Capturing the Magic at Carver Event Center

A Stunning Venue in Damascus, Oregon

On one of the last sunny days of fall, we had the opportunity to capture some special moments for our friends at the Carver Event Center in Damascus, Oregon. We first met two of the owners, Jennifer and John, when we used their Venue In A Box service for our own wedding, and we loved how easy and fun the experience was with them. So when we heard they’d purchased the event center and were planning an open house, we couldn’t wait to see their vision come to life (and snag a few promotional shots for them along the way).

The venue looked fantastic, the food—courtesy of El Vaquero BBQ—was delicious, and the event was a huge success! After the open house, I caught up with Jennifer for a quick Q&A to hear more about their exciting plans for the event center.

How long have you been in the wedding industry?

"10 years. I started as the dishwasher and slowly moved up to being a certified wedding & event planner to owner!"

Do you own any other wedding related businesses?

"We also own Venue in a Box! This is our outdoor division in which we have the opportunity to set up for our clients at their homes or parks. We also own the Tumwater Ballroom in Oregon City."

What’s your favorite part of your job? 

"Taking care of our clients. It’s an incredible thing to see the pure joy shoot across their faces as you are assisting with their special day or event. "

What inspired you to purchase this venue and what plans do you have for it in the future? 

"I have always wanted to be in the event business. My husband and I dreamt of opening a nightclub when we were teens so this only made sense. I get to plan and coordinate the events and he gets to mix up the most magical creations for our clients."

Are there any immediate changes or renovations you’ll be doing? 

"We are hoping to have more of a community feel for our venue. While we are very much a business and need to make revenue to cover the expenses, we want to expand to helping a bit more." 

What kind of events do you have at the event center and are there any upcoming events you’d like to shout out? 

"We try to have a wide variety of events ranging from celebration of lives to holiday parties and weddings! We are now also offering lower hourly rates for small business meetings 

We are launching our speakeasy on October 26th!"

Is the event center available year round? 

"Absolutely! We provide outdoor heaters for the cooler months for those clients that enjoy that all outdoor feel." 

What sets your venue apart? 

"We offer not only all inclusive packages that include our clients day of coordinating, but also indoor outdoor door options, a decor closet for clients to choose from, professional in-house staff.. so much more.  

Most importantly our venue is in the business of making dreams come true. It truly is our passion."

What’s one thing you want people to know about the event center?

"We are more than just a venue, we are an all inclusive venue offering on site catering, bar services and event staff. We offer a whole magical experience from the time you see me for your tour until the end of your day. I hold your hand from start to finish." 

How would someone go about booking the event center for their upcoming event? 

"They can reach out personally to myself at 503-438-8545 or our website has an amazing scheduling tool! www.carvereventcenter.com "