2025 Dates Available
Recently updated
This vendor updated their storefront within the last 15 days.
Central Florida, Orlando, Gainesville
Service area
Holds ceremonies and receptions
In Ocala, FL, the World Equestrian Center is Central Florida's premier wedding venue. Located on a sprawling 378 acres, we provide a breathtaking backdrop for those seeking an opulent setting for their special day. A team of event planners is ready to help you bring your dream day to life—we take care of the details, leaving you free to focus on making memories. With lush rolling grounds, towering trees, and luxury accommodations, this property offers an unforgettable setting for your milestone event.
Facilities and Capacity
Both indoor and outdoor gatherings can be facilitated at World Equestrian Center – Ocala. The chapel's charming exterior and landscaped surroundings are ideal for capturing pristine wedding photos. You can host your reception in the romantic atmosphere of the Oak-Canopy Garden.
Close to the Oak-Canopy Garden—just a horse-drawn carriage ride away—The Equestrian Hotel offers luxurious lodging in 248 rooms and suites. The grand hotel is home to a fine dining restaurant, a gastro pub, and an authentic French patisserie that can artfully craft the wedding cake of your dreams. The Equestrian’s intimate Rose Garden and sweeping terrace overlooking the Grand Arena are both beautiful options for outdoor receptions, rehearsals, or wedding showers, while the stunning Paris Room can provide indoor seating for up to 40 guests.
In addition to The Equestrian Hotel, the property offers a host of other facilities, including five expansive indoor arenas, stylishly appointed mezzanine suites, and two large column-free exposition centers ideal for holding ceremonies or large gatherings.
Services Offered
World Equestrian Center – Ocala has a dedicated team that is fully committed to working with the bride and groom to create your unforgettable day. Choose from pre-existing wedding packages or work with us to bring your unique vision to life.
Before the day begins, the wedding party can pamper themselves at The Equestrian Hotel’s full-service resort spa. Calluna Spa, a 7,000-square-foot salon and spa, offers all manner of luxurious body treatments and facials. Their exceptional providers can help you create the perfect look for your big day with hair, nail, and makeup services. Browse their curated wedding packages to feel and look your best when it counts the most.
With on-site catering, the offerings prepared by our world-class culinary team are customizable and built around preferences, dietary restrictions, and budget. We pride ourselves on our exceptional quality and use only the freshest ingredients. The executive pastry team’s wedding cake menu includes options for personalized and chef-designed cakes with a plethora of flavor and filling options. Couples choosing to celebrate with us will also have access to premier wine selections so they can toast to a happy future.
Be sure to check out the gallery for an exclusive 360° Virtual Tour!
Amenities + details
Amenities
Ceremony Area
Covered Outdoors Space
Dressing Room
Handicap Accessible
Indoor Event Space
On-Site Accommodations
Outdoor Event Space
Reception Area
Wireless Internet
Ceremony Types
Civil Union
Commitment Ceremony
Elopement
Interfaith Ceremony
Non-Religious Ceremony
Religious Ceremony
Second Wedding
Vow Renewal Ceremony
Settings
Ballroom
Country Club
Garden
Hotel
Religious Setting
Church
Restaurant
Rooftop
Tented
Trees
Venue Service Offerings
Bar & Drinks
Cakes & Desserts
Cupcakes
Other Desserts
Destination Weddings
Food & Catering
Service Staff
Transportation
Shuttle Service
Any questions?
Meet the team
Isabella Snyder
Catering Sales Manager
With experience as a wedding planner, Bella knows what it takes to bring a celebration to life. Now as our Catering Sales Manager, she uses that insight to guide couples through the venue experience with ease and care. From the first tour to the big day, Bella is here to make your planning process smooth, personal, and unforgettable.
Reviews
4.3
out of 5.06 reviews
Your trust is our goal. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.
Review Summary
This AI-generated summary is a snapshot of this vendor's ratings and feedback.
The World Equestrian Center is praised by reviewers for its breathtaking setting, elegant ambiance, and stellar service. The team, particularly Lizbeth, is commended for being professional, accommodating, and instrumental in coordinating various aspects of the wedding. Guests appreciate the flawless execution of the event, delicious food, and helpfulness of the entire staff, including those at the Riding Academy and the banquet team. The venue receives high recommendations for creating memorable experiences and for its exceptional team dedicated to ensuring a perfect wedding day.Review photos
Showing slide number 1 out of 9
Kristie M
Highlighted review.
