Autumn is a beautiful and sometimes overlooked season for weddings, especially here in the mid- Willamette Valley. If you are planning a wedding this fall or even if you're just thinking of tying-the-knot during the autumn months, consider some of these trending ideas for your big day. When we asked our on-site wedding coordinator to share some insight on emerging trends this fall, here is what they said: Fall Wedding Trend #1: Intimate Settings There's something about the nip in the air that makes us want to spend time in a warm, welcoming and more cozy atmosphere. Intimate and personalized celebrations are very on trend this fall and it's easy to understand why. Smaller weddings often give the couple more flexibility to afford the special touches they wish to have on their big day and more opportunity to have meaningful interactions with close family and friends. 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. 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 of these are flexible, elegant spaces ideal for reception dinners, cocktail receptions and more. Learn more. Fall Wedding Trend #2: Green Weddings You may have heard, “green is the new white” when it comes to weddings. It's true! Eco-friendly weddings are among the biggest growing trends we are seeing with couples. The good news is 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 we are continuously reviewing and updating our practices to limit the carbon footprint of all of our events. 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. You may also want to consider eco-friendly favors. Gifts never go out of style, and attention to distinctive party favors is the latest trend. Consider items like personalized seed packets, succulents, reusable cups, and handmade soaps to show appreciation to your attendees. Fall Wedding Trend #3: Bold Colors Mesmerizing jewel and metallic color-schemes and tones like ruby, violet, emerald, and orange complement metallic shades of copper, silver, and pearl, to create a gorgeous look well suited for crisp and cozy autumn days. Look for rich, saturated hues when shopping for apparel, décor, and accents. Fall Wedding Trend #3: Natural accompaniments Natural elements really never go out of style but they are especially on trend during the autumn months. Rustic “farmers-market” style bouquets with seasonal and locally sourced flowers like dahlias and chrysanthemums in rich fall tones are very chic during the autumn months. Many of our couples are choosing harvest inspired decor for table centerpieces with pops of color like wild fresh fruit, vegetables, ornamental grasses, eucalyptus or bay leaf branches. Fall Wedding Trend #4: Engaging Guests with Unique Entertainment Let's face it, receptions can sometimes feel awkward, especially when there is a roomful of seated guests looking at their watches and an empty dance floor. To avoid this conundrum, many couples are taking creative, “out-of-the-box” approaches to entertainment and bringing in fun elements that encourage socializing and engagement like fun photo booths, dance lessons, dueling pianos, magicians and more. Couples are no longer limited to traditional DJs and wedding bands (although these are perfectly fine options). However, we think the more creative and personal the entertainment is to the couple, the better! Fall Trend #5: Before & After Wedding Activities, Events, and Parties Wedding guests travel from all over the country (or world)! As a gesture of gratitude, more and more couples are adding special events with personal touches like welcome parties, post-wedding parties, day-of and/or day-after brunches or luncheons to make the most of their time together. The event spaces at the adjoining Bentley's Grill and The Grand Hotel Salem are perfect for just about any activity you may plan and can accommodate small, medium and large groups. Of course we're not recommending that you do all of these if your wedding budget does not allow, but a few additional wedding-related events are always a fun touch. We're also seeing couples greet their out-of-town guests with travel literature and suggested itineraries from places like Travel Salem or arranging special wine tours of the Willamette Valley. Before you reserve and book a wedding reception venue space in Salem, Oregon, consider these trends to optimize the space and create a chic and sentimental space. 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 form and we will respond back to you within 24 hours. You can also reach us at 503-589-1700.
