Salem Oregon Wedding Photographer | A Complete Guide to Getting Married
Getting Married In Salem, Oregon
Getting married in Salem might be the best kept secret in all of Oregon. What you might know Salem for is for being the capitol of Oregon. But what you might not know is that it is also home to some of the best vineyards, orchards, and gardens in all of Oregon. Salem has venues that accommodate large weddings, micro weddings and elopements in all different vibes, so no matter the style of your wedding you will be able to find what you are looking for. Growing up in Salem, “cool” was never a term that we used to describe this city-but things have changed! It now has a bustling downtown sector that are filled with tons of cool vendors. Because the vendors are local, it ensures that the quality is amazing.
Salem is also a wonderful location, with most everything about an hour away! Have guests traveling from out of state? The airport is just over an hour away. Want to visit the Ocean? Yep, just over an hour away. Have a dream of walking behind a waterfall? You can be there in 45 minutes!
Getting Married in Salem Table of Contents
Top 8 venues in Salem, Oregon
When is the best time of day and time of year
Oregon weather
Legal Stuff
The best places to stay
What else can you do for fun
Choosing your vendors
Top 8 Venues in Salem, Oregon
A venue is probably towards the top of your list of vendors to book right away. Salem has venues for almost every size of wedding, even elopements! And while most venues are based around our wonderful winery heritage, we are getting more and more that are going after those couples that are looking for something a little different. Here are my top eight venues in Salem:
photo credit: Dionne Kraus
Deepwood Estates
These gardens are gorgeous year round! You can rent out the gardens in between May and October. There is a giant tent on property to use for your reception or incase of rain.
Zenith Vineyard
Zenith Vineyards was designed with weddings in mind. This breathtaking venue can hold up to 300 people, but can also be perfect for a micro wedding. Because it is so gorgeous inside and out, it is a popular option year round.
photo credit: Wedding Wire
Cubanisimo Vineyards
A family owned vineyard in the heart of wine country, complete with mountain views! Big enough to seat 200 guests, but also quaint enough for a micro wedding.
photo credit: Casi Yost Photography
Log House Garden at Willow Lake
This venue has it all, a getting ready area, tons of great photo options, a tented reception area, space for large groups, but it would also be perfect for a more intimate wedding.
Willamette Heritage Center
Conveniently located in downtown Salem, Oregon. Can accommodate intimate parties of 50 or less, or larger groups of 300-350. Tons of gorgeous areas for photos!
Illahe Golf Club
This venue has it all! Gorgeous grounds, indoor and outdoor options, getting ready areas, and lots of room.
photo credit: Corrie Mahr
Willamette Valley Vineyards
If you are looking for a vineyard with a Tuscan feel, WVV is the venue for you! They are currently offering amazing elopement specials!
photo credit: Tekoa Rose Photography
Eola Hills Legacy Vineyards
With a spring fed lake, sweeping vineyards and room for a large group on down to an intimate wedding.
photo credit: Tekoa Rose Photography
When is the best time of day and time of year
You want that creamy light that the Willamette Valley is known for, right? Then you will want to make sure that you reserve time close to sunset for photos of just the two of you. I will absolutely help you with timeline planning. The best months for that super dreamy light is August and September because of the grass harvest happening in the area. The most popular months are June through September as your chances of a liquid sunshine free day are better than at other times of the year. But if you aren’t afraid of a little rain, definitely look at winter and spring as these times of year are usually considered the off season for most vendors and can definitely be more budget friendly, as well as giving you a better chance at booking those favorite vendors. And the peak foliage time is mid-October through November-and we get some pretty breathtaking colors, if I do say so myself.
When is the weather best in Salem, Oregon?
Chances are you are wanting an outdoor wedding with a high likelihood of it staying dry. Summer in Salem is pretty much perfection-not too hot, not too cold with a side of gorgeous greenery and flowers! Fall is also a gorgeous time to have a wedding as we have breathtaking fall foliage and tend to have fairly dry autumns. But this is Oregon, so always be prepared with a rain plan, but don’t worry-I will help you with this!
Legal Stuff
You will want to get your marriage license at least 3 days in advance and in Marion County, you must show up in person together. Click HERE for all of the details on getting your marriage license in Marion County. Two witnesses (I can absolutely be one!) are required in Oregon as well as an officiant.
Where to stay in Salem, Oregon
The best hotel in Downtown Salem is The Grand Hotel. It is a perfect option if you want to keep guests together in a central location. There are also some really cute AirBnB’s in the area! Here are five of my favorites:
What else can you do for fun near Salem, Oregon?
Want to add in some more fun? Living on the 45th parallel means amazing wines! And the Willamette Valley is full of some amazing little vineyards, each with their own unique style and taste. Click HERE for a list of local wineries in Salem and the surrounding areas. There are also some wonderful breweries in the area, so if you want to grab a cold one, click HERE for a complete list of breweries. Coffee more your thing? Salem has definitely upped their coffee game! My favorite local coffee shops are The Archive Coffee & Bar, Ike Box and Isaac’s downtown. If you are more in the mood for an adventure, one of the best things about Salem is that it is centrally located-with everything pretty much an hour away! The beach, the mountains...you name it! Here are the most popular attractions in or around Salem:
Choosing your vendors
Choosing your wedding vendors is such an important decision! I would be honored to be your photographer and to capture your story. Click HERE to learn more about the experience. Needing other vendors? No worries, I have created a list of some of my favorites that serve the Salem area, and marked the local to Salem ones with an asterisk.