5.0
12/12/2024
Our wedding was the most memorable, special, beautiful, and fun day thanks to Lizbeth and the team at WEC! All aspects of our wedding were executed flawlessly thanks to their knowl...
edge, professionalism, and genuine care. The venue, accommodations, menu, and service were stellar. The vendors recommended by Lizbeth/WEC's preferred list greatly contributed to not only our day being beautiful but also so much fun! Lizbeth was present and available to both the bride and groom, in addition to instrumental in coordinating with our vendors and her team - especially when considering our various WEC wedding locations of the ceremony in The Chapel, cocktail hour in the Paris Room, and reception on the Stirrups Terrace ensuring the most perfect wedding day for us and our guests! We cannot recommend Lizbeth and the team at WEC enough and are so thankful and appreciative to them we and our guests have such fond memories of our wedding to reminisce for the rest of our lives.
Response from The World Equestrian Center on 12/12/2024
Dear Kristie,
Thank you so much for your beautiful and heartfelt review. It was truly an ...
honor to be part of your wedding journey and to help bring your vision to life. Your kind words about the team and me mean the world, and we’re thrilled to know that your special day was everything you dreamed it would be.
We’re so glad you, Brandon, and your guests enjoyed the venue, accommodations, menu, and service. It’s wonderful to hear that our recommended vendors contributed to making your day both beautiful and fun. It was a pleasure working alongside you to coordinate all the details, from the stunning ceremony in The Chapel to the cocktail hour in the Paris Room and your unforgettable reception on the Stirrups Terrace.
Your wedding was a reflection of your love and joy, and I am so grateful to have been a part of it. Knowing that you, Brandon, and your guests have such fond memories to cherish makes all the effort worthwhile.
Thank you again for choosing the World Equestrian Center for your special day. Wishing you and Brandon a lifetime filled with love, happiness, and cherished memories.
Lizbeth
Carsten V
5.0
8/27/2025
We had the absolute pleasure of photographing Sam & Monica’s wedding at The World Equestrian Center, and it was truly an unforgettable experience. As photographers from Visual Arts...
Wedding Photography, we could not have asked for a more breathtaking venue or a more supportive team. From start to finish, the staff at WEC were professional, accommodating, and a joy to work with—making the entire day seamless for everyone involved.
The setting itself is nothing short of spectacular, offering a perfect backdrop for capturing timeless wedding moments. Every corner of the property radiates elegance, which translated beautifully into our photographs.
We are so grateful to the WEC team for their dedication and warmth, and we are already looking forward to capturing many more weddings at this extraordinary venue.
Any questions?
Nicole M
1.0
11/11/2024
Brides and grooms, beware. My fiancé and I signed a contract with the World Equestrian Center in December 2023 for our wedding ceremony in the Chapel and our reception on the Stirr...
ups Terrace. We were thrilled, believing we had secured our dream wedding.
However, just 41 days before our big day, I discovered on WEC's website that they were hosting a Grand Prix event in the main arena and selling tickets for a dining experience on the Stirrups Terrace where our dream reception was to take place. Learning about this significant change online, rather than through our WEC representative, highlights their unprofessionalism—unacceptable for a venue of this caliber.
When we confronted WEC, they admitted to being aware of the conflict but insisted we relocate our reception to another area. All that was offered to my fiancé and I for this massive inconvenience was a 40 x 40 tent for 74 guests. Since we were unwilling to move our reception to a new location, WEC cancelled our contract with 37 days to go before our wedding date. They also refused to mass cancel our room block so my fiancé and I had to contact every guest that booked at the hotel to call and cancel.
This breach of contract has utterly ruined our wedding day. It feels like a blatant bait-and-switch, driven by greed; they clearly prioritize making money over honoring commitments to their clients. They will toss aside your wedding contract if a better offer comes along.
I strongly advise prospective couples to consider other options before trusting the World Equestrian Center with such an important occasion.
Response from The World Equestrian Center on 12/10/2024
Hi Nicole,
Thank you for sharing your feedback in a review for World Equestrian Center. ...
