Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Our 2nd Luncheon at the DeLand Conference Center



Our second luncheon took place at the DeLand Conference and Business Center on September 23. Outside of the county fairgrounds, this is probably one of the largest indoor venues in West Volusia. It could almost be thought of as DeLand's Convention Center.

Our excellent lunch was catered by Encore Catering. Music was provided by KC Sound Express DJs. Connie Duglin Provided the linens while theStetson Florist added the excellent floral arrangements. All of the photography is by Pilster Photography.

















This is the unfinished area, but it's huge and the potential is endless. If you have a budget to decorate it, it can be air conditioned!

Monday, December 28, 2009

Our next scheduled meeting is coming up soon!



Our third "luncheon" is really a cocktail hour and learning session at Mulligan Grille. It will be taking place in the evening on January 19. If you are a West Volusia Wedding Professional you are invited to read more and signup at http://www.eventsbot.com/events/eb541545625

Sunday, December 27, 2009

September Bridal Fair at Harmony Gardens



In September a great little outdoor bridal fair found it's way to Harmony Gardens for the first time. Harmony Gardens is a great garden venue surrounded by a fernery in DeLeon Springs.





























































The newly remodeled bridal suite



Harmony Gardens lights up well at night.





Many West Volusia Wedding Pros were there including:
Harmony Gardens
Catered Events by Rosy
GF Wedding Concepts
Pilster Photography
Pat & Toni's Sweet Things
Clay Pigeons
The Bridal Palace
Kathleen Pruett Photography
KC Sound Express DJ
Stetson Florist
Courtney Crawford - Mary Kay
Spring Water's Inn
Designing Wines
Speaking Roses
Sunset Limo
High Horse Carriages
Janice Thomas - Partylite
Shanna Rae's Sweets Cake Designer
Music by Melody Harpist

Monday, November 30, 2009

The Wedding Pros December Meeting!

If you are a West Volusia Wedding Professional you are invited to join us!

Our next meeting will be a cocktail hour with info on Social Media at Mulligan's Tavern and Grille in DeLand on December 15, 2009 from 5:30pm until 7:30pm. It will include appetizers, a drink and a great speaker on social media.

The wonderful Heather Canada is coming to talk on how to use social media effectively for your business. We will also discuss how to invest time, not money, into it - and see results in your bottom line.

Heather founded First Coast Weddings and Events, Inc. in 2002, and currently serves as the company's president. The firm is dedicated to creating "Weddings Without Worries," throughout Northeast Florida no matter the size or scale.

Heather earned the Accredited Bridal Consultant™ designation through the Association of Bridal Consultants in 2006. Heather is also an active member of the Northeast Florida Chapter of the National Association of Catering Executives (NACE).

Heather's resume includes catering jobs at resorts, country clubs and theme parks. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Flagler College, where she studied public relations and business administration.

You can sign up at!
http://www.eventsbot.com/events/eb621488646

The West Volusia Wedding Professionals is a not for profit group formed to bring weddings to West Volusia. With our unique, but typically overlooked venues, we are a fantastic place for brides from all around the world to consider for their wedding. We also want to give the millions of residents in this region a central place to locate wedding vendors and venues located in this part of Central Florida. You can find us on the web at http://wvweddingpros.blogspot.com/ or on Facebook

Hope to see you soon,
Chad Pilster
Pilster Photography


P.S. if you are a vendor who would like to volunteer your services for this event, please let us know.

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Our First Networking Luncheon

West Volusia Wedding Professionals' inaugural luncheon was a big success! About twenty local wedding pros attended. New connections were made and old ones were renewed as we discussed upcoming events, local venues and how to spread the word about our great West Volusia area.

Thanks to Chad Pilster for organizing (and the photos), Norville Barnes for hosting and Melody Anglin for the music.





Friday, September 25, 2009

West Volusia Wedding Venues

(In no particular order. Please contact us if you feel there needs to be a location added to this list!) Note that these are only for reference. We do not vouch for the quality of any of these establishments.

