Sam and Chelsey celebrated their wedding day at the amazing Willamette Heritage Center in Salem, Oregon. What an amazing, Pacific Northwest winter day it was. True to form, we had a sprinkling of rain but several times the clouds gave way to some beautiful sunshine pouring through. Winter weddings are some of my most favorite for creating those beautiful, moody portraits that I so love. And this day was no different.
WHC History:
The Willamette Heritage Center consists of 5 acres which hold many buildings that date back to as early as 1841. The Pleasant Grove Presbyterian Church, John D. Boon House, Methodist Mission Parsonage, and the Jason Lee House created the most interesting and fun backdrops for this wedding day. So much early pioneer history sits on this property and exploring it for this wedding was really rad.
The infamous Thomas Kay Woolen Mill was the main building at the Willamette Heritage Center for Sam and Chelsey’s ceremony and also reception. What once was the leading textile factory in Oregon, the Mill now houses an awesome museum on the first and second floors. Here you will find displays of all the original 19th and 20th century machinery used during the actual industrial wool processing.
The third floor of the mill at the Willamette Heritage Center opens up to a large event space, complete with beautiful original wood floors and lovely white brick walls. Gorgeous light spills through the many windows and creates the perfect space for celebrating a special event. This was my first time at this wedding venue, and I must say, those brick walls and lovely light filled windows quickly made it one of my favorites! I can’t wait to go back to this property and explore its grounds even more.
Sam and Chelsey’s day was absolutely perfect and I loved every minute of it. Not only are they the coolest, they had such beautiful style when creating their wedding celebration. It was a day all of us will remember. Enjoy this glimpse into their day.
You can learn more about having your own Willamette Heritage Center Wedding or event HERE. Lovely wedding dress by Charlottes Weddings, Florals by Distinctive Designs by Denice, Music/DJ by Silicon Forest Entertainment. Want me to come photograph your very own awesome day? Contact me HERE to chat!