Hi there, I’m Shannon, the co-founder of Wedding Venue Map. I’m excited to share all about our amazing Central Florida wedding networking event in Spring 2021! Our Percolate and Navigate networking event was one of many Wedding Venue Map events for our members to build stronger relationships and get to know each other. This central Florida wedding networking event at Azalea Lodge at Mead Gardens included wedding vendors from every category. It also provided the opportunity for a few of our members to sponsor the event and showcase their unique services. It’s always amazing when the community of people, co-workers, and companies that are the wedding industry come together. The concept of having a two hour event, without a meal, gives everyone ample time to spend making good quality connections and not losing a whole hour just sitting for a meal. Generally held in the mornings, from 10-noon, these events allow people to make connections and then get on with the day. 
Thank you to Nadine Nasby Photography for capturing the photos to share the fun from our Percolate and Navigate networking event at Azalea Lodge at Mead Gardens.
First and foremost was the venue, Azalea Lodge at Mead Gardens. The natural beauty of Mead Botanical Garden and the rustic charm of the Azalea Lodge come together to create the perfect event venue exclusively available through Dubsdread Catering. We enjoyed the majestic hundred-year-old oak trees, winding creeks, and stunning flora and fauna providing a beautiful backdrop to any event. A great location and plenty of options for events of all sizes, the venue is located just on the edge of Winter Park and has many different spaces within the facility to select from, or combine, to accommodate groups large and small.
Our team selected Azalea Lodge at Mead Gardens to showcase and share their ability to hold Grand weddings, corporate events, intimate parties, and small business meetings which can all be arranged in this beautiful rustic lodge setting that is both comfortable and classic.
An epic event space enhanced by the gorgeous linens by Connie Duglin Linen. From the modern design of Contempo Black and Silver in a collection that offers an effortless elegance from soft hued colors to bold patterns to metallic shine and each fabric provided an air of sophistication that our guests loved. Paired with an always light and modern Platinum Crinkled Taffeta to provide a bit of shine with fabulous rippled texture. A beautifully textured linen that reflected light to dress up any event.
The team at Dubsdread Catering manages and does bookings for Mead Gardens. provided coffee and light bites for this morning’s Percolate and Navigate networking event. From a good morning of scrumptious butler passed French Toast bite, tasty breakfast pastries and a build your own parfait and a delicious Coffee Bar and a Mimosa toast, our event attendees were comfortable and ready to mingle and network.
Atmosphere Floral provided the lights and flowers to enhance the morning. Atmosphere Floral set out to build a floral event design company offering a one-stop shop for all of their clients decor needs. Their passion to bring event floral design to the next level has lead to many years of success and a proud collection of awards to show for the outstanding service.
Relationships run deep with wedding professionals. In-person wedding networking events like this one allow those people with a well-established relationship to catch up and others to make new connections.
Networking Tips for Wedding Pros:
- Be prepared to strike up a conversation with those next to you in line for food or drinks. Where did they travel from? What brought them to the conference? Once you break the ice, things get a lot easier, and you’ll be surprised how much less intimidating these events can be once you’ve done it a few times.
- Walking into a networking event where you don’t know anyone can be nerve wracking. If you are worried that you will freeze up and waste the opportunity, consider recruiting some help. Approach one of the event organizers, introduce yourself, and ask for their advice. Who do they think you should meet? Would they mind making an introduction?
- Networking events can bring out the worst in your inner voice. “You are boring and no one will want to talk to you,” can play on repeat inside your head, lowering your confidence and making you feel like coming to the event was a mistake. Do your best to shut the inner critic off. Remind yourself that you have the credentials and the experience to be here, that many people find you interesting, and that everyone is far too busy with their own conversations to pay attention to your every move.
I knew that an epic networking event would need the perfect vibe and Complete Weddings & Events knew just what we needed. When you’re creating an epic networking event, and want a perfect vibe, trying to find somebody who can read the crowd and play the right beats at the right time to take your event to the next level is important. For our Percolate and Navigate event, Complete Weddings & Events knew exactly what we were looking for, by playing a great coffee house list that perfectly complimented all the conversations going on.
We love taking the time to be grateful for every single business, company, and wedding pro that invests in their partnership with Wedding Venue Map. This was just one of many events for our members to connect with each other, from events like this one, speed networking, to new map release events every January and July called Sip, See & Celebrate. If you missed this one, we hope to see you at the next one. Stay up to date on all upcoming events by checking our networking calendar!
Thank you to all of our incredible sponsors for the Percolate and Navigate networking event at Azalea Lodge at Mead Gardens!
Hosted at Azalea Lodge at Mead Botanical Gardens
Light bites and coffee by Dubsdread Catering
Linens by Connie Duglin Linens
Floral & Decor by Atmospheres Floral did lights
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