West Volusia Visitor's website - A lot of West Volusia info can be found on the Visitor's bureau website. They also have some bed and breakfast's which may or may not work as venues and they also have places to stay. -
Stetson Mansion - http://www.stetsonmansion.com/
Spring Garden Ranch - DeLeon Springs
Florida Victorian - http://www.floridavictorian.com/ - This used to be Caffe Da Vinci http://www.caffedavinci.net/, they have a huge patio in the back and are equipped for food. I believe they still can handle events.
DeLand House - http://www.delandhouse.com/
Harmony Gardens - http://www.harmonygardens.org
Dutton House - http://www.duttonhouse.com/ - This is not complete yet, but it should be gorgeous.
Hontoon Island
DeBary Hall - http://debaryhall.com/
Victoria Gardens - Phone: 386-734-3871, Contact: Barb Sternett, Email: barb.sternett@bluestarresorts.com
Victoria Hills Country Club - http://www.victoriahillsgolf.com/ also their restaurant Mulligans
DeBary Golf and Country Club
A new location near Hontoon island may be coming soon
Pancake House at DeLeon Springs
Blue Spring - http://www.floridastateparks.org/bluespring/ - They have an old fashioned house on the property. The manatees can be seen in the colder months.
Lake Beresford Yacht Club - http://www.lakeberesfordyachtclub.com - Unsure if this has reopened after a fire.
Wild Acres - http://www.wildacresfarms.com
Rivership Romance - http://www.rivershipromance.com/ - Goes in and out of Volusia. Boards in Sanford
Beresford Lady - http://volusia.org/echotourism/outdoor/beresford.htm - They were trying to salvage this after the hurricanes.
Shepherd's Hall -
DeLand Country Club - http://www.delandcountryclub.com/
Deltona Golf Club - http://www.thedeltonaclub.com
Cassadaga Hotel - http://www.cassadagahotel.net/
Volusia County Fairgrounds - http://www.volusiacountyfair.com/
Artisan Inn, This also has a restaurant on the lower floor. http://www.delandartisaninn.com/
Museum of Florida Art - http://www.museumoffloridaart.org/
The Historic Ann Stevens House - http://www.annstevenshouse.com
Gemini Springs - http://www.volusia.org/parks/gemini.htm - They have a few buildings to hold events.
Green Springs - A gorgeous spring, but only outdoor facilities.
1876 Heritage Inn - http://www.1876heritageinn.com/
DeLand Conference Center - http://www.delandconferencecenter.com - Probably one of the largest venues in the area. They have a fully carpeted conference room for about 120, and warehouse style space that can push it to 300.
Grant Bly House - http://www.grantblyhouse.com/
Pioneer Settlement for the Creative Arts - www.pioneersettlement.org
Chisholm Community Center - DeLand, www.deland.org/Parks/chisholm.htm
Faith Lutheran Church - Phone: 386-734-2791
Knights of Columbus, DeLand - Phone: 386-738-1516
Wayne G. Sanborn Activities Center, DeLand - www.deland.org/Parks/wayne.htm
Deltona Community Center - www.deltonafl.gov
DeBary Gateway Center for the Arts


Hotels -
Holiday Inn DeLand - http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hotel/delnd
Holiday Inn Express - DeBary/Deltona
Hampton Inn - DeBary/Deltona - http://www.Hamptoninn.com
Comfort Inn - Orange City
Best Western - Deltona Inn - http://www.deltonainn.com
University Inn - DeLand -
Hontoon Landing Resort & Marina - www.hontoon.com www.hummingbirdvacation.com

Restaurants (To think of for bridal showers or rehearsal dinners)
Boston Gourmet Coffeehouse - www.thebostoncoffeehouse.com, DeLand
Norville Barnes - http://www.norvillebarnes.com/, DeLand
The Abbey - http://www.abbeydeland.com/
Cress - http://www.cressrestaurant.com/
Mainstreet Grille - http://www.mainstreetgrilldeland.com/
Swamp House Grill, DeBary.

Random Thoughts -
Deep Creek Stables, a wide open ranch with horses in Pierson, http://www.deepcreekstables.net/
Chess Park in DeLand (Think giant chess pieces)
Athens Theatre - http://www.athenstheatre.org/
A private yacht/houseboat on the river
Skydive DeLand - http://www.skydivedeland.com/
The air museum and navy museum

Venues less than 10 miles of West Volusia's borders -
Just over the border of West Volusia
Central Florida Zoo - http://www.centralfloridazoo.org/
See Rivership Romance under West Volusia
Lake Mary Event Center - http://www.lakemaryeventscenter.com/

Hotels -
Hampton Inn & Suites Lake Mary - http://www.Hamptoninn.com
SpringHill Suites Orlando North/Sanford
Comfort Inn & Suites Sanford - http://www.comfortinnsanford.com/
Orlando Marriott Lake Mary

Volusia
Chapel in the Garden & Tavern in the Garden - http://www.tavernandchapel.com/
Museum of Art and Sciences - http://www.moas.org/
Atlantic Center for the Arts - http://www.atlanticcenterforthearts.org
Ocean Center - http://www.oceancenter.com/ - This place is HUGE. Mainly for conferences
River Lily Inn - http://www.riverlilyinnbedandbreakfast.com/
Pelican Bay Golf Club - http://www.theclubpelicanbay.com/

Volusia hotels -
Daytona Beach Shores - http://www.shoresresort.com/ - The only 4 star rated hotel by AAA.
Hilton Daytona beach - http://www.daytonahilton.com/
Daytona Beach Resort - http://www.daytonabeachresort.com/
A good list of Daytona reception venues - http://www.daytonabeach.com/whattosee.cfm/mode/reception

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Welcome to the website and blog of the West Volusia Wedding Professionals!

Welcome and sit back while the West Volusia Wedding Professionals help you network!

We plan to showcase venues in Volusia, Lake and Seminole Counties that are unique and viable options for weddings and events.

Some of the major cities included are DeLand, Deltona, Sanford and Daytona Beach.

-Chad