrap up by late afternoon. Many wedding vendors will have more availability during the day, not to mention you can add fun elements like a make-your-own bloody mary bar, a specialty coffee station and mimosas. 4. Eco friendly weddings So many of the brides we are seeing today are opting for more sustainable choices when it comes to planning their big day. To reduce their carbon footprint, they are opting for an all inclusive wedding venue so guests are not driving to multiple locations. We are also seeing a surge in brides choosing fresh, locally grown wedding flowers. Fortunately for us, there is a multitude of local flower growers here in Oregon who provide beautiful and fresh blooms throughout the year. Eco conscious brides are also looking for catering services that support local growers and farmers, which is why our culinary team appeals to them. 'Today there is almost an expectation of local, seasonal ingredients at weddings. Caterers are thinking more toward the lines of organic and farm fresh foods.' - Anja Winikka, TheKnot.com site director. 5. Create a 'Candy Bar' for your guests This is one of our favorite trends we see. Designate a table for guests to make their own Candy Bag before they leave. Fill simple and elegant containers with candy, provide serving scoops, bags and voila- you have a candy bar! 'This is an affordable alternative to party favors and adds a beautiful element to your décor…your guests will love it' says Salem Convention Center event planning expert Sarah Utterback. No matter what the trends are, we are here to help you create the wedding that suits your personal style and budget. From menu selection, décor, place settings, and room layout, the Salem Convention Center event planning staff is here to help. Click here to learn more about our wedding services or email us at sales@salemconventioncenter.org. Additional Resources: Top 2014 Wedding Trends from Encore Events 10 Hot Wedding Trends for 2014! Top 10 Wedding Trends of 2014 10 Steps to a Green Wedding The Hottest New Wedding Trends for 2014 www.greenbrideguide.com How to Pick Sustainable Wedding Flowers