We sincerely apologize for your experience with us and the frustration this situation caused, especially during such an important time in your life.
While we understand the difficulty of the situation, we want to clarify that our team provided the option to remain on the original date with an alternate venue, change the date, or release you from the contract. Ultimately, we understand that the alternatives we presented did not align with your intended vision for the event. Regrettably, we were unable to assist with cancelling the individual guest room reservations.
We recognize that no number of options can replace the disappointment of having to make last-minute changes, and we genuinely regret that this impacted your wedding plans. We strive to provide an exceptional experience for all of our guests, and we will do our best to ensure better communication and service moving forward.
We wish you and your fiancé all the best for your future, and we apologize again for your experience.
Kenneth S
5.0
10/23/2024
The wedding couple could not have had a more special day. The venue, accommodations, menu, and service were A+++++. The referred vendors added a great dynamic to the wedding. Every...
guest I spoke with had a wonderful time and was very complimentary. The Chapel, Hotel Rooms, Paris Room, and Terrace at the World Equestrian Center provided a memorable fun, flawless event at a beautiful place.
Response from The World Equestrian Center on 10/24/2024
Dear Kenneth,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! It was truly an honor to be pa...
rt of Kristi and Brandon’s special day. We’re thrilled to hear that every detail—from the venue and accommodations to the menu and service—met your expectations. It’s always a joy to know our referred vendors contributed to making the event dynamic and memorable for everyone.
We’re glad that the Chapel, Paris Room, Terrace, and Hotel Rooms helped create such a beautiful and seamless celebration. Please extend our best wishes to the happy couple, and we hope to welcome you and your family back to the World Equestrian Center in the future!
Warm regards,
Lizbeth Gennaro
Lauren G
5.0
5/23/2024
Lizbeth and the WEC team are the best of the best! You will not find a better group. Lizbeth did a stellar job in coordinating the vendors and keeping everything on time. From th...
e day before the wedding attending the rehearsal and meeting the wedding party to ensuring the outside lights were ready for a sparkler exit, she closely monitored everything. She oversaw that the reception area was perfect before the wedding, turned down the air conditioning in the chapel; she was ready and willing to help with anything, big or small. Lizbeth shuttled guests around in golf carts and at one point even held my dress. To find a wedding coordinator who becomes such a wonderful friend is the person that Lizbeth is.
She made sure any dietary allergy needs were followed while working with the amazing banquet team of the World Equestrian Center. While guests ate dinner there was barely a sound- the food was the best food anyone had ever had, and all plates were finished. We have friends and family continuing to rave about the incredible food we know to be served only at WEC. We have so many memories from 5ks and events we have attended at WEC prior to our big day which made having our wedding there all the more special. The staff at the Riding Academy, where many guests stayed, and the whole wedding team are all the kindest and such hardworking individuals! Connie and Daniel who greeted guests at the new hotel were fabulous.
Like the meal and dessert, the cake was delicious. Yohann is extremely passionate about what he does, and it shows. We look forward to eating the rest on our one-year anniversary! A huge thank you again to everyone at WEC! They all really care about what they do and will only provide the best.
*Photo credit: Lyn Larson of Mahal Imagery
Golf cart photo taken by guest
Response from The World Equestrian Center on 05/23/2024
Lauren,
Thank you so much for your heartfelt message and for sharing your wonderful exper...
ience with us! It truly means a lot to receive such kind words and recognition.
I'm thrilled you had a magical experience with us at WEC and that everything went smoothly on your wedding day. It was an absolute pleasure to work with you and help bring your vision to life.
Your detailed feedback about your experience with our team, from coordinating vendors to ensuring every detail was perfect, warmed my heart. I'm especially delighted to hear that you and your guests enjoyed the food and hospitality provided by our staff. It's always our goal to exceed expectations and create unforgettable moments for our guests.
Again, thank you for entrusting us with such an important milestone in your lives. We look forward to welcoming you back to WEC in the future and creating more beautiful memories together.
Warm regards, Lizbeth and the WEC Team
David S
5.0
1/16/2023
Thank you to a world class facility! The World Equestrian Center’s hotel staff, culinary and bakery teams, event manager, and all the in house help and staff were incredible to wor...
k with. Thank you for making our special day a dream wedding!
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The World Equestrian Center
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