Salem Wedding

Salem (IPA: [se lm]) is the capital of the state of Oregon in the United States of America, and county seat of Marion County. The district of West Salem lies in Polk County. It is located in the mid-Willamette Valley, between Portland and Eugene, in one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world.[citation needed] As of July 1, 2005 [1] it had a population of 147,250, with a metro area population of nearly 400,000, making it the second largest city, and second largest metropolitan area in Oregon (after Portland).

"Salem" is derived from the Hebrew word "Shalom", and the Arabic word "Salam" both meaning "peace". Historically, Salem has been nicknamed the "Cherry City", because of the importance of the local cherry growing industry [2].

The Native American name for the area was Chemeketa, which means "meeting or resting place". The name "Chemeketa" is preserved as the name of the local community college.