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Modern Romantic Wedding Styled Shoot at the Salem Convention Center | Salem, Oregon

Modern Romantic Wedding Styled Shoot

Salem Convention Center

As a Portland wedding photographer, I often participate in wedding shows throughout the state to meet newly engaged couples. When I arrived to set up for the Willamette Wedding Show I was so impressed with what a modern convention center Salem has. From the floor to ceiling windows, to the unique lighting fixtures, I could easily envision how fun it would be to photograph a wedding there.

During the wedding show, I got to chatting with the staff of the convention center and knew they would be a perfect fit for my Venue Visit blog series. After the show, I reached out to set it up with their sales and catering manager, Sarah. Little did we know, this small idea would develop into a full blown styled shoot. Thanks to the help of some other amazing wedding vendors and our models we pulled it off and it looked amazing!

Even though this was a styled shoot, I still prefer to photograph real couples over models. So I was so excited, when real married couple, Samantha & Cody answered the call to be our bride and groom for this modern styled shoot.

When I asked Samantha why she and Cody wanted to model for this session she said:

"Because we eloped, and were on a smaller budget, I didn’t get the big white wedding dress and traditional wedding photos I’d always dreamed of as a child. I thought it would be fun to dress up together and get to pretend we were getting married again, but this time without worrying about budgets. We had so much fun!"

I asked Samantha if they would mind sharing a little more about their love story to inspire us for the session and they're answers did just that.

How did you two meet?

At the time we met, Cody and I both worked for the same software company in town. Apparently, he saw me on one of my first days at work, wearing a yellow sundress, and knew he needed to talk to me eventually.

Who proposed and how?

Cody proposed but I ruined it, as he had plans for something bigger than what actually happened. Cody had been secretive for weeks around Christmas time, then when Christmas came there were no presents under the tree. I called him out on it, thinking things were going south in the relationship and that maybe he had been lying. Turns out he was keeping a secret about proposing! Whoops.

What is your favorite memory together?

Our trip to the redwoods was a lot of fun! It was our first big trip together and we camped for almost a week. We got to spend quality one-on-one time away from normal life and to explore a place neither of us had been to previously. We can’t wait to go back!

What is your favorite memory from your real wedding day?

Getting to spend time with our friends and family afterwards was a lot of fun and very memorable. It was very organic, and not a traditional wedding reception. We got to introduce our friends to each other and everyone seemed to really get along.

What was your wedding date? And where were you married?

We got married on February 20th, 2020, right before the global pandemic! We chose to have a small elopement in front of the courthouse. Afterward, we went with our friends to a local restaurant for food, drinks and more wedding day fun!

Wedding Vendors & Models

These are all of the experienced wedding and event vendors that made this styled shoot possible! My huge thanks goes to all of them, and I hope you will consider them for your wedding or next event.

Wedding Venue - The Salem Convention Center

Wedding Photographer - Photography by Cambrae

Wedding Hotel - The Grand Hotel in Salem

Wedding Decor & Rentals - Danner & Soli

Wedding Chair Rental - Willamette Weddings & Events (Chiavari Chairs)

Wedding Cake - Sweet Couture

Custom Wedding Veil - CM Couturier

Wedding Videographer - Seth David Films

Wedding Invitations, Stationary & Menus - Blue Bonsai Printing

Wedding Dress & Suite - Vouture

Wedding Hair & Makeup - Blushing Bride PDX

Wedding Florist - Stem Design